Bourbon, Horses & History

From Louisville to Bardstown, discover multifaceted history, cutting-edge cuisine, exciting attractions, world-famous bourbon distilleries and a little race called the Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky’s rich past and vibrant present are on proud display in the Bourbon, Horses & History region. Built on the falls of the Ohio River, Louisville is Kentucky's largest city, but it has all the friendliness of a small town. Churchill Downs is the iconic backdrop of the Kentucky Derby, the first race in the Triple Crown series. Sip the finest bourbon in the world at more than 40 top-shelf bars and distilleries on Louisville's Urban Bourbon Trail®. Visit world-class attractions such as the Louisville Zoo, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and MEGA Cavern, the world's only fully underground zipline. Kentucky Kingdom has thrill seeking rides and fun for the family. Play in the city’s entertainment districts, humming with live music and nightlife.

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Kentucky Bourbon Experiences

If you want to taste Kentucky bourbon and see how distilling is done, there are no wrong turns with Kentucky Bourbon Experiences.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Craft Tour

With stops at 19 superb small-batch distilleries, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Craft Tour is proof that it pays to venture off the beaten path.
Interstate 64

Discover all that is quintessentially Kentucky on this east-west roadway – from Louisville’s buzzing bourbon and culinary scene to the proud musical and cultural heritage of the Appalachian Mountains.
Interstate 65

Make an easy detour to must-see attractions like Mammoth Cave National Park and the National Corvette Museum on this major north-south thoroughfare.
Interstate 71

Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly side trip, a day at the races or a quaint place to stay the night, there are many Kentucky gems along Interstate 71.
Country Ham Trail

A savory Southern specialty for breakfast, lunch or dinner, country ham is one of Kentucky’s favorite foods.
Fried Chicken Trail

From the original KFC to soul food joints to fine dining, sink your teeth into some of the best fried chicken in America.
Bon Appetit Appalachia Kentucky

Get a taste of Kentucky mountain culture and traditions, from farm to table.
Hot Brown Hop

If you're hungry to try Kentucky's signature sandwich, this is the trail for you!
Kentucky Lincoln Heritage Trail

Abraham Lincoln lived in Kentucky for the first seven years of his life, and that period left a lifelong impression on the future leader.
Bluegrass Parkway

The Bluegrass Parkway winds through the knobs of central Kentucky where Abraham Lincoln was born, and travels onward through Bourbon Country amid rolling hills of the bluegrass that give the roadway its name.
Western Kentucky Parkway

The Western Kentucky Parkway traverses expansive farmland and several top-notch state parks that offer endless opportunities to fish, play or stay the night.
Urban Bourbon Trail®

The Urban Bourbon Trail® span more than 40 top bars and restaurants around the Derby City, Louisville – a bourbon town if there ever was one.
Civil War Heritage Trail

Kentucky's Civil War Heritage Trail was created to observe the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War, and includes 36 historic and interpretive sites around the state – from battlefields and cemeteries to the birthplaces of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis.

More Things to Do in the Bourbon, Horses & History Region

Want to explore the lives of two great Americans? Abraham Lincoln hails from this region, and you can learn about his formative years at sites along the Kentucky Lincoln Heritage Trail. Muhammad Ali was born less than 100 miles away in Louisville, and many of his "greatest" achievements are on display at the Muhammad Ali Center. Throughout Louisville, markers commemorate important Kentucky sites on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.

Louisville is the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail^®, which rolls on through towns like Clermont (home to the Jim Beam American Stillhouse) and historic Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World. Here you can sample award-winning spirits from nine legendary distilleries, including Willett, Preservation and Four Roses. While you’re in the area, browse antiques in Elizabethtown and discover a different kind of spirit on a Bardstown ghost tour. See the stables of Shelbyville, the American Saddlebred Capital of the World, and squeeze in a little retail therapy at the Outlet Shoppes of The Bluegrass.

An overhead shot of a Hot Brown and other foods of the Bourbon, Horses & History Region

A hub of Kentucky food culture, the Bourbon, Horses & History region lays claim to the creation of numerous indelible dishes – among them the Old Fashioned cocktail and the Hot Brown sandwich.

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Immerse yourself in Kentucky Community Highlights

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Kentucky Appalachians

Discover a region where inspiring natural beauty, varied outdoor recreation, rich country music heritage and fascinating folk culture beckons visitors to leave the hustle and bustle behind.

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Bluegrass, Blues & BBQ

As the birthplace of bluegrass, this region draws visitors from around the world to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum. Come hungry, ’cause Owensboro is also the "BBQ Capital of the World."

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Bluegrass, Horses, Bourbon & Boone

In the heart of Horse Country, bluegrass landscapes melt into vibrant cities like Lexington and Berea, offering legendary horse farms, historic distilleries, handmade art, and genuine Southern hospitality.

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Bourbon, Horses & History

The thrill of the Kentucky Derby. The sizzle of Louisville’s culinary scene. The buzz of the Bourbon Capital of the World®. Iconic Kentucky experiences abound in this diverse region.

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Caves, Lakes & Corvettes

Above and below ground, discover some of Kentucky’s most magnificent natural wonders and full-throttle adventures, from Mammoth Cave National Park to the National Corvette Museum.

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Daniel Boone Country

With its dramatic scenery and unbridled adventure, frontiersman Daniel Boone may have had this ruggedly beautiful region in mind when he said "Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place."

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Southern Shorelines

Splash into the region that’s home to the “Houseboat Capital of the World,” Lake Cumberland. You’ll also find bucolic farms and vineyards, Civil War history and all the local fried fish you can eat.

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Northern Kentucky River Region

Just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, the “Top of the South” delights with exciting cities, culinary gems and popular family attractions such as the Ark Encounter and Newport Aquarium.

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Western Waterlands

Home to Kentucky’s two largest lakes and the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, this scenic region also teems with small-town charm and a thriving arts scene in Paducah.

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