Equestrian Experiences

Equestrian experiences abound in the Bluegrass State — the bright green grass perfect for grazing grows abundantly in our pastures. Go horseback riding through Daniel Boone National Forest or Mammoth Cave National Park. Tour a horse farm (more than 400 in the Lexington area alone!) and spend time with a titleholder-in-training or Kentucky Derby horses retired to stud. And don’t miss the high-stepping hoofbeats heard ‘round Shelbyville, the American Saddlebred Capital of the World, each August during the Shelbyville Horse Show.

From the legendary Kentucky Derby to the one-of-a-kind Kentucky Horse Park, it’s undeniable that Kentucky’s horse culture has the inside track.
The first Saturday in May attracts more than 150,000 fans to Churchill Downs to witness the Kentucky Derby, “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” but every day is Derby Day at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville. Get hands-on with interactive exhibits, take in the 360-degree film and take a guided visit to the Churchill Downs track.

The renowned Louisville course isn’t the only place to hear and feel the thundering of hooves. Keeneland in Lexington is a National Historic Landmark; it’s hosted spring and fall thoroughbred races since the 1930s, and today spectators tailgate on “The Hill” with fare from food trucks while live bluegrass plays in the background.

Other horse racing courses are sprinkled around the state, and for something a little different check out harness racing at Red Mile Racetrack in Lexington. The second-oldest harness track in the world, the clay-course Red Mile attracts more than 18,000 fans to its season, July through the second week of October.

At the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, celebrate local horse heritage every day. See American Saddlebreds to Old Kentucky Saddlers being trained and groomed in the Breeds Barn. Admire retired racehorses in the Hall of Champions. Take a trail ride on horseback or saddle up the kids for pony rides. Attend equestrian events, including show jumping, dressage and polo.

Even if you don’t come to Kentucky a horse lover, you’ll almost certainly leave as one.

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5 Kentucky Made Ice Creams

State Wide

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Ice cream may not be the first food you think of when you think Kentucky, but the state does have several yummy ice cream flavors. Here are five Kentucky made ice creams with decadent regional flavors to make you say, “yum!”

Chaney's Dairy Barn – Bowling Green

Rolling farmlands, Jersey cows and the best ice cream in Kentucky, according to USA Today, are all found at Chaney's Dairy Barn. Chaney's offers Summer Family Farm Tours on Fridays and Mondays during June and July at 1 p.m. The farm tour includes the hayride to the farm (weather permitting), a visit with a calf, a live milking demonstration, information about cows, dairy and farm life, plus a scoop of Chaney's Ice Cream in a cup.

Crank and Boom – Lexington

Toa Green launched this successful ice cream from the kitchen of her Lexington restaurant The Thai Orchid Café, and fashioned it after coconut ice cream sold by street vendors in Thailand. The result is a delicious ice cream treat with an array of savory regional flavors inspired from the surrounding Bluegrass region. There are 40 to 50 flavors that change seasonally including blackberry and honey bourbon. While you can find Crank and Boom ice cream for sale in several restaurants and retail locations, it’s worth a trip to the Crank and Boom Ice Cream Lounge located in the James Pepper Distillery property in Lexington.

Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen – Louisville

Since 1982, this family owned restaurant in Louisville has upheld a family tradition of serving fresh-churned ice cream. Thirty-two flavors of this tasty ice cream are served in 10 locations throughout the Louisville area. Flavors range from traditional favorites like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry to coconut and birthday cake. Don’t leave without trying the signature sundae series, such as the American Pride, a slice of homemade cherry pie layered with chocolate icing, chocolate chip cookie and two scoops of Blue Moon (Smurf) ice cream – topped, of course, with fresh whipped cream!

Generations – Stanford

As the name implies, this family-owned business is multi-generational and has the motto “Forget your troubles, bring your family and have some darn good ice cream.” Made in house, ice cream flavors include Big Red Rumble, white chocolate ice cream with red velvet cake swirl and Wow Now Brownie, chocolate ice cream with brownies, chocolate chunks and fudge swirl.

The Comfy Cow – Louisville

With four retails locations in Louisville and a number of stores throughout Kentucky that sell this Kentucky made ice cream, The Comfy Cow is a favorite among locals. Homemade creations include flavors as uniquely Kentucky as Bourbon Ball, Simply Southern, Blackberry Mint Julep, Kentucky Bourbon Glazed Brownie, Secretariat and Bourbon Maple Walnut.

Kentucky Horse Country