Explore the Kentucky African American Heritage Trail: Lexington, Berea, Frankfort, Louisville

The is no shortage of sites on the Kentucky African American Heritage Trail (KAAHT). More than 50 unique places, scattered across the commonwealth. Each one of them allows travelers an opportunity to learn about Black Kentuckians, their culture, and their contributions to the Bluegrass State.  

The following itinerary highlights several KAAHT sites between the rolling hills of Lexington to the riverfront of Louisville and back again.  

Day 1: Lexington to Camp Nelson 

After flying into Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport and getting in a car, head toward downtown Lexington.  

A great first stop on this journey is the African Cemetery #2, which is where people of color have been laid to rest and celebrated since 1869. The cemetery is also designated as a Class 1 Arboretum, spanning nearly eight acres with more than 400 native trees. It honors veterans with a Blue Star Marker and irises, including those of the Union Army 54th and 55th Infantries, Buffalo Soldiers, and Harlem Hellfighters. The cemetery is the final resting place of more than 100 equine industry workers and Derby-winning jockeys. 

From there, head to Nicholasville and the Camp Nelson National Historic Monument. During the Civil War, this site transformed from a supply depot into one of the largest recruitment and training centers for United States Colored Troops (USCT). For thousands of enslaved people, Camp Nelson was more than a military base; it was a beacon of freedom—a place where taking up arms for the Union meant taking a stand for their own humanity. 

Conclude the day back in Lexington at The Manchester, a hotel that mirrors the city's blend of industrial roots and modern soul, followed by a dinner at Carson’s Food & Drink, where the hospitality is as warm as the grit and grace of the city itself. 

Day 2: Lexington to Berea to Louisville 

On the second day, move south toward Berea, a town defined by a vision of equality that predated most of the country by several decades. Berea College, was founded in 1855, as the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. The college offers student lead campus tours that cover the school’s history as well as its mission today.  

After lunch at the historic Boone Tavern, head west to Louisville. There, in the city’s vibrant and colorful downtown you will find the Roots 101 African American Museum. Roots 101 provides visitors with the complete history of African Americans in the United States, from the slave ships through the modern day by using artifacts, all forms of art and so much more.  

Turn in for the evening at the 21c Museum Hotel, a place where art lives in the hallways, followed by a meal at Repeal Oak-Fired Steakhouse, located on the historic site of J.T.S. Brown & Sons’ wholesale warehouse. 

Day 3: Louisville to Frankfort 

Begin the next morning with a deep dive into the soul of Louisville. The Louisville Cemetery is the final resting place for several prominent Black Kentuckians such as Kentucky Derby winning jockey Billy Walker and blues legend Sylvester Weaver among others.  

After walking the cemetery, head back downtown to the Muhammad Ali Center. More than a sports museum, it is a temple to the "Six Core Principles" of the man known as The Greatest: Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality.  

Stop for a comfort food lunch at the Black-owned Daddy Vic’s, then continue on to the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage. Here, the local story of the West End and the broader Kentucky narrative converge, showcasing the resilience of a community that thrived despite the pressures of segregation. 

Conclude the day at the world-famous Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum. The museum features the Black Heritage in Racing exhibit and tour, which teaches visitors about the incredible legacies of African American trainers, horse owners, and jockeys that continue to shape the future of racing today.  

Finally, head east to downtown Frankfort, the state capital, for a stay at The Delegate and a refined dinner at Limewater, one of Frankfort’s premier fine dining restaurants.  

Day 4: Frankfort to Lexington 

Spend the final morning in reflection at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. This museum serves as a reminder that the African American story is not a sub-plot of Kentucky’s history—it is the history. This museum showcases Kentucky's 12,000-year history in the exhibit "A Kentucky Journey." Signature objects include Abraham Lincoln’s pocket watch and portraits of Dennis and Diadamia Doram, two free 19th century African Americans who made their fortune in the hemp industry and so much more.  

Before heading to the airport, grab a soulful lunch at Blue Skillet, a Black-owned Lexington staple.