2025 Visitor's Guide

Kentucky Derby style, especially Derby hats, has become an iconic staple of the race and horse racing culture.  The hat featured on this year’s cover is from Master Milliner Jenny Pfanenstiel at Louisville’s Formé Millinery Co. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum, which currently features the Derby fashion exhibit “See & Be See: 150 Years of Derby Fashion.” Then, stop into Formé Millinery to see the latest styles.

Kentucky is home to a growing black bear population, especially around Cumberland, the “Black Bear Capital of Kentucky.” Wildlife watchers will likely spot them roaming the Kentucky Appalachians. 

See how the bat of “The Big Leagues” is made when you tour the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum. You’ll even get to take home your very own free mini bat after your tour.

Penguins, sharks, alligators and all sorts of aquatic life await you at the Newport Aquarium. Start planning your visit to this can’t-miss family attraction. 

From the UNESCO Creative City of Paducah to Berea, the “Folk Arts & Craft Capital of Kentucky,” the arts run deep in the Bluegrass. Across the state, you’ll find fine arts and crafts shops where you can purchase Kentucky-made goods. Visit workshops to learn how to craft your own pieces. Visit the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea and the Appalachian Artisan Center in Hindman to see hundreds of works from Kentucky artists. 

Browse 70 corvettes when you visit the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. See the influence of “America’s Sports Car” on pop culture, try the Racing Simulator, then head to NCM Motorsports Park for a lap around the track in the real thing! 

Muhlenberg County is tied to music legends like the Everly Brothers, John Prine and Merle Travis. Visit the Muhlenberg Music & History Museum to learn more about the area’s musical roots.  

For any outdoors lover visiting Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is a must! The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, International Dark Sky Park and International Biosphere Reserve, offers all kinds of outdoor fun, including hiking, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and tours of the world’s longest-known cave system. 

Go for a one-of-a-kind adventure in Rogers with a tour of The Gorge Underground. Take a guided boat, kayak or SUP tour through this flooded mine. Book you tour today! 

As you travel through Kentucky, be sure to pick up a Kentucky-themed souvenir for your loved ones from local galleries and gift shops, like the ones featured on the cover. 

If you’re exploring the natural beauty of the Bluegrass, gear up with sunglasses from Shady Rays. This local company operates out of Simpsonville with shops in Lexington and Louisville. 

As you travel through Kentucky, be sure to pick up a Kentucky-themed souvenir for your loved ones from local galleries and gift shops, like the ones featured on the cover. 

Lake Cumberland is the “Houseboating Capital of the World!” Rent a houseboat for the ultimate relaxing lake experience.

Verona Vineyards is one of 65 wineries across Kentucky. Spend an afternoon at this working horse farm in the rolling hills of Verona to sample their selection of award-winning wines. 

Anglers from near and far choose Kentucky as their fishing destination. The state ranks in the top four in the nation for freshwater fish diversity, with 242 species found across the state. Plus, Kentucky boasts 114 miles across nine designated Wild Rivers as well as 45 major lakes. Plan your next fishing trip in Kentucky!

This hand-carved rooster by artists Lonnie and Twyla Money represents the deep roots of Kentucky folk art and its cultural significance to the state. Folk art is practiced around Kentucky to celebrate and preserve the state’s unique traditions, culture and history. Visit the Kentucky Folk Art Center in Morehead to learn more about Kentucky artists and to browse their works. 

B.B. King, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington were among the icons that frequented the historic Hotel Metropolitan in Paducah. The 1908 hotel was listed in the Green Book, offering a haven for Black travelers during segregation. Visit the museum to learn the history of the property and its famous guests. Click here to learn more about African American heritage in Kentucky.  

That vibrant touch of yellow on the cover is Kentucky’s state flower, the goldenrod. You’ll find over 30 species of goldenrod throughout the state. 

Shop Kentucky-made pottery, including coffee mugs, pet dishes, planters, vases, and more, from Turtle Farm Pottery. Visit their studio and gallery in Campton or the Gallery at The Brick in Pine Ridge. 

Discover 150 years of history behind “the most exciting two minutes in sports” when you visit the Kentucky Derby Museum. Browse two floors of interactive exhibits and take a guided tour of the racetrack at iconic Churchill Downs. 

“Get lost” among the striking natural features of Carter Caves State Resort Park. Explore arches, caves, cliffs and natural bridges along 33 miles of trails.  

Stop into West Sixth Brewing for a tour and a round of craft brews from their rotating menu, including bourbon barrel-aged beers. West Sixth features four locations — the original brewery and taproom in Lexington, West Sixth Nulu in Louisville, West Sixth Farm in Frankfort and a new location in Covington, West Sixth Covington Haus. 

Kentucky is home to two historic Shaker sites: South Union Shaker Village and Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. Visit The Shaker Museum at South Union in Auburn to learn more about this 1807 village. In Harrodsburg, tour the grounds of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill to see 34 remaining original structures at this National Historic Landmark. 

A state delicacy, the Kentucky Hot Brown is an open-faced turkey sandwich piled with bacon, tomatoes, cheese and Mornay sauce. It was first invented at The Brown Hotel in Louisville in the 1920s. Here’s the recipe so you can whip one up at home. Or better yet, come on down to Kentucky and try one along with more delicious Southern fare. Featured on the cover, you’ll see the hot brown plate made from Louisville’s Stoneware & Co. Stop by for a tour and to paint your own pottery. 

Did you know the 16th president was born in the Bluegrass? Visit Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek and The Lincoln Museum in Hodgenville to discover more about Lincoln’s early life and his lifelong ties to Kentucky. 

Featured here, you’ll see a copy of “Lake Ascending” by New York Times bestselling author and 2023-2024 Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House. Learn more about House’s works here.

As you travel through Kentucky, be sure to pick up a Kentucky-themed souvenir for your loved ones from local galleries and gift shops, like the ones featured on the cover. 

If you have a sweet tooth, you gotta try the bourbon balls. Created in the 1930s by Rebecca Ruth Candy, these rich, creamy candies have been taken to another level by Ruth Hunt Candies, who partners with Woodford Reserve Distillery for their recipe.

Take a self-guided bourbon tour through Northern Kentucky on The B-Line. Featuring seven distilleries from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, nine bourbon bars and nine restaurants, The B-Line will lead you to all kinds of bourbon experiences and delicious Kentucky fare. Pick up a Line Guide passport and check in at two distilleries, two restaurants and two bars to win a prize! 

Take the Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour to learn about the distilling process and the storied history behind one of the world’s most famous bourbon brands.