Louisville
A lively river city of bourbon and the Derby.
Points of interest
- Churchill Downs
- Muhammad Ali Center
- Whiskey Row
- Louisville Slugger Museum
State guide
Things to do in Kentucky
Bourbon distilleries, the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, horse farms in the Bluegrass, the world's longest cave at Mammoth Cave, the sandstone arches of Red River Gorge and Louisville's food and music.
680+ km
Of Mammoth Cave mapped
Bourbon, horses and caves
Kentucky is the home of bourbon, America's native spirit, and most of the world's bourbon is made here. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail links dozens of distilleries, from historic names to small craft producers, through rolling green countryside.
The Bluegrass region around Lexington is horse country, with white-fenced thoroughbred farms and the Keeneland racecourse. In Louisville, the Kentucky Derby, the most famous horse race in the USA, runs at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. Louisville is also a lively city, with the Muhammad Ali Center, the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, and a strong food scene.
Mammoth Cave National Park protects the longest known cave system in the world, with more than 680 kilometres mapped. In the east, Red River Gorge has sandstone arches and some of the best rock climbing in the country, and the Appalachian Mountains continue into coal country. Give Kentucky four or five days, by car. Spring and autumn are best.
Where to base yourself
Louisville for the city and the Derby, Lexington for horses and bourbon, and Bardstown for distilleries.
Lexington
The horse capital of the world.
Points of interest
- Keeneland
- Kentucky Horse Park
- Horse farms
- Distilleries
Bardstown
The bourbon capital of the world.
Points of interest
- Distilleries
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park
Regions of Kentucky
Louisville in the north, the Bluegrass around Lexington, caves in the south and mountains in the east.
Louisville
City, Derby, bourbon barsKentucky's biggest city on the Ohio River.
Bluegrass
Horses, distilleriesLexington, Frankfort and Bardstown.
Mammoth Cave
CavesThe world's longest known cave system.
Eastern Kentucky
Arches, mountainsRed River Gorge and Cumberland Falls.
Things to do
Things to do in Kentucky
Tour distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, around Bardstown, Frankfort and Lexington, and the Urban Bourbon Trail in Louisville. Visit Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum, and the Muhammad Ali Center and Louisville Slugger Museum downtown.
Around Lexington, visit Keeneland racecourse, especially during its spring and autumn race meetings, and tour a horse farm or the Kentucky Horse Park. Visit Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
Take a guided cave tour at Mammoth Cave National Park; tours sell out in summer, so book ahead. In the east, hike to the arches of Red River Gorge, climb or kayak there, and see Cumberland Falls, where a moonbow can appear on clear nights with a full moon.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Mammoth Cave National Park has no entry fee, and its surface trails are free; cave tours charge. Red River Gorge and Cumberland Falls are free, though some parking areas need a pass.
Watching morning workouts at Keeneland is free in race season, and Louisville's Waterfront Park and the Big Four Bridge walkway to Indiana are free.
Distillery tours charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Kentucky's signature dish is the Hot Brown, an open turkey sandwich with bacon and cheese sauce, created at Louisville's Brown Hotel. Try burgoo, a meaty stew, and derby pie, with chocolate and walnuts. Western Kentucky is known for barbecued mutton.
Bourbon is everywhere, in cocktails like the Old Fashioned and the Mint Julep, the drink of the Derby, and bourbon balls are a sweet treat.
Louisville has a strong restaurant scene. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
Louisville has the best nightlife, with bourbon bars on Whiskey Row, and bars in NuLu and the Highlands. Lexington has a lively downtown and distillery district.
Kentucky is the home of bluegrass music, played in bars and festivals.
Bars in Louisville can stay open until 4am.
Getting around
Getting around
Louisville and Lexington have airports, and Cincinnati's airport is in northern Kentucky. Public transport is limited outside the cities.
A car is essential for the Bourbon Trail, Mammoth Cave and the mountains. Never drink and drive after tastings: use a tour company or a designated driver.
Most of Kentucky is on Eastern Time; the west, including Mammoth Cave, is on Central Time.
Costs
What Kentucky costs
Kentucky is good value, cheaper than most of the USA. Prices in Louisville soar during Derby week, when rooms book up a year ahead.
Sales tax is 6 per cent across the state, with no local sales tax. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Distillery tours and cave tours are the main costs.
Safety
Safety and scams
Kentucky is generally safe; take normal city care at night in Louisville.
In Red River Gorge, stay back from cliff edges, as falls happen every year. Caves are cool all year, so bring a layer.
Spring brings severe storms and tornadoes, and some eastern areas flood after heavy rain. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Derby, bourbon festivals and bluegrass.
First Saturday in May
Kentucky Derby
Churchill Downs, Louisville
The most famous horse race in the USA.
September
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Bardstown
Tastings and events in the bourbon capital.
April and October
Keeneland race meetings
Lexington
Thoroughbred racing in spring and autumn.
When to go
April to June and September to October are the best times. Spring brings the Derby and Keeneland races, and autumn the colour and the second race meeting. Summers are hot and humid.
Jan
Cold
Feb
Cool
Mar
Spring
Apr
Keeneland spring meet
May
Kentucky Derby
Jun
Warm
Jul
Hot, humid
Aug
Hot
Sep
Bourbon Festival
Oct
Autumn colour, Keeneland
Nov
Cool
Dec
Cold
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Louisville, rounded.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Louisville prices.
Treat these as a guide. Derby week costs much more.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Kentucky questions
The ones we get asked most.
When is the Kentucky Derby?
On the first Saturday in May, at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
How do I do the Bourbon Trail without driving?
Book a tour company or hire a driver, as distilleries are spread out.
Do I need to book Mammoth Cave tours?
Yes, especially in summer and at weekends, as tours sell out.
How many days do you need in Kentucky?
Four or five days for Louisville, the Bluegrass and Mammoth Cave.
Do I need a car in Kentucky?
Yes, outside central Louisville.
When is the best time to visit Kentucky?
Spring and autumn.
Is Mammoth Cave free?
Entry to the park is free; cave tours charge.
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