{"id":1306470,"date":"2026-10-12T11:26:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T11:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306470"},"modified":"2026-10-12T13:57:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:57:27","slug":"kentucky","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/kentucky\/","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306307,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-state","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_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guide","hw_hub_state_hero_h1":"Things to do in Kentucky","hw_hub_state_hero_intro":"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.","hw_hub_state_hero_image":"1307950","hw_hub_state_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_state_hero_cta":"See the main cities | #cities\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_state_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_state_stats":"680+ km | Of Mammoth Cave mapped","hw_hub_state_intro_title":"Bourbon, horses and caves","hw_hub_state_intro_body":"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.\r\n\r\nThe 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.\r\n\r\nMammoth 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.","hw_hub_state_facts":"Main airports | Louisville, Lexington\r\nTime zones | Eastern, Central in the west\r\nSales tax | 6%\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants\r\nGetting around | A car is essential\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Safe to drink\r\nKentucky Derby | First Saturday in May\r\nHow long to stay | Four to five days\r\nBest months | April to June, September to October","hw_hub_state_areas_title":"Regions of Kentucky","hw_hub_state_areas_intro":"Louisville in the north, the Bluegrass around Lexington, caves in the south and mountains in the east.","hw_hub_state_areas_zoom":"6","hw_hub_state_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_state_areas":"Louisville | City, Derby, bourbon bars | Kentucky's biggest city on the Ohio River. | 38.2527 | -85.7585 | \nBluegrass | Horses, distilleries | Lexington, Frankfort and Bardstown. | 38.0406 | -84.5037 | \nMammoth Cave | Caves | The world's longest known cave system. | 37.1862 | -86.1000 | \nEastern Kentucky | Arches, mountains | Red River Gorge and Cumberland Falls. | 37.8250 | -83.6750 | ","hw_hub_state_itin_title":"","hw_hub_state_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_state_itin":"","hw_hub_state_do_title":"Things to do in Kentucky","hw_hub_state_do_body":"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.\r\n\r\nAround 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.\r\n\r\nTake 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.","hw_hub_state_do_points":"Bourbon Trail | Distillery tours\r\nChurchill Downs | Home of the Derby\r\nMammoth Cave | The longest cave in the world\r\nRed River Gorge | Arches and climbing","hw_hub_state_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_state_do_more":"All things to do in Kentucky","hw_hub_state_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_state_free_body":"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.\r\n\r\nWatching morning workouts at Keeneland is free in race season, and Louisville's Waterfront Park and the Big Four Bridge walkway to Indiana are free.\r\n\r\nDistillery tours charge.","hw_hub_state_free_points":"Mammoth Cave | No entry fee, paid tours\r\nBig Four Bridge | Walk to Indiana\r\nKeeneland workouts | Free mornings\r\nCumberland Falls | Free","hw_hub_state_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_state_free_more":"All free things to do in Kentucky","hw_hub_state_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_state_food_body":"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.\r\n\r\nBourbon is everywhere, in cocktails like the Old Fashioned and the Mint Julep, the drink of the Derby, and bourbon balls are a sweet treat.\r\n\r\nLouisville has a strong restaurant scene. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.","hw_hub_state_food_points":"Hot Brown | Louisville's sandwich\r\nMint Julep | The Derby drink\r\nBurgoo | A meaty stew\r\nBourbon | Everywhere","hw_hub_state_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_state_food_more":"All food guides for Kentucky","hw_hub_state_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_state_nightlife_body":"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.\r\n\r\nKentucky is the home of bluegrass music, played in bars and festivals.\r\n\r\nBars in Louisville can stay open until 4am.","hw_hub_state_nightlife_points":"Whiskey Row | Louisville bourbon bars\r\nNuLu | Bars and restaurants\r\nBluegrass music | Live\r\nClosing time | Up to 4am in Louisville","hw_hub_state_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_state_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Kentucky","hw_hub_state_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_state_transport_body":"Louisville and Lexington have airports, and Cincinnati's airport is in northern Kentucky. Public transport is limited outside the cities.\r\n\r\nA 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.\r\n\r\nMost of Kentucky is on Eastern Time; the west, including Mammoth Cave, is on Central Time.","hw_hub_state_transport_points":"Car | Essential\r\nBourbon tours | Don't drink and drive\r\nAirports | Louisville, Lexington\r\nTime zones | Eastern, Central in the west","hw_hub_state_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_state_transport_more":"All transport guides for Kentucky","hw_hub_state_money_title":"What Kentucky costs","hw_hub_state_money_body":"Kentucky is good value, cheaper than most of the USA. Prices in Louisville soar during Derby week, when rooms book up a year ahead.\r\n\r\nSales tax is 6 per cent across the state, with no local sales tax. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.\r\n\r\nDistillery tours and cave tours are the main costs.","hw_hub_state_money_points":"Value | Cheaper than most\r\nSales tax | 6%\r\nDerby week | Prices soar\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants","hw_hub_state_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_state_money_more":"All budget guides for Kentucky","hw_hub_state_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_state_safety_body":"Kentucky is generally safe; take normal city care at night in Louisville.\r\n\r\nIn Red River Gorge, stay back from cliff edges, as falls happen every year. Caves are cool all year, so bring a layer.\r\n\r\nSpring brings severe storms and tornadoes, and some eastern areas flood after heavy rain. In an emergency, call 911.","hw_hub_state_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nCliffs | Red River Gorge\r\nStorms | Spring tornado season\r\nDrink driving | Use a tour","hw_hub_state_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_state_safety_more":"All safety guides for Kentucky","hw_hub_state_layout":"cities","hw_hub_state_cities_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_state_cities_intro":"Louisville for the city and the Derby, Lexington for horses and bourbon, and Bardstown for distilleries.","hw_hub_state_cities_live":"1","hw_hub_state_cities":"Louisville |  | A lively river city of bourbon and the Derby. | Churchill Downs; Muhammad Ali Center; Whiskey Row; Louisville Slugger Museum | 1306584\nLexington |  | The horse capital of the world. | Keeneland; Kentucky Horse Park; Horse farms; Distilleries | 1306583\nBardstown |  | The bourbon capital of the world. | Distilleries; My Old Kentucky Home State Park | 1308009","hw_hub_state_cities_tag":"","hw_hub_state_cities_more":"","hw_hub_state_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_state_season_intro":"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.","hw_hub_state_season_note":"Average highs for Louisville, rounded.","hw_hub_state_season_rows":"January | 6 | 1 | Cold\r\nFebruary | 9 | 2 | Cool\r\nMarch | 15 | 3 | Spring\r\nApril | 21 | 5 | Keeneland spring meet\r\nMay | 26 | 5 | Kentucky Derby\r\nJune | 30 | 4 | Warm\r\nJuly | 31 | 3 | Hot, humid\r\nAugust | 31 | 3 | Hot\r\nSeptember | 27 | 5 | Bourbon Festival\r\nOctober | 21 | 5 | Autumn colour, Keeneland\r\nNovember | 14 | 3 | Cool\r\nDecember | 8 | 2 | Cold","hw_hub_state_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_state_events_intro":"The Derby, bourbon festivals and bluegrass.","hw_hub_state_events_source":"manual","hw_hub_state_events_count":"8","hw_hub_state_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_state_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_state_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_state_events":"Kentucky Derby | First Saturday in May | Churchill Downs, Louisville | The most famous horse race in the USA. |  | \nKentucky Bourbon Festival | September | Bardstown | Tastings and events in the bourbon capital. |  | \nKeeneland race meetings | April and October | Lexington | Thoroughbred racing in spring and autumn. |  | ","hw_hub_state_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_state_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Louisville prices.","hw_hub_state_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Derby week costs much more.","hw_hub_state_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 45 | 25 | 20 | 20\r\nMiddle of the road | 95 | 50 | 40 | 50\r\nComfortable | 200 | 90 | 60 | 90","hw_hub_state_budget_currency":"$","hw_hub_state_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_state_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in and around Kentucky, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in the USA","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/","hw_hub_state_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_state_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_state_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_state_picks":"","hw_hub_state_hostels":"","hw_hub_state_faq_title":"Kentucky questions","hw_hub_state_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_state_faqs":"When is the Kentucky Derby? | On the first Saturday in May, at Churchill Downs in Louisville.\r\nHow do I do the Bourbon Trail without driving? | Book a tour company or hire a driver, as distilleries are spread out.\r\nDo I need to book Mammoth Cave tours? | Yes, especially in summer and at weekends, as tours sell out.\r\nHow many days do you need in Kentucky? | Four or five days for Louisville, the Bluegrass and Mammoth Cave.\r\nDo I need a car in Kentucky? | Yes, outside central Louisville.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit Kentucky? | Spring and autumn.\r\nIs Mammoth Cave free? | Entry to the park is free; cave tours charge.","hw_hub_state_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_state_cta_body":"Compare hostels across the South: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_state_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in the USA | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_state_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_state_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. No filler.","hw_hub_state_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_state_hub_term":"kentucky","hw_hub_state_country_slug":"usa","hw_hub_state_parent_hub":"north-america\/usa","hw_hub_state_currency":"USD","hw_hub_state_scope_rows":"1"},"class_list":["post-1306470","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Kentucky Travel Guide: Bourbon, Derby and Caves<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Plan a trip to Kentucky: the Bourbon Trail, the Kentucky Derby, Louisville, Lexington horse farms, Mammoth Cave and Red River Gorge.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/kentucky\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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