Kentucky is known for its horse racing, bourbon distilleries, banjo and bluegrass music, automobile manufacturing, tobacco, and college basketball.
Kentucky borders seven states. Only Missouri and Tennessee touch more. The Ohio River follows Kentucky’s irregular border with Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, eventually emptying into the Mississippi River in the west. The twisting Mississippi actually cuts off a small piece of Kentucky at its southwest tip, leaving it surrounded by Missouri and Tennessee.
Below we highlight 5 of the many attractions and areas that travel advisors can offer their clients when helping plan itineraries to this area.
1. Mammoth Cave National Park is northeast of Bowling Green. Its cave system is the largest known in the world. The underground passages that have been discovered so far total more than 300 miles; additional interconnecting caves are constantly being explored.
At least four different cave tours are offered, depending on season and demand, as well as a boat trip on the river outside the cave. The tours range from a short quarter-mile walk that lasts a little more than an hour to the Wild Cave Tour, a five-mile, six-hour tour requiring visitors to crawl on their stomach. Most opt for the shorter tours, such as the two-hour Historic Tour or the more strenuous four-hour Half-Day Tour.
2. Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is in Louisville (or “Loo-ah-vul” as Kentuckians call it) and is famous for two minutes every year. That is the time it takes for the U.S.’s most prestigious horse race, the Kentucky Derby to run at Churchill Downs. The Derby is the first of three horse races that make up the Triple Crown. There is also a museum that features artifacts from the annals of thoroughbred racing, a 360-degree surround-sound and image presentation of Kentucky Derby Day, and a tour of the racetrack (weather permitting).
3. National Corvette Museum located in Bowling Green is a car enthusiast’s dream day. The National Corvette Museum offers various temporary and permanent exhibits throughout the year. From exotic and special Corvettes throughout history to interactive exhibits like E. Pierce Marshall Memorial Performance Gallery and the Corvette Cave-in experience, they have something for everyone. They also have a Corvette Simulator, a Stingray Grille Restaurant, and plant tours to the nearby GM production facility. Check out their website to learn about all of their offerings.
4. The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory (look for the 120-foot bat outside) takes you through an underground locker room, into a full-size dugout, and then onto the field to hear some of baseball’s greatest moments. It displays bats used by famous players, has a videotape presentation, and gives a tour of the bat factory.
5. The Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum located in North Corbin, Kentucky, shows the origins of the Kentucky Fried Chicken empire in a 25-minute film presentation. While at the museum, visitors can tour the office of Harland Sanders, see the kitchen where Sanders developed the KFC secret formula, and view KFC memorabilia.
