Let’s Visit Kentucky
- Join our virtual tour highlighting the top tourist attractions in Kentucky
- For an overview of the state, see: National Geographic Kids. Kentucky
Highlights
Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Kentucky.
- Mammoth Cave National Park (Brownsville) is famous for being the longest cave system in the world, with more than 400 miles of explored caverns filled with stunning rock formations and underground rivers.
- Churchill Downs (Louisville) is world-renowned for hosting the Kentucky Derby, one of the most famous horse races globally, which takes place annually on the first Saturday in May.
- Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory (Louisville) is known for being the birthplace of the iconic Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Visitors can tour the factory and see how these legendary bats are made.
- Kentucky Horse Park (Lexington) is famous for celebrating Kentucky’s equestrian culture. It features horse shows, museums, and riding demonstrations, giving visitors a chance to connect with the state’s horse heritage.
- Cumberland Falls State Resort Park (Corbin) is known for the breathtaking Cumberland Falls, often called the “Niagara of the South,” and its rare moonbow phenomenon, a rainbow produced by the light of the moon.
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park (Bardstown) is famous for being the inspiration behind the state song “My Old Kentucky Home.” It features the historic mansion where songwriter Stephen Foster spent time.
- Kentucky Bourbon Trail (Various locations) is renowned for offering tours through some of the most famous bourbon distilleries in the world, showcasing Kentucky’s rich bourbon-making heritage.
- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park (Hodgenville) is famous for preserving the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, with a symbolic log cabin memorial.
- Red River Gorge Geological Area (Slade) is known for its stunning sandstone arches, cliffs, and natural bridges, making it a popular destination for rock climbing, hiking, and nature lovers.
- Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (Harrodsburg) is famous for being the largest restored Shaker community in the U.S., offering a glimpse into the life of the Shakers through preserved buildings, crafts, and demonstrations.
Intriguing mysteries and weird facts
Discover these little-known facts about Kentucky.
- Kentucky Has More Bourbon Barrels Than People
There are about 4.5 million people living in Kentucky, but over 11 million barrels of bourbon aging in distilleries across the state. Bourbon is a huge part of Kentucky’s heritage and economy. - Home of the World’s Longest Cave System
Mammoth Cave National Park is the longest known cave system in the world, with over 400 miles of mapped tunnels, and scientists believe there’s still more to discover. - The Cheeseburger Was Invented in Kentucky
Legend has it that Kaelin’s Restaurant in Louisville created the first-ever cheeseburger in 1934, making Kentucky a key player in fast food history. - Kentucky Derby Fans Drink 120,000 Mint Juleps Every Year
At the Kentucky Derby, around 120,000 mint juleps (a drink made of bourbon, mint, sugar, and water) are consumed during the two-day event. That’s a lot of drinks for just one horse race. - You Can Hunt for Moonbows
Cumberland Falls in Kentucky is one of the few places in the world where you can see a moonbow—a rainbow that happens at night, created by the light of the moon instead of the sun. - The First KFC Opened in Kentucky
The world-famous KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) chain started in Corbin, Kentucky, where Colonel Harland Sanders opened his first restaurant and perfected his secret recipe. - Post-It Notes Were Invented in Kentucky
The popular sticky note was created by a scientist named Dr. Spencer Silver at 3M’s research labs in Cynthiana, Kentucky. They’ve been used in schools and offices around the world ever since. - Kentucky Has a Town Named “Monkey’s Eyebrow”
There’s a small, rural town in Kentucky called Monkey’s Eyebrow, and though no one’s quite sure how it got its name, it’s definitely one of the weirdest place names in the U.S. - Kentucky is the Largest Producer of Thoroughbred Horses
Known as the “Horse Capital of the World,” Kentucky is famous for breeding more thoroughbred horses than anywhere else. Many of these horses go on to compete in the Kentucky Derby. - The Corvette is Made in Kentucky
The Chevrolet Corvette, one of America’s most iconic sports cars, has been manufactured exclusively in Bowling Green, Kentucky, since 1981, where you can even tour the Corvette Assembly Plant.
Notable People
Here are 10 famous men and women from Kentucky.
Famous Men
- Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, and became the 16th President of the United States. He is best known for leading the country through the Civil War and for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed enslaved people in the Confederate states.
- Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers in history. He was also known for his activism and outspoken personality, especially regarding civil rights and opposition to the Vietnam War.
- Johnny Depp (1963– ) is an acclaimed actor born in Owensboro, Kentucky. He became famous for his roles in films like Pirates of the Caribbean, Edward Scissorhands, and Sweeney Todd.
- George Clooney (1961– ) was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and is a world-famous actor and filmmaker known for his roles in Ocean’s Eleven, ER, and The Descendants. He has also been involved in humanitarian work.
- Jim Bunning (1931–2017) was a professional baseball player and later a U.S. Senator from Kentucky. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996 for his impressive career as a pitcher in Major League Baseball.
Famous Women
- Loretta Lynn (1932–2022) was a country music icon born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. She gained fame for her hits like “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” which helped define the genre for women.
- Diane Sawyer (1945– ) was born in Glasgow, Kentucky, and is a highly respected television journalist. She is famous for her work as an anchor on ABC News, including shows like Good Morning America and World News Tonight.
- Jennifer Lawrence (1990– ) was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and rose to fame as an Academy Award-winning actress. She is best known for her roles in The Hunger Games series and Silver Linings Playbook.
- Rose Will Monroe (1920–1997) was born in Pulaski County, Kentucky, and became famous as “Rosie the Riveter,” the face of the campaign to encourage women to work in factories during World War II. She symbolized the strength and contributions of women during the war.
- Mary Todd Lincoln (1818–1882) was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and became the First Lady of the United States as the wife of President Abraham Lincoln. She was known for her strong opinions and advocacy for her husband during his presidency.
Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union
June 1, 1792 (15th)
State Capital and Government
Area and Total Population
| Area: 39,486 square miles | Total Population: 4,413,000 |
Major cities and their population
| City | Population |
| Louisville | 623,000 |
| Lexington | 320,000 |
| Bowling Green | 76,000 |
| Frankfort | 28,000 |
Education
- Kentucky Department of Education
- Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville
Educational Resources
Fairs and festivals
Flag
The flag of Kentucky has a blue background with the seal of Kentucky in the middle. It was adopted on March 26, 1918. The flag depicts a pioneer or frontiersman in buckskins and a statesman in a frock coat embracing.
Geography
Location
Glimpses Into History
Breathtaking Landscapes
Check out these amazing landscapes and wildlife of Kentucky.
National Landmarks and Historic Sites
- National Historic Landmarks
National Monuments
- Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument (National Park Service)
- Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument (National Park Service)
National and State Parks
Sports
NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I Teams
- Eastern Kentucky University Colonels
- Northern Kentucky University Norse
- University of Kentucky Wildcats
- Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers
State Motto
“United We Stand, Divided We Fall”
State Nickname
- The Blue Grass State
State Symbols
Seal
A wreath of goldenrod (the state flower) frames the seal with the name “Commonwealth of Kentucky.” Kentucky, like Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, has designated itself a commonwealth, although legally it has the same status as the other states.
License Plate
State Animal
State Bird
State Flower
Tourism: Enjoy some incredible vacations
Watch a video
- Kentucky (US Embassy Vienna)
- Top 10 places to visit in Kentucky (Traveloworld)
- Top 25 things to do in Kentucky (Anna and Karl Travel)
- 10 best places to visit in Kentucky (Sky Travel)
- 17 best things to do in Lexington (Anna and Karl Travel)
- 17 best things to do in Louisville (Anna and Karl Travel)
- 10 best places to visit in Louisville (US Historians)
Weather
- Today’s weather in Frankfort
- Today’s weather in Lexington
- Today’s weather in Louisville
More Resources For The Best Things To Do
Frankfort
Lexington
Louisville
Newport
