There's nowhere in the world quite like Kentucky. Between the rolling hills of Horse Country, grandiose gorges of the Daniel Boone National Forest, riverfront vistas of northern Kentucky, Appalachian hills in our eastern region, and waterfront splendor of Lake Cumberland *and* Land Between the Lakes, you're guaranteed to find a scenic destination anywhere in the state. Today, we put together a scenic Kentucky road trip that visits some of our state's finest features, and it's sure to make you fall in love with the beauty of the Bluegrass all over again.
Our scenic road trip to some of the most beautiful places to visit in Kentucky visits several beautiful destinations in the Bluegrass State. While it can be done in a day, we suggest breaking it into a weekend, and we have suggested accommodations listed below.
Check out the Google Maps link and plan your trip along this Kentucky scenic byway!
On your mark, get set, go! We're kicking off this scenic road trip through Kentucky in the most Kentucky way possible: with the horses!
The Kentucky Horse Park is always a blue ribbon winner in our books, and it's the perfect place to stop and spend the morning. And honestly, it's one of those things to do in Kentucky that's a must!
We recommend going for a guided horseback ride through the equestrian park, which is one of the best ways to enjoy the rolling hills of the Bluegrass.
As the state is home to the famous Kentucky Derby, you can learn more about the horses by watching this video by @OnlyInYourState:
Next stop, Red River Gorge! Located within the state’s Daniel Boone National Forest, Red River Gorge is the Holy Grail of outdoor recreation and adventure.
Known as the "Grand Canyon of Kentucky," Red River Gorge is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state. The vistas here are out-of-this-world, and we recommend staying in your car and driving through a bit of the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway.
When you feel like getting out and stretching your legs, Natural Bridge is one of Red River Gorge's most spectacular spots and offers 10 hiking trails ranging from a half-mile to 7.5 miles in length.
Formed over millions of years, the park's eponymous sandstone arch stretches more than 75 feet long and 65 feet high and is truly a sight to behold. When you're tired and ready to rest your feet for the night, we suggest checking into the 35-room Hemlock Lodge, where each suite has a balcony for peak vista viewing!
Curious to explore RRG before you go? Check out this video from YouTube user Robert Zinn:
New day, new possibilities. First up: a hike at the Berea Pinnacles, the trail Outside Magazine called the best in Kentucky in 2019.
To get to these overlooks, however, you're going to need to lace up your hiking boots and set out on a 6.6-mile journey, but trust us when we say: it's worth each and every step!
Once you've explored the pinnacles, head to Bardstown for a late lunch. Hailed as one of the most charming and walkable small towns in the country, Bardstown is peak Bluegrass beauty!
We suggest stopping by The Old Talbott Tavern, the oldest bourbon bar in the country, for lunch.
Order a bourbon flight to sample some of the state's finest spirits, and dine on Southern favorites like beer-battered fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, and bourbon-glazed chicken.
Fortified, it's time to embark on the last leg of our trip, and it's breathtakingly beautiful.
Travel up through central Kentucky's rolling blue hills, through tunnels of trees and white picket fence-lined farms. Roll down the windows and drink in the sublime scenery of Horse Country.
Our final stop is as grand as it gets: the Kentucky Castle. It's a place that's truly as beautiful as it gets, and from its perch in Versailles, it almost doesn't seem real.
Luckily for us, it is.
Wander the grounds and then enjoy a scenic dinner whilst gazing out on your Kentucky kingdom.
Your trip can end here, but we suggest booking a night's stay at the Kentucky Castle and reveling in being real-life royalty for the night.
Oh, Kentucky, there's nowhere in the world we'd rather be. We hope you enjoyed this scenic Kentucky road trip to some of the state's most beautiful places and encourage you to get out and let yourself fall head-over-heels for the beautiful Bluegrass State!
Not sure what to bring with you on this or any other Kentucky road trip? Take a look at our Ultimate. Road Trip Packing List for ideas!
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