Kentucky

Around 95 percent of the world's bourbon whiskey comes from Kentucky, and there are more barrels aging in warehouses here than people living in the state. But a trip to Kentucky also leads to white fences and thoroughbred horse farms, to the longest known cave system on Earth, and to America's most famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby.

Bluegrass, Mountains, and Caves

The heart of the state is the Bluegrass Region around Lexington: gentle hills on limestone-rich soil that makes the grass especially nutritious – ideal for horse breeding and, thanks to the limestone-filtered water, for whiskey as well. In the east, the Appalachians rise up, a poor but wildly scenic coal region that is home to Red River Gorge, a climbing area with more than 100 natural sandstone arches, and Cumberland Falls, where a moonbow can sometimes be seen at full moon. The south and west are karst country. The Ohio River forms the state's northern border, and in the far west Kentucky reaches the Mississippi. Two large reservoirs, Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, enclose the Land Between the Lakes peninsula.

Attractions in Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park near Bowling Green protects the longest known cave system in the world, with more than 680 mapped kilometers (about 420 miles); tours range from short walks to crawling expeditions. In Louisville, the Kentucky Derby takes place every year on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs, an event known for extravagant hats and mint juleps. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail connects distilleries such as Maker's Mark in Loretto, Buffalo Trace near Frankfort, Woodford Reserve, and Jim Beam; Bardstown calls itself the "Bourbon Capital of the World." Around Lexington you can visit horse farms or see horse breeds from around the world at the Kentucky Horse Park. In Hodgenville, a memorial marks the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Near Williamstown, you'll find the Ark Encounter, a replica of Noah's Ark built to supposedly biblical dimensions.

Louisville, Lexington, and Other Cities

Louisville on the Ohio River is the largest city. Distilleries and bars line Whiskey Row, baseball bats are made at the Louisville Slugger Museum, and the Muhammad Ali Center honors the city's most famous son. Lexington is the horse capital of the world, home to Keeneland racecourse, whose spring and fall meets are major social events. Bowling Green is the site of the Corvette plant and the National Corvette Museum. Paducah, at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, is a UNESCO Creative City for crafts and folk art and is famous for its quilt museum. Owensboro is a stronghold of barbecue and bluegrass music, while Florence lies in the suburban belt of Cincinnati.

History and Music

In the 1770s, Daniel Boone led settlers across the mountains through the Cumberland Gap. In 1792, Kentucky was admitted as the 15th state. During the Civil War it stayed in the Union but was deeply divided; both Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis were born here. Musically, Kentucky is the home of bluegrass, named after Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys; a museum in Owensboro is devoted to the style. In the Appalachians, old-time fiddling and traditional crafts are still kept alive.

Food and Drink

The Hot Brown, an open-faced baked turkey sandwich with bacon and Mornay sauce, was invented at the Brown Hotel in Louisville. Burgoo is a stew made with several kinds of meat, cooked in huge kettles at big festivals. At Derby time, people drink mint juleps made with bourbon, sugar, and mint and eat Derby pie with chocolate and walnuts. In the west, mutton barbecue dominates, a rarity in the U.S. And Kentucky Fried Chicken has its roots in Corbin, where Colonel Sanders's first restaurant is now a museum.

Best Time to Visit and Getting There

The best time to visit is spring, with blooming dogwoods and the Derby, or fall, when the leaves change color in the mountains. Summers are hot and humid. Louisville (SDF) and Lexington (LEX) are the largest airports, and the north is often reached via Cincinnati (CVG), which is actually located on the Kentucky side of the river. You'll need a car for the Bourbon Trail and the caves.