Kentucky Holidays

It could be argued that Daniel Boone was the first to appreciate the tourism potential of the Bluegrass State. When he crossed Cumberland Gap from Virginia into Kentucky in 1767, he was impressed by what he saw – towering peaks of the Appalachians, vast stands of virgin forest, shimmering lakes and waterways and a wealth of resources. Boone knew that where he went, others would follow.

Today Boone’s foresight is borne out in the thousands of visitors who come to Kentucky each year for holiday, sporting events, and many other reasons. From metropolitan areas to rural landscapes and rugged wilderness, Kentucky has a bounty of attractions to discover - unique places that can’t be found anywhere else like Mammoth Cave, the world’s longest charted cave system. Kentucky is also the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, presidents of both sides in the Civil War.

Be it a Thoroughbred, Saddlebred, or another breed, if you love horses, you will find them in Kentucky. The premier location in Kentucky to experience horses is the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington. This working horse farm, covering more than 1,200 acres and showcasing over 40 breeds of horses, is open to the public year-round with extended hours during the summer season.

And of course, there is Bourbon! North Central Kentucky proudly showcases a product that was invented in Kentucky – bourbon whiskey. Each distillery has its own distinct trademark, so even though the general process is the same; you will find unique differences at each distillery along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. Smaller craft distilleries can be found throughout the state and Louisville is home to the Urban Bourbon Trail.