Kentucky

Home of the world-famous Kentucky Fried Chicken, the Commonwealth of Kentucky (official name) is a Mideastern state in America and one of the only four in the nation to be constituted as a commonwealth, the other three are Massachusetts, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Formerly a part of Virginia, Kentucky was recognized as a separate state in 1792.

Dubbed as the Bluegrass State after the grass that is found all over Kentucky, the state is known for its scenic diversity. On one hand, it boasts Mammoth Cave National Park, the longest cave in the world and the second oldest attraction in the country (Niagara Falls is the first). On the other is Breaks Interstate Park which is commonly regarded as the “Grand Canyon of the south.”

Cumberland Falls, also called the Great Falls, in southeastern Kentucky is the world’s only waterfall that consistently displays a Moonbow!

A state known for as many natural wonders as man-made ones (derby, Bourbon, moonshine, tobacco, bluegrass music), Kentucky is full of surprises. Let us unveil some of the hidden gems in Kentucky and realize its full potential.

1. Troublesome Creek, Clayhole

Source: Tommy Beams‎

Blue Fugates

During the 1820s, Martin Fugate, a French orphan with a rare disorder known as hereditary methemoglobinemia, came to live by the banks of Troublesome Creek. In a mysterious twist of fate, Fugate met Elizabeth Smith, a carrier of the same disease, who later became his wife.

The couple had seven children, of which four were born with the same rarity. So, what’s the big deal, you ask? Not much except that the couple and the four kids had BLUE skin!

Diagnosed over a 100-years-later, the enzyme deficiency caused lack of oxygen in their body which resulted in the ambiguous discoloration.

Over the years, the Fugate family interbred several times and led to a distinctive community of “Blue” people.

According to a 1982 medical journal, some of the ‘Blue Fugates’ still reside on the hills surrounding Eastern Kentucky.

2. Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville

Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville

Now used as a “haunted attraction” by the current owners, the Waverly Hills Sanatorium was founded in the 20th century to sustain patients who suffered from the outbreak of tuberculosis. While there wasn’t any medicinal cure that could treat the sick, the hospital facility thought it best to heal them with fresh air, quarantine, and a positive attitude.

Due to the unavailability of any remedy, people began dying almost every day which not only affected the fellow patients but also forced the officials to secretly transport bodies out of the facility through a tunnel, which is now known as the “body chute.”

Tuberculosis drug was finally discovered in the 1940s which eventually led the sanatorium to close for business in 1961.

At present, the compound is used for staging horror attractions and offering ghost tours of the Sanatorium.

3. The Cumberland Falls, Williamsburg

Source: Patrick Jennings

The Cumberland Falls, Williamsburg

Located within the boundaries of Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, the Cumberland Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls to be found anywhere in the world. And, the credit for its beauty entirely goes to the regular occurrence of “moonbows” that appear over the waterfalls every full moon.

Moonbow, or a lunar rainbow, is just like a normal rainbow that appears in the sky due to reflection and dispersion of light in water droplets except that a Moonbow occurs under full moon, not sun.

An extremely rare phenomenon, these moonbows may seem like a ray of white light to the bare eye, but, watch closely or with a long exposure camera and you will see the colors reflect across the waterfall.

4. The Grave of Harry L. Collins, Louisville

The Grave of Harry L. Collins, Louisville

Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville has a rich connection with the celebrated past of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for this is where many of the state’s local heroes rest. But, no one (not even Colonel Sanders) stands here as detailed and cool as Frito-Lay’s “Magic Man.”

Harry L. Collins was first introduced to magic in 1920 by a local attorney. While he served the Marines during WWII, his talents were noticed by fellow officials, and soon, he was invited to join the Special Services. Later, when Collins returned to his country, he was offered a job as a salesman with Frito-Lay.

Salesman by day and magician by night, Collins was so happy with his job that the magic word for every trick in his book was “Frito-Lay!”

By 1970, the company owners realized Collins’ true potential and declared “Mr. Magic” as their corporate entertainer. Rumor has it that Collins trained Vegas Veteran and globally-acclaimed magician, Lance Burton.

5. Dinosaur World, Cave City

Dinosaur World, Cave City

Dinosaur World in Cave City, Kentucky is not only one of three similar amusement parks to exist in the United States, but, it is also titled the “best exit” by one of the most popular magazines in the world.

An outdoor museum, Dinosaur World is home to over 100 life-like dinosaurs, each with a detailed explanation of their type and characteristic.

A giant T-rex that stands along I-65 welcomes you to the Dinosaur World where you can walk along the designated trail and learn all about dinos. You can also spot (artificial) dinosaur eggs and raptor claws among other creatures at the park.

There are a fossil digs and a playground for the kids to enjoy, and a souvenir shop sells themed toys, fossils, educational games, books, and a selection of eggs.

6. USS Sachem Ruins, Petersburg

Source: BrittanyMosley

USS Sachem Ruins, Petersburg

USS Sachem, known by several other names in the history (Sightseer, The Celt, and USS Phenakite), had a successful run before finally being abandoned in Indiana in 1987. The ship served during both the World Wars, carried Thomas Edison around while he experimented, attended re-lighting of the Statue of Liberty by Ronald Reagan, and guest appeared in “Papa Don’t Preach” alongside Madonna.

First launched in 1902 as The Celt, the celebrity vessel was first intended to serve as a luxury ride, before being rechristened to USS Sachem by the Navy to fight against the Germans. After the war ended, Sachem was returned to its civilian owners, only to be re-acquired and renamed as Phenakite to serve against the Japanese in World War II.

Eventually, the ship saw one last ray of spotlight in Madonna’s music video before being navigated and stranded down the Ohio River.

7. Florence Y’all Water Tower, Florence

Source: JNix

Florence Y’all Water Tower, Florence

In an attempt to advertise their existence and services, Florence Mall erected a huge water tower adjacent to their building in 1974. The big, bold words on the water tower, “Florence Mall” raised a concern with the Bureau of Highway, who claimed that the water tower, as a means of advertisement, was too big and didn’t conform to the standards and limitations of highway advertising law.

While the Bureau suggested that the water tower problem is fixed and repainted, the town’s then Mayor, C.M. Ewing, along with his smart and efficient group of civil staff members, came up with an idea which wasn’t just cost-effective but also extremely corny.

They decided to replace the “M” with a “Y” and add an apostrophe after it so it read “Florence Y” all”. It took around $500 and a Southern American English touch to transform a controversial water tower into a landmark!

8. Wigwam Village #2, Cave City

Source: Jonathan Percy

Wigwam Village #2, Cave City

Between 1936 and 1950s, a number of Wigwam motels were erected across the historic Route 66 to serve tourists between L.A. and Chicago. While most of them are lost in history, only a couple of them have managed to survive the test of time. Wigwam Village #2, constructed in 1937, with 15 teepee-style cottages formed around a recreation area, is one of the last standings.

The property has been listed in the National Register for Historic Places as on March 1988.

Each cottage or room is equipped with one large bedroom and an attached bathroom with shower facility and toilet. Furthermore, in 2008, all the cottages underwent a style upgrade and were fitted with air-conditioning, cable TV, and hickory furniture.

Care to spend a night at one of America’s historic motels?

9. The Monroe Moosnick Medical and Science Museum, Lexington

Source: Transylvania University Theater Department

The Monroe Moosnick Medical And Science Museum, Lexington

Exhibits at the Monroe Moosnick Medical and Science Museum may seem like just another set of historic medical items on display, but, they are much more than that. In fact, the instruments on show at the museum are some of the most spectacular and advanced medical tools of the 18th and 19th century.

The Museum, named after a late professor who served the Transylvania University for over five decades, is greatly used by the students of science for research and other educational purposes. A majority of the tools and paraphernalia kept here were brought in from London and Paris between early to mid-1800s.

One of the most striking pieces at the museum is the dissectible wax figure of a woman, a rare Medical Venus, crafted out of tissues and organs from over 200 cadavers.

10. Castle Post, Versailles

Source: Michelle Foley

Castle Post, Versailles

Formerly called the Martin Castle by the original wealthy couple who began construction on their middle American Fortress in 1969 but dropped it after their divorce in 1975, Castle Post was once thought to be built into a museum or a themed restaurant.

Thomas R. Post, who acquired the property in 2004 and renamed it, started progressive work on the long-abandoned castle. However, a fire struck the site and ruined most of the progress that had been made.

But, Post wasn’t one to back down. In fact, he doubled his strengths and added a ballroom, a garden, and a library.

Ultimately, in 2008, Castle Post was opened to the public as a luxury Bed and Breakfast.

11. Vent Haven Museum, Fort Mitchell

Vent Haven Museum, Fort Mitchell

Established by William Shakespeare Berger, a businessman and a novice ventriloquist from Cincinnati, Vent Haven Museum was opened to the public in 1973 and houses Berger’s collection of over 900 ventriloquist figures that he acquired starting in 1878.

Berger, the former president of the International Brotherhood of Ventriloquists, kept adding to the collection until his death in 1973.

Vent Haven Museum is the only institution in the world with the largest collection of its kind. Some of the figurines are extremely rare but all of them bear the signature style – a hat, a tux, a monocle, and a trigger-operated mouth.

The museum is open to the public from May to September each year and hosts a “conVENTion” each July for Ventriloquism enthusiasts.

12. Funtown Mountain, Cave City

Source: Stephanie Miller

Funtown Mountain, Cave City

Mammoth Cave National Park is the centerpiece of Kentucky, and, if there is one thing that the city residents and the business owners in the state know of, it is to capitalize on the location of the Caves.

As if the existence of the Caverns weren’t enough, roadside attractions such as the Dinosaur World have been established near the park to serve as a gateway. Among such attractions was ‘Guntown Mountain’, a Wild West-themed amusement park which served visitors from 1969 till 2013.

The park closed due to lack of visitors, but, was eventually bought by Will Russell two years later, who intended to reopen it as “Funtown.” To raise funds for the park’s reconstruction, Russell decided to host a traveling circus. However, the plans fell apart and the required money couldn’t be raised.

Despite the bad run, Russell opened Funtown Mountain for the public in 2015, and, as luck would have it, the newly opened amusement park didn’t even last a year.

All that is left now are the remains of its dwindling past, a few decommissioned rides, and a few abandoned structures atop the mountain which aren’t even accessible anymore.

13. Mantle Rock, Smithland

Mantle Rock, Smithland

Situated within the Mantle Rock Nature Preserve is a huge natural sandstone formation in the shape of a bridge that is 30-foot-high and 188-feet-long. It’s also where hundreds of Cherokees, an indigenous tribe, camped for two weeks while they awaited crossing the Ohio River in 1839.

Managed by the Livingston County Nature Conservancy, the Rock is a part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail that commemorates the harsh winters of 1838-39 when around 4,000 Cherokee migrants, unable to bear the extreme weather conditions, succumbed to death. Several Cherokees visit the site each year to pay their respects to the dead ancestors.

The geological formation is covered in bluffs, fluorite deposits, honeycomb formations, and a spectacular biodiversity. Mantle Rock was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

14. Pope Lick Trestle Bridge, Louisville

Source: Michele Korfhage

Pope Lick Trestle Bridge, Louisville

Pope Lick Monster, a half-man half-goat beast, is known to have claimed several lives on and around the Trestle Bridge in Louisville, Kentucky.

No one knows if the monster is for real, however, as far as the legends go, the goat-man is accused of using hypnosis or a sort of siren voice to tempt people onto the rickety train tracks which are still used by locomotives.

Another popular theory narrates that the monster drops down on the cars that pass by the trestles.

While these may just be stories, it is true that many foolish adventure seekers, in search of the “monster,” have fallen to their death jumping the eight-foot fence or climbing the trestles.

15. Colonel Sanders’ Grave, Louisville

Source: Vicki L. Miller

Colonel Sanders’ Grave, Louisville

Colonel Harland Sanders, perhaps one of the most iconic faces known to the world, had worked several jobs (fireman, streetcar conductor, insurance salesperson, gas station operator) before deciding on becoming a restaurateur.

After planning on setting up franchise restaurants, Sanders opened his first small-scale eatery in Salt Lake City, Utah and served his “secret” fried-chicken delicacy to visitors, a recipe he had mastered while serving the famished travelers passing by his gas station. And, before he knew it, his secret dish, along with his signature white goatee, black round glasses, long bow tie, and a grandfatherly charm had become a nationwide phenomenon.

By the time Sanders was taken by leukemia in 1980 at the age of 90, Colonel Sanders and his Kentucky Fried Chicken were a household name not only in the state or the nation but the entire world.

Colonel Sanders now rests at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, and his final resting place is marked by a bust of him wearing his emblematic suit, goatee, and tie which was created by Margaret, his daughter.

16. The Strange Procession Which Never Moves, Mayfield

The Strange Procession Which Never Moves, Mayfield

One man’s representation of the loved ones’ he had lost during his lifetime was treacherously perceived by its’ visitors as an actual money pit worthy of attempted marauding, and even more disconcertingly dubbed as “The Strange Procession Which Never Moves.”

Colonel Henry G. Wooldridge commissioned the eighteen statues that stand amidst the Maplewood Cemetery in Mayfield, Kentucky in 1892. The idea was to represent all the lives, human or otherwise, that Wooldridge had ever lost. Construction on the monuments went on for seven years until the man behind the idea passed away in 1899.

Among the monuments are his sisters, a small statue that either represents a childhood sweetheart or a niece (depending on the version you hear), his mother, his brothers, his horse “Fop”, his hounds “Bob” and “Towhead”, a fox, and a deer. The most prominent statue among the lot is of the maker himself, a 6-foot-tall Wooldridge made of marble.

Surprisingly, Wooldridge is the only member of the group who is actually buried on the site.

17. Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, Bardstown

Source: Oscar Getz Whiskey Museum & Bardstown Historical Museum

Oscar Getz Museum Of Whiskey History, Bardstown

If there is one thing that the Commonwealth of Kentucky is known for (other than KFC), it is the many bourbon distilleries that are scattered around the state, or, more appropriately, the “Bourbon Capital of the World.”

Unlike Colonel Sanders, Kentucky, especially Bardstown, has no problem sharing “their” secret. In fact, the town encourages you to know your whiskey as well as the state does. And, there is no other place like the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History that can educate you on the fascinating history of America’s love for Whiskey.

Oscar Fretz, a Chicago resident and an ardent lover and collector of the beverage, had a selection of collectibles and memorabilia so big that he could establish a private museum. However, Mrs. Gretz was of a different school of thought. She demanded that the man gets rid of his prized possessions!

Disheartened, Oscar decided to transform a 200-year-old seminary to act as a museum which would safeguard his collections long after he was gone.

At present, the huge compilation of photos, artifacts, rare documents, hundreds of antique bottles are owned and managed by the Getz family.

18. Rabbit Hash, Burlington

Source: FloridaStock

Rabbit Hash, Burlington

No one knows for certain how this unincorporated community in Burlington, Kentucky came to be known as Rabbit Hash, however, several stories surround the town.

The community, well-known into the 1800s for its rabbit hash delicacy, was allegedly raided by a boat full of robbers in 1831. The area was completely savaged. The next boat that arrived here saw a single billboard with a sign “rabbit hash,” and so the town was coined.

Another, more believable version entails the flood of 1847 that resulted in a sudden increase in the number of rabbits in the area. The animals were hunted by the locals and used in a special stew known as “hash.”

Not much is known or recorded of the town’s past since most of them were destroyed over and over by the Ohio river floods, but, what remains is the Rabbit Hash General Store – Kentucky’s best-preserved country store.

19. Eastern Cemetery, Louisville

Source: Russell Allen

Eastern Cemetery, Louisville

Eastern Cemetery is regarded as one of the oldest cemeteries in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s first using dates back to the 1840s and was originally by the Fourth Street Methodist Church aka the present-day Trinity Temple United Methodist Church.

The churchyard was one of the few graveyards at the time that allowed deceased from all walks of life to be buried there. In fact, it was the town’s and perhaps the state’s first crematorium.

Unfortunately, the Eastern Cemetery has a dark past. According to Philip J. DiBlasi, an archaeologist at the University of Louisville, several of the old graves were purchased by the cemetery from their owners and sold off as “empty.” In fact, four different maps, from four different years, have been found to be inconsistent with one another which leaves us with one thought – over burial.

The discovery of the fact and an allegation in 1989 on the mistreatment of the graves at the cemetery made headlines on the national news. Since then, the burial site has remained largely abandoned.

20. The Creation Museum, Petersburg

Source: ChicagoPhotographer

The Creation Museum, Petersburg

Spread over 75,000 square-foot expanses of land, the Creation Museum is exactly that – a museum that is dedicated to the creation of the world according to the very precise perception of the Book of Genesis, the Bible!

Operated by Answers in Genesis (AiG), the museum opened to the public in May 2007 and has a strict policy on hiring employees – everyone must sign a statement confirming their faith and trust in the principles set by AiG.

Spread over 160 exhibits are the museum’s portrayal of the universe as it has been for the last 6,000 years or so. The compound also houses an insects’ collection, an Allosaurus carcass, a planetarium, and a special effects theatre.

The AiG members have also created a few alternatives to the theories, facts, and findings that have been known to the mankind for over centuries, for example, the Big Bang Theory as well as the Theory of Evolution.

However, the works of the museum have often been challenged and questioned by scientists, researchers, and educators as they claim that the information presented by the museum is not only at odds with the actual discoveries but they may also create a negative impact on science students of the present and future.

Well, whether or not you believe in the science you know over the science that may have been, the museum is definitely worth a stop!

21. Drake Vintage Music & Curios, Bowling Green

Source: DutchScenery

Drake Vintage Music & Curios, Bowling Green

The charm of country music may have sobered down with time but one man has stood his ground since the 1940s and refuses to give up on his admiration and dedication to the country music culture.

Freeman Kitchens, a local from Warren County, Kentucky, has been collecting music records, artifacts, and photos of the 20th-century country music culture for a long time. The Founder and President of the Carter family fan club, Kitchens has been selling records and other related items out of his general store, Drake Vintage Music & Curios, ever since he began collecting them in the mid-40s.

Distinctively popular among the local community members, Kitchens and his fan club members have published some of the earliest types of grassroots documentation and music journalism about the country’s music culture over the period of time.

Stop by for a purchase or a chat with the proud owner and get a personal tour of America’s country music history.

22. Chained Rock, Pineville

Chained Rock, Pineville

The town of Pineville is nestled away in a narrow valley that is towered by a high cliff and an enormous rock. Looking like it’s just about to roll down and wipe the town off of Kentucky’s map forever, the Rock has prompted many of the town’s children and passing travelers to question the boulder’s existence.

To calm their worries, the elderlies in the town assured them that the rock was secured by a chain that would prevent it from tumbling down. It was a lie! At first, at least.

Truth be told, it wasn’t a loose boulder atop the cliff, it was just a part of the cliff that looked like a rock which could fall down. However, tired of all the lies that surrounded his town, Headley Card, a Pineville resident, suggested in the courthouse that he wished there was a real chain tied to the rock so nobody would have to lie anymore.

Others agreed, and the very next day the “Chained Rock Club” was formed. With help from the Boy Scouts, local Kiwanis, and Civilian Conservation Corps, a 100-feet-long and 1.5-ton heavy chain was dragged over to the cliff and anchored to it with a few 30-inch bolts.

And, the rest is history.

23. Grave of Daniel Boone, Frankfort

Source: Nagel Photography

Grave Of Daniel Boone, Frankfort

Be it for his alleged correlation with Davy Crockett or the controversy regarding his burial at two different graves, Daniel Boone has been a topic of interest for many years now.

Everyone knows and agrees that Boone died of natural causes in Defiance, Missouri, and was buried alongside his wife, Rebecca, in Marthasville. However, the story gets confusing after this point.

Boone gained his exposure as a folk hero while he explored around Kentucky (which was a part of Virginia at the time). After 25 years of his death, Frankfurt requested to have Boone’s remains exhumed so he could be put to rest to where he belonged. While the request was accepted by Marthasville, the latter claims that Frankfort dug up the wrong grave!

Due to lack of space next to Rebecca’s, Boone was reportedly buried at her feet, but, Boone’s family was so upset at Frankfurt that they didn’t bother disclosing the actual burial site.

A research performed by David Wolfe, the state’s forensic expert, claims that the remnants of the Frankfurt grave may be that of a black man.

Though the topic is still up for a debate, you are allowed to create your own version of the story.

24. Ark Encounter, Williamstown

Source: Anna Altenburger

Ark Encounter, Williamstown

Part theme park, part Biblical recreation, Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky offers its visitors with a chance to explore Noah’s Ark – at least, a replica of it which has been constructed using the exact measurements as in the Book of Genesis.

The 51-feet-high, 85-feet-wide, and 510-feet-long ark allows access to three decks that, together, form the nation’s largest timber edifice.

Aboard the ark is an animatronic representation of Noah and his family, several animals that are now considered non-existent, plaques describing how each animal has evolved into the species we see today, and other such representations. Some liberties with the names of the women figurines have been added. Personal residences, common living area, a kitchen, and a food storage area is also displayed among the exhibition.

There are plans to expand the park, however, for now, the theme park offers a zip-line, a café, and a petting zoo in addition to the Ark.

25. Lexington’s Biblical Miniature Golf, Lexington

Source: Susan M Hall

Lexington Ice Center

“All Jesus all the time” – this is the theme of Lexington’s Biblical Miniature Golf which is operated by the city’s Ice Center and Sports Complex, and, allows visitors to play three courses of the game, each dedicated to the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the miracles, respectively.

As you compete with your friends or other players, Christian Rock music from the hidden speakers fills the air.

Former visitors have claimed that the best part of playing at the miniature golf course is when you putt through Jesus’ tomb. Though some call it a creepy experience, most people are here for the theme, if not for the game itself.

While the first course (the Old Testament) was built in 1988, the other two were created later. The first seven holes at the first course are based on the seven days of creation; then there is one inspired from Noah’s Ark, the Garden of Eden, Mt. Sinai, and so on.

26. Black Mountain, Partridge

Black Mountain, Partridge

Standing atop several hollowed mined veins, Black Mountain in Partridge, Kentucky, at 4,145 feet above sea level, is the highest point in the Commonwealth. It is also extremely unstable and likely to collapse anytime.

Despite the fragile and perilous condition, the owners of the mountain summit have kept it open to the public, provided you agree to complete a waiver and send it to their office in Kingsport, Tennessee before you visit.

The mountain’s history, much like its surrounding state, is accredited to coal mines. On the foothills of Black Mountain lays the town of Lynch. With a population of over 10,000 residents at the time, it was one of the largest coal towns in the United States.

Many communication towers are to be found at the mountain summit. Additionally, there is a former observation tower and an FAA dome. The forest surrounding the peak is home to several black butterflies.

27. Shrine of Saints Magnus and Bonosa, Louisville

Shrine Of Saints Magnus And Bonosa, Louisville

In a city that is most known for its chicken, whiskey, horse racing, and of course, Muhammad Ali, rests two 1800-year-old carcasses of Christian martyrs who actually were from prehistoric Rome. How did that happen?

In 1853, St. Martin of Tours, a Catholic parish church, served several German immigrants. Unfortunately, in 1855, on Election Day, a bunch of people tried to burn down the parish on grounds of speculation that weapons were being hidden there. The same year, in another part of the world, some Italians started to shut down monasteries. For the safety of these human carcasses, a few of them were sent to America.

In 1901, with permission from Pope Leo XIII, the two Christian Martyrs, namely Magnus and Bonosa, were packed into bags and mailed to Kentucky to be installed at St. Martin’s.

Though not much is known about the two martyrs except that they were honored enough by the Pope to have been sent for safekeeping in the United States, the ancient remains offer an intriguing glimpse into world history.

28. South Union Shaker Village, Auburn

Source: Wayne Hsieh78

South Union Shaker Village, Auburn

South Union Colony was established in 1807 by the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing aka the “Shakers.” The community lived and flourished here for over a century before the Civil War got the best of them.

Shakers were simple and intelligent people. They lived by the principles of hard work, pacifism, racial and gender equality, and celibacy (something that affected them adversely). They were also highly skilled furniture makers. In fact, several technological innovations such as the clothespin, the flat broom, and the circular saw are accredited to them.

Nicknamed after their chaotic, loud way of praying, the Shakers found themselves sandwiched between the Unions and the Confederates during the American Civil War, and, they had to feed and serve both the armies in order to survive. The war ended but the town never recovered.

Now, only nine of the original 200 buildings remain along with a four-story exhibition of the Shakers and their 200-year-old history.

29. Dixie Cup Water Tower, Lexington

Source: Theresa Turchik

Dixie Cup Water Tower, Lexington

It may not be the most remarkable tourist site in Kentucky, but, its mere size and structure deserve more attention than it is currently acclaimed with.

Standing tall amidst a property which was once the home of the Dixie Cup Plant, the Dixie Cup Water Tower was constructed after the company moved here in 1958. While the company has been acquired by Georgia-Pacific Corporation, the water tower remains as is.

One of the major reasons for the city to not want to move the tower is its use as a point of reference by the nearby airport.

The water tower isn’t open to the public, but, you can get close enough to take clear shots of this hard-to-miss landmark.

30. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Slavery to Freedom Museum, Maysville

Source: Benisha Carr

Harriet Beecher Stowe, Slavery To Freedom Museum, Maysville

Also known as the Marshall Key House, the Slavery to Freedom Museum was originally constructed as a house by Eli Metcalfe in 1807 and sold to Marshall Key, the nephew of America’s first supreme court judge, John Marshall, in 1815. In 1833, Harriet Beecher came to stay with her pupil, Elizabeth Marshall Key, at the house. During her stay, Harriet was invited to observe a slave auction that distressed Harriet so much that she wrote an anti-slavery book about it in 1852, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

The book was the second best-seller of its time and sparked the beginning of American Civil War. Lincoln, during his meeting with Harriet, remarked her as the “little lady” who started the “big war.”

Restored in 1833, when Harriet visited and lived at the house as a guest, the Marshall Key House has been popularized as the Harriet Beecher Stow, Slaver to Freedom Museum since after the war, and houses many artifacts from the war as well as the period of slavery.

Kentucky is a southeastern state bounded by the Ohio River in the north and the Appalachian Mountains in the east, with Frankfort the state capital.

The state’s largest city, Louisville, is home to the Kentucky Derby, the renowned horse race held at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. The race is preceded by a 2-week festival and celebrated in the Kentucky Derby Museum year-round.

What springs to mind when you hear the word Kentucky? Fried chicken? Derby? There is so much to enjoy about living in the versatile and varied American State. Unlike many states, Kentucky is not perfectly square or rectangular. We’re on to useless facts now!

Although in the south of the USA, Kentucky is not as arid and barren as you would expect. The Ohio River has been providing the land with nourishment for centuries and with the Appalachian Mountains to the East, this makes for a picturesque geographic combination.

Whenever we start to look for a new place to live there are criteria that we all have to tick off, whether you’ve realised it yet or not, you’re pickier than you think. Factors like cost of living, access to medical facilities and commuter routes are all things we take into consideration when seeking a new abode. Of course, there are more factors than this; parents look for access to goo public schools and we all judge a place by its crime statistics. We’ll admit finding all this information in one easily digestible chunk can be pretty laborious.

Here is our list of best places to live in Kentucky.

1. Anchorage

Anchorage

Who’d have thought that the humble suburb of Anchorage would be the best place to live in Kentucky. Home to just 2,172 people, 
this area is one of the more affluent neighbourhoods in all of Kentucky. With the average household here bringing home $160,000, the hefty average house price of $618,200 is by no means an issue.

Tenants may be put off the $1,895 median rent value and with 91% of residents living in owned homes, rental properties seldom make an appearance on the market.

Anchorage has some of the lowest crime rates in all of Kentucky meaning this is a popular spot for higher-income families to raise their children, the schools are pretty outstanding too.

• Best 13+ Places to Live in Virginia (U.S. state)

2. Indian Hills

Indian Hills

Coming in second place is another suburb of Louisville in Jefferson County, in the form of Indian Hills. This is another small but affluent neighbourhood home to 2,930 people.

With median house prices at $462,200, this is an exclusive area. Sadly for the average Kentucky family earning $43,000 a year, as is the statewide median, living in Indian Hills is an aspirational feat.

Despite its small nature, there are 40 incredible public schools in this district and with 42% of residents holding a Master’s degree or higher these are the kinds of people you want your little ones to be growing up around.

As in Anchorage, crime in Indian Hills is near nonexistent, one resident noted that there has only been one break-in in the last 25 years.

3. Cherokee Gardens

Cherokee Gardens

With a more urban feel than Indian Hills and Anchorage, we find, in third place, Cherokee Gardens, another suburb of Louisville. This small neighbourhood is considered to be the best neighbourhood to live in in the Louisville area according to niche.com, in turn being the best to raise a family and the safest too. What’s to complain about?!

Really very little, house prices are on par with our list to date, falling at $507,418 but unlike Indian Hills and Anchorage, there are more properties that come in under the median than above. For example, a more realistic investment of $389,900 would see you move into a charming cottage-like 3-bedroom family home with great garden space. Source: www.louisvillehomesblog.com

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4. Hurstbourne Acres

Hurstbourne Acres

Although the Kentucky State capital is Frankfort, it seems that Louisville is where the action is at. Hurstbourne Acres is yet another suburb of Louisville and our smallest community yet, comprised of just 1,799 people.

You’ll be surprised to hear that an incredible 84% of people here live in rented properties and with median monthly rent falling well below the national average at $898, who can blame them. That said, home value is reasonable too. At $188,100 Hurstbourne Acres is our most affordable place to live in Kentucky yet.

Although tiny, there are always a few good properties on the market but you’ll have to snap them up quickly! Being so affordable you’ll not be surprised to hear that this little pocket of Kentucky is a hotspot for millennials, who can blame them. Source: www.hurstbourneacres.org

5. Fort Thomas

Fort Thomas

Tucked away on the southern bank of the Ohio River is the mid-sized, homely town of Fort Thomas; this town is in fact classed as a suburb of Ohio’s Cincinnati.

With 16,326 people living here, we are back within the realms of the average hardworking American. Home value is a greatly affordable $192,700 and should you be prepared to invest in a more humble abode you could live here for $159,900.

Local people describe Fort Thomas as elegant; see you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to live somewhere charming. There are plenty of sidewalks and trails for dog walking and jogging and the community atmosphere is tangible. Source: www.courtyardproperties.net

6. Cherokee Seneca

Cherokee Seneca

As suburbs of Louisville go, Cherokee Seneca is certainly one of the more affordable and diverse. Diverse in terms of the population’s socioeconomic background and ethnicity as well as, on a more material level, the availability of houses too.

Most households here in Cherokee Seneca earn $97,600 annually making this a fairly respectable area. Crime rates are low and the access to public schooling is fantastic too. There are 43 schools in this district to which parents are ample satisfaction with the education their little ones have access to.

There are a lot of green spaces to enjoy around Cherokee Seneca, namely the Seneca Golf Course and Cherokee Park.

7. Union

Union

Union, according to locals, is a wonderful suburb for families to raise their kids. With plenty to do in a very safe environment, there is very little to find fault with in Union. 

Being a suburb of Cincinnati there are plenty of job opportunities in a variety of industries and infrastructure for commuters is pretty good. Home to 5,635 people, resident satisfaction here is high.

Median household income is $102,253 so those who live here live very comfortably. This affluence has created a safe and secure neighbourhood but not sent house prices through the roof. Considering the proximity to Cincinnati and the low crime rates, Union house prices are fair.

8. Highlands Douglass

Highlands Douglass

The neighbouring neighbourhood to Cherokee Gardens is Highlands Douglass, home to 4,507 people. Again, it is hard to find any real fault in Highlands Douglass and there is certainly no real reason for it missing out on a top five spot.

With median rent coming in $100 less than the national average, there is a lot for tenants to love about Highlands Douglass; good availability of rental accommodation too.

This is an incredibly safe neighbourhood, perhaps due to the small number of residents or perhaps due to the high earning and diverse nature of those who live here. Median household income is $83,803.

Being a suburb of Louisville there are plenty of job opportunities here and there are all the services and amenities you would expect to find in a small town. Source: highlandsdouglass.org

9. Gardiner Lane

Gardiner Lane

Gardiner Lane is a well-established suburb of Louisville, there is a sense of history about the place and an instant sense of belonging should you choose to move in. This is a quiet and safe little neighbourhood and with only 3,990 people living here, it’s almost like an urban village.

Considering Gardiner Lane’s proximity to Louisville, house prices are rather reasonable; in fact, Gardiner Lane is the best suburb of Louisville to buy property in according to niche.com. For $189,00 you can invest in a cottage-like, 2-bedroom family home within easy reach of good public schools and driving routes into the city for work.

Many residents who live here have dogs so newcomers are bound to find some furry friends in common! Source: www.redfin.com

10. Hurstbourne

Hurstbourne

Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky so it makes sense that its suburbs feature frequently on our list of best places to live in the state. Unlike many other suburban areas in the United States of America, Louisville has lots of small suburbs which have their own tight-knit communities, rather than being a subsection or overflow of the city itself.

It seems that the suburbs of Louisville are fairly affluent, this is a thriving city with a thriving workforce behind it. The average household income in Hurstbourne is $107,991 creating for a diverse group of 4,300 residents.

Be sure to check out Moby Dick Seafood on Shelbyville Road and the Gasthaus German Restaurant on Brownsboro Centre for some delicious food.

11. Crestwood

Crestwood

This small town has a really homely and welcoming feel to it. Downtown Louisville is only a matter of minutes away so any entertainment facility to which Crestwood is lacking can be found within the city limits very easily.

This is a very quiet area and locals say that nightlife is near impossible to find, but again, with downtown Louisville a short drive away there is no real issue there.

Cost of living in Crestwood should be highlighted. A rented property costs an average of $735 a month, nearly $200 below the national average. Compared with Indian Hills Crestwood is far more affordable in terms of housing, costing on average $246,700 for a family home.

12. Crescent Hill

Crescent Hill Reservoir

Across the Ohio River from Jeffersonville, to the southeast is Crescent Hill, home to 9,900 residents who dearly love their home here. With a good amount of nightlife on offer, there is something for everyone to enjoy here, unlike in Crestwood where you had to trek to find a beer!

As neighbourhoods go, Crescent Hill is on par with the rest of the United States in so many ways. Crime levels are low bar a few incidences of theft which get dealt with quickly and efficiently by local cops.

The median household income is just above the national average at $62,301 making this bunch of residents your run of the hill, salt of the earth American families.

Value for money can be found in properties in Crescent Hill; for an investment of $300,000, you could move into a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom family home, that has a quaint feel to it on Lotis Way.

13. Deer Park

Deer Park

Another small and cosy neighbourhood near Cherokee Park and Seneca Gardens is Deer Park. This little town is home to 5,200 people and is considered to be a suburb of Louisville.

Property prices here are on par with Crescent Hill at an average of $232,670. Should you be prepared to haggle you can invest in a pretty perfect family home for $214,000 and under.

Being such a small area and with residents happy with their lives here, the lower value properties seldom come on the market so you’ll have to be active in your research if Deer Park is for you.

This is a good public school district and with only 9% of those who live here being of school age, the teacher to student ratios are idealistically low.

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14. Wilmore

Wilmore

The little town of Wilmore can be found 30-minutes south-west of Lexington in Jessamine County. Being out of the city limits property prices here are some of the lowest in the State but the high Kentucky quality of build still applies. The home value here is $144,200 on average meaning it is a really accessible area and a great place to buy your first home.

Being a small town, crime is naturally low and the people here really look out for one another. Local people say that living in Wilmore is great for families and although there is a town feel to the neighbourhood being so close to farmland and fields gives the place just the right about of rural appeal.

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15. Belknap

Belknap

Seeing as suburbs of Louisville have capitalised our list it seems only fair that we should conclude with another. Belknap is one of the larger suburbs of Louisville, home to 7,000 people.

House prices here on average are on par with Deer Park at $224,654 but in reality, you’ll seldom get change from $400,000. Those sitting in properties at the lower end of the price scale aren’t looking to go anywhere!

Locals say there is a good community feel in the area with lots of restaurants and entertainment on offer to keep everyone happy and together.

 There are 40 public schools in this district so parents have a lot of choices. Due to the number of children in the area, there is a good range of extra-curricular activities on offer too.

The eastern part of Kentucky – the Bluegrass State – is the Appalachians, so not surprisingly, the best of the state’s waterfalls are located there. Many of Kentucky’s waterfalls are seasonal and springtime is certainly the best time to see them. The alternative is after heavy rain in the fall.

They are generally set in beautiful areas, so if the waterfall is dry when you pay a visit, often other things compensate. A road trip in Kentucky is definitely an adventure; if you are planning one, here are Amazing Waterfalls in Kentucky to help you decide on your route.

1. Cumberland Falls, Cumberland Falls State Park

Cumberland Falls

The most impressive waterfalls are those that have genuine volume.

Cumberland Falls has earned the nickname ‘’The Niagara of the South’’ precisely because of the volume of water dropping over the sandstone – 3,600 cubic feet.

The falls are 68 feet high and 125 feet wide and make a most impressive sight and sound.

They are arguably even more impressive at night time when there is a full moon; the mist produced often creates a spectacular moonbow.

2. Eagle Falls, Cumberland Falls State Park

Eagle Falls, Cumberland Falls State Park

Whilst not as large as Cumberland Falls, Eagle Falls are most impressive, especially in the springtime.

The flow drops markedly through summer unless there has been heavy rain.

They are 44 feet high with the water pouring down into a rocky cove.

The setting is beautiful, as is every step of the 1.5-mile trail you take to reach them.

The location is Daniel Boone National Forest and the walk is not too strenuous, so active kids will enjoy it.

The State Park is open year-round.

3. Greasy Creek Falls, Cumberland Falls State Park

It is easy to miss the sight of a cascade beyond the third bridge on Greasy Creek simply because of the Cumberland and Eagle Falls’ presence.

It would be a shame because there is more to see than those two ‘’giants.’’

They are more impressive for their ‘’spread’’ than the distance the water actually falls.

In the spring, the flow is fairly strong, though it diminishes as the months go by before the rains return.

They have often been referred to as ‘’delightful falls,’’ though that name is just opinion at present.

4. Mill Springs, Cumberland Falls State Park

These falls which drop into the lake are a challenge to photograph but provide lovely images for those that succeed.

The average drop is around 30 feet and when the park starts to attract visitors in the spring, they are at their best.

Two of the best alternatives to take that photo from are behind the nearby mill or by approaching the falls in a boat on the lake.

Whichever you try, they are a lovely sight.

A third option is to walk off the trail to get down to the lakeside, but if you attempt that, you must take care.

5. Meadow Creek Falls, Cumberland Falls State Park

The main falls are seasonal but there is also a series of cascades above them to enjoy once you head on from Mill Springs.

The cascades vary in drops of between 3 and 6 feet and stretch back many hundred feet from the falls.

At their best, the falls are 35 feet of powerful water, which can be viewed either from within the cascades or below.

Obviously, you need to take care of slippery stones if you venture close to get the best pictures.

Get there in spring.

6. Yahoo Falls, Daniel Boone State Forest

Yahoo Falls, Kentucky

At 113 feet, Yahoo Falls are the tallest in the state.

The trail that includes the falls is a one-mile loop and you can get behind and above them.

The cave behind the falls is huge.

Spring is a lovely time to visit because once summer arrives, there may only be a trickle of water.

Indeed, the creek starts as a trickle year-round but it is soon transformed in spring.

While Cumberland Falls gets most of the publicity, you should make sure you see Yahoo and decide for yourself which is the better one.

7. Princess Falls, McCreary County

Princess Falls, Kentucky

This waterfall on Lick Creek in Daniel Boone National Forest is thought to have got its name from a Native American princess – Cornblossom of the Cherokee tribe.

If you follow the Lick Creek Trail, you will find a few good vantage points for a photograph.

They are almost 3.5 miles from the start of the trail; there you will reach the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail that runs beside the Big South Fork River.

The forest is especially beautiful when all the flowers are in bloom.

Dogs are allowed, but only on a leash,

8. Flat Lick Falls, McKee

Flat Lick Falls

These falls are among the least known in Kentucky yet they offer lovely views.

It’s a great place for a picnic.

They lie about seven miles south of McKee in a region that is perfect for camping and hiking.

There is rarely a huge amount of water cascading down, but the setting – surrounded by greenery – makes for a lovely photograph.

An improved visitor infrastructure is in progress, with viewing platforms providing different vistas of the falls.

You can park nearby and basic camping is available.

9. Anglin Falls, McKee

Anglin Falls

Anglin Falls is located in the John B Stephenson Memorial Forest and State Nature Preserve.

At 75 feet high, they make an impressive sight in the spring, but even later in the year, you will enjoy the visit if you are interested in botany.

It does tend to be a bit of an adventure to get to the falls, but that is often part of the fun of seeking out waterfalls.

Ask the locals for Hammonds Fork Road and take a left near an old post office, then the first right, and you are there.

10. 76 Falls, Albany, Clinton County

76 Falls

Some say the name of these Falls on Indian Creek comes from their height as the water plummets into Lake Cumberland.

The falls were even higher before the creation of Cumberland Lake in the 1950’s, so there is surely another explanation? The scenic walk, the falls, and a picnic make a great day out – very relaxing.

You can kayak on the lake and go right up to the falls.

It is important to be careful if you want to get closer on land because people have slipped there in the past.

11. Shanty Hollow Lake, Bowling Green

The Shanty Hollow Lake hiking trail just north of Bowling Green is fun year-round and that is good news for those wanting to see the local waterfall.

Unlike many others in Kentucky, it is at its best in winter – from November to the end of April.

The tall and narrow waterfall is located at the end of a canyon.

It is a place that is fairly accessible for families and therefore popular, especially at weekends.

Sadly, the area is getting a reputation as a place that many seem to leave their trash when they go.

12. Broke Leg Falls, Menifee County

The sight of these 60-foot falls dropping into a pool on Broke Leg Creek is stunning and makes for a great photograph.

Best described as a narrow ribbon of water, these falls are easy to reach via steps from the parking lot.

A new highway has meant the falls are further away from the area’s busy traffic.

Do not try any route down other than the steps because all are slippery – perhaps that is where the name came from? A small bridge crosses the creek below the falls, offering a variety of different views.

13. Bad Branch Falls, Whitesburg

Bad Branch Falls, Whitesburg

These falls – just eight miles from Whitesburg in Eolia – can be combined with a visit to see Kentucky’s only pair of nesting ravens.

The Nature Preserve carrying their name covers a little over 2,500 acres.

The trail of almost six miles is open to the public year-round.

It is a great place for hiking and checking out the flora and fauna.

The falls are close to the beginning of the trail and beginners should know that there are some uphill sections later on.

14. Torrent Falls, Campton

Torrent Falls and Red River Gorge make for a great day out.

Visitors will enjoy beautiful scenery and the place has become very popular with rock climbers.

Red River Gorge is arguably the most popular spot for adventurers in the whole of Kentucky.

It is certainly a place for rock climbers, but if you just want to see the falls, you can do that without much trouble.

The most water is seen around springtime but the colors of the leaves in the fall attract many visitors; after some autumn rain, the falls revive as well.

15. Town Creek Falls, Monticello

These falls seem to be the exclusive domain of the locals; few others know they are there.

They are truly stunning.

Once you have parked, go up over a hill and you will see some standing water.

Don’t be put off – continue down the hill to the right and you will see the falls, which begin at a dam.

On the upper section, there are several cascades before the creek’s slopes steepen with a 50-foot drop.

The trail continues to the base of the falls.

It is likely to take more than one photograph for you to capture them all.

Kentucky is a southeastern state bounded by the Ohio River in the north and the Appalachian Mountains in the east, with Frankfort the state capital.

Famous for its bourbon, horse racing, tobacco, fried chicken and bluegrass music, Kentucky is a state that is filled with culture and all things related to it. It is known as the ‘Bluegrass State’ because of its unique smooth meadow-grass, but it also has loads of geographical diversity.

Kentucky boasts a plethora of natural attractions and scenery that includes mountains, rivers, parks and caves. In fact, it is home to world’s longest known cave system and has more navigable kilometres of water than any other state apart from Alaksa! There are natural and artificial lakes spread all across the state, but there are some that are better than others.

These are the best lakes in Kentucky:

1. Kentucky Lake; Calloway, Marshall & Livingston Counties

Kentucky Lake

The largest lake east of the Mississippi, Kentucky Lake sits along the Tennessee River and is shared with neighbouring Tennessee. The 64,900 hectare lake boasts a 3,322 kilometre shoreline that is dotted with marinas, cabins and campgrounds.

The lake is known for its superb fishing, particularly white bass, buffalo carp and yellow perch. It is also a great place for boating and other water sports.

There are two state parks along the lake; Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and Kenlake State Resort Park. The former is one of the most popular state parks in Kentucky, while the later hosts the Hot August Blues Festival.

2. Lake Barkley; Livingston, Lyon & Trigg Counties

Lake Barkley

The only thing that separates this lake from the Kentucky Lake is the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The lake was created upon the completion of the Barkley Dam, with both being named after Kentucky native Vice President Alben Barkley.

Lake Barkley features a 1,616 kilometres shoreline, with the Lake Barkley State Resort Park sitting on its eastern shore. The 6,900 hectare park is known for its fantastic recreational activities, which include swimming, sailing, boating and fishing, as well as horseback riding, hiking and golf.

The lake is also home to a few attractions, like a Civil War Monument, wildlife refuges, water parks and historical sites. There is also a wide variety of accommodation and dining options either right on the shoreline or just a few steps away from it.

3. Lake Cumberland; Clinton, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell & Wayne counties

Lake Cumberland

Kentucky’s largest lake in terms of volume, Lake Cumberland has a 2,025 kilometre shoreline that stretches across six counties! The large lake is a major tourist spot, drawing over four million visitors each year.

Rowing, kayaking and rafting are all popular activities enjoyed on the lake. Or if you really want to get your heart rate going, try wakeboarding, water skiing or white water rafting.

Lake Cumberland is also a known fishing spot, with numerous places offering fishing tours around the lake. Lake Cumberland State Resort Park sits along the northern shore of the lake and offers numerous activities, including swimming, hiking and horseback riding.

4. Barren River Lake; Allen, Barren & Monroe Counties

Barren River Lake

Created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the construction of the Barren River Lake Dam, today Barren River Lake is a popular recreational destination. And you can even stay overnight!

The Barren River Lake State Resort Park is stretched across 227 kilometres of the lake’s shoreline. Fishing is the park’s main attraction, though boating and water skiing are also offered.

Those that would prefer to enjoy the lake without getting wet can go hiking, biking or horseback riding along the Lewis Hill Trail. There is also a golf course, picnic areas and a few playgrounds around the lake.

5. Laurel River Lake; Laurel & Whitley counties

Laurel River Lake

Laurel River Lake sits along the Laurel River in the magnificent Daniel Boone National Forest. Thousands of visitors come each year to enjoy the lake and its stunning natural surroundings.

The 2,300 hectare lake is a popular place for boating, boasting seven ramps at various spots around the lake. Fishing for rainbow trout, walleye, black bass, crappie and catfish is also quite common.

Visitors that prefer not to fish can go swimming, water skiing or even scuba diving in the lake. In fact, the lake’s 85 metres of water is some of the cleanest in all of Kentucky.

6. Green River Lake; Adair, Taylor & Casey counties

Green River Lake

Although Green River Lake was originally built for flood control, today it is a major attraction. The 3,000 hectare lake is said to have has prevented over €100 million in flood damages since it was built in 1969.

Green River Lake State Park is the main point of interest for the thousands of tourists that visit the lake each year. The 539 hectare park is home to 157 campsites, 200 boat slips and a network of 45 kilometres of trails.

There are also a number of other recreational areas around the lake that have fishing piers, boat ramps, picnic areas and beaches. Largemouth bass, channel catfish, muskellunge and white crappie fishing are all excellent here.

7. Cave Run Lake; Rowan, Morgan, Menifee & Bath Counties

Cave Run Lake

Cave Run Lake is located at the north end of the Daniel Boone National Forest. It was built to provide flood control for the lower Licking River valley.

The water flow within the lake ensures excellent fishing, particularly bass, trout, walleye, catfish and panfish. There are also plenty of other activities to enjoy here, including sailing, canoeing, swimming and jet skiing.

In addition to water based activities, Cave Run Lake also has numerous trials around it that are great for hiking, cycling and horseback riding. There are also picnic areas, camping grounds and boat ramps around the 3,300 hectare lake.

8. Rough River Lake; Breckinridge, Hardin & Grayson Counties

Rough River Lake

This 2,100 hectare lake is spread across three counties in south central Kentucky. Rough River Lake’s primary draw is the Rough River Dam State Resort Park that sits on the western shores of the lake.

Rough River Dam State Resort Park provides recreational activities like boating, swimming and hiking. Still, most people come for the fantastic fishing, as the lake is home to a wide variety of bass.

The park offers a variety of accommodation options, as do others areas around the lake. There are also other places where you can go swimming, fishing or hiking.

9. Dale Hollow Reservoir; Cumberland & Clinton Counties

Dale Hollow Reservoir

Although most of the Dale Hollow Reservoir sits in neighbouring Tennessee, the Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park sits on the Kentucky side of the lake.

The park is a major recreational area, offering a plethora of activities that include boating, fishing, swimming and scuba diving. There are also four trails within the park that offer hiking, cycling and horseback riding.

The Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park features 145 campsites as well as a 60-room lodge that overlooks the lake. There is also a golf-course, a driving range and an amphitheatre onsite.

10. Yatesville Lake; Lawrence County

Yatesville Lake

Sitting in the far eastern part of Kentucky, Yatesville Lake is a serpentine reservoir that is best known for the Yatesville Lake State Park. The park sits on a peninsula on the southeast portion of the lake.

Yatesville Lake State Park features an 18-hole golf course, a marina and a camping ground. There are also three trail systems within the park and two boat ramps.

Yatesville Lake is best known for its crappie, bluegill and bass fishing. Please note that a fishing license is required to fish here.

11. Nolin River Lake; Edmonson, Grayson & Hart Counties

Nolin River Lake

This reservoir spreads across three counties in central Kentucky. One of the main attractions of the lake are its two large recreational areas that lie on opposite sides of the lake 2,345 hectare lake.

Nolin Lake State Park is a 135 hectare area that offers boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking and hiking. It also has 32 campsites with hook-ups and 27 primitive sites.

On the northern side of the lake is the Moutardier Recreation Area, which also has a campground. Visitors come here to go canoeing, fishing and hiking.

12. Herrington Lake; Mercer, Garrard & Boyle Counties

Herrington Lake

Kentucky’s deepest lake has a maximum depth of 76 metres. Plus, at the time the lake was constructed its dam was the largest earth-filled dam in the world!

Today, Herrington Lake is an excellent place for fishing thanks to its abundance of bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. It is also a beautiful lake, what with its stunning limestone sides and numerous floating houseboats.

The Pete Dye designed Peninsula Golf Resort sits on the northeast edge of the lake. There are also plenty of other places to stay around the lake, as well as numerous marinas.

13. Taylorsville Lake; Spencer County

Taylorsville Lake

This 1,200 hectare artificial lake sits along the Salt River. Taylorsville Lake is a popular lake that can get quite busy on the weekends with visitors and locals coming to enjoy a day at the lake.

Fishing is very popular thanks to the abundance bass, crappie, catfish and perch. Water-skiing, tubing, wakeboarding and jet skiing are also popular activities that are enjoyed on the lake.

On the northern shore of the lake is the 486 hectare Taylorsville Lake State Park. Fishing is its major attractions, although the park also boasts over 27 kilometres of hiking trails.

14. Cedar Creek Lake; Lincoln County

Cedar Creek Lake

The second largest state controlled lake in Kentucky, Cedar Creek Lake is a 317 hectare reservoir that sits along US Highway 150. There is very little development around the lake, making it quite a serene place to spend a day.

There are three boat ramps around the lake, while plans to build a marina are currently in place. Most people visit Cedar Creek Lake to fish for black crappie, channel catfish, bluegill, sunfish and largemouth bass.

The William Whitley House State Historic Site sits on the east side of the lake. The house was built in 1794 and used as a gathering spot.

15. Fishtrap Lake; Pike County

Fishtrap Lake

Dedicated by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Fishtrap Lake was built in 1968 when the 195-foot-high Fishtrap Dam was created. It is just a small lake, at 500 hectares.

The man-made lake is one of eastern Kentucky’s top fishing spots. Fish living in the water include crappie, black bass, stripes bass and catfish.

The Fishtrap Lake State Park sits at the very western edge of the lake. In addition to fishing, the park also offers camping, hiking and horseback riding.