All of my side of the family live in Kentucky so this is where all of our vacations end up because we go for over a year without seeing my relatives. Trouble is, I hate doing this because we miss out on so many great vacations. We can't afford to go to Kentucky AND Vegas, or Grand Canyon, or Mt.Rushmore, etc.
Perhaps you know of some really cool places to see either on our way to Kentucky (from Central Florida) or within a hundred miles of our destination which is Louisville. We've been thinking about Colonial Williamsburg but even that will have us driving more than we probably wish. Anyway, if you can offer some suggestions, it would be appreciated!
2007-01-27 10:36:34 · 11 answers · asked by blutoadmirer 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Other - United States
Go to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Kentucky will look like the most exciting place on earth in comparison. Unless you live for Waffle Houses and miniature golf.
2007-01-27 10:44:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My family's interests are mainly outdoor activities and history so I don't know if these will interest you, but we have a 7 year old daughter who has loved these side trips.
Swing through Chattanooga, TN on your way. You'll find Rock City (truly an American icon), Ruby Falls, and the Chattanooga Choo-choo. A little further north, you can hit the Cherokee reservation that spans the TN-NC line. A couple hours east into NC, there's the Biltmore Estate. Pretty impressive place.
If you head a little west into Nashville, the Opryland Hotel is a big hit. And Andrew Jackson's home, the Hermitage is just east of Nashville.
Mammoth Caves is supposed to be a great trip in KY but I haven't been there yet. There are a ton of bourbon distilleries around the Louisville area. Jim Beam is pretty close. There's the Louisville Zoo. Our daughter really loves that. There's the Frazier International History Museum, covers 1000 years of history and even looks at Europe. You can catch a real steam driven paddle boat in downtown Louisville at the wharf. You can always visit the Louisville Slugger museum and Factory.
The Louisville Science Center has lots of hands-on activities. It was just as hard to tear my 30 year old husband away as it was our daughter.
South of Louisville,in a little town called Horse Cave, there is the American Cave Museum and Hidden River Cave. Cave City has the Crystal Onyx Cave and Gun Town Mountain, which is a kitchy little theme park base on the Wild West.
On the western end of KY, there a beautiful little spot called the Land Between the Lakes. Lots of hiking trails, animal exhibits, a planetarium. There's a fabulous little restaurant there at the northern end called Patt's 1880s Settlement. IF you go, make a reservation early. It's popular.
Also, there's lots of hiking trails around Lake Barkley. At Columbus-Belmont State park there's a museum about the Civil War and the anchor that was used to block the river. Over by Hopkinsville, there's the Trail of Tears park and has a good bit of history about the Cherokees.
2007-01-27 11:10:25 · answer #2 · answered by seeme1995 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Virginia is celebrating 400 yrs so Williamsburg would be great ! A stop at Mt. Airy N.C. would let you go back to Andy Griffith and Opie's home town of Mayberry it's right on the way. There is fantastic scenery at Breaks Interstate Park and lodging there is reasonable. If timing is right they have canoeing and kayaking runs with class 5&6 rapids also rafting for normal(not suicidal) folks.Kentucky State Resort parks have great food and great scenery while you dine.There are casinos you might invest in .I don't . I suggest you get into the lives of your family just like you ,they are very interesting !
2007-01-27 10:56:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about seeing Cumberland Falls in Corbin Kentucky? It has one of the worlds only moonbows (which is a rainbow that happens at night over the falls). Then there is Mammoth Cave, which is the worlds largest cave system...I like it a lot. Then, there is Renfroe Valley..it is a music place, but country music so you may not like it. There is more to do in Kentucky than you think...just look it up!
2007-01-27 11:59:47 · answer #4 · answered by Led*Zep*Babe 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Six Flags Over Georgia
Stone Mountain (Ga)
Atlanta Zoo and Aquarium
Tennessee Aquarium
Hiawasee River (Tn)
Ocoee River (Tn)
Great Smokey Mountains (Tn)
Dollywood (Tn)
Grand Ol' Opry (Tn)
Cumberland Gap (Ky)
Mammouth Cave (KY)
Lost Sea Cave (Tn)
Raccoon Mountain (Tn)
2007-01-27 10:46:27 · answer #5 · answered by me 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Churchill Downs has a great tour and history (museum) of horse racing, if that is interesting to you.
2007-01-27 10:45:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.kytourism.com/
a whole website dedicated to Kentucky with tourist attractions and places to visit and things to do good luck and have fun
2007-01-27 10:45:00 · answer #7 · answered by youhoo it's me 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lots of great answers already for this
2016-07-28 08:01:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You raise some good points in your question.
2016-08-23 16:24:19 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
--Chuchhill downs
--Horse Parks
--Whiskey Distillary
--State parks
2007-01-27 10:47:34 · answer #10 · answered by amor vincit omnia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋