Kentucky Holidays

Bourbon, Horses, History and so much more

Kentucky is the “front porch” to the South, welcoming visitors with Southern hospitality.  Home to the Horse Capital of the World and the maker of 95% of the world's Bourbon, it boasts the longest cave system in the world (Mammoth Cave National Park) and is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, Muhammad Ali and Bill Monroe (the Father of Bluegrass Music).

Luxury Holidays in Kentucky

While horses, bourbon and bluegrass music are Kentucky’s signatures, the Bluegrass state also offers the finest in dining, arts, entertainment, history and thrilling outdoor adventure to make any visit complete. Kentucky hosts large music festivals as well as food festivals. World renowned chefs and artists live and ply their trade here and Kentucky's outdoor adventures are spectacular and unforgettable. Experience the taste, sounds and sights of this amazing state and immerse yourself in its rich heritage and diverse culture.

Great reasons to visit Kentucky

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is bordered by seven states: Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri and Illinois. The Ohio River flows 664 miles along the northern and western borders of the state. The position of Kentucky makes the Bluegrass state a perfect place to start your self-drive holidays, whether you want to explore the southern states or venture north. Kentucky boasts nine defined regions, offering exciting and unforgettable experiences. Here you’ll find lakes, rivers, waterfalls, caves, forests, mountains and rolling fields of bluegrass dotted with horse farms and bourbon distilleries. You’ll also find exciting cities, rich culinary traditions and more outdoor adventures than you can possibly squeeze into one trip.

Interesting facts about Kentucky

  • Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is home to the world's longest cave and was first promoted in 1816, making it the second oldest tourist attraction in the United States. Niagara Falls, New York is first.
  • The first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant owned and operated by Colonel Sanders is located in Corbin.
  • Kentucky is the state where both Abraham Lincoln, President of the Union, and Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, were born. They were born less than one hundred miles and one year apart.
  • Kentucky is the source of 95% of the world’s bourbon. In Kentucky there are more barrels of bourbon than there are people.
  • Cumberland Waterfall is the only waterfall in the world to regularly display a Moonbow. It is located just southwest of Corbin.
  • The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously held horse race in the country. It is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.

Weather in Kentucky

Kentucky enjoys mild summers and moderately cold winters because of its central U.S. location, so any month is a great month to travel to Kentucky.  The state experiences all four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are periods of pleasantly warm days and cool nights. 

Kentucky Holidays 2025 / 2026

Beat the rush and book your holiday to Kentucky today. Your Southern adventure is just a few clicks away with Kenwood Travel. Explore our guaranteed package offers for 2025 and 2026 and rest assured that you’re getting the best industry knowledge at an unbeatable price. Secure your holiday with ABTOT and ATOL protection with Kenwood and y’all be enjoying the warm South Atlantic states in no time.

Holidays we think you'll like

Top Pick Hotels

21c Museum Hotel Lexington

4* out of 5 stars

Settle into a boutique hotel whose heart is home to myriad exhibits and galleries, with art and culture in every corner.

Galt House Hotel, Louisville

4* out of 5 stars

Discover Kentucky's largest hotel, right in the heart of downtown Louisville and boasting a history of excellence that stretches all the way back to the 1800s.

Hotel Covington

4* out of 5 stars

An old historical staple of downtown Cincinnati with sophisticated modern interiors, Hotel Covington will offer you your boutique hotel experience of Kentucky.

Hyatt Place Bowling Green

3* out of 5 stars

Situated on the campus of Western Kentucky University, this hotel enjoys a close partnership with the university and the downtown Bowling Green.

The Seelbach Hilton Louisville

4* out of 5 stars

Simultaneously a masterpiece of hospitality and a fixture of local history, this grand resort is the epitome of Louisville luxury.

Where to go in Kentucky

Louisville

Louisville

Louisville is best known for two things: the Kentucky Derby and Muhammad Ali, but the city is home to many historic landmarks and figures. Bourbon takes centre stage in Louisville. Downtown’s historic Whiskey Row is experiencing a bourbon renaissance with the restoration of architecture and the opening of bourbon distilleries with visitor centres that tell the story of one of Kentucky’s hallmark assets. These new distilleries join the already established attractions on Museum Row in downtown, such as Louisville Slugger Museum, Frazier History Museum and the Muhammad Ali Centre.

Lexington

Lexington

Discover the best of Kentucky in this iconic destination. Meet Kentucky Derby winners and explore the Thoroughbred industry on horse farm tours. Visit the Kentucky Horse Park to see 50 horse breeds in action. Learn about horse racing at Keeneland Race Course’s morning workouts and enjoy breakfast with trainers and jockeys. Tour historic bourbon distilleries, visit bourbon bars, and explore Lexington’s Distillery District. Enjoy afternoon teas, garden tours, historic homes, and significant Civil War sites. Go ziplining and then savour the offerings of over 140 independent restaurants and more than a dozen craft breweries.

Covington

Covington

Covington is one of the largest cities in Northern Kentucky and it is well known for its historic neighbourhoods, it's downtown commercial district, the shops of Mainstrasse, numerous art galleries and unique eateries as well as it's dining districts including Mainstrasse Village and the Roebling Pointe neighbourhood. The historic Riverside Drive area along the Ohio River features many homes that were once stops on the Underground Railroad and the last stops to freedom. This vibrant urban community is located directly across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, and easily accessible from the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge.

Bardstown

Bardstown

Bardstown, proudly known as the Bourbon Capital of the World®, has been acclaimed as the most beautiful small town in America by Rand McNally and USA Today. This charming community exudes a unique blend of small-town charm and southern hospitality, anchored by its renowned bourbon heritage. As you explore Bardstown, you'll be immersed in its rich history, discovering stories and landmarks that span from the Civil War to the legacy of composer Stephen Foster. The town's bourbon legacy is celebrated with numerous distilleries, offering tours and tastings that showcase the art of bourbon making.

Bowling Green

Bowling Green

Bowling Green, a quintessential All-American city, proudly hosts the iconic Corvette. Here, you can explore the National Corvette Museum and tour the GM Bowling Green Corvette Assembly Plant. For automotive enthusiasts, Bowling Green is a true hotspot, featuring nostalgic drag racing at Beech Bend Raceway, where the roar of engines and the thrill of speed captivate visitors. Beyond its automotive allure, Bowling Green boasts stunning natural attractions. Explore the mysterious beauty of Lost River Cave, or venture into Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the world's longest cave system.

Paducah

Paducah

Paducah, known as Quilt City USA® and a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, is renowned for its long-standing quilting traditions and year-round fiber art experiences. The National Quilt Museum, a 27,000-square-foot facility, features three galleries showcasing award-winning quilts and rotating exhibitions, celebrating global quilting talent and diversity. The city's history is vividly depicted by the Dafford Muralists on the floodwall overlooking the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, a project that began in 1996 and completed in 2022, attracting thousands of visitors each season.

Shelbyville

Shelbyville

Tucked between Louisville and Frankfort, Shelbyville is a community of small-town charm and world-class equestrian events. Designated the American Saddlebred Capital of the World, its rolling landscape is home to dozens of historic horse farms, breeding and training facilities and is the site of the famed annual Shelbyville Horse Show. A pastoral gem with rural roads and uptown downtowns, Shelbyville is also known as a Design Destination for its wealth of interior design, antique, fabric and furniture shops, including the highly regarded Wakefield-Scearce Galleries as well as the new designer Outlet Shops of the Bluegrass.

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