Kentucky Travel Guide
The state of Kentucky is nicknamed the 'Bluegrass State' for the
variety of grass that covers much of its surface, producing a small
blue flower in springtime. The grass provides good grazing for
Kentucky's most treasured possessions: the thoroughbred horses that
are bred on the rolling hills of this western frontier area.Horses, fried chicken, bourbon and river steamers are what most
people associate with Kentucky, but this largely rural part of the
United States has plenty of other attractions too, many of them
historical and a great deal of them natural. For instance, Thomas
Edison lived in Louisville before he invented the light bulb, and
the state contains the world's longest cave, Mammoth Cave, which is
350 miles (563km) long.Kentucky is one of only four American states that is designated
a commonwealth: back in 1792 when Kentucky was incorporated as the
15th State of the Union the people chose to be a commonwealth,
governed on the common consent of the people. The state is governed
from the capital, Frankfort, on the Kentucky River in central
Kentucky, but the largest city in the state, and its commercial
capital, is Louisville, a lively town on the Ohio River.Kentucky, bordered by no less than seven other states, is easily
accessible via several Interstate highways and the Louisville
International Airport, making it a popular tourist destination with
its 50 state parks and hundreds of recreational, natural, historic
and cultural attractions. Tourism is the State's third largest
revenue-producing industry and visitors are enthusiastically
welcomed.
Kentucky Travel Guide
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Time:
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November). GMT -6 (GMT -7) in
the western part of the state.
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Kentucky Travel Guide
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Description:
Fans of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali can see and experience all
aspects of the life of the man dubbed 'The Greatest' at this huge
multi-media, interactive exhibition centre, which features 10
theatres and more than 50 interactive stations. Ali's story,
including his boxing career, global humanitarianism and his
societal and religious convictions, is presented in thematic
displays according to the six core values he has encompassed:
confidence, conviction, dedication, respect, spirituality and
giving. The inspirational centre also includes displays of
memorabilia, a retail store, and cafe.
Address:
144 N. Sixth Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(502) 584 9254
Email:
info@alicenter.org
Website:
www.alicenter.org
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Description:
Even those who are not horse-racing fans can experience the
thrill of the sport at the museum and through tours offered at
Churchill Downs, one of the world's oldest (established in 1874)
and most famous tracks, which hosts the annual renowned Kentucky
Derby. The Museum contains exhibits that bring the pageantry and
excitement of the Derby to life, including high-tech computerised
hands-on displays and video graphics. A video entitled 'The
Greatest Race' is shown on a 360-degree screen every half hour from
9am to 4.30pm (from 12.30pm on Sundays). Museum tour guides take
groups of visitors to see the Churchill Downs' stable and infield
areas, as well as through the historic Edwardian grandstand, finish
line and winners' circle.
Address:
704 Central Avenue
Postcode:
Telephone:
(502) 637 7097
Email:
info@derbymuseum.org
Website:
www.derbymuseum.org
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Description:
The Belle of Louisville is America's oldest still-serving
sternwheeler riverboat, plying the Ohio River from Louisville's
waterfront to give visitors memorable sunset cruises, sightseeing
excursions and Saturday night party cruises. The historic boat
powered by two steam engines and boasting 32 whistles, was
commissioned in 1914 and originally named the Idlewild. She served
as a packet boat for many years, carrying passengers and freight on
America's inland waters. In 1962 she was purchased by the Jefferson
County authorities and refurbished, being declared a National
Historic Landmark. Public sightseeing cruises depart from the 4th
Street Wharf in Louisville.
Address:
401 West River Road
Postcode:
Telephone:
(502) 574 2992
Email:
Website:
www.belleoflouisville.org
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Description:
Thomas Edison, inventor of the incandescent electric light bulb,
lived in the house on East Washington Street in 1866 when he was
only 19 years old and had yet to receive acclaim for his many
inventions. When Edison lived in Louisville he worked for the
Western Union as a telegraph operator on Second and West Main
Street, a few blocks from the house. Today the simple cottage,
built around 1850, has been restored as a museum housing
interesting artefacts like cylinder and disc phonographs, a
kinetoscope, the first home motion picture projector, numerous
versions of the light bulb and other inventions patented by
Edison.
Address:
729-31 East Washington Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(502) 585 5247
Email:
edisonhouse@edisonhouse.org
Website:
www.edisonhouse.org
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Description:
The Cathedral of the Assumption is the fourth oldest public
building in Louisville as well as the third oldest Catholic
Cathedral in the United States in continuous use. Designed in the
Neo-Gothic style by William Keeley and Isaiah Rogers, the Cathedral
was completed in 1852. The steeple rises 287 feet (84m) above the
Louisville skyline, and upon its completion, was North America's
tallest spire. The chancel window is one of the oldest surviving
examples of hand-painted stained glass in the country. The
Cathedral of the Assumption is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places and is an active, urban parish with 1,500
registered families.
Address:
433 South Fifth Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(502) 582 2971
Email:
administrator@cathedraloftheassumption.org
Website:
www.cathedraloftheassumption.org
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Description:
The Louisville Science Center in historic West Main Street,
founded in 1871 as a natural history collection, has experienced
more than a century of growth to become Kentucky's largest hands-on
science centre, visited by more than 550,000 people each year. A
highlight of the centre is a 12,500 square foot (1,161 sq metre)
permanent exhibit known as The World Around Us, featuring more than
40 interactive stations that challenge visitors of all ages to make
use of their creativity and problem-solving skills. The centre also
has a four-storey Imax theatre, a gift shop and restaurant.
Address:
727 West Main Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(502) 561 6100
Email:
Website:
www.louisvillescience.org
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Description:
America's first complete centre dedicated to the art of glass,
from architectural glassworks to the finest glass jewellery and
ornaments, is located in Louisville on the corner of 9th and Market
Streets in the historic Snead Manufacturing Building. Visitors can
watch glassblowers, flameworkers, cutters and designers at work,
creating glass art in the open air and studios. Renowned resident
glassmakers are Mark Payton and Brook White, but the Louisville
Glassworks Centre also plays host to visiting glass artists. Glass
art is also on sale at the centre. Guided tours are available.
Address:
815 West Market Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(502) 584 4510
Email:
Website:
www.louisvilleglassworks.com
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Description:
The only theme park in the world dedicated to man's relationship
with the horse, the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington covers 1,200
acres in Kentucky's famous Bluegrass country. A visit to the Park
begins with a film show in the visitor's centre, followed by
exploring the vast and comprehensive International Museum of the
Horse. Guests can also wander through a self-guided farm tour
watching the farrier at work and admiring the tack shop, before
attending a half-hour parade in the show ring, which highlights the
characteristics of some of the park's 40 different breeds of
horses. In the Hall of Champions, legendary thoroughbreds are
presented for viewing and visitors can also enjoy a carriage or
horseback ride around the park's extensive show facilities. The
presentations are held only between March and October.
Address:
4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington
Postcode:
Telephone:
(859) 233 4303
Email:
info@kyhorsepark.com
Website:
www.kyhorsepark.com
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Description:
Besides horses, Kentucky is famous for its Bourbon whiskey.
Numerous distilleries are open to the public, but one of the oldest
still operating is the Woodford Reserve Distillery nestled between
lush horse farms in Woodford County on McCracken Pike. Bourbon was
first distilled here in 1812 when it was known as the Labrot &
Graham Distillery. The beautiful limestone buildings have been
restored to their original condition and the site is a National
Historic Landmark. It is the only bourbon distillery still using
copper pot stills, the traditional method of distillation. A
visitor's centre provides displays and videos on the history of
bourbon and guests can watch how bourbon is distilled in the
traditional manner. The distillery offers several tours that
include tastings.
Address:
7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles
Postcode:
Telephone:
(859) 879 1812
Email:
Website:
www.woodfordreserve.com
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Description:
This US Army fort, located an hour south of Louisville, is
world-famous as the home of America's largest stockpile of gold
bullion; however, the repository is closed to visitors. A popular
attraction though, is the General George Patton Museum of
Leadership, which has exhibitions of US Army artefacts going back
to 1775. Adjacent to the museum is Keyes Park, offering pleasant
picnic areas and a playground for children to run around in.
Address:
4554 Fayette Avenue, Fort Knox
Postcode:
Telephone:
(502) 624-3812
Email:
Website:
www.knox.army.mil
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Description:
The capital city of Kentucky, history-rich Frankfort is situated
about 50 miles (80km) east of Louisville, about 50 minutes drive
from Louisville International Airport. The state capital boasts a
vast array of architectural styles, famous landmarks, museums and
enjoyable shopping precincts. Among the interesting attractions in
the city is the Old State Capitol, a Greek Revival building dating
from 1830 with a unique self-supporting staircase held together by
precision and pressure. Another architectural attraction is the
Frank Lloyd Wright designed Zeigler house, dating from 1910.
Besides numerous historic houses and buildings Frankfort boasts a
fascinating History Center, historic sites, war memorials and
scenic wildlife reserves.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
www.visitfrankfort.com
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Description:
The Mammoth Cave National Park near Edmonson in south-central
Kentucky boasts the longest cave in the world, with 350 miles
(563km) of caverns and passages having so far been explored and,
according to experts, 'no end in sight'. The cave has been promoted
as a tourist attraction since 1861, making it America's oldest
attraction, which was encompassed into a national park in 1941 to
preserve the cave system and the scenic river valleys of the Green
and Nolin Rivers. The park offers camping, cave tours, hiking
trails, hotel accommodation, canoeing and horseback riding. There
are a variety of cave tours on offer with varying levels of
difficulty and sightseeing options, run to different schedules.
Visitors are advised to request a brochure and book in advance.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
(270) 758 2180
Email:
Website:
www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm
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Description:
The home of the most famous horse race in America, Churchill
downs is full of tradition and amazing stories. It opened in 1875,
and has hosted the Kentucky Derby ever since. The track also hosts
the Breeders Cup. Races are run from May to July, and October to
November, and visitors to Churchill Downs can see live races in
addition to learning about past winners in the Kentucky Derby
Museum, which is open year round.
Address:
700 Central Avenue
Postcode:
40208
Telephone:
(502) 636-4400
Email:
Website:
www.churchilldowns.com
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