From outdoor adventures and historical site to vibrant local art scenes, there’s a seemingly endless amount of fun to be had throughout the state of Kentucky. Packed with iconic experiences like distillery tours and live horse racing, these six cities offer something for every type of traveler. Here are some of the best things to do and see in Danville, Georgetown, Shelby County, Maysville, Hopkinsville, and Franklin!
Danville, KY
For a Kentucky getaway filled with a bit of everything, Danville is the perfect destination to soak in history, sip bourbon, and enjoy delicious food pairings.
Start your vacation by exploring where the state of Kentucky began. Downtown Danville’s appropriately named Constitution Square Historic Site is where the state’s founders came together to write Kentucky’s constitution in 1792, making it the nation’s 15th state. The park is open for self-guided tours and invites you to stroll through manicured green spaces and log cabins. The centerpiece, however, is the statue that showcases the official seal of the Commonwealth.
Whenever you’re ready to fuel up throughout the day, there are plenty of local eateries to choose from. Copper and Oak is a staple, offering craft cocktails alongside gourmet entrées like Maryland crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and hot honey chicken.
For a more laid-back meal, Morley’s Backyard offers mouthwatering burgers, tasty tacos, and Kentucky craft beer. Relax indoors as you watch a game on one of their large flatscreens, or head outside to their large backyard to enjoy a game of cornhole.
You can also be among the first to experience the Luca Mariano Distillery when they open to the public this fall. Check their website for updates on tours.
Wilderness Trail Distillery is also making waves in the bourbon world. An official stop along Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail®, the distillery offers a few tour options as well as a unique cocktail-making experience.
For a more unique distillery experience, book a tour or tasting at Blue Rook Distillery. As they specialize in sugarcane spirits rather than bourbon, be sure to try their small-batch vodka, gin, and cachaça. We also recommend reserving a table at the distillery’s on-site restaurant, The Still.
Danville also offers a few experiences you can’t find anywhere else, including the Great American Dollhouse Museum. Housing over 200 mini buildings and displays, you’ll see intricate exhibits depicting everything from a dragon lair and castle to an underground railroad.
The GLASS National Art Museum is another must-visit. It houses the largest museum collection of internationally acclaimed artist Stephen Rolfe Powell, who is widely recognized as a hot glass master of color.
Georgetown, KY
Dubbed “the true birthplace of bourbon,” Georgetown deserves a spot at the top of your must-visit list. From bourbon-sipping to close-up views of horses, here’s how to spend your time in this charming Southern town!
Visit Royal Spring Park, the place where Reverend Elijah Craig was believed to be the first to age whiskey in new charred oak barrels. Today, the park is located in Historic Downtown Georgetown, surrounded by dozens of locally owned shops and restaurants set against a charming Victorian streetscape.
Georgetown is also home to famed racehorse Silver Charm, the oldest Kentucky Derby winner, who now resides at Old Friends Farm. You can meet Silver Charm and over 150 other horses during one of the farm’s daily tours.
Whispering Woods Riding Stables is another popular attraction where you can experience Kentucky in its most natural form — on horseback. Open to all skill levels, the trails are spread across over 250 beautiful acres of land. Visitors are invited to bring their own horse or rent one from Whispering Woods.
Ward Hall is another staple of Georgetown’s character. Standing just outside of Downtown, the 12,000-square-foot Greek revival mansion was built in 1857 and paid for with $50,000 worth of gold. Today, it’s open to the public for guided tours.
When you’re ready for dinner (or a great cocktail!), Georgetown offers a variety of dining options, ranging from barbecue to burgers, pub grub, and sweet treats.
Located directly across from Royal Spring Park, Local Feed offers seasonally inspired dishes alongside extensive bourbon and craft beer menus. Be sure to top off your meal with one of the restaurant’s signature desserts, including the best cobbler you’ve ever tasted.
For an upscale meal, Rodney’s on Broadway offers everything from steaks to seafood, lamb, duck, and delicious pasta. You also can’t go wrong with any of their appetizers — calamari, a smoked salmon board, and baked artichoke dip.
After dinner, treat yourself to top-notch bourbon at Blind Harry’s at The Brown Barrel. Serving a variety of bourbons, you’re sure to find something to quench your thirst.
Shelby County, KY
Located less than an hour from major cities Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the ideal fall getaway. From two popular distilleries to delicious food and plenty of shopping, here are some of our favorite things to do and see in the area!
You’ll likely need more than a day to explore all the fun that ShelbyKY has to offer. Luckily, there are a few breathtaking options for lodging. For example, The Bourb-Inn is an upscale cabin conveniently located near the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Churchill Downs.
Mallard Hall is another unique accommodation, offering seven beautifully appointed guest rooms and a handful of luxe amenities. You’ll also love spending your evenings in the underground speakeasy outfitted with an elevator, pizza oven, and bar.
After settling into your hotel room, it’s time to taste some bourbon! Jeptha Creed is Kentucky’s only distillery owned and operated by a mother-daughter duo. Plus, it was the first licensed distillery to open in ShelbyKY since the end of prohibition!
Be sure to take a guided tour of Jeptha Creed’s production facilities or participate in a mixology class. If you’re not a bourbon fan, the distillery also offers delicious moonshine, vodka, and brandy — each made with ingredients grown on the distillery’s farm, making Jeptha Creed one of the only ground-to-glass distilleries.
Bulleit Distillery is another popular destination, emphasizing sustainability and a commitment to environmentally conscious decisions when crafting its whiskey. In addition to distillery tours, visitors can enjoy tastings, a drink at the cocktail bar, and a curated shopping experience.
After your bourbon tasting, head to Claudia Sanders Dinner House to enjoy a delicious plate of fried chicken. The famous Colonel Sanders opened the restaurant for his wife after he sold KFC to investors. Today, the restaurant still serves the Colonel’s original chicken recipe.
Another delicious dining option is The Bell House Restaurant on Shelbyville’s Main Street. It’s located inside a charming historic home-turned-restaurant, and you should be sure to order their famous Kentucky Hot Brown!
And finally, as the only designer outlet center in Kentucky, the Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass is also a must-visit attraction. Home to over 80 stores, you’ll find popular brands like Coach, Kate Spade, Nike, and The North Face.
Maysville, KY
Whether you like to spend your time outdoors, shopping, or deep-diving into local history when you vacation, Maysville, KY, offers a bit of everything. From bourbon tasting to remarkable artifacts, here are a few standouts!
The Pogue family has been crafting the highest-quality bourbon and rye whiskies in Maysville since 1876. Today, you can tour Old Pogue Distillery, where the family’s ancestral home still stands today. This is also where fifth- and sixth-generation Pogue family members produce delicious small-batch bourbon, still using the original recipe.
During your visit, you’ll be able to tour the historic grounds as well as the modern-day spirits plant. Be sure to also visit the gift shop to purchase a bottle of your favorite Pogue spirit!
For more Maysville history, the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center houses over 4,000 regional artifacts and fine art related to Maysville and the Bluegrass State. A standout exhibit is the Old Pogue Experience, which invites visitors to step back in time to 1791 and enjoy samples of Old Pogue Master’s Select Bourbon and Old Maysville Club.
Maysville is also home to a section of Kentucky’s famous B-Line, which comprises seven Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Distilleries, nine bourbon bars, and nine bourbon-centric restaurants.
While Old Pogue Distillery has been a longstanding staple of The B-Line, Caproni’s on the River became an official stop in 2023. In addition to its extensive bourbon list, the restaurant specializes in both authentic Kentucky fare and Italian cuisine. Standout menu items include the Kentucky catfish platter, lasagna, and eggplant parmesan.
SB Tip: Don’t forget to collect stamps from stops along The B-Line to win prizes like t-shirts, hats, and whiskey stones.
Before leaving town, visit Downtown Maysville to indulge in even more bourbon tasting and delicious cuisine. While Hemingway’s Bourbon & Coffee serves caffeinated drinks in the morning, you can enjoy Kentucky’s finest bourbon when it transforms into a bar at night.
Another unique restaurant idea, Kenton Stories with Spirit highlights local authors and artists while serving up delicious food and drink. Be sure to try their famous “Bourbon Slush,” which features a beloved recipe from Old Pogue Distillery!
Hopkinsville, KY
More than just the “Batter Capital of the World,” Hopkinsville, KY, offers a rich history, fun-filled seasonal events, and craft distilleries. Here’s how to make the most of your time in this charming Kentucky town.
Once the site of a winter camp and ration stop along the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears, Hopkinsville’s Trail of Tears Commemorative Park boasts a storied past. Today, you can explore the park’s statue garden, flag memorial, and woodland trails. This is also the site where two Native American Chiefs were laid to rest.
We recommend planning your 2024 trip to Hopkinsville during the fall season, as the area offers a handful of exciting seasonal events. The fun kicks off with the Hoptown Half Marathon on October 19. The race winds through the city’s vibrant downtown district. Registration starts at $50, and races begin at 8 a.m.
Another beloved local event, the Veteran’s Day Honor Parade begins at 10 a.m. in Downtown Hopkinsville. The 0.5-mile route starts on Virginia Street and ends at the city’s Justice Center.
Hopkinsville is also home to two craft distilleries — Casey Jones and MB Roland. And if you happen to prefer beer over bourbon, you can head to the veteran-owned and operated Hopkinsville Brewing Company to sample craft brews.
If you have younger travelers with you, spend your afternoon at Bluegrass Splash Family Aquatic Center. Newly opened, the waterpark includes a lazy river, splash zone, and multiple water slides. Plus, adults can relax in one of the hundreds of lounge chairs while the kids play!
For a leisurely nature walk or a place to get your blood pumping, check out this map of the Hopkinsville Greenway System. The collection of trails was established in 2013 and is perfect for walking, hiking, or biking.
Franklin, KY
The town of Franklin, KY, is the epitome of “small but mighty.” From live horse racing, a vibrant shopping scene, and a unique history of dueling (yes, you read that right), there’s so much to do and see in this charming small town!
Dueling Grounds Distillery is a locally owned craft brewery with a unique origin story. Named after the site where infamous duels were fought in the 1800s, the distillery offers a collection of spirits. Perhaps the most popular of the distillery’s offerings is Linkumpinch. Also named after a farm where legendary duels took place, the bourbon is aged for four years in charred oak barrels and contains notes of nut, pepper, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Next to the distillery, you’ll find Sandford Duncan Inn. A log structure built in 1819, you can visit the inn every Friday and Saturday at noon to witness live dueling demonstrations. Be sure to tour the house, too, as it showcases furnishings, food, and drinks from the 1800s.
Golfers will enjoy playing a round or two at Kenny Perry’s Country Creek Golf Course. Designed by the legendary PGA golfer, the 18-hole public course features a unique terrain of hills and woods.
No trip to Franklin is complete without a visit to The Mint Gaming Hall and Kentucky Downs, home to over 1,000 gaming machines, including historic horse racing machines. When you’re hungry, visit The Mint’s restaurant, The Irons Steakhouse, for an upscale meal. And, if you’re not ready to return home, book a room at the gaming hall’s SpringHill Suites Franklin Mint.
If you want to do some early holiday shopping, you’re in luck! Franklin is home to a handful of charming boutiques and shops. Simply Sweet Boutique is the perfect place for on-trend clothing and accessories. Thanks to their monogram services, you can also add a touch of personalization!
For a bit of everything, shop the vendors at Mustard Seed Market. Located in Franklin’s Historic Downtown District, the store includes boutique clothing, home decor, jewelry, candles, and even some vintage items.
Enjoy your Kentucky adventures!
This article is sponsored by Danville-Boyle County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Georgetown/Scott County Tourism, ShelbyKY Tourism, Visit Maysville, Hopkinsville-Christian County CVB, and Simpson County Tourism Commission in partnership with Kentucky Department of Tourism.
