Kentucky
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Kentucky gives you the essential Bluegrass State experience, from the extraordinary bourbon distillery trail of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the magnificent Thoroughbred horse farms of the Bluegrass region to the remarkable Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system on earth, and the extraordinary Red River Gorge. This route covers the heart of Kentucky. The extraordinary Bourbon Trail through Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey and Buffalo Trace, the finest horse farm landscape in the world around Lexington and the remarkable Red River Gorge Natural Bridge, the most extraordinary rock arch in the eastern United States.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Louisville (SDF) or Lexington (LEX)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout Kentucky
Budget Per Day
Approx $100 to $170 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some Red River Gorge hiking
DAY 1
KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL
MORNING
MAKER'S MARK DISTILLERY, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DISTILLERY IN KENTUCKY
Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto is the most extraordinary bourbon distillery in Kentucky, its extraordinary red-shuttered black buildings beside Hardin's Creek giving the finest historic distillery setting on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The tour gives extraordinary access to the cypress fermentation vats, the copper pot stills and the remarkable rick warehouses where the bourbon ages in new charred oak barrels. The extraordinary bottle dipping experience lets visitors wax-seal their own bottle. Entry approx $16. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
BARDSTOWN, THE BOURBON CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Bardstown is the most extraordinary bourbon town in Kentucky, its extraordinary courthouse square of 19th-century brick buildings, the remarkable Old Talbott Tavern operating since 1779 and the extraordinary My Old Kentucky Home State Park, site of the Stephen Foster song that became the Kentucky state song, giving the finest historic small town in the Bluegrass State. The Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience is the finest distillery museum in Kentucky. Free to explore town. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY, THE MOST HISTORIC DISTILLERY IN AMERICA
Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort is the most extraordinary historic distillery in America, its extraordinary collection of distillery buildings dating from 1792 making it the oldest continuously operating bourbon distillery in the United States. The rare Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve is produced here, the most sought-after bourbon in the world. The extraordinary Blanton's Single Barrel tour gives the finest insight into Kentucky premium bourbon production. Entry free. Drive: 45 min drive
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest near Clermont is the finest hidden nature reserve in Kentucky, its extraordinary 16,000 acres of old-growth forest and arboretum containing the remarkable Giant forest sculpture trail and the finest wildflower displays in the state. Entry free on weekdays. The most extraordinary hidden gem near the Bourbon Trail.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Old Talbott Tavern, Bardstown The most legendary tavern in Kentucky since 1779. Extraordinary Kentucky country breakfast and strong coffee. | Lunch: Kurtz Restaurant, Bardstown The finest Kentucky home cooking in Bardstown since 1937. Extraordinary burgoo stew and cornbread. | Dinner: Proof on Main, Louisville The finest restaurant in Louisville. Extraordinary local Kentucky produce and outstanding bourbon list.
DAY 2
BLUEGRASS HORSE COUNTRY
MORNING
KEENELAND RACE COURSE AND THOROUGHBRED HORSE FARMS
Keeneland Race Course in Lexington is the most extraordinary thoroughbred racing venue in America, its extraordinary limestone grandstand and the finest morning workout session in horse racing giving the most exclusive access to Kentucky's signature culture. Free morning workouts from 6am to 10am daily when horses are in training. The surrounding Bluegrass horse farm landscape of white plank fences, limestone walls and rolling pastures is the most extraordinary rural landscape in America. Workouts free. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
KENTUCKY HORSE PARK AND THE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE HORSE
The Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington is the most extraordinary equine theme park in the world, its extraordinary 1,200-acre working horse farm with over 50 breeds of horse, the International Museum of the Horse and the graves of Man o' War and other legendary Thoroughbreds giving the finest horse culture experience in Kentucky. The extraordinary Hall of Champions parade of retired champions is unmissable. Entry approx $20. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
LEXINGTON AND THE BLUEGRASS DISTILLERY SCENE
Lexington is the most extraordinary city in Bluegrass Kentucky, its extraordinary downtown of Victorian brick buildings, the remarkable Thoroughbred Center training facility and the extraordinary new wave of urban craft distilleries including Barrel House Distilling and Town Branch Bourbon giving the finest urban Kentucky bourbon experience. The Lexington Distillery District gives the finest craft spirits experience in the state. Town Branch tour approx $12.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Headley-Whitney Museum in Lexington is the finest hidden museum in Kentucky, its extraordinary collection of jeweled bibelots, decorative arts and the remarkable shell grotto created by George Headley giving the most extraordinary small private museum experience in the state. Entry approx $8. The finest hidden gem in Lexington.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Winchell's, Lexington The finest diner breakfast in Lexington. Extraordinary local Kentucky eggs and strong coffee. | Lunch: Parkette Drive-In, Lexington The most legendary drive-in in Lexington since 1951. Extraordinary Kentucky burgoo and local beef. | Dinner: Jonathan at Gratz Park, Lexington The finest restaurant in Lexington. Extraordinary local Kentucky produce in a historic inn dining room.
DAY 3
RED RIVER GORGE
MORNING
RED RIVER GORGE NATURAL BRIDGE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ROCK ARCH IN THE EAST
Red River Gorge Geological Area contains the most extraordinary concentration of natural rock arches in the eastern United States, its extraordinary sandstone cliffs, arches and overhangs carved by millions of years of erosion in the Daniel Boone National Forest giving a landscape entirely unlike the rest of Kentucky. The Natural Bridge State Resort Park gives the finest trail access to the extraordinary 78-foot Natural Bridge arch. The sky lift to the arch is extraordinary. Trail free, sky lift approx $15. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
CHIMNEY TOP ROCK AND THE NADA TUNNEL
Chimney Top Rock in the Red River Gorge is the most extraordinary viewpoint in eastern Kentucky, its extraordinary 1.8-mile round trip trail to a sandstone pinnacle giving the finest panoramic view of the Red River Gorge canyon system. The Nada Tunnel on KY-77, a hand-drilled railroad tunnel from 1911 only 13 feet wide and 900 feet long, is the most extraordinary one-lane tunnel drive in America. The tunnel gives extraordinary access to the Gorge interior. Both free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
INDIAN ARCH AND THE ROCK BRIDGE TRAIL
Indian Arch in the Red River Gorge is the most extraordinary hidden rock shelter in Kentucky, its extraordinary 90-foot curved sandstone overhang forming a natural amphitheater entirely unlike the Natural Bridge arch and giving the finest example of the Gorge's extraordinary geological diversity. The Rock Bridge Trail nearby gives the most extraordinary 0.6-mile loop past a natural arch over Swift Camp Creek. Both free in Daniel Boone National Forest.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Courthouse Rock in the Red River Gorge is the finest hidden viewpoint in the area, its extraordinary freestanding sandstone tower accessible by a short scramble giving the most extraordinary 360-degree view of the Gorge entirely unknown to visitors who take only the main trails. Free. The most extraordinary hidden gem in the Red River Gorge.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Miguel's Pizza, Slade The most legendary climbing and hiking cafe in Kentucky. Extraordinary wood-fired pizza and strong coffee. | Lunch: Miguel's Pizza Outstanding wood-fired pizza in the finest outdoor dining setting near Red River Gorge. Local Kentucky ingredients. | Dinner: Patio at Natural Bridge State Resort Park The finest dining near the Gorge. Local Kentucky cuisine with extraordinary forest views.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Bardstown, Night 1 Jailer's Inn B and B or Old Talbott Tavern. Approx $100 to $180 per night. Lexington, Night 2 21c Museum Hotel Lexington or The Campbell House. Approx $120 to $200 per night. Slade or Natural Bridge, Night 3 Red River Gorge Cabins or Natural Bridge State Resort Park. Approx $90 to $160.
Top Tips
1. Book Kentucky Bourbon Trail distillery tours online. Maker's Mark sells out weeks ahead in peak season.
2. Keeneland Race Course in Lexington for morning workouts is free and the most extraordinary horse experience.
3. Red River Gorge Natural Bridge trail at dawn before hikers arrive is the most extraordinary arch in the East.
4. Bourbon Trail passport: collect stamps at 18 distilleries to earn the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail certificate.
5. Mammoth Cave tours must be booked at recreation.gov well in advance. The Historic Tour is the finest.
6. The Old Talbott Tavern in Bardstown is the oldest western stagecoach stop in America still serving bourbon.
Total Budget
$100 to $170/day