We got lucky (I suppose), turned out I have a week vacation, so taking the last week in September. Leaving Central Indiana on Saturday and heading out for Boonsborough State Park, Saturday night through Tuesday night. Leaving Wednesday morning and spending Wednesday night through Saturday night at Taylorsville Lake State Park, both in Kentucky. Returning home Sunday.So, we've traveled through these areas before, mostly on the interstates, but haven't spent any time in the areas.So, other than the normal hiking and canoe rentals, any other "must sees" while we are in these areas. What we are NOT interested in: Sports, heavy activities like zip lines or Amusement Parks or theme parks. Basically, we are aging a little now, and prefer the slower paced stuff. Enjoy site seeing, we still like to hike, boat rides and tours, natural attractions, historical, country music (my wife love Barry Manalow) .. (ugg)... trains, oddities, weird stuff, places no one never heard of before.... Any suggestions?When we went to South Dakota, (Mount Rushmore area), you folks gave me a bunch of suggestions, many of them we ended up doing, or going to see. So, any suggestions for Kentucky?

A Little bit of a drive... Birthplace of Lincoln NHS... Fort Knox/Patton Museum... Mammouth Caves... The Whistle Stop Resturant (Glendale, KY)

This might get you started.Renfro Valley, about 40 miles south might interest you.If you like water falls, visit Cumberland Falls State Park. About a 100 miles south. Have dinner at the Lodge.The natural bridge at Natural Bridge State Park is interesting. About 50 miles.Kentucky Horse Park just north of Lexington is nice. Maybe 30-40 miles.Four Roses Distillery. About 50 miles.Shaker Village. About 40 miles.

This weekend Bardstown , Burbon Festival

:) Hi, while staying at the Kentucky Horse park, I toured the Toyota assembly plant.

I'd highly recommend Kentucky Horse Park CG.First of all you are IN the park at a CG. Whether you like horses or not the different varieties of shows that run every day of all sorts of disciplines are just amazing to watch. If you have a golf cart or toad or you can just walk to all the events. There are different attractions each month listed on their site.There are also incredible museums on the grounds and shops for fine art and all types of other things to wander around in and buy. Each event also has vendors selling all types of items. DW would like that and you too.The pavillion on the grounds of the CG also have many different types of clubs renting it. When I was there (and I forgot the name) a very unique square dancing competitive club was there. The music was great and the type of dancing was real upbeat with a lot of hoopin and stompin. Way different than the norm square dancing. I enjoyed two nights of that.Every time I stop there on my way South for "just the night" I end up staying for a week there is so much to see! :B

What to do in Kentucky near these 2 state parks-suggestions?

12 Replies

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Sep 25, 2017
Boonsboro followup: Spent considerable time site seeing (driving tours). Been through Daniel Boone National Forest, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Winchester, and of course, the Fort at Boonsboro State park and sites right there. Got one more day and then moving to Taylorsville on Wednesday. Not sure what the plans are for tomorrow. We're "winging" it! Lots of fun though!

I will say, these farms in these areas are REALLY impressive and beautiful! Huge horse farms, manicured immaculate! Large homes, absolutely beautiful country here.

Funny though, we have a massive amount of beef and steaks and such in the camper refrigerator, and haven't had hardly any of it. Been eating out at different places too much. Great food, local off-the cuff restaurants and such.

And breathtaking views of low rolling hills on some of the windiest back country roads, wide enough for a single car! Fabulous!
trsky
Explorer
Sep 25, 2017
Distillery tours: Makers Mark, Whillite , Jim Beam. Mammoth cave, Natural bridge, Lincoln's birth place. Falls of the Ohio.
Shadow57
Explorer
Sep 17, 2017
Taylorsville Lake is so close to Louisville you should be able to find many things to do. Churchill Downs starts the fall meet this week even if you don't like racing the museum is pretty cool. Louisville also has a nice walking bridge over the Ohio River & Louisville Slugger museum. I usually try to stay on the Indiana side so I can't think of more right now but have fun.
https://www.churchilldowns.com/calendar
The_Kroc
Explorer
Sep 16, 2017
lots to do in Bardstown: My Old Kentucky Home. all the Bourbon company tours. the train tour, and the Abbey of Gethsemani(Trappist Monastery). Also the Civil War site The Battle of Perryville is nearby. They have a re-enactment the first weekend of October
magnusfide
Explorer II
Sep 16, 2017
DownTheAvenue wrote:
Shaker Village Harrodsburg, KY

Double ditto:C
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Sep 16, 2017
Shaker Village Harrodsburg, KY
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Sep 16, 2017
http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=571&Itemid=264

http://kyhorsepark.com/
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Sep 16, 2017
I'd highly recommend Kentucky Horse Park CG.

First of all you are IN the park at a CG. Whether you like horses or not the different varieties of shows that run every day of all sorts of disciplines are just amazing to watch.

If you have a golf cart or toad or you can just walk to all the events. There are different attractions each month listed on their site.

There are also incredible museums on the grounds and shops for fine art and all types of other things to wander around in and buy. Each event also has vendors selling all types of items. DW would like that and you too.

The pavillion on the grounds of the CG also have many different types of clubs renting it. When I was there (and I forgot the name) a very unique square dancing competitive club was there. The music was great and the type of dancing was real upbeat with a lot of hoopin and stompin. Way different than the norm square dancing. I enjoyed two nights of that.

Every time I stop there on my way South for "just the night" I end up staying for a week there is so much to see! :B
ROBERTSUNRUS
Explorer
Sep 16, 2017
:) Hi, while staying at the Kentucky Horse park, I toured the Toyota assembly plant.
Busdriver
Explorer II
Sep 15, 2017
This weekend Bardstown , Burbon Festival