Kentucky is a state of natural wonders that also have two large cities with Lexington and Louisville. Both these cities offer excellent history and heritage. Throughout Kentucky there are three things you will run into: mansions, historic sites and horse farms of legendary proportions. Visitors to Kentucky can also experience a variety of sports and recreational activities in a natural outdoor setting. The opportunities for outdoor adventures are endless in Kentucky including hiking, golfing, biking, climbing, sight seeing, exploring caves, riding horses, canoeing, rafting and swimming.
For horse related attractions and associations the best place to visit is Lexington since it has rightly earned the title of Horse Capital of the World. As the city continues to experience urban growth many efforts have been made to preserve the horse farms and the scenic regional landscape that surrounds the city which continues to draw visitors to the city every year.
Lexington also features a variety of indoor activities such as historic sites, museums, performing arts centers, antique shops and excellent dining options. Artsplace provides an excellent exhibit of local art while the American Saddlebred Museum offers the largest collection of Saddlebred artifacts. For history or Civil War buffs there is the historic sites and reconstructions at Harrodsburg, Perryville and Nicholasville.
The legendary Kentucky Derby horse race can be found in Louisville. Although the race occurs only on the first Saturday of May there is a Kentucky Derby Festival which runs for two weeks before the race and have the largest fireworks display in the United States. In February there is another popular event that lasts for six weeks and features the newest theatrical work, the Humana Festival of New American Plays.
Louisville offers visitors a variety of choices when it comes to performing arts. Whether you like opera, ballet, music or theater you can find a performance you like at either the Kentucky Center for the Arts, Walden Theatre or the Louisville Palace among other venues in the city. For those who enjoy art a must see is the Speed Art Museum which is the oldest in Kentucky. Louisville also offers excellent outdoor recreational areas for travelers with over 120 city parks.
When it comes to accommodations a top option is the Cincinnati Marriott at River Center which is a high rise hotel on Madison Avenue at the river across from the convention center. This is a popular choice with business travelers. For a unique hotel consider the Radisson Hotel Riverview which is known for its circular design. Some other excellent options include the Comfort Suites Hotel, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn/Cincinnati Riverfront and Holiday Inn/Riverfront. If historic lodging are more your style then consider the Amos Shinkle Townhouse B&B or the Christopher’s Bed and Breakfast which offer an excellent historic experience for travelers.
