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Kentucky's Uncharted Treasures: A Journey Through the Bluegrass State's Secret Spots

Kentucky is not just about horse racing and bourbon; it harbors a wealth of lesser-known sites that are rich in beauty and history. This collection takes you off the beaten path to explore the 'hidden gems' tucked away in its rolling hills and vibrant cities. Each of these locations offers a unique glimpse into what makes Kentucky so captivating, from underground wonders to tranquil retreats. Discover these treasures to experience the Bluegrass state like never before.

Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls

Whitley County, Kentucky

Known as the Niagara of the South, famous for moonbows.

Red River Gorge
Red River Gorge

Powell County, Kentucky

A stunning natural area offering hiking and rock climbing.

Land Between the Lakes
Land Between the Lakes

Lyon County, Kentucky

A national recreation area with hiking trails and an elk and bison prairie.

Big South Fork National River
Big South Fork National River

McCreary County, Kentucky

Offers scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs perfect for outdoor adventures.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Mercer County, Kentucky

America's largest restored Shaker community.

Lost River Cave
Lost River Cave

Warren County, Kentucky

Home to America's only underground boat tour.

Black Mountain
Black Mountain

Harlan County, Kentucky

Kentucky's highest point offers panoramic views.

Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave

Edmonson County, Kentucky

The world's longest cave system, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Natural Bridge State Resort Park

Powell County, Kentucky

Features a natural sandstone arch and breathtaking scenery.

White Hall State Historic Site
White Hall State Historic Site

Madison County, Kentucky

The grand historic estate of emancipationist Cassius Marcellus Clay.

Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site

Boyle County, Kentucky

Site of the most significant Civil War battle in Kentucky.

Mary Todd Lincoln House
Mary Todd Lincoln House

Fayette County, Kentucky

The family home of Abraham Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd.

Great American Dollhouse Museum
Great American Dollhouse Museum

Boyle County, Kentucky

A unique museum featuring miniature houses and life scenes.

Breaks Interstate Park
Breaks Interstate Park

Pike County, Kentucky

Known as the Grand Canyon of the South, offers breathtaking vistas.

Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Jefferson County, Kentucky

A former tuberculosis hospital known for paranormal activity.

Jefferson Davis Monument State Historic Site
Jefferson Davis Monument State Historic Site

Todd County, Kentucky

An obelisk marking the birthplace of Confederate President, Jefferson Davis.

Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History
Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History

Nelson County, Kentucky

Exhibits cover the American whiskey industry dating from pre-Colonial days to post-Prohibition years.

Nolin Lake State Park
Nolin Lake State Park

Edmonson County, Kentucky

Offers boating, fishing, and camping on the tranquil Nolin Lake.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park

Floyd County, Kentucky

Named after a pioneer woman who survived captivity by Native Americans.

Riverview at Hobson Grove
Riverview at Hobson Grove

Warren County, Kentucky

A historic house museum illustrating Bowling Green’s involvement in the Civil War.

Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

Wayne County, Kentucky

Preserves and honors the site of the Battle of Mill Springs fought during the American Civil War.

Frazier History Museum
Frazier History Museum

Jefferson County, Kentucky

Presents the history through artifacts related to American and international history.

Constitution Square Historic Site
Constitution Square Historic Site

Boyle County, Kentucky

The birthplace of the Kentucky Constitution with several preserved buildings from the 1790s.

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park

Robertson County, Kentucky

A park at a historical battle site with a museum dedicated to the Revolutionary War.

Vent Haven Museum
Vent Haven Museum

Kenton County, Kentucky

The world's only museum dedicated to ventriloquism and its figures.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

Larue County, Kentucky

Site where the 16th President of the United States was born and includes a symbolical cabin.

Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument
Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument

Jessamine County, Kentucky

A Civil War Union supply depot and hospital, also serving as a refugee camp for escaped slaves.

Bluegrass Heritage Museum
Bluegrass Heritage Museum

Clark County, Kentucky

Showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Bluegrass region.

Carter Caves State Resort Park
Carter Caves State Resort Park

Carter County, Kentucky

Featuring a range of caverns and natural bridges carved over centuries.

Fort Boonesborough State Park
Fort Boonesborough State Park

Madison County, Kentucky

Site of the historic fort founded by Daniel Boone.

Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm
Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm

Scott County, Kentucky

A sanctuary for retired racehorses open to the public.

Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate
Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate

Fayette County, Kentucky

The historic home of the famous 19th-century statesman Henry Clay.

Creelsboro Natural Arch
Creelsboro Natural Arch

Russell County, Kentucky

A remarkable natural arch that stands over the landscape, creating a natural gateway.

Dinsmore Homestead
Dinsmore Homestead

Boone County, Kentucky

A well-preserved farmstead museum showcasing rural life in the 19th century.

Old Mulkey Meetinghouse
Old Mulkey Meetinghouse

Monroe County, Kentucky

The oldest freestanding log meeting houses in Kentucky, dating back to 1804.

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

Boone County, Kentucky

Known as the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology, with an onsite museum and active dig site.

Cumberland Falls Known as the Niagara of the South, famous for moonbows.

Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls Known as the Niagara of the South, famous for moonbows.
Red River Gorge A stunning natural area offering hiking and rock climbing.

Red River Gorge
Red River Gorge A stunning natural area offering hiking and rock climbing.
Land Between the Lakes A national recreation area with hiking trails and an elk and bison prairie.

Land Between the Lakes
Land Between the Lakes A national recreation area with hiking trails and an elk and bison prairie.
Big South Fork National River Offers scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs perfect for outdoor adventures.

Big South Fork National River
Big South Fork National River Offers scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs perfect for outdoor adventures.
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill America's largest restored Shaker community.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill America's largest restored Shaker community.
Lost River Cave Home to America's only underground boat tour.

Lost River Cave
Lost River Cave Home to America's only underground boat tour.
Black Mountain Kentucky's highest point offers panoramic views.

Black Mountain
Black Mountain Kentucky's highest point offers panoramic views.
Mammoth Cave The world's longest cave system, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave The world's longest cave system, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park Features a natural sandstone arch and breathtaking scenery.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Natural Bridge State Resort Park Features a natural sandstone arch and breathtaking scenery.
White Hall State Historic Site The grand historic estate of emancipationist Cassius Marcellus Clay.

White Hall State Historic Site
White Hall State Historic Site The grand historic estate of emancipationist Cassius Marcellus Clay.
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site Site of the most significant Civil War battle in Kentucky.

Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site Site of the most significant Civil War battle in Kentucky.
Mary Todd Lincoln House The family home of Abraham Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd.

Mary Todd Lincoln House
Mary Todd Lincoln House The family home of Abraham Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd.
Great American Dollhouse Museum A unique museum featuring miniature houses and life scenes.

Great American Dollhouse Museum
Great American Dollhouse Museum A unique museum featuring miniature houses and life scenes.
Breaks Interstate Park Known as the Grand Canyon of the South, offers breathtaking vistas.

Breaks Interstate Park
Breaks Interstate Park Known as the Grand Canyon of the South, offers breathtaking vistas.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium A former tuberculosis hospital known for paranormal activity.

Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Waverly Hills Sanatorium A former tuberculosis hospital known for paranormal activity.
Jefferson Davis Monument State Historic Site An obelisk marking the birthplace of Confederate President, Jefferson Davis.

Jefferson Davis Monument State Historic Site
Jefferson Davis Monument State Historic Site An obelisk marking the birthplace of Confederate President, Jefferson Davis.
Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History Exhibits cover the American whiskey industry dating from pre-Colonial days to post-Prohibition years.

Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History
Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History Exhibits cover the American whiskey industry dating from pre-Colonial days to post-Prohibition years.
Nolin Lake State Park Offers boating, fishing, and camping on the tranquil Nolin Lake.

Nolin Lake State Park
Nolin Lake State Park Offers boating, fishing, and camping on the tranquil Nolin Lake.
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park Named after a pioneer woman who survived captivity by Native Americans.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park Named after a pioneer woman who survived captivity by Native Americans.
Riverview at Hobson Grove A historic house museum illustrating Bowling Green’s involvement in the Civil War.

Riverview at Hobson Grove
Riverview at Hobson Grove A historic house museum illustrating Bowling Green’s involvement in the Civil War.
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Preserves and honors the site of the Battle of Mill Springs fought during the American Civil War.

Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Preserves and honors the site of the Battle of Mill Springs fought during the American Civil War.
Frazier History Museum Presents the history through artifacts related to American and international history.

Frazier History Museum
Frazier History Museum Presents the history through artifacts related to American and international history.
Constitution Square Historic Site The birthplace of the Kentucky Constitution with several preserved buildings from the 1790s.

Constitution Square Historic Site
Constitution Square Historic Site The birthplace of the Kentucky Constitution with several preserved buildings from the 1790s.
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park A park at a historical battle site with a museum dedicated to the Revolutionary War.

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park A park at a historical battle site with a museum dedicated to the Revolutionary War.
Vent Haven Museum The world's only museum dedicated to ventriloquism and its figures.

Vent Haven Museum
Vent Haven Museum The world's only museum dedicated to ventriloquism and its figures.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park Site where the 16th President of the United States was born and includes a symbolical cabin.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park Site where the 16th President of the United States was born and includes a symbolical cabin.
Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument A Civil War Union supply depot and hospital, also serving as a refugee camp for escaped slaves.

Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument
Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument A Civil War Union supply depot and hospital, also serving as a refugee camp for escaped slaves.
Bluegrass Heritage Museum Showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Bluegrass region.

Bluegrass Heritage Museum
Bluegrass Heritage Museum Showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Bluegrass region.
Carter Caves State Resort Park Featuring a range of caverns and natural bridges carved over centuries.

Carter Caves State Resort Park
Carter Caves State Resort Park Featuring a range of caverns and natural bridges carved over centuries.
Fort Boonesborough State Park Site of the historic fort founded by Daniel Boone.

Fort Boonesborough State Park
Fort Boonesborough State Park Site of the historic fort founded by Daniel Boone.
Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm A sanctuary for retired racehorses open to the public.

Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm
Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm A sanctuary for retired racehorses open to the public.
Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate The historic home of the famous 19th-century statesman Henry Clay.

Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate
Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate The historic home of the famous 19th-century statesman Henry Clay.
Creelsboro Natural Arch A remarkable natural arch that stands over the landscape, creating a natural gateway.

Creelsboro Natural Arch
Creelsboro Natural Arch A remarkable natural arch that stands over the landscape, creating a natural gateway.
Dinsmore Homestead A well-preserved farmstead museum showcasing rural life in the 19th century.

Dinsmore Homestead
Dinsmore Homestead A well-preserved farmstead museum showcasing rural life in the 19th century.
Old Mulkey Meetinghouse The oldest freestanding log meeting houses in Kentucky, dating back to 1804.

Old Mulkey Meetinghouse
Old Mulkey Meetinghouse The oldest freestanding log meeting houses in Kentucky, dating back to 1804.
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Known as the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology, with an onsite museum and active dig site.

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Known as the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology, with an onsite museum and active dig site.