2020-01-02 12:21:54
This region known for bourbon, horses and “My Old Kentucky Home” is also the birthplace of one of America’s greatest presidents.
BARRELS OF TRADITION
Bourbon, bourbon everywhere – and so many sips to sample. Here, in the “Bourbon Capital of the World” (Bardstown), “Bourbon City” (Louisville) and along the famed “Kentucky Bourbon Trail”® are some of the most revered names in spirits – Evan Williams, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Old Forester.
Beyond bourbon, more major-league attractions await, like the Kentucky Derby, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and the “American Saddlebred Capital of the World” in Shelbyville, as well as train excursions, Civil War sites and the numerous religious attractions of Kentucky’s Holy Land.
“MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME”
When America’s first composer, Stephen Foster, penned the lyric, “The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,” he spun a story that continues to captivate visitors through original 200-year-old artifacts and events like “A House Divided” and “Bizarre Victorian Mourning & Funerary Customs.”
Others added their own voices to Kentucky’s rich tapestry of history – Abraham Lincoln, Muhammad Ali, George Rogers Clark, Thomas Edison (albeit briefly), even the Belle of Louisville, grand dame of steamboats. Experience these history makers and their impacts at museums, heritage sites, outdoor theater and on the river.
Regional Highlights
My Old Kentucky Home, Bardstown: See the mansion called Federal Hill very much as it looked when Stephen Foster’s cousins, the Rowan family, lived here.
Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville: Learn about the Olympic gold medalist, heavyweight champion boxer and humanitarian through interactive exhibits, memorabilia, photographs, historical video and more.
Limestone Branch Distillery, Lebanon: Tour and taste the story of seven generations of distillers dating back to the late 1700s.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park, Hodgenville: Kentucky’s frontier shaped the life and character of the 16th president. Find out how here.
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Shepherdsville: Create, cavort and connect with nature in the land of doing and discovery. Day and night programs o ered for all ages.
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