T he JOHN JAMES AUDUBON STATE PARK , Henderson A treasure trove of the ornitholo-gist-artist’s masterworks, plus tran-quil Audubon Wetlands, the nature center, a beautifully arrayed gift shop showcasing made-in-Kentucky items and the enchanting new Gnomes of Audubon Forest trail — find this and more at the John James Audubon State Park. FORT BOONESBOROUGH STATE PARK , Richmond time traveler WICKLIFFE MOUNDS STATE HISTORIC SITE , Wickliffe Take a self-guided Archaeology Walking Trail tour at Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, perched on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. See mounds built by Native People of the Mississippian Culture and pottery and stone tools exca-vated onsite. Come for the history, stay for a tour of the replica working fort at Fort Boonesborough State Park. Plan for living-historian demonstrations of 18th-century life skills, February Fireside Chats featuring notable his-torical figures who helped shape the Kentucky frontier, plus handmade pioneer items. BLUE LICKS BATTLEFIELD STATE RESORT PARK , Carlisle Follow Daniel Boone’s footfalls along the remains of an ancient buffalo path at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, on the site of the Revolutionary War’s final battle. Inside the Pioneer Museum, a three-dimensional diorama recounts the dramatic 1782 ambush. PERRYVILLE BATTLEFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE , Perryville OLD FORT HARROD STATE PARK , Harrodsburg MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME STATE PARK , Bardstown Look across the grassy fields at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site to see what the soldiers saw in 1862 during one of Kentucky’s bloodiest Civil War battles. This is one of the country’s most intact battlefields. Guided ghost walks are offered in October. Explore the 1770s fort and Mansion Museum at Old Fort Harrod State Park. Stroll among the gravestones at Kentucky’s oldest cemetery, visit the Lincoln Marriage Temple, grab souvenirs from the kid-friendly gift shop and take in a concert by the climbable Big Ole Tree. Tour with guides in period garb and learn the history of the 200-year-old manse memorialized in the ballad by the Father of American Music, Stephen Foster. My Old Kentucky Home, aka Federal Hill, offers creative year-round programming and stars in this state park’s summer outdoor musical-theater production, “The Stephen Foster Story.” WAVELAND STATE HISTORIC SITE , Lexington In this charming setting of flower gardens and footbridges, enjoy Tuesday Tea at the mansion at Waveland State Historic Site — especially stunning at Christmastime — or a vintage baseball game on its immaculate grounds. Enjoy guided tours and a picnic on the lawn. Photo: My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown Kentuckytourism.com/stateparks 13
The Official Kentucky Visitor's Guide The Official Kentucky Visitor's Guide 2026: Page 13
