A road trip can be a lot of fun, especially when you can manage it on one tank of gas. Most people get a little under 300 miles to the tank with an economy car. With that in mind, we created a 280-mile, one tank trip in Kentucky. Each stop offers an abundance of history, attraction, dining and all around fun. We even created a Google road trip map for your convenience.
Here are 10 towns with plenty of attractions for a one tank road trip in Kentucky:
The one tank road trip map in Kentucky.
1. Louisville
This is Kentucky’s biggest city and it is filled with restaurants and fun attractions. You can check out an early afternoon race at Churchill Downs at 700 Central, or take a stroll in the renowned Cave Hill Cemetery at 701 Baxter Avenue. There is the Frazier History Museum on 829 W Main and the beautiful Waterfront Park, including the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge.
2. Clermont
Most people don’t know much about Clermont, but it has some pretty sweet attractions. Bernheim Forest at 2499 Clermont Road is a great place to relax in nature. If you want a drink, the Forest Edge Winery is a block east on 1910 Clermont Road, and farther down Hwy. 245, you’ll run into the renowned Jim Beam Distillery. The vintage Rooster Run General Store is also along 245 before you get to the next stop in Bardstown.
3. Bardstown
Deemed one of the most charming small towns in America, Bardstown is a perfect place to stop in and enjoy part of the heart of Kentucky. You will find a beautifully historic town, filled with friendly people, amazing restaurants and the beautiful My Old Kentucky Home State Park.
4. Harrodsburg
Old Fort Harrod holds the title of Kentucky’s oldest established town, beginning in 1774. You can visit a preserved restoration of the old buildings that once protected settlers from the elements and the natives. Beaumont Inn is also a nice place to spend a night if you are ready to take a break for the evening. You will get a great meal in a beautifully furnished, period appropriate room with modern conveniences. There is some beautiful scenery all around this area.
5. Danville
You can visit the Civil War driving tour in Boyle County, the Wilderness Trail Distillery Tour at 445 Roy Arnold Avenue, or visit the old post office on 134 S. Second Street in Constitution Square. Danville is rich when it comes to history and friendly people.
6. Nicholasville
You don’t hear a lot about Nicholasville, but that is not for lack of things to do. The Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park on 6614 Old Danville Road offers a step into the past, and the Wolf Run Wildlife Reserve on 7376 Old Danville Road promises a howling good time. You can literally spend hours here watching the amazing way the wolves interact and play in their habitats. Nicholasville can be a very entertaining place if you know where to look.
7. Lexington
After the small town feel of Danville, head to the home of the Kentucky Wildcats. Lexington is Kentucky’s 2nd largest city and home to an abundance of horse farms, rolling fields and city conveniences. There is plenty to see and do here, including the Kentucky Horse Park at 4089 Iron Works Way, the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill at 3501 Lexington Road and the renowned Keeneland Race Track at 4201 Versailles Road.
8. Frankfort
You can’t pass our state capital without popping in for at least a quick walk around the historic community. The Old State Capital building at 300 Broadway makes an interesting stop, and the Rebecca Ruth Candy tour and museum at 116 E. 2nd Street is a must stop for a sweet tooth. You can always get your candy to go and head over to 100 Cove Spring Road to the Cove Springs Park to enjoy it by a waterfall. The floral clock in town is also very aromatic for flower fans.
9. Shelbyville
You can go from Lexington, a horse farm haven, to Shelbyville, the Saddlebred Capital of Kentucky. You can tour the beautiful horse farms like Gallrein on 1029 Vigo Road, relax as you ride down rolling hills on country roads, and have some fruit at the Mulberry Orchard on 1330 Mulberry Pike.
10. Newport
Newport on the Levee is the place to be at the former Sin City of the 1920s. This beautiful waterfront area is home to the Newport Aquarium at 1 Aquarium Way, the Northern Kentucky Gambling Museum at 6th and Monmouth Street, or the amazing World Peace Bell at 425 York Street. There are also plenty of great places to grab a bite to eat and the river front view is breathtaking, especially during sunrise and sunset.
Each town listed on the one tank road trip in Kentucky offers lots of fun for individuals or families. You might discover wonderful things about your state you never knew during the adventures. What towns would you want to visit if you had one tank of gas and a few days to relax?
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