8 Quick Road Trips In Kentucky You Can Take This Weekend
By Andrea Limke|Published April 25, 2018
×
Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
The weather is finally turning in our favor, which means it’s road trip season! Kentucky is arguably the best state for a road trip, with so many scenic drives and a wide variety of things to do. No matter where you live in our state, within a couple hours you can be somewhere that will keep you busy (or relaxed) for the entire weekend. If you’re looking for a quick getaway to try this weekend or sometime soon, check out these 8 road trips that show just how beautiful and incredible Kentucky really is.
If you want to experience an abundance of wildlife and diverse, natural beauty, then head to the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area this weekend. You'll have 170,000 acres to explore, from thick forests to meadows of wildflowers, wetlands, and lakefront trails. This area in western Kentucky is right between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake and offers plenty of campsites and other accommodations, as well as local restaurants.
For more information on this adventurous area, check out our previous article here .
Kentucky's largest waterfall is an ideal road trip, as there's so much to do in the area! Stay in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and take advantage of all this lovely park has to over. You can take a fairly easy hike to see the falls up close, but make sure you also take the trail that leads to Eagle Falls. Here, you'll catch views of Cumberland Falls and get to see the stunning Eagle Falls, as well. It's a two-for-one trip every Kentuckian should take.
For more information on this area, check out our previous article here.
Only in Kentucky can you take a weekend road trip with a horse theme! Horse country, specifically the area near Lexington and Versailles along Old Frankfort Pike, is peaceful and quintessential Kentucky. You can stay at The Campbell House, visit Old Friends Farm, dine at Wallace Station and Holly Hill Inn — and that's just a few ideas!
For more ideas to spend a weekend in horse country, check out our previous article here.
Kentucky's famous Bourbon Trail is a great way to spend a weekend! Even if you don't like bourbon, there are plenty of other things to experience on this unique excursion. Seek out a B&B or an Airbnb near the distilleries and pick a few that pique your interest. Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, and Jim Beam are some of the most popular.
Pine Mountain State Resort Park was the very first state park in Kentucky and remains a favorite today. The lodge is a great place to stay for a weekend getaway and there is plenty to do in the area. Hiking is a must, and there are also scenic overlooks and waterfalls to chase.
For more information on this incredible park, check out our previous article here.
There are so many lovely river towns in Kentucky, so pick one and get on the road. We've featured several including Paducah, Maysville, and Augusta. Each has its own charm and special features and all are worthy of a visit. In fact, just plan multiple road trips to experience them all!
For more information on these three towns, check out our previous articles here, here, and here.
Kentucky's popular Natural Bridge also makes a great road trip destination as an outdoor lover's paradise. You can stay within the State Park, or seek out a private cabin, or even a treehouse! In addition to a hike around and across this impressive natural bridge, you can explore Red River Gorge, drive through Nada Tunnel, and chow down on Miguel's Pizza.
For more information on the Natural Bridge, check out our previous article here.
If you're looking for a truly one-of-a-kind adventure on your weekend road trip, then head to Louisville and the Mega Cavern. Of course, there are many destinations in Kentucky's largest city that are worthy of a visit, but this underground playground is the only one of its kind in the entire world. You can zip line, try a ropes course, take a tour, and even ride bikes in this massive cave. There's fun for all ages and makes for an exciting stop on a weekend road trip in Kentucky.
For more information on the Mega Cavern, check out our previous article here.
These 8 spots throughout Kentucky are a great start to a potentially massive list of road trip ideas! So help us add to the list — leave us a comment with your favorite road trip destination in Kentucky. We’d love to hear your suggestions.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.