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Discover how Kentucky is drawing travelers with bourbon, lakes and local flavor

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories highlights how Kentucky uses bourbon, natural scenery and local culture to attract visitors.

Travelers can tour bourbon distilleries in Lexington or stay at The Lions Lair, a treehouse near Red River Gorge. Herrington Lake marks its 100th year as both a historic feat and a destination for anglers and boaters. Lexington celebrates its 250th birthday, offering African American Heritage walking tours and festivals throughout the year. Newport earns recognition as a top historic small town and Kentucky’s lakefront beaches at Laurel River Lake and Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park draw attention for accessible escapes.

Read the stories below.

A worker walks through the barn area during opening day of the Keeneland Fall Meet in Lexington, Ky., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 1: WHAT DO GREECE, SEYCHELLES AND LEXINGTON HAVE IN COMMON? THEY MADE A MUST-VISIT 2025 LIST

Just four U.S. destinations were included in the top travel spots of 2025. | Published December 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by amudd@herald-leader.comAaron Mudd

Toni Cannon, operations supervisor, center front, talked to a group of University of Kentucky students about bourbon tourism during a visit last month to Town Branch Distillery in Lexington.

NO. 2: THIRSTY? HERE ARE 8 KENTUCKY BOURBON MAKERS TO TOUR IN LEXINGTON THIS SUMMER

Some have distilleries of their own, others specialize in unique barrel blends. | Published June 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Dahlia Ghabour

As the sun sets, sailboats bob in the tranquil waters of Kentucky Lake at Land Between the Lakes.

NO. 3: NEED A LOW-COST SUMMER GETAWAY? THESE KENTUCKY LAKEFRONT BEACHES ARE TRUE HIDDEN GEMS

Reviewers contend the water at one spot rivals the Caribbean. | Published June 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The Lion’s Lair is located in Stanton, Kentucky. Photos courtesy of the Airbnb community.

NO. 4: A TREEHOUSE RETREAT IS KENTUCKY’S MOST WISH-LISTED AIRBNB STAY. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

The listing offers views of Red River Gorge, and it’s just steps away from some prime hiking in Daniel Boone National Forest. | Published July 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Vehicles drive along West Main Street in downtown Lexington, Ky., on Friday, July 24, 2020. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 5: TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMES LEXINGTON ONE OF AMERICA’S BEST SMALL CITIES. HOW IT COMPARES

In its review, the magazine says the appeal goes beyond horses and bourbon. | Published October 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley is photographed in Building C at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Ky., on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. Buffalo Trace is completing a 10-year, $1.2 billion expansion that has increased capacity from 200,000 barrels a year to more than 500,000. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 6: 3 ICONIC KENTUCKY BOURBON DISTILLERIES THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR JOY RIDE BUCKET LIST

From horses to world-class views, there are many highlights on the winding byways from Lexington to distilleries on the bourbon trail. Here are some not to miss. | Published March 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton Patti Nickell

Newport on the Levee and the Purple People Bridge seen from Mt. Adams Sunday, May 26, 2023. By Cara Owsley/The Enquirer

NO. 7: A KENTUCKY SPOT IS AMONG THE NATION’S ‘BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWNS,’ RANKING STATES

It was once known as “Sin City” and a hotbed for Prohibition-era gangsters. | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

A set of small-batch distilled Kentucky bourbon sets on one of many RD1 Distillery at The Commons bars before the official May 14th grand opening on May 13, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 8: NEW BOURBON TASTING ROOM, DISTILLERY IN LEXINGTON JOINS THE BOURBON TRAIL

University of Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops is a shareholder in RD1 Spirits, a Lexington-based, bourbon brand with an emphasis on its barrel wood finishings. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Piper Hansen

The Mary Todd Lincoln House in downtown Lexington, Ky, Tuesday, August 1, 2023. By Silas Walker

NO. 9: HISTORIC LEXINGTON LANDMARK GETS NOD FROM SOUTHERN LIVING AS A TOP PLACE TO VISIT

The spot appears in a Southern Living list that also includes the homes of Zelda Fitzgerald and Ava Gardner. | Published June 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

NO. 10: IN ITS FIRST 100 YEARS, HERRINGTON LAKE HAS HELPED SHAPE KENTUCKY HISTORY | OPINION

OpEd: From the engineering marvels of Dix Dam to the recreation it created, Herrington Lake celebrates its centennial. | Published May 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Holdren

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.