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Best-of list gems: Discover some of the places that make Kentucky special

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

Kentucky stands out for its unique places in food, culture and lifestyle, according to these recent, curated articles.

Covington earns recognition as one of the best small cities in the U.S. for food and drink, noted for its culinary identity blending Appalachian, German, and Southern influences.

Berea receives accolades from Smithsonian Magazine as one of the best small towns to visit in 2025, highlighting its rich history and vibrant arts scene.

Meanwhile, Southern Living highlights Louisville’s Butchertown Grocery Bakery for making some of the South’s best biscuits, praised for their quality ingredients and preparation.

USA TODAY includes Devine's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch near Harrodsburg among the top 10 pumpkin patches in the nation.

Learn more with the stories below.

Biscuits and strawberry-ginger jam at Punch Bowl Social. By Bud Kennedy

NO. 1: SOME OF THE SOUTH’S BEST BISCUITS CAN BE FOUND IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHERN LIVING SAYS

The famed publication recently highlighted chefs’ picks for the best Southern-style biscuits. | Published July 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lindsay Smith

Covington, KY is a top spot for foodies, says Food & Wine magazine. By halbergman

NO. 2: KENTUCKY HAS ONE OF BEST SMALL CITIES FOR FOOD AND DRINK IN US, FOOD & WINE SAYS

It’s a great spot to sip bourbon and sample German sausage. | Published July 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Large servings of barbecue, with pork ribs, sausage, macaroni and cheese, and baked beans. Shot in Houston, Texas, USA. By RyanJLane

NO. 3: SOUTHERN LIVING NAMES A KY CITY ONE OF THE SOUTH’S 3 ‘BEST BARBECUE TOWNS’

The crown jewel of Western Kentucky’s “Barbecue Belt” is once again receiving critical acclaim, this time from popular publication Southern Living, which calls Owensboro one of the South’s “few great barbecue towns.” What makes a great barbecue town? | Published August 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

A lookout near East Pinnacle in the Berea College Forest is photographed at dawn. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 4: SMITHSONIAN SAYS KENTUCKY HAS ONE OF THE 15 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN 2025

If you’re searching for the perfect weekend day trip in Kentucky this fall, Berea may be tough to beat. | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Rows of individual desks in a school classroom. By kali9

NO. 5: HERE’S HOW FCPS RANKS AMONG US NEWS’ TOP HIGH SCHOOLS — PLUS THE 25 BEST IN KY

U.S. | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Emery Building on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, at Berea College in Berea, Ky. By Christian Kantosky

NO. 6: A KENTUCKY COLLEGE WAS JUST NAMED BEST IN THE US FOR ‘TUITION AND TAX DOLLARS’

A small Kentucky college that doesn’t charge its students tuition has been named the No. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Two Kentucky hospitals are getting top marks for patient care, according to recently updated ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. By Jacob Wackerhausen

NO. 7: 2 KENTUCKY HOSPITALS RANK AMONG THE BEST IN THE NATION FOR PATIENT CARE

Two Kentucky hospitals earned five-star ratings from the U.S. | Published September 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

If you’re looking for a new job, Forbes calls these employers the best to work for in Kentucky in 2025. By Klaus Vedfelt

NO. 8: THESE ARE THE BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN KENTUCKY, ACCORDING TO FORBES

If you’re on the hunt for a new job, you could do worse than these Kentucky employers ranked by Forbes as the best in the Bluegrass. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

This stock image shows pumpkins scattered on hay bales as people circulate at a fall fair in the background. By Dmitrij Galacewicz

NO. 9: LOOKING FOR A PUMPKIN PATCH? KY HAS ONE OF THE 10 BEST IN NATION, USA TODAY SAYS

Few fall traditions rival a family outing to pick pumpkins, and according to USA TODAY, one Central Kentucky patch offers customers a value that makes it one of the best in the country. | Published September 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Downtown Covington, Ky., is photographed Sunday, July 14, 2024. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 10: HGTV SAYS KY HAS ONE OF THE MOST CHARMING DOWNTOWNS IN US. IT’S NOT IN LEXINGTON

The most charming downtown in Kentucky isn’t found in Louisville, Lexington or Bowling Green, but in a bustling river city that may be overlooked. | Published September 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

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.