10 must-see places and activities in Kentucky

The articles on Kentucky share a common theme of showcasing the state's blend of history, natural beauty and recreational offerings. From exploring bourbon distilleries to visiting scenic small towns, the curated content presents a varied picture of Kentucky's attractions.

Kentucky's railroad history comes alive through the Bluegrass Train Experience, which guides visitors through historic train communities.

Smithsonian Magazine highlights Berea as one of the 15 best small towns to visit in 2025. Known for its artistic community and Berea College's unique educational model, the town offers a range of creative and natural attractions without needing a strict itinerary.

Learn more with the stories below.

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

NO. 1: 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

Nostalgia Station Toy Museum is operated by Winfrey and Wanda Adkins and has thousands of pieces, with the oldest in the collection dating back to the 1880s. The displays offer a look at the evolution of miniature trains and the technology that powers them.

NO. 2: KENTUCKY’S ‘TRAIN TRAIL’ IS CHUGGING ALONG. HOW TO EXPLORE THE STATE’S RAILROAD HISTORY

Discover Kentucky’s railroad history with the new Bluegrass Train Experience passport. | Published January 17, 2025 | 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. 3: 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

The Fourth of July fireworks display shot off of the 31-story, 410-foot Lexington Financial Center seen from The Woodlands Wednesday in Lexington. By Alex Slitz

NO. 4: KY FRIED HISTORY: THE WORLD’S (LEXINGTON’S) TALLEST BUILDING

A failed development project, including one “coal hole” may have paved the way for the future development of the “World’s Tallest Building” in downtown Lexington. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andrew Henderson

We tried these pricey burgers from around Lexington. How good were they? By Rob Bolson

NO. 5: WE TRIED SOME OF THE PRICIEST BURGERS IN LEXINGTON. THESE WERE OUR TOP 9

Lexington is home to an array of top-notch and mouth-watering burgers. We set out to find out which ones are the best. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rob Bolson

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

NO. 6: 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

CDs for sale on the shelf at CD Central on South Limestone, Wednesday, August. 27, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. CD Central is closing not due to financial issues but to allow Steve Baron to retire. A new record store, Cut Corner Records, will open at the same location with new owners, maintaining the community hub's mission for music lovers. By Brian Simms

NO. 7: LEXINGTON’S ONLY REMAINING RECORD STORE OWNER RETIRING, BUT THE BEAT WILL GO ON

With a week to go before closing the doors CD Central, the Lexington record store he has helmed for more than three decades, things are busy for Steve Baron. | Published September 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Walter Tunis

A jumbo lump crab cake with lemon aioli, arugula and tobiko ($38) from The V, the public restaurant at The Vine, a new downtown Lexington development, photographed Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. By Brian Simms

NO. 8: SEE THE ‘COASTAL VIBES’ AT LEXINGTON’S NEWEST DOWNTOWN FINE-DINING RESTAURANT

A new fine-dining restaurant that hopes “you feel transportedtransformed from Lexington the minute you get off the elevator,” will open with picturesque views nine stories up and one of the city’s top chef’s leading the kitchen. | Published September 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brian Simms

Country musician Dierks Bentley looks at barrels of whiskey aging in a warehouse at Green River Distillery in Owensboro, Ky., on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Bentley released his Row 94 Full Proof bourbon during an event at the distillery. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 9: COUNTRY STAR DIERKS BENTLEY TAKES HIS BOURBON UP A NOTCH WITH HIGH-PROOF RELEASE

“Well, well whiskey, looks like we meet again ...” With a line from one of his songs, country music star Dierks Bentley on Sept. | Published September 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

Chris Price, the owner and operator of the Big Blue Wiener hot dog stand, prepares hot dogs for customers near Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park in downtown Lexington, Kentucky., in the early hours of Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 10: ‘BEST WIENERS IN TOWN.’ DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON HOT DOG STAND IS A LATE-NIGHT HIT

Saturday night is about to turn into Sunday morning in downtown Lexington, and the action is happening. | Published September 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

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.