Southern Living editors selected a Kentucky spot as the best place they traveled in 2024
Southern Living recently released its round-up of the top travel spots of 2024, and two Kentucky destinations drew high praise from the publication’s editors.
Lexington and the Daniel Boone National Forest’s Red River Gorge both got mentions, with Lexington taking the No. 1 spot on Southern Living’s list of can’t-miss getaways.
Here’s what to know about the recent nod from the popular publication, plus editors’ top pick from across the South.
Why is Lexington worth traveling to?
Southern Living asked its editors to share their adventures across the South this year, and editor Mary Shannon Hodes described her experience attending a wedding in the Horse Capital of the World.
Only scratching the surface with a horse farm visit and Buffalo Trace distillery tour, Hodes is “already dying to go back.”
“The downtown was absolutely precious, and I saw plenty of cute restaurants and shops I’d want to visit on a trip back,” Hodes said in the Nov. 23 Southern Living article.
Lexington has a lot to offer tourists drawn to the city’s Instagrammable horse farms, distilleries and a bustling local arts and entertainment scene. There are also plenty of short-term rentals vying to cater to them: Lexington had almost 600 Airbnb and VRBO listings as of March, the Herald-Leader previously reported.
There’s a lot of money on the line, too. According to recently released data from Airbnb, the short-term rental platform generated an estimated $54 million in economic activity in the city in 2023, along with $25 million in tax revenue.
“I am thrilled Lexington is ranked among the 10 great destinations in the South by Southern Living,” Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton told the Herald-Leader in an emailed comment. “We continue to work hard to make our City a destination for those looking to travel for work, fun or relaxation. Our community is very special, and we enjoy sharing our beautiful City.”
Lexington is no stranger to accolades from Southern Living. This spring, the publication named the city one of the South’s best “on the rise.” Other travel publications and outlets have also lauded Fayette County recently, with U.S. News & World Report naming Lexington to its list of the best places to live in the country and Condé Nast Traveler placing it among its own best cities of the year.
Red River Gorge is ‘underrated’ yet unforgettable
Also in the editor’s pick feature, Southern Living writer Tara Massouleh McCay described her unforgettable experience staying in one of Red River Gorge’s cliff-edge treehouses, one that involved climbing 200 steps to reach.
“The area in Eastern Kentucky also impressed me with its natural wonders like magnificent rock formations, staggering arches and scenic river views. If you’re an outdoor lover, this is one under-the-radar, underrated destination you’ll want to add to your must-visit list,” Massouleh McCay wrote.
The gorge, a longtime favorite for rock climbers, has benefited from increased interest in the area, and new businesses have risen to meet that demand. Among the recent additions to attractions in the area are a new helicopter tour company and a new bar and grill in Stanton.
Southern Living’s top 10 travel destinations of 2024
Southern Living’s list of the can’t-miss getaways this year includes:
Lexington
Austin, Texas
Montgomery, Ala.
Duluth, Ga.
Cashiers, N.C.
Athens, Ga.
Waynesville, N.C.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Red River Gorge
St. Augustine, Fla.
Do you have a question about life in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Send us an email at ask@herald-leader.com or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form.
This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 6:00 AM.