Kentucky natural attractions

Post by **Lateralus** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:32 pm

Hey all,
I have some friends who are non-climbers visiting KY. They will be in the Louisville area for awhile and then heading to Lexington. I know about the Gorge stuff for the most part but not sure where else to send them. Are there any other natural or perhaps historic attractions that they should not miss? Thanks for any help

Post by **krampus** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:45 pm

well there is this stripper at the Foxy Lady Gentlemans club who can.....

you just have to see it to believe it

Post by **Barnacle Ben** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:53 pm

The capitol mall in Frankfort is pretty nice. There are some good places to eat down there too. You could probably make a day out of it.

There is a bar/restaurant in Louisville with putt-putt. No joke.

The Big South Fork is a beautiful area.

Post by **Wes** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:05 pm

As an my old Chinese martial arts teacher used to say - "Kentucky is home of beautiful horses, fast women, and damn fine bourbon"

So, the bourbon tour / trail takes you right though some prime horse country as well. Mammoth cave isn't super far from Louisville. Big south fork is as nice as the red, or even better for hiking. MTB trails all around. Road bike central KY.

Post by **GWG** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:29 pm

Shakertown is neat and has great food at their restaurant.

Post by KD » Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:55 pm

Mammoth Cave

Post by **rjackson** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:34 pm

Always something to do in Louavul, but as far as historical or natural (as opposed to just plain cool)...

Historical
Locust Grove (significant) www.locustgrove.org
Farmington (significant) www.historicfarmington.org
Thomas Edison House (minor) www.historichomes.org

Historical (?)
Falls of the Ohio Fossil Park (very cool if the river is down)
Belle of Louisville (pretty cool old paddlewheeler) www.belleoflouisville.org

Historical (?!)
Churchill Downs (horses)
Louisville Slugger Factory (tour) and Museum (baseball)
Speed Art Museum at University of Louisville (classical to modern)
Muhamad Ali Center (diverse exhibits, includes Ali artifacts)
Any of the Frederick Law Olmsted Parks www.olomstedparks.org
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest www.bernheim.org

Lots of great architecture.
Bardstown Road is eclectic in nature.
World class skatepark (concrete surfing).

Shopping is not the best in Louisville (IMO).

ALSO

Louisville has an exorbitant amount of GREAT restaurants! East coast dining at midwest prices.

Post by **dmw** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:47 pm

nice rjackson..... you should work for the chamber of commerce... what is up with Otter Creek? I heard it is closed down????

Post by **rjackson** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:20 pm

Thanks. It's a great little city most of the time...

As far as Otter Creek, it's owned by the City of Louisville and they don't have the funds in the budget right now to manage it. They're looking for a third party to manage (lease) it. None of the other counties have the money either. There was story about one of the local law enforcement guys down there that's trying to patrol it and stave off vandalism. It's a cool park, hopefully they'll open it back up eventually.

ALSO

Sparked more ideas...

Fort Knox and Elizabethtown (E-Town, the movie).

E-Town doesn't have much, but it's cool to drive down 31W past the Gold Vault (seriously, as in Goldfinger). There's also Fort Duffield out that way (sits where the Salt River meets the Ohio, a Civil War earthen fort and mountain bike trails). www.radclifftourism.org/fortduffield

Bardstown is out around Bernheim if you go 65S. But cooler than that is The Abbey of Gesthsemani (Trappist, Kentucky), which was home to Thomas Merton. It's a beautiful setting, since 1848. And they make great cheese, bourbon fruitcake and fudge (again, seriously!).

Post by **Lateralus** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:23 pm

thanks for the help so far!!!