Whether you’re in search of fall foliage or outdoor adventures, Kentucky has the vacation for you
There’s nothing like a crisp, fall day to help you unwind and admire the outside world around us.
The rolling foothills of Kentucky are no stranger to the beauty of fall (or really any season for that matter), and if you’re ready for an excursion before winter arrives, there are plenty of places to go to get your fill.
While the weather is still conducive to outdoor adventures, think about at stop at Daniel Boone National Forest. Just a three-hour drive from Cincinnati, in London, Daniel Boone National Forest boasts some of the most rugged terrain west of the Appalachian Mountains. There’s hiking, camping, fishing and hunting.
Another top-ranked spot for experiencing the great outdoors is Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. This one is just two hours from Cincinnati and sits on 16,140 acres of land in Bullitt and Nelson counties. The forest prides itself as a place where others can connect with nature, and its long history of connection dates back to when the land that would become Bernheim was purchased by German immigrant Isaac W. Bernheim in 1929, as a gift to the people of his new homeland.
TLC said to not go chasing waterfalls, but when the Bluegrass State is home to one as beautiful as Cumberland Falls, it’s hard not to do so. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is located near Corbin and is one of the most iconic parks in the state. There’s plenty to do once you’ve seen the falls, including a gem mine, trails and even resort and camping options. The Cumberland River flows through the park as well, and there’s even a “secret” view of the falls if you start at the beach and turn left into the large boulders. An easy 1.2-mile out and back trail to Pinnacle Knob Lookout will take you to a lookout tower where you can take in the view of the mountains, considered to be one of the best views to see the leaves during fall.
If you want to go a little further from home and see what Mother Nature has to offer in the Western part of the state, check out the Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway. It’s a 43-mile route in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area that connects Tennessee and Kentucky. This spot is about four-and-a-half hours from Cincinnati, but well worth the drive. The area was established in 1963 and includes more than 170,000 acres of forests, wetlands and open lands on a peninsula between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. It’s a family-friendly place and is home to one of the largest blocks of undeveloped forest in the eastern U.S. There is also 300 miles of natural shoreline, lake access, camping, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing and hunting.
Even if you don’t make it to Kentucky before winter shows up, there are still plenty of things to see and do during the colder season. If the weather is too chilly to venture out, consider visiting Thoroughbred Alley along Old Frankfort Pike. Lexington is known as “Horse Country,” and this driving path will take you from some of its best parts from Lexington to Frankfurt. It’s also home to some of the city’s best restaurants, so foodies can create a dining itinerary to satisfy their taste buds.
Looking for something a little more on the sporty side? There’s always the chance to catch a football or basketball game at one of the many colleges and universities in Kentucky, including the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. Or, if you really want a road trip, check out the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, where you can see the history of the car, check out the plant where the iconic sportscar is built and even take a drive in a Corvette on their test track.
Photos: Kentucky Tourism
