Last updated on April 13th, 2025
There are few better locations to visit in the first half of a year than Kentucky. The state comes alive as the spring comes into full bloom, with a large reason for the increased tourism numbers being down to the significant events taking place in the region.
Among those include the prestigious Kentucky Derby, which is staged annually on the first Saturday in May.
However, there is a lot more to the local region to see before making a trip to the horse racing venue, and you can find all of the things that you will need to see during a trip to Kentucky here.
Maker’s Mark
One of the most famous products to come out of Kentucky is Maker’s Mark, meaning that a trip to the historic place where it was distilled is a must for any visitors.
The bourbon whiskey is produced in Loretto, Kentucky, and is bottled at 90 U.S. proof. The state is incredibly proud of its ability to make the drink, and it is found on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association sponsored the program to promote the bourbon whiskey industry in Kentucky, and it is protected as a trademark. The KDA launched the program as a trial in 1999, with seven of the eight distilleries in the region joining in its first year.
Attempting to get all 46 stops on the trail will take a lot of time, as there are 18 different stops within the four gateway cities of Lexington, Bardstown, Louisville, and North Kentucky. However, if you’re able to show that you have been to all 46 stops, the KDA will send out a free t-shirt to commemorate your achievement.
Churchill Downs
No visit to the Kentucky region is complete without a visit to Churchill Downs. The iconic horse racing venue has been open to the public since 1875 and regularly hosts up to 100,000 fans when the biggest events on the calendar come around.
The track is named in honor of Samuel Churchill, whose family were prominent in the region for many years. It is regularly ranked among the top racecourses across the United States, with the 2009 rankings showing it come out in fifth.
The biggest race on the annual schedule comes in the form of the opening leg of the Triple Crown, with the Kentucky Derby staged at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. You can check how to bet here: twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/betting/
The legendary Grade One is watched across the globe, and is the most-attended race in the U.S. annually. Horses aged three will be involved in the Derby, with the race nicknamed ‘the most exciting two minutes in sports’.
It is a race that has the power to transform the fortunes of those that run in it, with some later going on to take their place in the history books as one of the greatest to have taken to the track. Among the most famous winners include Secretariat, who remains the speed record holder after winning the Derby in 1973.
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Another of the most iconic attractions in Kentucky focuses around the state’s love of Bourbon, as the Buffalo Trace Distillery ranks among the best places to see in the region.
It has been known by a few names during its history, including the Old Fire Cooper and the George T. Stagg Distillery. The name-sake Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight was introduced in 1999, and it has links back to the ancient buffalo path that crossed the Kentucky River.
It is a hugely historic landmark worth visiting in the region, as it claims to be the oldest continuous distillery in the United States. This was acknowledged in the 2000s as it was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for this feat.
St James-Belgravia Historic District
If you’re looking for some scenic views then there are few better than those found in the St James-Belgravia Historic District. The location is found within Old Louisville, and it was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
It is bordered by Louisville’s Central Park, and it was the location of the Southern Exposition. Nowadays, it hosts the St James Court Art Show, which takes place annually in October. Unlike many other major streets across the world, the only ways to see the sights is by foot as there is no road access.
There are also two significant houses found at St. James’ Court, with these coming in the forms of Conrad-Caldwell House and the Pink Palace. The former has an excellent museum, and it was built in 1893. The Pink Palace is located on the corner of Belgravia Courts and St. James, and was originally built to be an exclusive Gentleman’s Club and Casino for residents of the court.
