Forget about the first Monday in May, it’s all about the first Saturday in May: The Kentucky Derby – one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. Dubbed the fastest two minutes in sport, every year over 150, 000 spectators head to Churchill Downs for the thrill of the ‘Run for the Roses’, as it is fondly known due to the beautiful garland of 554 red roses that adorns the Kentucky Derby winner each year.
It may be the race that caught your attention but there is so much to see and do across the Bluegrass State. Seen in the City rounds up our top tips.
Louisville:
You may have come for the Derby but stay to explore the city’s cultural and historical heritage. First on the list should be the Muhamed Ali Center which charts the life and legacy of Louisville born and bred boxer, philanthropist and activist. A combination of artifacts, films and interactive displays makes for a captivating couple of hours. There are also a number of Muhamed Ali murals dotted around the city. Another incredibly moving museum is Roots 101 which celebrates the achievements and the resilience of the African American community.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby and although the novel may be set in Long Island, New York, the origins of the story are found in Louisville. It is said that the novel may never have been written had it not been for F. Scott’s Fitzgerald’s time in the city during World War I. The Seelbach Hilton hotel a cultural institution and the city’s oldest hotels was one of Fitzgerald’s favourite haunts and is where he rubbed shoulders with Cincinnati mobster, George Remus (the king of the bootleggers), on whom Jay Gatsby is based. It is also the setting of fictional character’s Tom and Daisy’s wedding. The Seelback has just unveiled a new Gatsby Suite to celebrate the anniversary – where better to sleep?
Louisville is home to a number of stand out restaurants; for a laid back ambience dine at
Doc Crow’s – their bbq and mac & cheese is legendary. For something a little more special, North of Bourbon is exceptional.
Bardstown:
Kentucky is synonymous with bourbon and Bardstown is the world capital of bourbon with 11 distilleries located within a 16 mile radius of its downtown. We recommend checking out Heaven Hill Distillery which offers a range of immersive experiences and tasting tours. The Bourbon 101 exhibit is a great introduction to those who are new to the spirit and we love The Larceny, Cocktails & Cravings Tasting Experience which teaches you how to pair different types of whiskey with food. Other distilleries that should be on your list are Bardstown Bourbon Company (try the Shaken & Stirred experience where you learn to make two iconic bourbon cocktails) and Willett Distillery (snag a reservation at their restaurant and order the iconic egg sandwich and an old fashioned – you won’t regret it!)
And don’t miss out on Bardstown’s main street for a taste of Americana. It is filled with vintage shops, locally-owned boutiques and a bar or two! Tucked just off the main street is the legendary Hardon’s Bakery – it’s definitely worth stopping for a donut and a slice of pie for the road.
Paducah
Designated a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art in 2013, the western Kentucky city is an artist’s enclave. Paducah’s historic downtown features 19th century architecture and is filled with locally-owned shops and galleries while the LowerTown district is home to craftsmen studios and eclectic art galleries. Paducah punches well above its weight when it comes to its restaurants. People travel from across the U.S. to dine at Freight House where chef Sara Bradley serves dishes with Southern, Jewish, and Appalachian influences. All accompanied by an incredible global wine list. Another local favourite is Korey Vazquez’s Gold Rush Cafe – the fried green tomatoes are heaven! It is also worth spending an hour or so in The National Quilt Museum that celebrates the heritage and art of storytelling through quilting.
Bowling Green
Speed into Bowling Green for the Corvette Museum which pays homage to the iconic American sports car. The galleries take visitors on a journey on the fabled eras of Corvette’s history while the changing exhibits focus on design and the car’s influence on pop culture. The current pop culture exhibit running throughout this year showcases the Corvette’s appearances in movies, music, and literature featuring cars from TV shows like Hawaii Five-0 and movies like Transformers. The museum is also home to state of the art Corvette Racing Stimulators where guests get to experience the thrill of high-speed racing. For those who want to take it a step further, why not get behind the wheel of a C7 Corvette Stingray and enjoy four laps at the nearby NCM Motor Sports Park.
Red River Gorge
Escape to the great outdoors and the incredible beauty of the Red River Gorge Geologic area. This is a hiker’s paradise with over 29 acres of canyons, 150 natural arches and towering cliffs. One of the most majestic views is Natural Bridge, an impressive sandstone rock bridge that stands 65 feet high and spans 78 feet in length. Get on the trail early in the morning when it is still relatively quiet for the 2.5 mile hike to the top of the bridge – the breathtaking vistas are more than worth it. If you are not up for the hike, you can ride the sky lift gliding through the forest canopies to reach the top.
We recommend staying in one of the treehouses right in the National Forest. For the truly adventurous (and brave!) stay at the Grey Dreamer, a suspended cabin on the upper sandstone cliffs for which the gorge is renowned.
