Kentucky has quite a lot to offer, both for residents of the state and for visitors. Although the state is known for its bourbon, college basketball and horse racing, there is so much more waiting to be discovered. Nature reservations, state parks and national parks take up nearly 37,700 acres, providing a plethora of activities for everyone of any age, and if this isn't enough, there is plenty more to do in the urban areas of Kentucky as well.
Popular Attractions
Some of the natural attractions that Kentucky possesses include the Mammoth Cave National Park, which is home to the world's longest known cave system with over 367 miles of passageways. Close by are the Diamond Caverns, where people can take a one-mile tour into beautiful caves presented with ambient lighting. There is also the Cumberland Gap, which is 12 miles long and inside of which you can visit the Middlesboro crater, a three-mile-wide impact crater caused by a meteor strike. In western Kentucky is the Venture River Water Park, a water-themed amusement park that provides fun and relief from the heat.
History
Kentucky has a rich history and is proud to show it off. People can visit the birthplaces of Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln, or go see the historic Trail of Tears. Kentucky is also a great place to learn about African American heritage, the Civil War and the Native American tribes that resided in the region. One of Kentucky's historic heroes, Daniel Boone, has been immortalized with a 46-acre site dedicated to his memory.
State Parks
Kentucky has a total of 52 state parks, which is more than any other state. It has 17 state resort parks, 24 state recreation parks and 11 state historic sites. Nature lovers will love the state parks for they offer a wide range of things to see such as: mountain ranges, shorelines, forests and caverns, not to mention the abundant plant and animal life. The recreation parks feature activities like horseback riding, camping, fishing, boating and hiking, and the historic sites allow a look into Kentucky's past.
Food
The state of Kentucky prides itself on its culinary creativity and has many places to eat, ranging from roadside diners to fine-dining restaurants. Kentucky residents likes to show visitors their versions of Kentucky burgoo, which is a stew consisting of some or all of the following: beef, chicken, pork, lamb and veal combined with potatoes, tomatoes, corn and lima beans. The consensus in Kentucky is that the flavor of burgoo continues to improve the longer it is cooked. Some recipes call for the stew to be cooked for up to 30 hours. If burgoo is not your style, however, there is always Kentucky Fried Chicken as a fallback.
Annual Events
Each year Kentucky hosts one of the biggest single-day events in the United States. The Kentucky Derby Festival-Thunder over Louisville is a huge air show and fireworks display. The air show features aircraft from military and civilian fleets and attracts around 500,000 people every year. The festival itself lasts for about 20 days, but this is by far the largest event. There are many food and drink festivals, and even a tobacco event, where people can go and sample some of Kentucky's wares.
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