Summer has long been associated with road trips and vacations, but it doesn’t always have to mean doling out wads of cash to have fun. If you’re in or around Kentucky, and want to keep your Summer fun local and inexpensive, check out these 7 great “staycation” destinations! Some of these are easily day trips, while others can be turned into an unforgettable weekend. Let me know if there’s a favorite spot of yours that’s not on this list!
Cove Spring Park
Cove Spring Park & Nature Preserve consists of approximately 240 acres of wetlands, streams, springs, waterfalls, forested ravines and other natural and historic features. The park is a nature lovers paradise and is great for walking, hiking, nature observation, environmental education, and picnicking.
Cumberland Falls State Park
Called the Niagara of the South, Cumberland Falls covers 1,657 acres and is named for its major feature, 68-foot-tall Cumberland Falls. It’s also one of only two places in the world where a moonbow can be seen on nights with a full moon. Besides the scenic falls, this Kentucky State Resort Park has a lodge, cottages, restaurant, meeting space, campground, hiking trails, and recreation programs.
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Shaker Village has farmers, historians, naturalists and many others working hard every day to carry on important Shaker legacies. From growing the organic garden, to managing prairie habitat, caring for important artifacts, restoring historic buildings and building an apiary, real work happens here! There are changing tours, talks, activities, rides, music and exhibits that reveal new inspirations across the 3,000 acres every day.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park is more than just the home to the longest cave system in the world. It is a place for hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, and camping on over 52,000 acres in south central Kentucky. Make sure to plan ahead before making the trip there!
Awesome Lazy River
The Awesome Lazy River is part of the Salt River in Shepherdsville, and you can rent single, double or even quad tubes to meander on the water most weekends in the Summer. It takes approximately 2 hours to make your way down that part of the river, and you can even bring your own food and beverages to enjoy your own “traveling picnic”.
Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon
Located on 379 acres among the beautiful rolling hills in Bowling Green—you can experience it all! Beech Bend Park has an amusement park, splash lagoon, dragstrip, campground, and more. You can easily make it a weekend trip and still want to come back.
Big South Fork Scenic Railway
If you love trains, this one is for you! Beginning in Stearns, KY you can take a round trip adventure on the historic Kentucky & Tennessee Railway line to the Barthell Coal Camp. Painstakingly restored by the Koger Family, Barthell opens the doors to 1910 and Edwardian life in the foothills of the Cumberland Plateau, the southernmost portion of the Appalachians. A guided tour of the town of Barthell and the mine is also available.
If the travel bug won’t seem to leave once you’re back home, let me know if I can help you move to a new city, in or even outside of KY…I have a top-notch referral network at my fingertips!
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