Kentucky is famous for its annual derby but has much more to offer visitors.
Kentucky is known for its horses, bluegrass tunes and baseball bats. You'll have no problems learning about the rich history of Kentucky's pastimes through interactive museums and attractions. The Bluegrass State also features plenty of fun outdoor activities, including cave exploring and camping.
Music
The International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro is a celebration of the official state music. You'll learn all about Bill "Big Mon" Monroe, the creator of bluegrass. Permanent exhibits include Pete Seeger's banjo and a replica of a 1950s cafe with a jukebox full of bluegrass songs.
The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Renfro Valley goes beyond bluegrass by also honoring the state's entire music heritage--including blues, country, folk, gospel, jazz and pop. The history of Kentucky music is told through a timeline and exhibits. You could even sing and record a song in a functioning sound booth. The Hall of Fame wing honors famous state musicians like Boots Randolph and Dwight Yoakam.
Natural Attractions
The Mammoth Cave National Park features the world's longest known cave system stretching more than 367 miles. Besides cave tours, outdoor enthusiasts flock to the park in Mammoth Cave to canoe on Green River, bicycle, camp, horseback ride and picnic.
The waterfall at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Corbin is known as the "Niagara of the South." The water drops 60 feet and creates a curtain of water. At night, you may see a moonbow, similar to a rainbow. It's the only place in the Western Hemisphere to spot one.
Sports Museums
The Kentucky Derby Museum captures the pageantry and thrills of the famous horse race. The museum--located at Churchill Downs--shows films of Kentucky Derbys going back to 1918. Exhibits include famous African-Americans in Thoroughbred Racing and the Derby Hat Exhibit. Interactive activities include mounting a simulated horse and maintaining a jockey's stance for the two minutes it takes to complete the 1.25-mile track and learning handicap races.
You can't play baseball without a baseball bat. The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory explains how bats are made with factory tours showcasing each step. The museum wing displays baseball memorabilia, including a bat Babe Ruth used in 1927 when he hit 60 home runs and a bat Joe DiMaggio used during his 56-game hitting streak in 1941. The Louisville museum also has interactive options like hitting in a batting cage.
The Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville isn't merely a boxing tribute to the former heavyweight champion. Instead, the center aims to help visitors find their own greatness by examining every aspect of Ali's life. Exhibits focus on the boxer's core values of respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and spirituality, according to the museum.
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