Kentucky is perhaps best known for two things: bourbon and horses. And while these two industries certainly fuel the economy of the Bluegrass State, there's plenty more on offer beyond the rolling hills of horse country or the distilleries of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Outdoor enthusiasts find an extensive system of state and national parks, while regional culture shines in the state's cities and small towns.
We asked a panel of Kentucky travel writers and photographers to nominate their favorite state attractions, and for the past four weeks 10Best readers have been voting for their favorites.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Kentucky Attraction are as follows:
- National Corvette Museum - Bowling Green
- Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm - Georgetown
- Louisville Mega Cavern - Louisville
- National Quilt Museum - Paducah
- Churchill Downs & Kentucky Derby Museum - Louisville
- Kentucky Horse Park - Lexington
- Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory - Louisville
- Mammoth Cave National Park - Mammoth Cave
- Newport Aquarium - Newport
- Creation Museum - Petersburg
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Kirby Adams (Courier Journal), Steve Coomes and Dana McMahan (bodybybourbon.com) were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of travel in Kentucky.
Congratulations to all these winning attractions.
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The Experts
Kirby Adams
From skydiving to spelunking, lifestyle reporter... Read More
From skydiving to spelunking, lifestyle reporter Kirby Adams reports on outdoor adventure and experiences around Kentucky and Southern Indiana for the Courier Journal. She may not be the best at all the experiences she takes part in but she always has fun bringing readers the stories of the people, places, adventures and activities that make her community unique.
Kirby Adams

From skydiving to spelunking, lifestyle reporter Kirby Adams reports on outdoor adventure and experiences around Kentucky and Southern Indiana for the Courier Journal. She may not be the best at all the experiences she takes part in but she always has fun bringing readers the stories of the people, places, adventures and activities that make her community unique.
Steve Coomes
Steve Coomes is an award-winning food, spirits and... Read More
Steve Coomes is an award-winning food, spirits and travel writer and speaker in Louisville, Ky. The former chef authored the book, Country Ham: A Southern Tradition of Hogs, Salt & Smoke and has ghostwritten multiple other books.
Steve Coomes

Steve Coomes is an award-winning food, spirits and travel writer and speaker in Louisville, Ky. The former chef authored the book, Country Ham: A Southern Tradition of Hogs, Salt & Smoke and has ghostwritten multiple other books.
Dana McMahan
Dana McMahan, a writer and Airbnb superhost, lives... Read More
Dana McMahan, a writer and Airbnb superhost, lives in Old Louisville where she writes about travel, food, whiskey, dogs and other adventures in bourbon country and across the globe for local and national outlets. Follow her on Facebook or Instagram, and learn more at bodybybourbon.com.
Dana McMahan

Dana McMahan, a writer and Airbnb superhost, lives in Old Louisville where she writes about travel, food, whiskey, dogs and other adventures in bourbon country and across the globe for local and national outlets. Follow her on Facebook or Instagram, and learn more at bodybybourbon.com.