Last reviewed: · Prices in US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Kentucky (Kentucky (KY))
Kentucky (Kentucky (KY)) features major hubs at Louisville & Lexington. Key sights, National & State Parks, and travel highlights across the state include Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries, Churchill Downs (Louisville), Keeneland horse farms (Lexington) & Red River Gorge.
How to get to Kentucky
Louisville Muhammad Ali Airport (SDF), Lexington Blue Grass Airport (LEX), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG), and I-64/I-65/I-75. Use our Amtrak & USA Rail Pass Calculator ($) and $80 National Parks Pass Calculator to plan your route.
Signature local food in Kentucky
When visiting cities and towns across Kentucky, look out for these regional American specialties at classic diners, smokehouses, seafood shacks, and farmers markets:
- Louisville Hot Brown open-faced turkey mornay bake
- Kentucky burgoo slow-simmered stew
- Derby pie (chocolate & Kentucky walnut tart)
- Spoonbread, country ham & Benedictine spread
- Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey & mint juleps
Best time to visit Kentucky
Best time to visit Kentucky: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov.
Featured cities & towns in Kentucky (15 featured · 157 total)
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, county & elevation facts, nearest airport/Amtrak station, regional food specialties, and neighboring towns:
| City / Town | County & Type | Population | Elevation | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville Louisville, KY | US City | 624,444 | 142 m (466 ft) | City guide → |
| Lexington Lexington, KY | US City | 320,347 | 295 m (968 ft) | City guide → |
| Lexington-Fayette Lexington-Fayette, KY | US City | 314,488 | 305 m (1001 ft) | City guide → |
| Meads Meads, KY | US City | 288,649 | 185 m (607 ft) | City guide → |
| Bowling Green Bowling Green, KY | US City | 63,616 | 161 m (528 ft) | City guide → |
| Owensboro Owensboro, KY | US City | 59,042 | 120 m (394 ft) | City guide → |
| Jackson Jackson, KY | US City | 2,356 | 260 m (853 ft) | City guide → |
| Monterey Monterey, KY | US City | 137 | 150 m (492 ft) | City guide → |
| Woodstock Woodstock, KY | US City | 0 | 325 m (1066 ft) | City guide → |
| Cooperstown Cooperstown, KY | US City | 0 | 173 m (568 ft) | City guide → |
| Homer Homer, KY | US City | 0 | 164 m (538 ft) | City guide → |
| Medora Medora, KY | US City | 0 | 136 m (446 ft) | City guide → |
| Sitka Sitka, KY | US City | 0 | 216 m (709 ft) | City guide → |
| Springdale Springdale, KY | US City | 0 | 187 m (614 ft) | City guide → |
| Williams Williams, KY | US City | 0 | 115 m (377 ft) | City guide → |