The state of Kentucky, located in the USA, was named after an Indian river flowing through its territory. Officially, the state is called the “Commonwealth of Kentucky”, not the official name of the “Bluegrass State”, the second name is given in honor of the forage plant, which is grown here in large numbers. Kentucky is associated with horses, and horse racing is regularly held here.
The state of Kentucky is known as the birthplace of one of the varieties of whiskey – bourbon, which is produced from corn grown here.
Where is the state of Kentucky
Kentucky (the state of the USA was founded on 1.06.1792) joined the group of states in the Southeastern Central region on the eastern side of America.
In translation into Russian, Kentucky has several meanings, it is called:
- “a dark and bloody hunting ground”;
- “tomorrow’s country”;
- “the land of meadows.”
The geographical coordinates of the Kentucky location are 37°50’21.6″ s.w. and -84°16’12.06″ v.d. or 37.8393332, -84.2700179.
The height of the state above the sea in different areas varies in a wide range:
| maximum | 1,263 m |
| minimum | 78 m |
| the average indicator | 230 m |
Kentucky shares borders with other states:
| from the east side | Virginia and West Virginia |
| from the south side | Tennessee |
| from the west side | Missouri |
| from the north side | Ohio; Illinois; Indiana |
More than half of the state’s territory is occupied by the Appalachian Mountains. The largest rivers in its area are called the Ohio and Tennessee.
The local caves are the longest on the planet and karst relief forms of the surface are very common on the territory.
Due to its location, the state has continental-subtropical climatic conditions, with an average temperature of about +31°C in summer and 0°C in winter.
Attractions in the state
Kentucky (the US state is the 15th in the country) consists of 418 active settlements, the largest among them is considered to be a city called Louisville.
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
In addition, Kentucky includes quite large megacities:
- Lexington-Fayette and Hopkinsville;
- Bowling Green and Owensboro.
The state called Kentucky is famous for its rich cultural heritage. There are a lot of historical sights and just interesting places on its square. The state is famous for its many breathtaking natural landscapes.
An interesting area in Kentucky is considered to be the historical district called “Old Louisville” or “Kentucky Derby”, recognized as the largest in the United States and occupying the 3rd place on the planet in terms of area. The area is predominantly dominated by the architectural Victorian style, and it is the main loading center of the Ohio River.
Old Louisville Historic District, Kentucky, USA
The area is located on the south side of the central part of the city and during your stay in the state it is recommended to take time to get to know the local attractions more closely. A little away from Magnolia Avenue is St. James’s Court, which is surrounded by the greenery of a charming park and illuminated by gas lanterns.
In the open historical part of the attraction, you should visit well-preserved old houses, including the ancient cottage of Thomas Edison.
An interesting thing in Kentucky may be a visit to a haunted sanatorium in Louisville called Waverly Hills. In the old days, the building was a shelter for victims of tuberculosis, the epidemiological situation arose at the very beginning of the last century.
If the treatment did not help the patient, and the patient died, his body was dumped through a special drain chute into the basement of the building. Since then, according to legend, the building has been haunted by many ghosts. To immerse yourself in the atmosphere of fear and horror, you can visit one of the night excursions.
The cost of visiting the haunted castle:
| The tour takes 2 hours | 22& |
| Ghost hunting 2 hours | 50& |
| All night in the castle | 100& |
Louisville Zoo
During a vacation in Kentucky, if the family is vacationing with children, it is recommended to visit the local zoo. The most interesting place here is considered to be the glacial descent, which is home to grizzlies and polar bears – this place is the main natural attraction of the reserve.
Every year, a Halloween party is held in the park, where children can enjoy sweets and get to know characters from their favorite movies and books. Also, various themed parties are regularly held on the territory of the zoo.
Equestrian Park
In Kentucky, there are a large number of racetracks where you can ride horses, the most popular and most visited is the equestrian park. Here you can go horseback riding and visit the famous exhibition called “Horses of the World”. This is an informative and informative show, accompanied by light and music.
In the equestrian park, you can take a guided tour of the hiking trail. You can ride a rented or personal bike along a special 12-mile trail that leads to downtown Lexington.
If desired, you can stay in the park for a while, there is an opportunity to rent a place in the campsite, which provides electricity for residents and has all the necessary amenities. There are tennis, basketball and volleyball courts near the campsite. There are two baths and a children’s pool.
Parks
Kentucky (the US state has its capital in the city of Frankfort) covers an area of 104,656 square kilometers, while the land area is 102,269 square kilometers, the water surface is 2,387 square kilometers. By area, the state is ranked 37th among the rest of the states of America.
Mammoth Cave
A unique place in Kentucky is considered to be a National park called Mammoth Cave. It is the longest known cave system in the world. Anyone can visit this natural wonder and take a walk in the park next to it.
After exploring the accessible part of the cave, you can swim around the reservoir by canoe, ride through the fields on horseback or go on a walking trip to interesting places.
Louisville Mega Cave
In Louisville, you can visit the dungeon, located in an artificial cave under the zoo. It was made on the site of a former crushed stone mine, is located right on the territory of the city and is called Louisville Mega Cavern.
Excursions are organized around the cave, which are carried out by underground tram. The trip is accompanied by a guide who tells the story of the attraction’s origin. The height of the caves in some places reaches 90 feet, so for fans of extreme sports there are ziplines, trails have lighting.
Red River Gorge
The natural landmark is located in the Daniel Boone National Wildlife Refuge. The Natural Treasure Trove is on the list of the TOP 10 places to spend a weekend in Louisville. The gorge impresses with beautiful stone arches, sandstone cliffs and unique rock formations, especially attracting climbers from all over the world.
Several hiking trails are organized in the gorge area, picnic areas are organized and there are several areas for canoeing. Fishing and hunting in these areas is allowed, subject to compliance with the rules of the Department of Fisheries and the Organization of Wildlife Monitoring of the State of Kentucky.
My Old Kentucky Home State Park
A state park called “My Old Kentucky Home” or “Federal Hill” is located in Bardstown. This estate and plantation are located on an area of 1,200 acres, owned by U.S. Senator John Rowan. It is believed that it was here that the ballad of the same name was written, which later became the anthem of the state of Kentucky.
When visiting the national park, you can explore the works of art and interior decor surrounding its garden and grounds. There is a campsite near the estate where you can stay overnight and golf courses are equipped.
Gallatin County
Gallatin County is located on the Ohio River. It is a picturesque rural area with numerous reservoirs and country roads. It is famous as the capital of motorsport in Kentucky, because it is here that the speedway for car racing is laid.
In a quiet and charming place rich in history, you can stop for a rest at one of the campsites, where, in addition to visiting the high-speed trails, you can go fishing.
Old Fort Harrod State Park
The small national fort is an exact replica of the structure built by James Harrod in 1774. It houses a museum where you can see artifacts of the Civil War and there are memorabilia of Lincoln.
There is also a federal monument to George Roger Clark and the oldest cemetery on the west side of Allegheny. In total, the park covers an area of 15 acres, next to it, on highway 68, there is a hotel.
Entertainments
In addition to beautiful natural parks, a lot of interesting sports and educational events are held on the territory of the state. On the territory of Kentucky, you can have an interesting time visiting some institutions.
Newport Aquarium
The Newport Aquarium is located on the Cincinnati River, where you can get to know the inhabitants of the sea and chat with some of them.
In the aquarium you can see sharks, rays, penguins and smaller inhabitants of the sea.
The Kingdom of Kentucky and Hurricane Bay
The Kingdom of Kentucky and Hurricane Bay is a famous water park that becomes the most popular in the warmer months. You can have a great time in the theme park, there are a large number of attractions designed for different ages.
A large number of extreme activities related to climbing and many water activities, there is a 5D cinema.
Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls National Park is a state nature reserve with about 5 dozen campgrounds located on its territory.
Entertainment is offered for guests in the park:
- mining of precious stones;
- bird watching;
- fishing;
- horse riding lessons;
- rafting;
- hiking and horseback riding.
Nearby is the famous 125-foot-wide South Niagara Falls, which is especially beautiful during the full moon, when the water jets are accompanied by a lunar rainbow.
Dale Hollow Lake State Resort
The main attraction of the tourist resort is a reservoir and a 28,000–acre lake. The main part of it is located in Tennessee, but several river branches stretch across the border with the state of Kentucky. Everyone can have a great time here. There is an opportunity to go fishing or boating.
You can walk along hiking trails or go cycling. On the territory of about 3,400 acres, you can watch birds, there is a large population of eagles in the area, they build their nests near the reservoir. There is an opportunity to play golf on the course equipped here.
Monuments
Kentucky (the US state is densely populated) is currently inhabited by about 4,510,000 people. It ranks 26th among the rest of the country’s states.
Churchill Downs
The historic Churchill Downs was founded in 1936 and 50 years later it was awarded the status of a national monument. It is Kentucky’s most important equestrian track, located in the middle of the bluegrass region. To this day, he continues to play an important role in breeding horses and conducting thoroughbred horse races.
In 2015, competitions were held on this track, in which the victory went to the American Faraa, on the horse Pharaoh, who became the owner of the Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes races were won.
Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum
A famous monument of antiquity is the Harland Sanders Museum, where his first restaurant was previously located. This is the famous KFC, which is known all over the world and operates to this day.
Next to the current cafe there is an exact replica of the Sanders kitchen and cafe of the 40s. During the tour, you can find out how the cafe appeared and why its name became a household name. This is the first cafe in the world where the Kentucky Fried Chicken dish was served.
Shaker Village and Pleasant Hill
History lovers are advised to visit Shaker Village, which was home to a community of shakers between 1805 and 1910. Here you can learn about the life of representatives of a Christian religious organization, about their activities in agriculture and gardening.
Here you can walk along a 30-mile path laid by hermits. During your trip here, you can stay at a hotel called The Inn, where you can stay in separate cottages or rooms in a shared hotel building.
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
The Perryville Battlefield Historical Monument is one of the best preserved places where battles were fought during the American Civil War. The bloody battle at this place was fought on October 8, 1862, and it was she who led to the withdrawal of Confederate troops from Kentucky.
Visitors to the historical landmark can walk through the memorable places, they are located 2 hours away from Lexington. There are more than 19 miles of military trails, most of which are paved paths.
Several monuments to the fallen have been erected next to them and the places where the most important events of that time took place have been marked. Every year, a physical reconstruction of those events takes place on the field, real military guns are delivered here and an improvised skirmish of mounted cavalry and infantry troops takes place.
Symbols of the State of Kentucky
The symbol and business card of the state called Kentucky is the famous Fort Knox base, designed for the military. It is located at a distance of 30 miles on the southwestern side of the city of Louisville, covers an area of 44 thousand hectares and is owned by the American Army.
Until recently, it operated tank driving training courses, but then the school was transferred to a base called Fort Benning.
Fort Knox is famous for having a unique vault for gold and jewelry on the territory, which has the status of one of the most protected on the planet.
The walls of the building are made of granite and protected by concrete. The entrance to the building is blocked by a door weighing more than 20 tons.
To get into the storage area, you need to provide a long code divided into several parts, the data is managed by several people. In the event of an attack, the storage facility will be provided with autonomous power supply and life support.
In case of a long siege, drinking water and food supplies are stored in the fort. The fort has a high level of security, so during the Second World War it was here that historically important items were transported.
Interesting facts
The state of Kentucky is famous for the fact that in 1983, for the first time in the history of the United States, a woman named Collins Martha Lane, a representative of the Democratic Party of the country, was elected governor. The subject of her pride was the beginning of the construction of the Toyota automobile plant on the state square.
Despite such a significant fact, at the beginning of the XXI century, the state of Kentucky among other regions in the United States ranked only 49th in terms of the number of women who held senior positions in government.
In addition to natural and historical monuments, Kentucky Square has a large number of museums dedicated to the life of the state. These include the famous Kentucky Derby Museum and a complex dedicated to batters in Leousville.
Tourists visiting the United States are advised to visit the London House landmark, which is one of the best examples of Southern Gothic Revival architecture. The unique building is located at 209 Castlewood Road in Lexington.
Author: Olga Zhanskaya
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