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List of Commonwealth Attractions
I. National Land
National Park
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Mammoth Cave National Park
This park preserves the world's longest known cave system, with over 400 miles of explored passageways. Above ground, the park offers rolling hills, deep river valleys, and a rich diversity of plant and animal life. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve.
- Location: 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
- Nearest Major City: Bowling Green
- Website: nps.gov/maca
- Phone: (270) 758-2180
- Visitor Interests: Taking a variety of guided cave tours (ranging from easy to strenuous), hiking over 80 miles of surface trails, canoeing or kayaking on the Green River, camping.
National Historical Parks & Sites
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Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
This park commemorates the humble beginnings of the 16th U.S. President. It features a symbolic log cabin enshrined within a stunning neoclassical memorial building at the Sinking Spring farm, where Lincoln was born.
- Location: 2995 Lincoln Farm Rd, Hodgenville, KY 42748
- Nearest Major City: Louisville
- Website: nps.gov/abli
- Phone: (270) 358-3137
- Visitor Interests: Viewing the First Lincoln Memorial, exploring the visitor center exhibits, visiting Lincoln's Boyhood Home at Knob Creek (a separate unit of the park).
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Camp Nelson National Monument
Established as a large Union Army supply depot and hospital during the Civil War, Camp Nelson became one of the country's largest recruitment and emancipation centers for African American soldiers and a refugee camp for their families.
- Location: 6614 Danville Rd, Nicholasville, KY 40356
- Nearest Major City: Lexington
- Website: nps.gov/cane
- Phone: (859) 881-5716
- Visitor Interests: Exploring the visitor center and museum, walking the grounds and interpretive trails, viewing the reconstructed army barracks, visiting the Camp Nelson National Cemetery.
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Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
This park centers on the famous natural break in the Appalachian Mountains that was used by countless pioneers, including Daniel Boone, to travel to the west. The park offers stunning scenery and a rich history. While the park spans three states, the main visitor center is in Kentucky.
- Location: 91 Bartlett Park Rd, Middlesboro, KY 40965
- Nearest Major City: Knoxville, TN
- Website: nps.gov/cuga
- Phone: (606) 248-2817
- Visitor Interests: Driving to the Pinnacle Overlook for spectacular views, hiking on over 85 miles of trails, exploring Gap Cave, visiting the Hensley Settlement living history museum.
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Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
This site commemorates the Battle of Mill Springs, a decisive early Union victory in the Civil War. The battlefield and visitor center interpret the events of the battle and its significance in the western theater of the war.
- Location: 9020 W. Hwy 80, Nancy, KY 42544
- Nearest Major City: Lexington
- Website: nps.gov/misp
- Phone: (606) 636-4045
- Visitor Interests: Visiting the interpretive visitor center and museum, taking the 10-mile self-guided driving tour of the battlefield, walking the trails at Zollicoffer Park.
National Recreation Area
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Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Protecting the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries, this rugged area is renowned for its scenic gorges, sandstone bluffs, and natural arches. It is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Location: Stearns, KY 42649
- Nearest Major City: Lexington
- Website: nps.gov/biso
- Phone: (423) 569-9778 (Park Headquarters)
- Visitor Interests: Whitewater paddling, hiking on over 180 miles of trails, horseback riding, rock climbing, taking a scenic ride on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns.
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Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, this vast inland peninsula is situated between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. It offers a wide array of recreational activities and educational opportunities in a beautiful natural setting.
- Location: 238 Visitor Center Drive, Golden Pond, KY 42211
- Nearest Major City: Paducah
- Website: landbetweenthelakes.us
- Phone: (800) 525-7077
- Visitor Interests: Boating and fishing, visiting the Woodlands Nature Station, exploring the Elk & Bison Prairie, living history at The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm, stargazing at the Golden Pond Planetarium.
National Wildlife Refuge
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Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge
Located in western Kentucky, this refuge protects one of the largest remaining bottomland hardwood forests in the state. It is a vital habitat for migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife.
- Location: 91 U.S. 641, Benton, KY 42025
- Nearest Major City: Paducah
- Website: fws.gov/refuge/clarks-river
- Phone: (270) 527-5770
- Visitor Interests: Hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, hiking, paddling on the Clarks River.
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II. Commonwealth Land
Top Fifteen Most Visited State Parks
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Natural Bridge State Resort Park
This park is home to a magnificent sandstone arch that stands 65 feet high and spans 78 feet. Located within the scenic Red River Gorge geological area, the park offers stunning natural beauty and numerous recreational activities.
- Location: 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376
- Nearest Major City: Lexington
- Website: parks.ky.gov/slade/parks/resort/natural-bridge-state-resort-park
- Phone: (606) 663-2214
- Visitor Interests: Hiking to the base and top of Natural Bridge, riding the scenic sky lift, kayaking and canoeing, staying at the historic Hemlock Lodge.
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Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Known as the "Niagara of the South," this park's main feature is the massive 125-foot-wide waterfall that drops 68 feet. The park is also one of the few places in the world where you can regularly see a "moonbow," a rainbow produced by the light of a full moon.
- Location: 7351 Hwy 90, Corbin, KY 40701
- Nearest Major City: Lexington
- Website: parks.ky.gov/corbin/parks/resort/cumberland-falls-state-resort-park
- Phone: (606) 528-4121
- Visitor Interests: Viewing the magnificent Cumberland Falls, looking for the moonbow on clear nights with a full moon, hiking, horseback riding, staying at the historic DuPont Lodge.
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My Old Kentucky Home State Park
This park celebrates the historic mansion and plantation that inspired Stephen Foster's famous song, "My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night!". Visitors can tour the beautifully preserved Federal Hill mansion and learn about the history of the property.
- Location: 501 E Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY 40004
- Nearest Major City: Louisville
- Website: parks.ky.gov/bardstown/parks/historic/my-old-kentucky-home-state-park
- Phone: (502) 348-3502
- Visitor Interests: Taking costumed tours of the Federal Hill mansion, golfing on the park's course, seeing "The Stephen Foster Story" outdoor musical (seasonal), camping.
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General Butler State Resort Park
Overlooking the confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio rivers in Carrollton, this park offers both scenic beauty and a variety of recreational activities. It is named for General William O. Butler, a notable military figure from Kentucky.
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Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Located on the northern shore of Kentucky Lake, this park is a premier destination for water sports and fishing. The park was created after the construction of the Kentucky Dam on the Tennessee River.
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Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
Situated on the massive Lake Cumberland, this park is a boater's paradise. With a full-service marina and a variety of lodging options, it's a popular spot for vacations on one of the nation's largest man-made lakes.
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Carter Caves State Resort Park
This park is a geological wonderland, featuring more caves than any other state park in Kentucky. In addition to cave tours, the park offers a beautiful lake, forested hills, and a variety of surface activities.
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Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky, this park is a scenic retreat with a beautiful lake and a variety of recreational opportunities. It is also home to the popular Jenny Wiley Theatre.
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Breaks Interstate Park
Often called the "Grand Canyon of the South," this park is shared with Virginia and features the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi River. The Russell Fork River has carved a spectacular five-mile-long canyon through the landscape.
- Location: 627 Commission Cir, Breaks, VA 24607 (Main entrance)
- Nearest Major City: Pikeville
- Website: breakspark.com
- Phone: (276) 865-4413
- Visitor Interests: Viewing the stunning gorge from scenic overlooks, hiking, whitewater rafting on the Russell Fork, staying at the Rhododendron Lodge, visiting the water park.
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Barren River Lake State Resort Park
Located in the rolling hills of southern Kentucky, this park is centered around the 10,000-acre Barren River Lake. It's a popular destination for fishing, boating, and golfing.
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John James Audubon State Park
This park honors the legacy of the famed naturalist and artist John James Audubon, who lived in Henderson and did much of his work here. The park features a museum displaying many of his works, a nature center, and beautiful wooded trails.
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Nolin Lake State Park
Situated on the peaceful Nolin River Lake, this park offers a relaxing setting for camping and water activities. It is known for its sandy beach and well-regarded campground.
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Green River Lake State Park
A popular destination in central Kentucky, this park is centered on the 8,200-acre Green River Lake. It offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities on and off the water.
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Pine Mountain State Resort Park
Kentucky's first state park, Pine Mountain offers stunning mountain scenery from its perch atop the historic Cumberland Mountain. The park is especially beautiful in the spring when the mountain laurel and rhododendron bloom.
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Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Known as the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology, this unique site is famous for its combination of salt springs and the fossilized remains of Ice Age megafauna. A small herd of bison roams the grounds, recreating a scene from the Pleistocene epoch.
- Location: 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY 41091
- Nearest Major City: Cincinnati, OH
- Website: parks.ky.gov/union/parks/historic/big-bone-lick-state-historic-site
- Phone: (859) 384-3522
- Visitor Interests: Visiting the museum and visitor center, seeing the bison herd, hiking the trails to see the salt-sulfur springs and fossil dig sites, camping.
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III. Private Attractions
Zoos, Botanical Gardens & Aquariums
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Newport Aquarium
Located across the river from Cincinnati, the Newport Aquarium showcases a wide variety of aquatic life from around the world. It is known for its innovative exhibits, including the first-in-the-world Shark Bridge.
- Location: 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071
- Nearest Major City: Cincinnati, OH
- Website: newportaquarium.com
- Phone: (859) 261-7444
- Visitor Interests: Crossing the Shark Bridge, walking through the underwater tunnels, touching stingrays and sharks, seeing penguins and alligators.
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Louisville Zoo
The state zoo of Kentucky, the Louisville Zoo exhibits over 1,700 animals in naturalistic habitats. It is a leader in conservation and is known for its award-winning Glacier Run and Islands exhibits.
- Location: 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213
- Nearest Major City: Louisville
- Website: louisvillezoo.org
- Phone: (502) 459-2181
- Visitor Interests: The award-winning Islands and Glacier Run exhibits, seeing gorillas and orangutans, the splash park, the carousel and other rides.
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Kentucky Horse Park
A one-of-a-kind educational theme park and working horse farm dedicated to man's relationship with the horse. It features museums, live horse shows, and opportunities to meet different breeds of horses.
- Location: 4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40511
- Nearest Major City: Lexington
- Website: kyhorsepark.com
- Phone: (859) 233-4303
- Visitor Interests: The International Museum of the Horse, the Hall of Champions, the Parade of Breeds show, horseback riding, seeing celebrity horses like Kentucky Derby winners.
Major Museums
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National Corvette Museum
Located just down the road from the factory where the iconic sports car is made, this museum showcases the history of the Chevrolet Corvette. It features over 80 Corvettes in period settings, concept cars, and interactive exhibits.
- Location: 350 Corvette Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Nearest Major City: Bowling Green
- Website: corvettemuseum.org
- Phone: (270) 781-7973
- Visitor Interests: Viewing the collection of historic and rare Corvettes, learning about the sinkhole that swallowed several cars, driving simulators, taking a tour of the nearby assembly plant (when available).
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Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
A must-see for baseball fans, this museum celebrates the story of the iconic Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Visitors can see how the bats are made, hold bats used by baseball legends, and get their own personalized souvenir bat.
- Location: 800 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
- Nearest Major City: Louisville
- Website: sluggermuseum.com
- Phone: (877) 775-8443
- Visitor Interests: Taking the factory tour, seeing the world's biggest baseball bat, the signature wall with thousands of player signatures, batting cages.
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Churchill Downs & Kentucky Derby Museum
Home of the "Greatest Two Minutes in Sports," Churchill Downs is the legendary racetrack that hosts the Kentucky Derby. The adjacent museum offers a comprehensive look at the history and tradition of this iconic horse race.
- Location: 704 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
- Nearest Major City: Louisville
- Website: derbymuseum.org
- Phone: (502) 637-1111
- Visitor Interests: Taking a walking tour of the historic racetrack, watching the 360-degree film "The Greatest Race," exploring the museum's two floors of exhibits, seeing live horse racing (seasonal).
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Ark Encounter
This unique attraction features a full-size replica of Noah's Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. The massive wooden structure houses three decks of exhibits that present a creationist view of history.
- Location: 1 Ark Encounter Dr, Williamstown, KY 41097
- Nearest Major City: Cincinnati, OH
- Website: arkencounter.com
- Phone: (855) 284-3275
- Visitor Interests: Exploring the massive Ark structure, the various exhibits inside, the Ararat Ridge Zoo, ziplining.
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Creation Museum
Located near the Ark Encounter, the Creation Museum presents a walk through biblical history from a creationist perspective. It features high-tech exhibits, a planetarium, and beautiful gardens.
- Location: 2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd, Petersburg, KY 41080
- Nearest Major City: Cincinnati, OH
- Website: creationmuseum.org
- Phone: (888) 582-4253
- Visitor Interests: Themed exhibits on creation and biblical history, the planetarium, botanical gardens, petting zoo.
Amusement & Water Parks
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Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay
A large amusement and water park complex located in Louisville. It offers a wide variety of roller coasters, thrill rides, family attractions, and an expansive water park with slides, wave pools, and a lazy river.
- Location: 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY 40209
- Nearest Major City: Louisville
- Website: kentuckykingdom.com
- Phone: (502) 813-8200
- Visitor Interests: A variety of roller coasters, thrill rides, family-friendly attractions, the Hurricane Bay water park (included with admission).
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Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon
Located in Bowling Green, this classic amusement park offers a blend of thrill rides, family attractions, and a water park. It is also home to the Beech Bend Raceway, a nationally recognized dragstrip.
- Location: 798 Beech Bend Park Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Nearest Major City: Bowling Green
- Website: beechbend.com
- Phone: (270) 781-7634
- Visitor Interests: Riding the Kentucky Rumbler wooden roller coaster, family rides, the Splash Lagoon water park, watching drag racing events.
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Oxmoor Center
A premier indoor shopping mall in eastern Louisville, offering a mix of upscale retailers, popular brand-name stores, and several dining options.
- Location: 7900 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40222
- Nearest Major City: Louisville
- Website: oxmoorcenter.com
- Phone: (502) 426-3000
- Visitor Interests: Upscale shopping (Von Maur, Pottery Barn), popular retailers, a food court, a children's play area.
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Mall St. Matthews
Located just across the expressway from Oxmoor Center, this large indoor mall is one of Louisville's most popular shopping destinations, featuring a wide array of stores and the city's only Cheesecake Factory.
- Location: 5000 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40207
- Nearest Major City: Louisville
- Website: mallstmatthews.com
- Phone: (502) 893-0311
- Visitor Interests: A vast selection of national retailers (JCPenney, Dillard's), numerous dining options, a large food court.
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Fayette Mall
The largest mall in Kentucky, Fayette Mall in Lexington is a major retail hub for the central part of the state. It offers a huge selection of stores, restaurants, and a large movie theater.
- Location: 3401 Nicholasville Rd, Lexington, KY 40503
- Nearest Major City: Lexington
- Website: shopfayette-mall.com
- Phone: (859) 272-3493
- Visitor Interests: An extensive collection of retailers, numerous sit-down restaurants and a food court, a large cinema complex, The Summit at Fritz Farm located nearby.
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The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass
The only major outlet mall in Kentucky, this open-air shopping center located between Louisville and Lexington offers significant savings on a wide variety of designer and brand-name merchandise.
- Location: 1155 Buck Creek Rd, Simpsonville, KY 40067
- Nearest Major City: Louisville
- Website: theoutletshoppesofthebluegrass.com
- Phone: (502) 722-5558
- Visitor Interests: Outlet shopping for numerous high-end brands, a covered food court, a pleasant outdoor setting.
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Florence Mall
A major shopping destination for the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati region, this indoor mall offers a wide selection of popular retail stores and dining options.
- Location: 2028 Florence Mall, Florence, KY 41042
- Nearest Major City: Cincinnati, OH
- Website: florencemall.com
- Phone: (859) 371-1231
- Visitor Interests: A variety of national retailers, department stores, a food court, a children's play area.
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Music and Products Associated with The Commonwealth of Kentucky
The Following album covers link to each song's specific page for this state. All lyrics have been written by Mark S. McKenzie/American Storyteller Music and The Lyrical Horizon and produced by Story Teller Books and Music or Loud Mouth Books and Music, Copyright 2025, All Rights Reserved:
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