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Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: USD
- Languages: English
- Climate: Humid Continental
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Population: Approximately 4.6 million people.
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit Kentucky is during spring and fall for pleasant weather.
- Visa Requirements Kentucky, being part of the United States, follows U.S. visa policies. Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can enter without a visa for up to 90 days. U.S. citizens do not need a visa, while citizens of other countries may need a non-immigrant visa. EU and UK citizens typically qualify for the VWP.
About Kentucky
Kentucky is a treasure trove of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Known as the Bluegrass State, it is famous for its rolling green pastures, horse farms, and the world-renowned Kentucky Derby. Visitors are drawn to its stunning landscapes, including the Red River Gorge and Mammoth Cave National Park, which offer endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. The state's history is preserved in its many museums and historical sites, such as the Mary Todd Lincoln House and the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. Kentucky's unique blend of Southern hospitality, bourbon distilleries, and local cuisine makes it a compelling destination for travelers.
Top Attractions
1. **Mammoth Cave National Park**: Known for its extensive cave system, offering guided tours and adventure opportunities. 2. **Churchill Downs**: Home of the Kentucky Derby, a must-visit for horse racing enthusiasts. 3. **Red River Gorge**: A scenic area with numerous hiking trails and rock climbing opportunities. 4. **Bourbon Country**: Explore the famous bourbon distilleries like Jim Beam and Maker's Mark. 5. **Louisville Mega Cavern**: Offers ziplining and tram tours through an underground cave system.
Popular Activities
Kentucky offers a wide range of activities, from horseback riding through the countryside to exploring the vibrant arts scene in Louisville. Visitors can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and caving in the Red River Gorge and Mammoth Cave National Park. Cultural experiences include visiting historic sites like the Mary Todd Lincoln House and attending festivals like the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival.
Kentucky Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of USA
- Duration Range: Kentucky offers a wide range of activities, from horseback riding through the countryside to exploring the vibrant arts scene in Louisville. Visitors can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and caving in the Red River Gorge and Mammoth Cave National Park. Cultural experiences include visiting historic sites like the Mary Todd Lincoln House and attending festivals like the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival.
- Group Size: Small groups (up to 15 people)
- Difficulty Level: All Comfort Levels
- Recommended For: The best time to visit Kentucky is during spring and fall for pleasant weather. Pack layers for cooler mornings and evenings. Cultural etiquette includes being respectful of local traditions and history. Safety tips include being mindful of rural road conditions and following local advice during outdoor activities. Credit cards are widely accepted, but cash is useful for smaller establishments.
Average Tour Price: $95
Lowest Price Tour: $55
Highest Price Tour: $220
128 Available Tour Excursions in Kentucky
Embark on a spirited journey through the vibrant echoes of Lexington's East End, where each step reveals layers of history, culture, and intrigue. You'll indulge in expertly mixed cocktails and plates prepared by local chefs while your knowledgeable guide weaves a tapestry of captivating tales, transporting you through time. Discover a fascinating connection between Kentucky and Japan, forged by visionary entrepreneurs. Hear the thundering hooves of black horsemen who once dominated the sport of kings on the sprawling track that once graced Downtown's East End. Unravel the mystery behind a vault laden with tear gas nestled within a local showroom, a relic of bygone days with stories waiting to be told. With each revelation, you'll find yourself drawn deeper into the captivating narrative of Lexington's East End, a place where history and mystery intertwine to create an unforgettable experience. All guests must be 21+ with proper ID.
Price: $105.00
Duration: 3 hours
Are you a fan of the paranormal? Of true crime? Of stories about ghostly hauntings, grisly murders, and suicides? If so then the Covington Haunted History tour is perfect for you! Get ready for 2 full hours of stories about all things haunted in Covington! The tour covers some of the most dark and macabre stories about Covington, ranging from the ghostly hauntings of slaves, ship captains, and Civil War soldiers, to some of the grisliest true crime stories of murders and suicides in the city that will be sure to give you spine-tingling chills and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up! NOTE: this is a walking tour so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. The tour route is approximately 2 miles long. This tour is also available as a driving tour for those who are unable to walk two miles. However, this must be arranged with us at the time of your booking (not on the day of your tour), by calling us
Price: $38.00
Duration: 2 hours
Sip Kentucky Tours makes creating a once in a like time experience easy. We have done all the hard work by packaging the best Bourbon tour with the 3 most iconic distilleries Kentucky has to offer. We have thought of every detail from luxury transportation to an authentic, hearty lunch between stops to keep you energized. Our guides are all Bourbon lovers and know how to deliver 5 star experiences. By scheduling your tour with Sip Kentucky you will be pampered from pick up to drop off.
Price: $3,500.00
Duration: 8-9 hours
This is our most requested tour! We've curated 3 unique venues that we believe highlight the best that Kentucky has to offer. With the help of one of our experienced guides, your group will experience Central Kentucky’s famous bourbon, wine and thoroughbred industries first hand - all in one day.
Price: $379.00
Duration: 8-9 hours
Explore the heart of Kentucky's rich bourbon heritage with SIP Tours on our exclusive private tour of the world-renowned Kentucky Bourbon. This personalized journey offers an immersive experience into the craftsmanship and history behind America's native spirit. Tour Highlights: Custom Itinerary: Tailored to your preferences, visit iconic distilleries such as Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Bulleit, and more. VIP Access: Enjoy exclusive tastings, behind-the-scenes tours, and meet master distillers who share their expertise and passion for bourbon making. Scenic Landscapes: Traverse picturesque Kentucky countryside known for its rolling hills and historic distillery architecture. Details: Embark on a memorable journey through Kentucky's Bourbon Country with SIP Tours, where every sip tells a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and Southern hospitality.
Price: $3,500.00
Duration: 8-9 hours
Come out with us on an unforgettable journey through Louisville's LGBTQ+ past and present, while enjoying delicious bites and drinks in The Highlands, the heart of the city’s queer scene! As you follow your local guide through the charming, tree-lined streets of the historic Cherokee Triangle, you'll savor iconic Kentucky dishes like fried chicken, spoonbread, and a Louisville Hot Brown, all perfectly paired with bourbon cocktails. Along the way, you'll discover the rich and diverse history of Kentucky's queer community, from a trailblazing Black drag queen from the Prohibition era to the poets, writers, and activists who shaped Kentucky’s LGBTQ+ legislature and culture. You'll end your tour at one of the city's best gay bars, where the rest of your night will begin! This tour is proud to be locally owned, as well as developed and run by Queer community members. We aim to create a safe space for our guests as much as possible, and to support local and Queer-owned establishments.
Price: $179.00
Duration: 3 hours
No shared buses! This is a private vehicle for you and your group. On this full-day private Frankfort, KY, bourbon distillery tour, you will visit three separate distillery operations. On these stops, you'll learn information about making bourbon, while learning the history of some iconic brands. For this tour, please select (5-6) distilleries from the list ranked in order of importance. From there, we will coordinate with you and book (3) distillery tours with tastings for your group. These will booked based on availability, scheduling, and your ranking at your approval. By booking this tour, you'll receive: Hassle-free booking A private vehicle for your group Free pickup from your Louisville hotel or AirBnb Base-level admission to 3 distilleries A knowledgable & friendly designated driver Note, we will stop for lunch, but it is not included in this online price. Please send an email for questions. This trip will take about 8-10 hours in total.
Price: $479.00
Duration: 8-10 hours
Join us on an unforgettable journey through Lexington's haunted history! We'll visit some of the city's most infamous haunted sites to share the chilling tales of restless spirits and unexplained phenomena that have plagued these locales for centuries. Uncover the secrets preserved in historic buildings, spirits and dead bodies at Gratz Park, and murder cases that remain unsolved, even today. As we go, we'll savor local cuisine and cocktails for a truly unique experience that will leave you dying to come back!
Price: $115.00
Duration: 3 hours
No shared buses! This is a private vehicle for you and your group. On this full-day private Louisville, KY, bourbon distillery tour, you will visit three separate distillery operations. On these stops, you'll learn information about making bourbon, while learning the history of some iconic brands. For this tour, please select 5–6 distilleries from the list ranked in order of importance. From there, we will coordinate with you and book (3) distillery tours with tastings for your group. These will be booked based on availability, scheduling, ranking, and your final approval. By booking this tour, you'll receive: Hassle-free booking A private vehicle for your group Free pickup from your hotel or Airbnb Base-level admission to 3 distilleries A knowledgeable and friendly designated driver * Note: We will stop for lunch, but it is not included in this online price. This tour will take apx 9 hours in total. If time for another stop, we can add one at the group's expense.
Price: $479.00
Duration: 8-14 hours
Eat, drink, and uncover the clues on a guided murder mystery food tour! Someone’s been murdered, and it’s up to you to solve the case (or confess your crime). As you stroll to three local restaurants, you’ll gather clues with each round of delicious food and drinks. At the start of the tour, you’ll be given a role—so prepare to get into character! Dress in theme and bring your sleuthing skills – everyone has secrets, and no one is above suspicion. April-July Theme: Death at the Derby Step into the high-stakes world of the Kentucky Derby! The big race is nearly here - and between whispers of bad business deals, betrayal, and local rivalries, tensions are as high as ticket prices. Amid the glamour of the Derby, secrets run as deep as the betting pools at Churchill Downs. Derby Day has never been so thrilling—or so dangerous. So don your finest (or most ridiculous) Derby attire and prepare to race to the finish line in a dead heat to unravel unbridled deception!
Price: $179.00
Duration: 3 hours
You have a chance to choose three of the best distilleries in Kentucky and your tour guides has over 10 years of experience in Kentucky bourbon, you'll discover the best of all the distilleries, filling you with knowledge and fun, tasting the most iconic bourbons.
Price: $239.99
Duration: 6-8 hours
Enjoy a spooky good time exploring the streets of Newport Kentucky. Our guides with enthrall you with tales or murder, suicide and even decapitation. You will learn the horrifying story of Bobby Mackey's wicked haunting and discover the details of some of Newport's most infamous unsolved crimes.
Price: $32.00
Duration: 1 hours
No shared buses! This is a private vehicle for you and your group. On this full-day private Lexington, KY, bourbon distillery tour, you will visit three separate distillery operations. On these stops, you'll learn information about making bourbon, while learning the history of some iconic brands. For this tour, please select (5-6) distilleries from the list ranked in order of importance. From there, we will coordinate with you and book (2) distillery tours with tastings for your group, and (1) guided tasting only experience. These will booked based on availability, scheduling, ranking, and your final approval. By booking this tour, you'll receive: - Hassle-free booking - A private vehicle for your group - Free pickup from your hotel or Airbnb - Base-level admission to 3 distilleries - A knowledgeable & friendly designated driver * Note, we will stop for lunch, but it is not included in this online price. This tour will take about 9 hours in total.
Price: $479.00
Duration: 8-14 hours
Sipping in the South was born from a bold idea: bourbon deserves more than a bus ride, a stamp in a book, and a cookie-cutter, self-guided checklist. We’re the local experts who take the trail less traveled, carefully curating intimate, exclusive experiences for mixed and novice groups. Pick your one must-visit distillery and we build the day around it, selecting the best each stop has to offer including a fun mixology class. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail® is a great intro, but it’s only features a select group of distilleries that pay to be listed — but did you know, some of Kentucky’s best experiences aren’t even on their map! We go beyond the map to hidden gems, private tastings and unforgettable moment including great food. Every tour begins with our Bourbon 101 Social — a hands-on experience that teaches you how to nose and sip like a pro. Because when you understand bourbon, everything else gets better. And yes — we even save 30 minutes for rare finds at local liquor stores.
Price: $3,200.00
Duration: 8-9 hours
This ticketed tour combines The Kentucky Bourbon Trail with Kentucky’s Horse Country for a full day of adventure! The itinerary includes guided transportation, a horse farm tour at Kismet Thoroughbred Farm, 2 distillery experiences at Woodford Reserve and Whiskey Thief, along with a local lunch.
Price: $275.00
Duration: 9 hours
Attractively priced at $10 per person for groups of 5 to 15, this EXCLUSIVE tour is for those who don't have much time, but still want to see and learn a lot about the fascinating Old Louisville neighborhood. Only 1 or 2 in your party? No worries, you can still book this as a private tour! At the pace YOU set, stroll shady walking courts in the gas-lamp district and down the city's old Millionaires Row where bourbon barons, racetrack royalty, and the titans of tobacco made their homes. Landmarks you'll admire from the sidewalks include the Samuel Culbertson Mansion, Conrad's Castle, the William Wathen House, the Pink Palace, and the emblematic Fountain at St. James Court. On this jaunt you'll be treated to a treasure trove of grand architecture from the late 1800s, including stunning examples of Richardsonian Romanesque and Renaissance Revival styles, not to mention many variations on the Italianate, Châteauesque, Queen Anne, Federal, Neo-Georgian, and Arts & Crafts genres.
Price: $25.00
Duration: 1 hours
Expert-Guided Exploration: Embark on a paddleboarding journey led by seasoned guides, unraveling Louisville's history and landmarks along the serene Ohio River. Exclusive Views: Immerse yourself in unparalleled vistas of downtown Louisville, gliding past iconic landmarks including the Big Four Bridge and waterfront park. Beginner-Friendly Experience: Start your adventure with a tailored paddleboarding lesson, ensuring comfort and confidence for all skill levels. Personalized Captures: Commemorate your excursion with personalized snapshots against Louisville's picturesque skyline, curated by your knowledgeable guide.
Price: $89.00
Duration: 2 hours
We offer customized bourbon distillery tour transportation and help you build the perfect day for your group. There are tour experiences, tastings, cocktail bars, and great food. With so many choices, it’s essential that we talk about them and make sure that you and your group have the perfect day. There are 2 groups of distilleries. First, the distilleries to the south are Jim Beam, Four Roses Bottling and Warehouse, Heaven Hill, Willett, Lux Row Distillers, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Preservation Distillery, Log Still Distillery, Makers Mark, and Limestone Branch. To the east towards Frankfort and Lexington, there is Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Bulleit, Glenn’s Creek Distillery, Whiskey Thief Distilling Company, Castle & Key, Jeptha Creed, and J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery. Whiskey Thief Distilling lets you taste straight from the barrels. You can also hand-fill your own bottle. You can make your own blend at J. Mattingly.
Price: $1,800.00
Duration: 6-12 hours
1. Choose Your Tour
Browse our curated selection of tours and select your perfect adventure.
2. Check Details
Review tour inclusions, duration, and meeting points carefully.
3. Book Online
Complete your booking securely with instant confirmation.
4. Enjoy Your Experience
Join the tour and create unforgettable memories in Kentucky.
Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Kentucky's cuisine is a blend of Southern comfort food and local specialties. Signature dishes include the Hot Brown sandwich, Derby Pie, and fried chicken. The state is also famous for its bourbon, with many distilleries offering tours and tastings. Noteworthy restaurants include the Brown Hotel in Louisville, known for its Hot Brown, and the Grey Goose in Louisville, offering contemporary American cuisine.
Getting Around
To get to Kentucky, visitors can fly into Louisville International Airport or Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Local transportation includes car rentals, buses, and taxis. Renting a car is recommended for exploring the state's rural areas. Costs vary depending on the rental company and duration.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit Kentucky is during spring and fall for pleasant weather. Pack layers for cooler mornings and evenings. Cultural etiquette includes being respectful of local traditions and history. Safety tips include being mindful of rural road conditions and following local advice during outdoor activities. Credit cards are widely accepted, but cash is useful for smaller establishments.
Culture & Customs
Kentucky's culture is deeply rooted in Southern hospitality and tradition. Social customs include friendly greetings and respect for local history. The state celebrates numerous festivals, such as the Kentucky Derby Festival and the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. Important etiquette tips include being respectful of historical sites and engaging with locals in a friendly manner.
