Filter Tours
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: Half-day or Full-day
- Group Size: Intimate Groups
- Difficulty Level: Mixed Difficulty
- 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: $75
Lowest Price Tour: $55
Highest Price Tour: $220
119 Available Tour Excursions in Kentucky
Come discover why Mint Julep Experiences is the leading expert on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail - with nearly 20 years of experience, over 1 million guests served, and more than 5,000 5-star reviews! This 9 hour adventure includes 3 distillery visits with guaranteed tasting/tour reservations, a local lunch, private transportation and expert Tour Leader. Once booked, your dedicated Mint Julep Experience Coordinator will reach out to confirm and plan your itinerary based on your desired distillery route!
Price: $1,017.00
Duration: 8-10 hours
On this tour you will indulge in a premium tasting of exclusive bourbons at historic Buffalo Trace Distillery, enjoy a tour & tasting at Rabbit Hole Distillery, experience a tour & tasting at Bulleit Distillery, and savor a delicious meal at a locally loved spot. Come discover why Mint Julep Experiences is the leading expert on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail - with nearly 20 years of experience, over 1 million guests served, and more than 5,000 5-star reviews!
Price: $275.00
Duration: 9 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: $900.00
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: $1,525.00
Duration: 8-9 hours
Join Mint Julep Experiences for this Friday bourbon tour, which includes guided transportation, 3 distillery stops for tours and tastings, and a local lunch. Guests will enjoy lunch at a local favorite, a tour and tasting at Lux Row, a Connoisseur tasting at Heaven Hill, and a tour with tastings at James B. Beam Distilling Co. Come discover why Mint Julep Experiences is the leading expert on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail - with nearly 20 years of experience, over 1 million guests served, and more than 5,000 5-star reviews!
Price: $275.00
Duration: 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
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
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. November-December Theme: Murder Under the Mistletoe Snow Falls' Holiday Sweater Cocktail Crawl is the event of the season in the Snowhio River Valley! Each year, the city’s most festive souls gather in their flashiest, tackiest sweaters to revel in the spirit of the season. But this year, rumors are swirling along with the bourbon. Tonight, you're a star character - or perhaps the perpetrator! Dress up in your most extravagant ugly Christmas sweater and get ready to dig deep into a case of holiday chaos and bourbon-fueled intrigue.
Price: $179.00
Duration: 3 hours
Keeping it local for more than 20 years! Unlike large national companies that move into a city and cannibalize mom-and-pop enterprises, Louisville Historic Tours is a local tour operator started and run by locals. Showing off the best of the Derby City since 2004, our curated experiences rely on the talents of passionate individuals who live in and have a vested interest in the neighborhoods they showcase. In addition, our guided treks and experiential tours--all researched and written by Louisville author David Dominé--consistently receive accolades from national and international media sources, including The New York Times. When you sign up for a tour with Louisville Historic Tours, you're taking a tour with a local, and all of your money goes to local businesses and individuals. On average, Louisville Historic Tours pays its guides twice the rate paid by the national tour operators.
Price: $129.00
Duration: 3 hours
Touring a local bourbon distillery is a must-do when visiting Louisville. With included transportation, there's no need to designate a driver - you can concentrate on enjoying your friends! Visit three small-batch Kentucky bourbon distilleries Comfortable transfers between each: No need to designate a driver Private tour, exclusively for your party: A personalized experience Go behind the scenes at the distilleries and taste straight from the barrel
Price: $1,250.00
Duration: 10 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
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
A Bourbon Tour for the expert by the expert. We visit 3 distilleries plus visit a members only social lounge. If you are a bourbon expert looking for a real bourbon experience where you taste fantastic bourbons and sip award winners. this is the tour for you. We put the big dog bourbons head to head against the underdogs. We will introduce you to good bourbons, maybe a master distiller or a master blender and take an in-depth look into the industry. See bourbon in its natural habitat, distilleries, liquor stores and right from the barrels. The entire day is designed to hunt for bourbon and fill a suitcase to take home. With private transportation and a personal guide, our concierge-style tours go beyond the Kentucky Bourbon Trail This tour is all inclusive for up to 8 persons including: tickets, transportation, lunch, dinner reservations, cigar stop and a few special touches.
Price: $3,200.00
Duration: 8-9 hours
The historic Taylor Mansion in Newport’s East Row is open for guided tours led by Scott Clark, one of Northern Kentucky’s most respected historians and preservationists. Winner of the 2025 Cincinnati Preservation Champion Award and the 2025 Kentucky State Service to Preservation Award, Clark was instrumental in preserving the Mansion, creating historic districts, and saving Newport’s Southgate Street School, a landmark of African American educational history. Built in 1820 by General James Taylor Jr., the “Father of Newport,” the mansion reflects the city’s early prominence. Taylor served as Quartermaster General during the War of 1812 and shaped Newport into a thriving river city. Inside are hand-carved woodwork, fireplaces, and soaring ceilings, while its façade anchors the local Historic District. Clark’s tours make the mansion and East Row a lens into Newport’s history, from its riverfront economy to immigrant communities, cultural growth, and its place in Newport's Sin City past.
Price: $35.00
Duration: 1 hours
Experience the flavor and spirit of Bardstown! Take a guided stroll through the heart of downtown Bardstown as we visit a handpicked selection of bars, tasting rooms, and breweries. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a mix of premium bourbon tastings, craft cocktails, and local brews, each stop offering a unique flavor and story to discover. ✅ Visit iconic bourbon bars and local favorites ✅ Enjoy a custom cocktail paired with light bites ✅ Taste exclusive whiskeys in an intimate setting ✅ Relax with a classic beer-and-bourbon pairing ✅ Wrap up with a flight of local craft beers and a savory snack Ending Location: SCOUT & SCHOLAR BREWING CO. Address: 112 W Flaget St. Bardstown, KY 40004 *Attendees are encouraged to stay for dinner at the end of the tour PARKING AVAILABLE ON FLAGET AVE ACROSS FROM SCOUT & SCHOLAR *Please sip responsibly. We will be offering lots of water during and in between tastings.
Price: $152.00
Duration: 3 hours
️Reinventing the trail ....bourbon-at experience. Up to 7 Destillery... Private and exclusive transportation. Itinerary is personalized with your group, based on distilleries’ availability and travel time — always minimizing time on the road. No tours or tastings,j ust exploring, shopping, and finding rare bourbons you can only get here. Purchases are at your own cost. ️️ Buffalo Trace - Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor, Weller. Woodford Reserve — Double Oaked & Master’s Collection Heaven Hill — Elijah Craig & Larceny Barrel Proof. Four Roses — Ten signature recipes Castle & Key — Restoration Rye & small-batch Jeptha Creed — Bloody Butcher Corn bourbon Bluegrass Distillers — Blue Corn Bottled-in-Bond. Stitzel-Weller — Blade & Bow, home of the Pappy Van Winkle Evergreen liquors lousiville Hunter's Bourbon Take all the time you want at each stop — taste what you like, buy what you love, and move on when you’re ready. Reinventing the trail — bourbon-at experience. Up to 7 Destillery.
Price: $289.99
Duration: 6-10 hours
Are you a sportsman looking for a full day of fun? Our Clay Pigeon tour starts with trapshooting clay pigeons at the Blue Grass Sportsmen's League before stopping for lunch and ends with visiting 3 horse farm attractions. Guaranteed to be a great day of fun for men and ladies alike. A minimum of 4 guests is required, otherwise, the tour will be cancelled.
Price: $199.00
Duration: 8 hours
We offer a party bus for all occasions with flexible scheduling. The bus can accommodate up to 14 passengers comfortably. Bring your own coolers and food on board!
Price: $450.00
Duration: 3-12 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.
