There are few areas in the United States that are rapidly increasing in terms of tourism more so than Kentucky.
There has been year-on-year growth in terms of the visitors that are travelling to the state, with the latest stats from 2023 showing that a staggering 79.3 million people visited Kentucky.
Those numbers indicate a 4.5% increase on the number of visitors in 2022, and it was also historically the most visitors ever recorded by the state.
That long-standing success looks set to continue throughout 2025, with major sporting events set to take place in the area. But, what are some of the sights that all visitors must see while they are in Kentucky?
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Ark Encounter
The Ark Encounter is one of the most unusual sights in Kentucky to see from a distance, as it is massive in size and can be seen from miles away.
The Christian theme park has been a popular sightseeing location for visitors since opening in 2016, and the site is based on Noah’s Ark. It is a massive building, standing at 510 feet long, and 51 feet high.
The theme park is operated by Answers in Genesis (AiG), which is a young Earth creationist organization that also operates the Creation Museum in Petersburg. Visitors can explore 132 bays in the ark, and they are encouraged to learn more about what life would have been like for animals that called the ship hope.
Aside from the Ark, there are a number of other attractions within the theme park, these include the two-story buffet style restaurant called Emzara’s. The establishment has the ability to house a capacity of 1,500 guests, which makes it one of the largest restaurants in the world.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
If you want to learn more about American history, then there are few more important spots in the state than Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park.
The location is a designation historic park, and preserves two farm sites in the LaRue County were Lincoln was born and spent his childhood. The former U.S. president was born at Sinking Spring, which is located south of Hodgenville.
Meanwhile, the visitor site is located here. Visitors are also free to explore the Knob Creek Farm in the northeast location, which is where the American hero lived until he was two.
It is an excellent opportunity to step back in time, and it is a perfect location for young families with picnic locations found at both stops.
National Corvette Museum
For petrol heads, there are few more must-see locations than the National Corvette Museum. This location showcases the Chevrolet Corvette, which has been in production in the United States since the 1950s.
It can be found at Bowling Green, which is near the General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where the cards are manufactured. The site was constructed in 1994, and it is open to public visitors throughout the year.
Its main aim is to education visitors from around the world about the evolution of the Corvette through the preservation and celebration of its legacy. The museum section of the site is a must-see for all those that are fascinated by cars, as there are unique exhibitions and immersive experiences on offer.
If you’re looking to learn more about the site, plant tours also run throughout the year, giving visitors a better understanding surrounding the work that is completed to develop and fine tune the car to make it road-safe. At the museum, you can also find the Corvette Hall of Fame, which has celebrated members of the community since 1998. Among the notable names in the Hall of Fame include former racing drivers Dick Thompson and Jerry Palmer.
Churchill Downs
No visit to Kentucky is complete without a trip to one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world- Churchill Downs. The track has been open to the public since 1875, and it is revered as one of the best locations for horse racing action in the world.
It is most famous for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby, which is the opening leg of the Triple Crown in the United States. Annually, around 170,000 fans attend the biggest race day on the U.S. calendar, and there have been superstar performers in the race that have defined the sport, with iconic winners such as Secretariat, Whirlaway, and Assault claiming victory.
You can check more information here: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/results/
However, there is never a bad time to take in a race day at Churchill Downs, with multiple graded races taking place throughout the year. Aside from hosting the Derby, other popular races that are staged at the track include the Fleur de Lis Stakes, Clark Stakes, and Turf Classic Stakes. The track also offers an insightful look into the history of the sport, with the museum open year-round.
*This article has been contributed to Owl Over The World.
