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Published:
Jul/Aug 2004
Jul/Aug 2004
Above: A campground on Kentucky Lake in western Kentucky. Kentuckytourism.com photo
Below: Wouldn’t you look good in this car? See this and others at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. Kentuckytourism.com photo
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or a mid- or late-summer getaway, consider southwestern Kentucky. Offering visitors lake recreation, a national cave for touring and interesting attractions, Kentucky is a close-to-home destination that can be fun for the entire family.JUMP IN THE WATER
The western part of Kentucky is home to a 170,000-acre playground known as the Land Between the Lakes. Formed by Kentucky’s two largest bodies of water–Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley–the national recreation area is known for fishing, boating, hiking or camping.
Take a break from fun in the sun and visit The Homeplace, located in the Tennessee portion of Land Between the Lakes. Enter a rural Tennessee farm much as it would have appeared in the mid-19th century. Take a leisurely stroll through the grounds and farm buildings and visit with interpreters. It is open daily through October.
KENTUCKY IN DEPTH
Another scenic part of southwest Kentucky is Mammoth Cave National Park, the most extensive cave system in the world. With 350 miles of mapped passages and 13 tours, visitors could explore this underground wonder for days. Mammoth Cave is one of the Top 10 most-visited U.S. national parks and is Kentucky’s most popular attraction.
ATTRACTIONS AND FESTIVALS TO EXPLORE
Americans have personal relationships with their cars, and perhaps no vehicle has inspired passion like the Corvette. When admiring a ‘vet, it’s hard not to think to yourself, “I’d look good in that car.” Enthusiasts will want to check out the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. Pose for a photo opportunity next to a sleek, red Corvette and bring it home for your office.
Kentucky is a hot spot for arts and crafts, and quilters will want to see the Museum of the American Quilter’s Society in Paducah. Celebrating 20 years, this is the largest quilt museum in the world, with 300,000 square-feet to explore. A gift shop has quilting supplies, accessories and gifts.
It would be hard not to find a weekend with a festival or event going on in Kentucky. Louisville will open the 100th Kentucky State Fair, Aug. 19–29. For discounted, advance tickets, visit www.kystatefair.org. Louisville, an easy drive from Paducah or Bowling Green via the Western Kentucky Parkway or Interstate 65 respectively, this Ohio River town with attractions such as the Seelbach Hotel, riverboat rides and the Louisville Slugger Museum. Take the tour and you’ll give a 16-inch Louisville Slugger baseball bat as a memento.
This summer, Kentucky is waiting for you and your family. Before the warm breezes disappear, explore this friendly state for a weekend–or week–of fun.
For more information about Kentucky, contact 1-800-225-8747 or www.kentuckytourism.com.
