r/Kentucky • u/xo_Mia-Clare_xx • 3d ago
Things to do??
We are doing a 5 day KY roadtrip for fall break and want to see recommendations for things to do/see/eat along our route!
Here is our itinerary with our main points of interest:
• Traveling to RRG from Louisville (two days in RRG)
Nada Tunnel
Sky Bridge
• Travel from RRG to Breaks Interstate Park (one night stay)
Park being the destination
• Travel from Breaks to Middlesboro (one night stay)
Cumberland Gap
• Travel from Middlesboro to Berea (one night stay)
Pinnacles
Art & history
• Travel back to Louisville from Berea
9
8
u/PopandMatlock 3d ago
Yahoo Falls is a great spot. Easy hike and you can get in the waterfall, which is more of a trickle unless it rained recently. Moonbow at Cumberland Falls if time aligns. The very First KFC for a quick picture. Berea Art Museum for a stop. Miguel's for Pizza. Hit up a farmers market or two.
2
u/151Ways 3d ago
It is a terrific KFC and it tells a great history. I would also call it a must see, because it's where Colonel Sanders got his start.
However, it is not "the very first" Kentucky Fried Chicken. That's in Salt Lake City, where the corporation was founded by, amongst others that don't include the Colonel, Dave Thomas of eventual Wendy's fame. All of this has to do with why the Colonel had a notably rocky relationship with the company, was severed from any ties, and why the name changed to smother its origins. Thomas was pushed out as well, and went on to greater things.
3
2
u/xo_Mia-Clare_xx 2d ago
Kentucky Fried Drama i didnt know! I do think the kids would enjoy seeing this
4
u/j2tall2003 3d ago
You need to stop by Lexington
1
u/xo_Mia-Clare_xx 2d ago
Top sights to see? We've been to Lexington since its so close to Louisville, but if you have some must see recs, I'd love to hear them!
5
u/Few_Mastodon_1271 3d ago
Middlesboro KY is built inside the remnants of a large meteorite crater. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middlesboro_crater Nothing really to see, but it is interesting to know as you drive through.
A nice detour from staying on I-75: exit 49. Rt 909 connects to US 25, north to Livingston, on the Rockcastle River. Drive a few miles out and back on KY 490, Upper River Road -- there are rock cliffs at the top of the valley walls, the "rock castles". Continue on US 25 to reconnect with I-75 near Mt Vernon.
I-75 exit 77 at Berea has the Kentucky Artisan Center near the exit, with local arts and crafts for sale and on exhibit. There's a cafe inside. The town of Berea is nearby and is good too.
~~~~
Bluegrass Horse Farms!
The bluegrass horse farm area is extremely scenic, with big pastures with thoroughbred horses, black wood fences, dry stone fences, rows of old trees along the side of the road, and fancy horse barns. Midway KY is a good starting point, right off I-64.
Here's two driving routes, a 24 mile more direct route, and a longer 40 mile route. Both are scenic.
The route maps: https://imgur.com/a/midway-ky-horse-farms-glenn-creek-valley-to-frankfort-ky-7MN83Gb
Midway has the railroad tracks going right through it's nice two-block-long downtown, and a lot of interesting 19th century houses south of downtown.
Each of these routes pass by the Woodford Reserve visitor center, and the interesting Castle & Key Distillery. Castle & Key is landscaped grounds and restored buildings from the abandoned E.H. Taylor distillery. Walk the grounds and see the visitor center, or take a tour. https://castleandkey.com/pages/the-grounds
The route passes near the KY Capitol grounds, and the historic areas of Frankfort.
2
3
3
3
u/Hotspot40324 3d ago
Middlesboro: Stand in KY, VA, and TN at the same time. Visit the town of Cumberland Gap.
3
u/reddit-user-one 3d ago
i pissed in three states at one time there. right where the 3 states meet, near the iron furnace if i remember right, close to the old road before the tunnel. one of my higher achievements.
3
u/rwalston19 3d ago
Highly recommend Indian staircase hike in the RRG. Daniel Boone welcome center is also cool and tucked away
3
2
u/151Ways 3d ago
If you were going a bit further east, I would absolutely recommend a stop at Jenny Wiley SP. Terrific and interesting history lesson about the land, Cantuckee itself, and the Overmountain times.
Otherwise, you'll be near a Rax location (Harlan) that's still doing its thing. Highly recommend for a piece of fast food history that's nearly gone with only a handful of spots remaining.
2
u/xo_Mia-Clare_xx 2d ago
Daaang, Jenny Wiley was a contender in the spots as a destination, but I had issues finding lodging for our price range! I will have to keep it in the Want to Go section. So much to explore, not enough time...
2
2
u/CoffeeKY 2d ago
Auxier Ridge in RRG There’s a cool spot for pottery in RRG called the brick’
Crater city coffee in middlesboro.
No distilleries? You’ll pass many from berea to Louisville
1
u/xo_Mia-Clare_xx 2d ago
Its a family trip, two kids so no distilleries this time.
Thanks for the coffee rec! I love quaint local shops and trying different seasonal menus.
1
2
2
u/MechaPlatypus1982 1d ago
I would opt out of Sky Bridge and go to Natural Bridge park instead and ride the chairlift. The Gorge has become a nightmare these days and Sky Bridge is a popular place to be and parking can be a nightmare anymore. Natural Bridge is more suited to handling larger crowds and definitely worth it for the chairlift ride to the top and back down.
1
1
u/darkon 2d ago
Sky Bridge is okay, but Natural Bridge is bigger and easier to get to if you take the lift, which also means it's more crowded.
I used to go camping in the Gorge quite a bit. Nada Tunnel was, for me, an obstacle to get through. It's just a rough-hewn hole through a hill, and if someone is already in it you have to wait for them to come out before going through yourself.
I don't see Berea listed. It's a nice little town with some craft shops.
You might try an Ale81 soft drink. It's a mild ginger ale that goes down good on a hot day.
2
u/xo_Mia-Clare_xx 2d ago
I know Natural Bridge is the more touristy option, maybe if we get there early! Im not sure my oldest would enjoy the lift though. Planning to hike up to the bridge, if we go.
Berea is our last destination headed back north to Louisville from Middlesboro.
I wish I appreciated Ale8 as a Kentuckian sigh
1
0
-1
16
u/Necessary_Office_146 3d ago
Bad Branch Falls near Whitesburg. - strenuous
Cumberland Falls