Also known as the Bluegrass State, Kentucky has everything you need for a fun-filled honeymoon. It has beautiful scenery, country music roots, and friendly locals. From hiking the mountains to exploring museums, a Kentucky honeymoon is an excellent choice.
Table of Contents
Is Kentucky a Good Place for a Honeymoon?
Kentucky is a fantastic honeymoon destination. It’s easily accessible, vibrant, and provides visitors with many things to do and see. Trekking the Bluegrass Trail and enjoying the scenic views of the rolling hills are some activities that guarantee an experience of a lifetime.
For history enthusiasts, the historic towns have everything to offer love-stricken newlyweds.
Additionally, if your honeymoon must include soaking up in the waters, you can head to various bodies of water, such as Laurel River, Dale Hollow, and Cumberland Lakes.
What Activities Can You Do on a Honeymoon in Kentucky?
- Visit museums: Peruse the Louisville Slugger Museum, the Muhammed Ali Center, the Creation Museum, or the Speed Art Museum.
- Visit the Kentucky bourbon distilleries: Raise your glass and savor some of the most famous bourbons, such as Maker’s Mark, Old Forester, Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace, and Evan Williams. If you prefer an all-inclusive tour, try the Bluegrass Bourbon Tour in Elizabethtown. It features several famous distilleries, including Four Roses and Woodford Reserve.
- Horseback riding: Whether you’re an experienced pro or a beginner, there are numerous places where you can learn or practice this sport.
- Watch a horse race at Keeneland track: Place your bets before watching the race. For a better experience, you can start your tour at the Kentucky Derby Museum and learn about racing history.
- Take a day trip to Old Town Berea: This area is the best place to take in Kentucky’s culture. Here you’ll find folk arts and crafts made by locals.
- Visit the Lost River Cave at Bowling Green: It’s perfect for adrenaline-packed activities such as zip lining and boat riding.
- Trekking and hiking: With numerous options, you can choose between the Red River Gorge, Cumberland Gap, or the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation area.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Kentucky?
The best months to visit Kentucky are between June and September. These months have comfortable temperatures, with highs around 87°F and lows of 65°F. The landscape is green in June, and it’s the best time to enjoy live bluegrass performances.
During fall, the foliage is breathtakingly beautiful owing to the colorful shades of yellow, red, and orange. While summer (June to August) has the best weather, it’s usually more crowded.
Keep in mind that the famous Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday of May. While it’s an enjoyable time to visit, accommodation prices soar.
Is a Honeymoon in Kentucky Expensive?
Most couples spend between $2,000 and $4,000 on a honeymoon in Kentucky. Ultimately, the price may be higher or lower depending on the type of accommodation, food, and activities you choose.
How To Plan a Budget Kentucky Honeymoon
- Fly on a budget airline and pack light. Or, consider taking a train instead of flying. The seats are comfortable, and the fare is cheap.
- Enjoy free activities such as sightseeing, hiking, and visiting affordable places, including museums.
- Stay in mid-range hotels and vacation rentals. While they may not be as romantic, they’re cozy, and you can cook some meals.
- Use public transport (buses and trains) to move around instead of renting a car.
- Eat in budget-friendly cafes instead of tourist traps.
5 Best Cities to Stay In Kentucky
Louisville
Located on the Ohio River and West of the Appalachian mountain, Louisville is a bubbly town with iconic attractions and world-class hotels. It’s a great city for romantic strolls and picnics at the Lousiville Waterfront Park or Beckley Creek Park.
Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory and see some fantastic baseball artifacts and learn a thing or two about baseball. You also don’t want to miss the Kentucky Derby Museum to learn about horses and have a guided tour of Churchill Downs racetrack.
Where to stay: Southern Indiana, Nulu, South Louisville
Lexington
Lexington is the second-largest town and is known as the world’s horse capital. The Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland, and Red Mile race courses are major attractions where you can learn about and ride horses. If you time your visit right, you may witness a live horse race or auction.
On Saturday mornings and Tuesday afternoons, visit and shop at the Bluegrass Farmer’s Market for the freshest products, including fruits, jams, and honey. When you’re ready for a drink, tour the distilleries such as Woodford Reserve and James E. Pepper.
Where to stay: Lexington downtown, Fayette, Boone Creek
Bowling Green
This is the best place for history lovers. It’s a historic town and hosts several museums like the National Corvette Museum, Kentucky Museum and Library, and the historic Railpark and Train Museum.
Once you’ve exhausted the museums, visit the Lost River Cave for ziplining and an underground boat tour. You can also hike the Civil War Discovery Trail or the Hollow Bike Trail. For a more relaxing afternoon, take a romantic stroll at Fountain Square Park or visit the Riverview at Hobson Grove historical home.
Where to stay: Downtown, Beddington Park, Bowling Green East
Frankfort
This is Kentucky’s capital and hosts the government center, where you can take self-guided tours of important buildings, including the new Capitol Building. Frankfort is one of the most scenic places due to its well-maintained parks. Also, plenty of shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment venues exist here.
Spend a day at Cove Spring Park and enjoy the hiking trails, waterfalls, wildflowers, and walking paths. To satisfy your sweet tooth, visit the Rebecca Ruth Candy Museum. Alternatively, go on a bourbon tour at distilleries, including Buffalo Trace and Castle and Key.
Where to stay: Bellepoinht, Crescent Hill, Indian Hills
Elizabethtown
This small town in Kentucky is perfect for a romantic getaway since it’s quieter. If you or your loved one is a car lover, ensure you check out the Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear museum and see models from as early as the 1900s. In addition, this is where you’ll find Abraham Lincoln’s childhood home.
Take an exciting day trip to the Mammoth Cave National Park and experience one of the world’s longest cave systems. Enjoy romantic walks or picnics at Elizabethtown Nature Park or Freeman Lake Park for something calmer. Compare bourbons on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and toast to new beginnings in one of the distilleries.
Where to stay: Freeman Lake Park, Town center
What Is the Best Way to Travel to Kentucky?
Unless you live nearby, you’ll likely fly into Kentucky. You can get direct flights from major US cities, and your destination airport depends on where you’re coming from. The three most notable airports are:
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Intl (CVG)
- Lexington Blue Grass Airport (LEX)
- Louisville International Airport (SDF)
Traveling Within Kentucky
Renting a car is the best way to move around Kentucky. Apart from offering privacy, it’s also the most convenient way to get to attractions far from road and rail tracks. You can also hire or taxi or use a ride-sharing app, but you will probably spend a lot of money.
Buses are an option to move from one town to another. However, most do not favor tourists since the routes aren’t practical for sightseeing. Similarly, trains aren’t very popular with tourists, but you can use them to move from major towns such as Ashland, Portsmouth, and Fulton.
What Types of Honeymoon Accommodations Are Available in Kentucky?
Kentucky has several accommodations to fit your budget and fantasies, including luxury hotels, mid-range hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals.
If you’re looking for something unique, consider the Kentucky Castle, built in 1969 on over 100 acres of land. On the other hand, you could rent a luxury yurt in Red River Gorge for a slightly more primitive experience.
What Type of Food Should You Try in Kentucky?
- Hot brown: This traditional open-face turkey sandwich includes tomato, bacon, and mornay sauce. It’s perfect for early morning breakfast.
- Bourbon balls: These are sweet snacks made from rolling crushed cookies, pecans, and bourbon and aging them for a week.
- Benedictine: This is a dip made with grated cucumber and onion, sour cream, cream cheese, and spices. It also makes a great sandwich spread.
What to Pack For a Honeymoon in Kentucky
Kentucky is casual, and packing depends on your taste and the weather. Don’t forget to pack comfortable hiking shoes, sunscreen, hats, sunscreen, light layers, and swimwear.
Is Kentucky Safe to Visit?
Tourist areas of Kentucky are generally safe for visitors. However, the crime rate is still high, and you must be cautious to stay safe. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Mind your belongings at all times.
- Avoid night walks, especially in dark alleys.
- Pay attention to tornado warnings.
- Be alert when walking on the roads to avoid muggers and pickpockets.
- Avoid sketchy neighborhoods, including Duncan Park, Maysville, and Castlewood Park.
- Be careful when interacting with strangers to avoid scams.