Top Day Trips from Louisville
Local to Louisville or using it as a homebase for your next holiday? Here's a list of 1-, 2-, and 3-hour road trips you can take in one day to satisfy that travel craving and explore some of the marvelous attractions nearby cities and towns have to offer.
UNDER 1 HOUR
Red Fern Riding Center | 5063 Aiken Road, Simpsonville, KY
The quickest trip on this list, sitting at just over 30 minutes from the heart of Louisville, is the Red Fern Riding Center in Simpsonville. Experience Kentucky's Horse Country by taking a guided tour on horseback. Explore the equestrian center and nature preserve as you and your trusty steed saunter down the trail with a seasoned guide. The 1.5 hour tours include a safety training and short introductory lesson, followed by a one hour ride out on the trail.
Claudia Sanders Dinner House | 3202 Shelbyville Road, Shelbyville, KY
Opened in 1968 by Colonel Sanders and his wife Claudia, the Claudia Sanders Dinner House stands as a local landmark attracting visitors from far and wide. The menu boasts an array of classic southern dishes, including crispy fried chicken, succulent collard greens, and fluffy cornbread, alongside other traditional delicacies. The property once served as the Sander’s residence and the base of operation for Kentucky Fried Chicken, eventually helping KFC grow into a world-wide organization.
Buffalo Trace Distillery | 113 Great Buffalo Trce, Frankfort, KY
One of the most visited Bourbon distilleries in the world, Buffalo Trace is around a 1-hour drive from downtown Louisville. Choose from five different tours, all of which are complimentary and include a tasting of some of their products. Each tour offers a unique experience and will be led by a guide to tell the bourbon-filled stories that are key to the distillery's rich, centuries-old past. Advanced reservations are highly recommended as they fill up quickly.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park | 2995 Lincoln Farm Road, Hodgenville, KY
For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of America's 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Considered a National Historic Park, this site is considered the first memorial to President Lincoln and is just a one hour drive from downtown Louisville. As Kentucky's only native U.S. President, Lincoln's early life on the state's frontier shaped his character and prepared him to lead the nation through Civil War. Choose from a variety of tours that showcase Lincoln's birthplace, childhood home, and the surrounding forest.
UNDER 2 HOURS
The Kentucky Castle | 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY
Located on a 100+ acre property outside of Lexington, this truly one-of-a-kind estate offers Southern hospitality within the walls of a Medieval-style stone castle. Just over an hour away, visitors can sign up for a tour of the castle and its grounds to appreciate the beautiful architecture and learn about the history of the historic structure. Make a reservation for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at its farm-to-table restaurant, or check the event calendar for things like Downton Abbey themed tea parties and Murder Mystery dinner parties.
Ark Encounter | 1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, KY
Sitting at 510 feet long and 51 feet wide, this life-size Noah's Ark replica can be found around 1.5 hours from Louisville. The outside of the massive structure is only the beginning as the religious experience continues inside on three decks full of beautifully crafted teaching exhibits. See how Noah and his family lived on the ship, the out-of-this-world animals that were transported, and several historical accounts of 'The Great Flood' collected from around the world. The Creation Museum, animal encounters, zip lines, and a playground are also all available to add to the experience.
Mammoth Cave | 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy Mammoth Cave, KY
Explore the world's longest cave system, located just over an hour and a half outside of Louisville. Choose from a variety of tours that explore the 400-mile passageway which includes sinkholes, domes, dripstones, and more. Mammoth Cave National Park encompasses more than just the cave system; it also offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, and camping on over 52,000 acres in south central Kentucky.
Newport Aquarium | 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY
Discover the wonder of an underwater world to see thousands of exotic aquatic creatures, playful penguins and even a rare white alligator. Encounter adventures like the first-in-the-world Shark Bridge, where you can cross inches above a tank full of sharks. Step up to the touch tank at the Shore Gallery and get hands-on as you touch a variety of animals living in a tide pool like anemones, sea stars, sea urchins, rays and more. The trip to the aquarium will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes one way.
National Corvette Museum | 350 Corvette Drive, Bowling Green, KY
Indulge in automotive history at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Not far from Mammoth Cave National Park, and about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Louisville, learn about America's sports car through captivating exhibits and immersive experiences. Be sure to check out the newest exhibit: 'Pop Culture & Corvette', which celebrates Corvette as more than just a car—it’s a cultural phenomenon that has captivated hearts and imaginations for generations.
Perfect North | 19074 Perfect Lane, Lawrenceburg, IN
Perfect North Slopes is one of the premier ski areas in the Midwest and just under 2 hours from Louisville. Spend your day on the snowy slopes complete with 5 chairlifts, 7 carpet lifts, 23 trails, 2 terrain parks and 25 tubing lanes. With a great mix of diverse terrain and activities, there is something for both first timers and pros alike. Return to the cozy Lodge after a long day in the snow, to eat at the Chow Corral then grab dessert at the new ice cream and coffee shop.
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame | 311 West 2nd St. Owensboro, KY
Bluegrass music is a key component to Kentucky culture. Interact with the history of Bluegrass music and the people and instruments who made it at this immersive museum just under 2 hours outside of Louisville. Tour through limited-time exhibits, permanent features, and the Hall of Fame itself. Check the calendar to catch a live show or jam session and experience the true beauty of bluegrass.
UNDER 3 HOURS
Red River Gorge | 3451 Skybridge Road, KY
Once home to indigenous people as far back as the Paleoindian era, the Red River Gorge region was shaped by millions of years of geologic activity. Visit the iconic Natural Bridge at Natural Bridge State Park, or one of the dozens of other trails, before eating lunch at Miguel's Pizza. A must for first time visitors. The Gorge has plenty to do in addition to hiking, including ziplining, mini-golf, helicopter tours, and even underground kayaking through an abandoned limestone quarry.
Harland Sanders Cafe & Museum | 688 U.S. Highway 25 West, Corbin, KY
Around 2.5 hours from Louisville see where Kentucky fried Chicken was born at Colonel Sanders’ original restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky. Carefully restored and placed on the National Register of Historical Places, you'll get to visit the restaurant as it appeared in the 1940’s. Experience eating delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken in the Colonel’s dining room and take in his innovative open-kitchen and model motel room. Also, view the exhibits featuring the Colonel’s artifacts and memorabilia from the early days of KFC.
Cumberland Falls | 7351 Highway 90 Corbin, KY
Known as the 'Niagara of the South,' the 125-foot curtain of water falling into a boulder-strewn gorge is dramatic day or night. After viewing the epic Cumberland Falls, you can tour the 1937 Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower with one of our naturalists, hike the Eagle Falls Trail, gem mine for fossils in season and go horseback riding through the forest. Visit during a full moon and you can see the moonbow, a phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. The Cumberland Falls State Park is located just under 3 hours from downtown Louisville.
Get to know some locations closer to Louisville by exploring one of the city's diverse and upcoming neighborhoods.