Monday, June 30, 2008

Welcome to the Bluegrass State

Kentucky is famous for breeding horses, the Kentucky Derby, tobacco, and bourbon. There are lots of historical people from Kentucky starting with Daniel Boone, Abraham Lincoln, the McCoys from the famous Hatfield & McCoy dispute, Bill Monroe and Loretta Lynn.



Kentucky Music Hall of Fame
located in Renfro Valley honors Kentucky music professionals who have made a difference to Kentucky and the world through music whether it's the songwriter, the performer, or the promoter. Members include Dwight Yoakum, the Judds, and Ricky Skaggs just to mention a few.



Let's round up the kids and take them to the Louisville Science Center for hands on, interactive exhibits like The World We Create, The World Within Us, and the World Around Us. We can take on an educational show at the IMAX theaters or learn about the dinosaurs.



We can go the Muhammad Ali Center to learn about the boxing legend himself who was born in Kentucky. Or if baseball is more your style, we can go to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory to see what has to be the world's largest baseball bat and learn about the history of the baseball bat.



I love quilts. Inside each quilt is a world of history from the woman who made it. So I would love to go to the Museum of American Quilters in Paducah. Quilt designs have come a long way from just being a design in a square. Some are so elaborate they look like paintings but the squares are still my favorite.

Church Hill Downs is where the Kentucky Derby takes place and at Gate 1, you can stop by the Kentucky Derby Museum to learn all about thoroughbred racing. I'm concerned that I might be looking more at the hats than actually watching the races.



Kentucky also has a long list of lakes and parks where we can experience outdoor adventure. Some of the include Red River Gorge, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky Lake or Cumberland Falls.

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival sounds like it is only for the brave but it looks like it's a lot of fun for everyone. It's coming up in September and there is a long list of great activities.



So, as you can see, there are lots of great things to do in Kentucky. I've just got you started. What's your favorite part of Kentucky?

Fun facts for Kentucky are: the state flower is the Goldenrod Giant (I thought that was a weed), the state bird is the cardinal and the state butterfly is the Viceroy Butterfly.



All Kentuckians are to report to the Bourbon Deck on THURSDAY, July 3rd to tell us what makes Kentucky the Taste of USA!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The bluegrass state, huh? Well, seeing as how I was born and raised here I guess I should give my 2 cents. I grew up in the most northern part of the state, which as we discussed on Ohio's day should just be a part of Ohio anyway. Since it's not though, I guess you could say it is most well known for Newport on the Levee. This is right on the Ohio River and includes the Newport Aquarium, shopping, movie theatre, restaurants, bars, etc.

Kentucky is also famous for Lexington, better known as the home for the University of Kentucky. It truly is a college town.

Then, there is my favorite part of the state- Louisville. It is an eclectic city with a little bit of everything- arts, sports, education, etc. There is, of course, the Kentucky Derby, Louisville slugger museum and the Muhammad Ali museum, but there is also a great waterfront park right on the river. I also really enjoy the Louisville Science Center which Cheryl mentioned- it's not only great for kids, though because I've had a blast in there!!

My favorite part of Kentucky is the rolling hills, the picket white horse fences, and the way the trees change colors in the fall. Just my 2 cents, though!

Anonymous said...

I am also a fellow native Kentuckian, and am quite partial to our state.
After driving through several states I'm struck by their beauty, but none can quite compare to the lucious green rolling hills, black and white horse fences, encasing the beautiful thoroughbreds.
I've always said about Louisville - it's north enough and large enough to be fun, but south enough and small enough to still be friendly :)