Top 15 Most Interesting Facts About Kentucky

1. State Motto: "United we stand, divided we fall."
2. State Bird: Northern Cardinal.
3. State Flower: Goldenrod.
4. Kentucky is known as the Bluegrass State because of its bluegrass pastures.
5. The Kentucky Derby, held in Louisville, is the longest-running horse race in the U.S.
6. Kentucky produces 95% of the world’s bourbon supply.
7. Mammoth Cave National Park is the longest cave system in the world, with over 400 miles of explored caves.
8. Fort Knox, home to the U.S. Bullion Depository, stores most of the nation's gold reserves.
9. Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), started his first restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky.
10. Lexington is known as the Horse Capital of the World for its thoroughbred farms and racing culture.
11. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the U.S., was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky.
12. The Red River Gorge is a popular destination for rock climbing and hiking enthusiasts.
13. Kentucky is home to the first commercial vineyard in the U.S., established in 1799.
14. Daniel Boone helped establish the Wilderness Road, opening the Kentucky frontier to settlers.
15. The Louisville Slugger Museum showcases the history of baseball bats used by major league players.

Geography of Kentucky

Kentucky’s landscape includes rolling hills, caves, and waterways. Key features include:

• Highest Point: Black Mountain (4,145 feet).
• Lowest Point: Mississippi River at 257 feet above sea level.
• Major Rivers: Ohio River, Kentucky River, and Cumberland River.

A Brief History of Kentucky

Kentucky’s history is rich with pioneer heritage, horse racing, and bourbon production:

• Originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Shawnee and Cherokee.
• Explored by Daniel Boone in the late 18th century.
• Became the 15th state of the U.S. on June 1, 1792.

Top 10 Things to Do in Kentucky

1. Attend the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
2. Explore Mammoth Cave National Park.
3. Tour the Bourbon Trail and visit distilleries like Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam.
4. Hike and rock climb at Red River Gorge.
5. Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory.
6. Tour horse farms in Lexington and watch a race at Keeneland.
7. See the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln in Hodgenville.
8. Relax on a houseboat in Lake Cumberland.
9. Learn about Appalachian culture at the Kentucky Folk Art Center.
10. Explore the historic Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.

Top 10 Destinations in Kentucky

1. Louisville
2. Lexington
3. Mammoth Cave National Park
4. Bourbon Trail
5. Red River Gorge

Plan Your Visit

For more information about Kentucky, visit the state’s official tourism site: Kentucky Tourism