KENTUCKY
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What's New in Kentucky?

For more information contact:
Chris Kellogg, Director of Communications
Kentucky Department of Travel
Chris.Kellogg@ky.gov
(502) 564-4930 ext. 117

Kentucky is within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population and borders seven states. Within its borders are some of the newest and best attractions. Kentucky’s geography varies from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to America’s largest inland peninsula, Land Between the Lakes, in the west. In between are beautiful rolling hills, enticing waterways and bluegrass horse country. Kentucky boasts temperate weather; a gracious mix of urban and rural settings and a population known for its hospitality. The commonwealth is home to the world-famous Kentucky Derby, the birthplace of bourbon and bluegrass music. Popular pastimes in Kentucky include horse racing, house boating, wine and spirit tours and visiting artisans’ workplaces.

History

Kentucky, a former county of Virginia, was admitted to the Union as the fifteenth state on June 1, 1792. Kentucky is one of four states to call itself a “commonwealth.” Famous Kentuckians include: both presidents during the Civil War (Union President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis); singer Loretta Lynn; boxer Muhammad Ali; and actor George Clooney.

Significant Attractions

• Churchill Downs (Louisville)
• Kentucky Derby Museum (Louisville)
• Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory (Louisville)
• Muhammad Ali Center (Louisville)
• Frazier International History Museum and Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft (Louisville)
• Kentucky Horse Park (Lexington)
• Keeneland horse-racing track (Lexington)
• Newport Aquarium and Newport on the Levee (Newport)
• Purple People Bridge Climb (Newport)
• Bourbon distilleries (sites vary)
• Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum
• Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
• Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
• Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill and Beaumont Inn
• Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
• Abraham Lincoln Birthplace and boyhood home
• National Corvette Museum and General Motors Assembly Plant
• Mammoth Cave National Park
• Land Between the Lakes
• International Bluegrass Music Museum
• Museum of the American Quilter’s Society(Paducah)

Climate

Kentucky’s mild climate features warm summers and moderate winters. The warmest month is July with an average high/low temperature of 86°/66° Fahrenheit (30°/19°Celsius); the coolest month is January with an average of 40°/23° Fahrenheit (4°/-5° Celsius).

How to Get There

• Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) offers regularly scheduled direct international flights from such cities as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Montreal and Toronto
• Kentucky’s other principal airports are Louisville International Airport (SDF) and Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport (LEX)
• Greyhound bus line offer stops throughout Kentucky
• Louisville, the state’s largest city, is 53 miles (86 kilometers; 1 hour by car) from Frankfort, the state capital
• 415 miles (668 kilometers; 7 hours by car) from Atlanta, GA
• 287 miles (462 kilometers; 5 hours by car) from Chicago, IL.

Times

Two thirds of Kentucky is in the country’s Eastern Time Zone. The western third of the state is in the Central Time Zone. Kentucky observes Daylight Savings Time from late April through October.
For additional travel information, call 1-800-225-8747 (while in the United States or Canada) or 1-502-564-4930 (outside the United States), fax 1-502-564-5695 and internet site: www.kentuckytourism.com