Top Regions of the Bluegrass State

10. Western Coal Fields

Owensboro (self-proclaimed “Barbecue Capital of the World”) is home to their International Bar-B-Q Festival and Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn (Note: Kansas City, Missouri also claims to be the “Barbecue Capital of the World”)

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9. Jackson Purchase and the Western Waterlands

• • • Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
    • Shaker Museum at South Union

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8. Northern Ohio River Region

Maysville (a small town gem) along the Ohio River

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7. Daniel Boone Country

Daniel Boone National Forest (including Red River Gorge Geological Area) and Natural Bridge State Park

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6. Kentucky Appalachians

Hatfield and McCoy County along Kentucky’s boarder with West Virginia, plus the Carter Caves State Resort Park

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5. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace and Southern Lakes Region

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and the Lincoln Heritage Scenic Highway National Scenic Byway (see Illinois – Land of Lincoln for more Abraham Lincoln sites)

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4. Cumberland Region

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (shared with Tennessee and Virginia – it is thematically related to Virginia’s Wilderness Road State Park)

• • • Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
    • Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
    • Just for fun: Harland Sanders Café and Museum in Corbin (the original Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant)

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3. Cave Country

Mammoth Cave National Park – a World Heritage Site

• • • Lost River Cave at Bowling Green
    • Hidden River Cave at Horse Cave
    • American Cave Museum at Horse Cave

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2. Bluegrass Country

• • • Horse Country around Lexington
    • My Old Kentucky Home State Park
    • Camp Nelson National Monument

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1. Kentucky Derby Country

Louisville

• • • The Kentucky Derby
    • Kentucky Derby Museum
    • Churchill Downs
    • Belle of Louisville Riverboat on the Ohio River

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State Info

A) State Nicknames+

• • • The Tobacco State
    • The Dark and Bloody Ground State

B) Iconic Foods

• • • Hot Brown
    • Fried Chicken
    • Owensboro Mutton Barbecue
    • Country Ham
    • Burgoo Stew
    • Spoonbread
    • Kentucky Derby Pie
    • Chocolate Bourbon Balls
    • Modjeska Candy
    • Ale-8-One Soda