Best Day Trips from Lexington, KY

There’s no better way to explore the beautiful state of Kentucky and its surrounding area than by hitting the road. You don’t need to book a long, expensive international trip to see great sights; Lexington offers amazing destinations just an hour or two away from home. Whether you enjoy exploring nature, visiting history, or simply taking a walk through some of the state’s coolest cities and towns, this list will help you discover some great day trips from Lexington.

Louisville

Louisville by Nicolas Henderson is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Perhaps one of the most obvious day trips, but one that still has to be mentioned thanks to its size and popularity, is Kentucky’s biggest city: Louisville. Just a 90-minute drive west from Lexington on Interstate 64, Louisville has a lot to offer travelers of all types, from sports fans to foodies.

Drop by the Louisville Slugger Museum to explore the Bat Vault, which houses over 3,000 original and historic bats (some used by baseball’s most legendary players). You also won’t want to miss the Muhammad Ali Center, which not only showcases the life of the late, great Muhammad Ali but also encourages visitors to explore their own characters, dreams, and values while working toward constant improvement.

Take an afternoon stroll by the riverfront, and finish up your day with a meal at Louisville hot spots, such as Garage Bar or Seviche, a local favorite.

Natural Bridge State Park

Named after the naturally created sandstone bridge that’s the main attraction of this particular destination, Natural Bridge State Park offers 10 hiking trails for people of all skill levels to enjoy, as most aren’t especially challenging. This family-friendly park sprawls out over 2,300 acres, but make sure you don’t miss the 78-foot-long, 65-foot-tall bridge itself.

Located in Daniel Boone National Forest, the park is just an hour east of Lexington by car.

Red River Gorge Geological Area

For lovers of the outdoors and active travelers looking for a more challenging time in nature, Red River Gorge Geological Area is a great day trip option right next door to Natural Bridge State Park. In addition to experienced hikers, you’ll find that rock climbers and kayakers flock to this area to test their skills on the canyon walls or on the river.

Explore over 70 miles of hiking trails ranging in difficulty from easy to quite advanced. While Natural Bridge is a wonderful retreat for those looking for a calmer, more relaxing time in nature, Red River Gorge appeals to Lexington’s outdoorsy folks, athletes, and adrenaline seekers. The geological area is also about an hour east of Lexington.

Fort Boonesborough State Park

Take a walk through Kentucky history by visiting an original pioneer town in Fort Boonesborough State Park. Established in 1775 by Daniel Boone himself, this town is officially older than the founding of the U.S.; in fact, its residents defended it against the British army during the Revolutionary War.

Today, historians and guides at the park show visitors what life was like for early residents of the town, and guests can experience pioneer life for themselves. Best of all, Fort Boonesborough is just a 45-minute drive southwest of Lexington.

Bernheim Forest

Just one and a half hours south of Lexington you can explore over 40 miles of trails that wind their way through the magical, wonderful world of Bernheim Forest. This is not your everyday walk in the woods, as Bernheim is an arboretum and research forest that contains the famous Forest Giants within its expanse.

The Forest Giants are three large wooden creatures that were created by a Danish artist to add a unique touch to the forest’s natural setting. Walk on the main two-mile loop to get a sense of the flora and fauna here and catch a glimpse of the Forest Giants. The forest closes at 7 p.m., so even if you stay until closing time, you can be back in Lexington in time for a late dinner.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

Although Abraham Lincoln became a state senator in Illinois, if you’re not a history buff, you may not know that the famous U.S. President who passed the Emancipation Proclamation was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Today, the Sinking Springs Farm home where Lincoln was born is a protected park open to visitors from all over the world.

Not only will you learn a lot more about the early years of Abraham Lincoln, but you’ll also get a sense of what life on the farm was like at the time and the conditions he would have been raised in before entering politics.

Although Lincoln left Sinking Springs Farm when he was just 2 years old, he then moved just down the road to Knob Creek Farm with his family. Knob Creek Farm is located within the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park today, so you can visit both locations just an hour and a half southwest of Lexington.

Bardstown

For a taste of some small-town charm, make your way to Bardstown, just an hour’s drive west on the Bluegrass Parkway. Bardstown is known as the Bourbon Capital of the World, thanks in part to the 11 distilleries you’ll find scattered around the town, most of which can be toured.

Make sure you also make a stop at Talbott Tavern, an interesting historic site in the area that still serves great food and drinks. The stone inn was built in 1779, and during its heyday hosted the likes of Jesse James and Abraham Lincoln. A variety of famous and infamous characters made stops in this tavern, partly thanks to its location as a western stagecoach stop. In fact, Talbott Tavern is considered the oldest surviving stagecoach stop in the U.S.

Ready To Take a Trip Outside of Lexington?

As you can see, Lexington has plenty of day trips to offer its residents no matter what their tastes and preferences. All you need is a reliable, comfortable car that gets great gas mileage, and you’re ready to go. Which trip do you want to take first? If we missed a destination near Lexington that you absolutely love, contact us at Jack Burford Chevrolet so we can add it to our list in the future.