Autumn Fun in Kentucky
Delicious bourbon, apple orchards and pumpkin picking plus fun haunted tours and more await in Kentucky this fall. Whether you’re looking for a bourbon experience or just some family fun, we have it here.
September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than in Kentucky, where 95% of the world’s supply of bourbon is produced. Bourbon distilleries across the state are offering updated tours following safety guidelines. There are more than 70 unique distilleries spread across the state – you might need to plan a few trips to experience them all! If you can’t make it in-person, celebrate with a socially-distanced cocktail night. Sip on a refreshing Woodford Reserve Classic Mint Julep on the first Saturday in September – the rescheduled Derby Day! Make Elijah Craig’s Happy Days are Here Again fall seasonal cocktail, complete with an apple slice garnish. Or try Maker’s Mark Bourbon Cider recipe.
Several of Kentucky’s orchards and roadside markets have play areas for kids as well as u-pick offerings, fresh produce, pumpkins, and more. In central Kentucky, Eckert’s Orchard near Versailles, Evans Orchard near Georgetown and Mulberry Orchard near Shelbyville are popular weekend spots for sampling fresh fall goodies and enjoying outdoor play areas. Dennison’s Roadside Market in Hart County near Mammoth Cave National Park is a local favorite, and it’s worth a trip just to see all the decorations. In western Kentucky, Reid’s Orchard hosts an annual Apple Festival; Jackson’s Orchard and Christian Way Farm both offer great selections of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Imel’s Greenhouse in Greenup and Kinman Farms in Burlington are great options for eastern and northern Kentucky.
Is it fall without visiting a pumpkin patch? We think not. The Truett Pumpkin Patch in McKee offers fun for the whole family on Fridays and Saturdays in the fall – admission includes a hay ride, pumpkin, corn maze, petting zoo and more! Devine’s Farm near Harrodsburg offers corn mazes and fall fun including bonfires, a hay maze, trike track and more during September and October. New this year, Louisville’s annual Jack O’Lantern Spectacular will be a drive-thru experience at Iroquois Park, running from October 1 to November 1.
Kentucky has plenty of ghostly attractions, too. Ghost encounters are a common occurrence at the 240 year-old Talbott Tavern Bed & Breakfast in Bardstown. Some claim to have seen the infamous outlaw Jesse James walking the old hallways, and others have seen a pale lady dressed in a 17th century white dress. The historic Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant in Berea has a myriad of ghosts wandering its halls and basement. And in the Daniel Boone National Forest lies the Blue Heron Mining Community, an abandoned coal town that has been restored for historic mining tours. The annual Ghost Train tour is the best time to see the shuttered town. The creaky buildings and echoing breeze can make even the most seasoned paranormal seeker feel on edge.
Before visiting Kentucky attractions, please check businesses’ websites and social channels for the latest COVID-19 information.
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