Discover the Roads Less Traveled in the Bluegrass State

RRG/Natural Bridge Area

Travelers can take advantage of the state’s central location and beautiful scenic drives to explore Kentucky’s hidden gems no matter the season. When you’re ready and feel comfortable traveling on a road trip, Kentucky is waiting.

In central Kentucky, take a relaxing drive through Horse Country(link is external) on Old Frankfort Pike(link is external) (KY 1681). This 16.9 mile scenic byway connects Frankfort(link is external) and Lexington(link is external), winding its way through with beautiful scenic horse farms surrounded by rock and wooden fences. Hungry? Stop in Wallace Station Deli and Bakery(link is external), an unassuming eatery created by popular Chef Ouita Michel(link is external). If you turn north onto U.S. 62, you’ll end up in the charming, historic town of Midway(link is external) with plenty of antique shops, boutiques and restaurants. There’s also Pisgah Pike(link is external) nearby, an approximately 5 mile long roadway running north and south from Old Frankfort Pike to U.S. 60 between Versailles(link is external) and Lexington. On the Lexington end, you’ll find a magical site – The Kentucky Castle(link is external), and further east along U.S. 60 is Keeneland(link is external), an internationally renowned racecourse and the Thoroughbred industry’s leading auction house.

The Red River Gorge National Geological Area(link is external) has some of the most deeply forested terrain surrounding the paved roads – bikers(link is external) especially enjoy it. Starting in Powell County(link is external) near Stanton, drive along the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway(link is external) for colorful foliage in the fall and the spectacular Nada Tunnel year-round – the one-lane tunnel is 900-feet long that was created in the early 1900s for timber hauling.

For history lovers, drive the Wilderness Road Heritage Highway(link is external) from Middlesboro(link is external) to Berea(link is external), and learn about how the West was settled at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park(link is external). Take time to explore Berea(link is external), the “Folk Arts and Craft Capital of Kentucky.”

2020 continues to be the “Year of Music” in Kentucky, and you can take in the sights and sounds of Kentucky’s country music heritage by driving along the Country Music Highway (U.S. 23)(link is external)! This scenic roadway winds through seven counties in far eastern Kentucky, hugging the border of West Virginia and passing by some of Kentucky’s most beautiful state parks(link is external). Music and storytelling traditions run deep in this part of Kentucky, which has produced more hit country artists(link is external) than any other region per capita, including Loretta Lynn(link is external), Crystal Gayle, The Judds, Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom T. Hall, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam and Patty Loveless.

Start in Ashland(link is external) at the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center(link is external) to find a special display dedicated to the Judd’s and take in a show at the Paramount Arts Center(link is external), a restored 1930s art deco building hosting theater performances, concerts and private events. Continue south to the Paintsville area(link is external) and visit the U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum(link is external) featuring exhibits and memorabilia about the area’s country music stars. Don’t miss Loretta Lynn’s Homeplace in “Butcher Holler” and Webb’s Grocery Store(link is external). This singer-songwriter’s birthplace and family home is nestled between two fog shrouded mountains up a “holler” in Van Lear. Visitors wishing to tour Loretta Lynn’s homeplace(link is external) will need to stop in Webb’s Grocery, a historic general store currently owned by Loretta Lynn’s brother, Herman Webb.

For more information, visit https://www.kentuckytourism.com/(link is external).

Media Contact

Angela Blank, Assistant Director of Communications & Media Relations, [email protected](link sends e-mail)
View and download assets, visit Kentucky’s Media Hub

If you publish anything as the result of any Kentucky Dept. of Tourism’s story ideas, please let us know so we can share your work across our social media platforms and say thank you!