30 Things to Do in Kentucky
Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, invites visitors with rolling hills, legendary horse farms, rich bourbon heritage, and stunning natural beauty found from the Appalachian Mountains to the western riverlands. While iconic experiences like distillery tours or horse races might come to mind, exploring this beautiful state doesn’t have to break the bank; countless fantastic free things to do in Kentucky allow you to experience its unique culture and scenic landscapes without spending heavily on admissions. Discovering state parks, historic sites, and charming towns offers abundant value for budget-conscious travelers.
This guide points you towards 30 specific activities and sights you can enjoy across Kentucky completely free of charge. Whether you’re drawn to hiking dramatic gorges, exploring historic state capitols, walking scenic riverfronts, or soaking up small-town charm, you can craft a full and memorable itinerary. Get ready to explore the best of the Commonwealth without opening your wallet.
Parks Nature and Scenic Drives
Walk Louisville Waterfront Park: Stroll or bike the pathways along the Ohio River in Louisville. Enjoy views of the bridges, downtown skyline, public art, and the Big Four Bridge pedestrian crossing.
Explore The Arboretum State Botanical Garden of Kentucky Grounds: Wander the paved paths through diverse plant collections and themed gardens located in Lexington. Access to the grounds and walking loop is free, offering a beautiful natural escape.
Drive the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway: Experience breathtaking views by driving Nada Tunnel Road and Sky Bridge Road within the Daniel Boone National Forest near Slade. Stop at free overlooks offering stunning vistas of the gorge’s unique sandstone cliffs and arches.
Hike Trails in Daniel Boone National Forest: Discover numerous hiking trails accessible throughout this vast national forest. Enjoy woodland scenery, waterfalls, and natural arches on trails outside of specific fee areas.
View Cumberland Falls: Visit Cumberland Falls State Resort Park near Corbin to see the “Niagara of the South.” Viewing the impressive waterfall from designated overlooks is completely free, especially dramatic during a full moon for potential moonbow sightings.
Walk Natural Bridge State Resort Park Trails (Ground Level): While accessing the natural bridge itself via Sky Lift or certain trails may involve fees, explore the ground-level trails around Hoedown Island and near Hemlock Lodge for free. Enjoy the wooded scenery and creek near Slade.
Explore Mammoth Cave National Park Above Ground Trails: Hike miles of trails through forests and sinkhole landscapes on the surface of the park near Cave City. Access to the park grounds and trails is free, though cave tours require tickets.
Visit Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest Trails: While a weekend fee may apply per car, explore the extensive network of hiking trails through forests and grasslands weekdays for free. Discover sculptures and natural beauty near Clermont (check current fee policy).
Land Between the Lakes Scenic Drives: Explore the basic access roads within the vast Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Western Kentucky. Enjoy views of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley and opportunities for roadside wildlife spotting.
Walk Paducah Riverfront: Stroll along the riverfront in Paducah, viewing the impressive floodwall murals depicting the city’s history. Enjoy views of the Ohio River and the confluence with the Tennessee River.
Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill Grounds (Exterior Walk): While building tours require tickets, walk the grounds of this beautifully preserved historic Shaker community near Harrodsburg. Admire the unique architecture and peaceful rural setting from the exterior pathways.
History Heritage and Landmarks
Tour the Kentucky State Capitol (Frankfort): Take a free guided or self-guided tour of the stunning Beaux Arts capitol building. Admire the grand rotunda, legislative chambers, and beautiful architectural details.
Visit the Old State Capitol Grounds (Frankfort): Walk the grounds surrounding the historic Greek Revival building that served as Kentucky’s capitol before the current one. Admire the architecture and nearby historical markers.
Explore Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park Grounds: Visit the Sinking Spring site near Hodgenville where Lincoln was born. Walk the grounds, see the symbolic log cabin within the memorial building, and visit the visitor center; all access is free.
Walk Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site Grounds: Explore the grounds where a pivotal Civil War battle occurred near Perryville. Walk designated paths and read interpretive signs detailing the battle; grounds access is free.
Visit Camp Nelson National Monument Grounds: Explore the site of a major Union Army recruitment and training center for African American soldiers during the Civil War, near Nicholasville. Walking the grounds and cemetery is free.
View Churchill Downs Exterior (Louisville): Admire the iconic twin spires and architecture of the world-famous racetrack from the outside. While races and museum entry cost, seeing the landmark itself is free.
See Kentucky Horse Park Grounds (Off-Season/Limited Access): While major events and attractions require tickets, explore accessible paths or view horse pastures from perimeter roads near Lexington during certain times for free glimpses (check specific access policies).
Drive Past Historic Horse Farms (Lexington Area): Take scenic drives along roads like Old Frankfort Pike or Paris Pike near Lexington. Admire the beautiful rolling hills, stone fences, and magnificent horse farms from the public roadways.
Explore Historic Bardstown Square: Wander around the charming courthouse square in Bardstown, often called the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” Admire the historic buildings and browse unique shop windows.
Visit Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Frankfort): See the unique sundial memorial overlooking Frankfort and the Kentucky River. Each engraved name is positioned so the sundial’s shadow touches it on the anniversary of the soldier’s death.
Walk Across the Purple People Bridge (Newport/Cincinnati): Stroll across this pedestrian-only bridge connecting Newport, Kentucky, to Cincinnati, Ohio over the Ohio River. Enjoy great views of both city skylines and the river.
Discover Kentucky’s Covered Bridges: Seek out historic covered bridges accessible for viewing or driving through, like Goddard White Bridge near Flemingsburg or Switzer Covered Bridge near Frankfort. Finding these pieces of history is a rewarding free activity.
Arts Culture and Unique Finds
Visit 21c Museum Hotel Galleries (Louisville & Lexington): Explore the contemporary art exhibitions integrated throughout the public spaces of these unique hotels. The galleries are open 24/7 and always free to the public.
Speed Art Museum Free Sundays (Louisville – Check Policy): Check the Speed Art Museum’s current policy for potentially free admission on Sundays. It offers access to diverse art collections spanning 6,000 years (confirm free access availability).
Berea Artisan Village Window Shopping: Stroll through the Old Town Artisan Village in Berea, known for its craftspeople. Browse the numerous studios and shops showcasing traditional and contemporary Appalachian crafts.
Frankfort Public Art Tour (Self-Guided): Discover sculptures and murals located throughout downtown Frankfort. Find pieces near the riverfront, Capitol grounds, and historic areas on a walk.
Attend Free Local Festivals & Events: Check community calendars for cities like Lexington, Louisville, or smaller towns. Many host free outdoor concerts, art fairs, or seasonal festivals throughout the year.
Window Shop NuLu (Louisville): Explore the trendy East Market District known for its unique boutiques, art galleries, and specialty shops. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and browse the creative storefronts.
Visit Cave Hill Cemetery (Louisville): Wander the beautiful grounds of this historic Victorian-era cemetery and arboretum. Discover ornate monuments and the resting places of notable figures like Colonel Sanders.
