Visitors most often associate Kentucky with horse racing, bluegrass music, college basketball, and Kentucky Fried Chicken and the colonel. However, the state has so much more for families to enjoy! In fact, it is an excellent trip if you want to explore a breathtaking, diverse area, for little to no cost.
Head to Kentucky to visit glorious parks, religious and historic sites, outdoor artwork, and even caverns. Let’s take a look at 5 lesser known beautiful and budget-friendly locations that make for a fantastic family experience.
The Gorgeous Gap of Cumberland
If you are fond of the mountains, you will surely like Kentucky. A great option to experience the natural beauty of Kentucky is visiting the Cumberland Gap. You will fall in love with the fantastic scenery. The Cumberland Gap is an area in the Cumberland Mountains.
Native Americans trekked through the area for ages. Later, the Cumberland Gap frontiersmen such as Daniel Boone, walked the same path, journeying between the western frontiers of Kentucky and Tennessee.
You could spend a whole day here easily. Be sure to take in the breathtaking views from Pinnacle Overlook. Want more adventure? Hike to the Tri-State point where you can be in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia all at the same time!
People sometimes find the Cumberland Gap when it pops up on their GPS on their way to the Smoky Mountains or areas of the Appalachian Trail. But it is a destination of beauty worth its own trip. There are no entrance fees to visit the Cumberland Gap.
A Beautiful Basilica
St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky, is a sight to see. The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris inspired the building of the basilica. Topped with a red tile roof, the beautiful basilica is constructed of bedford stone. Murals and the world’s largest handmade church stained glass window are part of the equally spectacular interior.
With services first held in 1902, the basilica remains a functioning church. In 2002, an area society awarded the basilica a preservation award. You will see why on your visit, as it remains in pristine condition.
Beauty comes in all forms. With the basilica, you get a unique experience of indoor and outdoor beauty. Your family can explore history, architecture, art, and even religion while strolling this Kentucky gem.
Visit the basilica’s website to learn more about the building’s history and view pictures of the stained glass windows. Then, visit for free on your next trip to Kentucky!
Heavenly Hart County
Everyone may not think of Kentucky beauty in the form of barn art, but the state has that as well! Come and enjoy the Kentucky Quilt Barn Trails! Throughout the state, citizens display the traditional quilts’ artistry by placing large, homemade quilts on barns and buildings.
Hart County has the most extensive number of these lovely quilts. The University of Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Food, and Environment provides a brochure to give you a peek into the beautiful world of these barn quilts.
But the beautiful budget-friendly fun in Hart County does not stop with the quilts. After riding in your car doing a treasure hunt for quilts, take a nice family hike! In Hart County, you can tackle The Jenny Wilson Byrd 4.5 mile trail or an accessible 1.0-mile beginner trail. In fact, there are numerous beautiful Hart County trails you can explore.
The Lovely Lost River Cave
In recent years, a Newsweek Magazine cover was The Most Beautiful Caves in the World. The article inside brought to life the glory of caves. Cave exploration should be on everyone’s bucket list! Kentucky is proud to have numerous caves for visitors to investigate.
The Lost River Cave is a part of an urban 72-acre park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. One of the best parts of the park is the Lost River Cave. Hop on a boat on the park’s river, and you will soon find yourself underground, riding through a cave. This exciting ride gives your family a unique experience and a chance to learn a lot about cave formation and science. There is a small fee for the boat tour, which is appropriate for all ages. You will come away understanding why Newsweek refers to caves as beautiful.
Find out more about cave boat tours and the other trails and activities. Enjoy the ride!
Gorgeous Glasgow
No tour of budget-friendly beauty in Kentucky would be complete without a stop in the charming little city of Glasgow. Glasgow is known for being the original location of Western Kentucky University (before its move to its present-day location in Bowling Green). Glasgow also played a significant role in the Underground Railroad. Old Glasgow Seminary Home on East Main Street has tunnels running beneath it that served as part of this historical journey.
Today, Glasgow is home to an array of urban modern professionals including corporate tax specialists, otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat physicians), and a top Kentucky personal injury lawyer. Yet it has maintained its historic charm and beauty, which you can experience with a walk down South Green Street. There you will see numerous houses dating back to the early 1800s. The architectural styles include Colonial, Federal, and Victorian homes. Owners take great care of these local treasures.
Like all of Kentucky, the folks here are friendly! You can just park your car downtown and ask a local to point you in the right direction, and you will soon be on your way to a fun, free stroll viewing the wondrous homes of Glasgow. For real architectural history buffs, you can visit the National Register of Historic Places – NPGallery and find a list of Glasgow locations on pages 4 and 5.
For little to no cost, you can create a truly unique and personal adventure in Kentucky. The state has welcoming residents, world-class educational institutions and businesses, and professional and college sports adored by fans galore. Most importantly, it offers budget-friendly beauty, in many, many forms. For your next family trip, consider enjoying stunning Kentucky!
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