Iconic Kentucky Experiences in the Bourbon, Horses & History Region

Discover the sips, savors and experiences of the BHH Region

Start planning your Kentucky road trip. Come discover the iconic sights, sounds and flavors of the Bluegrass State in Kentucky’s Bourbon, Horses & History Region. From big-city attractions in Louisville to rich heritage and small-town charm, this region is chock-full of iconic Kentucky experiences for all ages.

Must-See Louisville Attractions

No visit to Kentucky is complete without immersing yourself in Kentucky horse culture. Noted as the world’s most iconic thoroughbred racetracks, Churchill Downs in Louisville is the home of the longest-running sporting event in the United States, the legendary Kentucky Derby. Plan your visit around the Kentucky Derby Festival and “The Run for the Roses” in early May. Don your best Derby hat, sip mint juleps and prepare to witness the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.” You can also visit the Kentucky Derby Museum year-round onsite at Churchill Downs, where you’ll find interactive exhibits on the iconic race’s history, a guided tour of the racetrack and stables housing the museum’s resident thoroughbred and miniature horse.

Bourbon enthusiasts are in for a treat in Kentucky’s largest city. Grab your mobile trail passport and begin your journey along the Urban Bourbon Trail^®. With more than 40 bourbon bars and restaurants, the Urban Bourbon Trail® pairs fabulous culinary experiences with iconic Kentucky bourbons. Be sure to check in at each location you visit, as you’ll receive a souvenir from the Louisville Visitor Center after just six stops.

Celebrate “The Greatest” at the Muhammad Ali Center. This multicultural center and museum overviews the life and legacy of “the People’s Champion,” Louisville native Muhammad Ali. Browse a variety of interactive exhibits and media to learn about his life in and out of the ring, including his work as a humanitarian and social activist.

A stop at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is a must. Book this award-winning factory tour to discover the history behind Louisville Slugger and how the company began making baseball bats in 1884.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Experiences

Louisville is just the beginning of your Kentucky bourbon experience. In fact, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail^® runs through many of the region’s counties and towns. In Bullitt County, book a tasting tour or cocktail class at the world-famous James B. Beam Distillery, or go on the Warehouse & Bottling Tour at Four Roses Distillery. Shelby County offers Bulleit Distillery and a special spot on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour^®, Jeptha Creed Distillery. Sample award-winning spirits from nine legendary distilleries in historic Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World^®.

Historic Figures

President Abraham Lincoln was born in this region of the Bluegrass State. Learn about the early life of one of our nation’s greatest presidents as you visit sites along the Kentucky Lincoln Heritage Trail. Then, head to Fort Knox to visit the General George Patton Museum of Leadership. Here, you’ll find themed exhibits on military leadership from 1775 to the present day, as well as an assortment of artifacts, including the largest General George Patton collection.

More Regional Fun

Next Stop: the Farm Tour Capital of Kentucky, Oldham County. Go for 15 hands-on Oldham Farm Tours, including visits to Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, Hermitage Farm’s Barn8 Restaurant and Bourbon Bar and La Grange’s historic Main Street shopping and dining district.

Find more Kentucky horse culture in Shelby County, “the American Saddlebred Capital of the World.” After touring local saddlebred farms, stop by the Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass for a little retail therapy.