Louisville Day Trips

Kentucky Horse Park

The only theme park in the world dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse, the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington covers 1,200 acres in Kentucky’s famous Bluegrass country. A visit to the Park begins with a film show in the visitor’s centre, followed by exploring the vast and comprehensive International Museum of the Horse. Guests can also wander through a self-guided farm tour watching the farrier at work and admiring the tack shop, before attending a half-hour parade in the show ring, which highlights the characteristics of some of the park’s 40 different breeds of horses. In the Hall of Champions, legendary thoroughbreds are presented for viewing and visitors can also enjoy a carriage or horseback ride around the park’s extensive show facilities. The presentations are held only between March and October.

Address: 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington; E-mail: info@kyhorsepark.com; Website: www.kyhorsepark.com; Telephone: (859) 233 4303; Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm (15 March to 31 October); Wednesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm (1 November to 14 March); Admission: 15 March to 31 October :$15 (adults), $8 (children); rest of the year $9 (adults), $6 (children). Free for children under 6 years old

Woodford Reserve Distillery

Besides horses, Kentucky is famous for its Bourbon whiskey. Numerous distilleries are open to the public, but one of the oldest still operating is the Woodford Reserve Distillery nestled between lush horse farms in Woodford County on McCracken Pike. Bourbon was first distilled here in 1812 when it was known as the Labrot & Graham Distillery. The beautiful limestone buildings have been restored to their original condition and the site is a National Historic Landmark. It is the only bourbon distillery still using copper pot stills, the traditional method of distillation. A visitor's centre provides displays and videos on the history of bourbon and guests can watch how bourbon is distilled in the traditional manner.

Address: 7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles; Website: www.woodfordreserve.com; Telephone: (859) 879 1812; Opening time: Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 5pm; Sunday 12.30pm to 4.30pm (April to October). Woodford Reserve Bourbon Discovery Tour: Tuesday to Saturday 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Sundays 1pm, 2pm and 3pm (April to October); Admission: $5 (Discovery Tour), which includes a tasting

Frankfort

The capital city of Kentucky, history-rich Frankfort is situated about 50 miles (80km) east of Louisville, about 50 minutes drive from Louisville International Airport. The state capital boasts a vast array of architectural styles, famous landmarks, museums and enjoyable shopping precincts. Among the interesting attractions in the city is the Old State Capitol, a Greek Revival building dating from 1830 with a unique self-supporting staircase held together by precision and pressure. Another architectural attraction is the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Zeigler house, dating from 1910. Besides numerous historic houses and buildings Frankfort boasts a fascinating History Center, historic sites, war memorials and scenic wildlife reserves.

Website: www.visitfrankfort.com

Mammoth Cave

The Mammoth Cave National Park near Edmonson in south-central Kentucky boasts the longest cave in the world, with 350 miles (563km) of caverns and passages having so far been explored and, according to experts, 'no end in sight'. The cave has been promoted as a tourist attraction since 1861, making it America's oldest attraction, which was encompassed in a national park in 1941 to preserve the cave system and the scenic river valleys of the Green and Nolin Rivers. The park offers camping, cave tours, hiking trails, hotel accommodation, canoeing and horseback riding. There are a variety of cave tours on offer with varying levels of difficulty and sightseeing options, run to different schedules. Visitors are advised to request a brochure and book in advance.

Website: www.nps.gov/maca/home.htm; Telephone: (270) 758 2180; Opening time: Visitors Center: 8.45am to 5.15pm. Various different tours on offer daily; Admission: Mammoth Cave PassageTour: $5. Other tours range from $10 to $48