Best in Kentucky
The Votes are in for 2026
Readers of Kentucky Living voted for their favorites destinations, attractions, restaurants, personalities and outdoor experiences across the Commonwealth. The results showcase the places and people that make Kentucky unique. See the 2026 Winners below!
2026 Best in Kentucky Winners
There’s a reason these Bests have earned their place. They’re all about creating a unique experience, delivering five-star service and making a lasting memory. Discover the best eating, drinking, dining, playing and staying—and, in some cases, straying off the well-worn path at some of the best adventures all around the state.
People & Personalities
Kentucky Musician/Band
- The Green River Band
- JD Shelburne
- Tyler Childers
Local TV Personality
- Dawne Gee
- Candyce Clifft
- Railfan Micah Turner
Local Radio Host
- Larry Smith
- Terry Meiners
- Cale Tharp
Athlete
- Trent Noah
- Otega Oweh
- Malachi Moreno
Meteorologist
- Marc Weinberg
- Jude Redfield
- Kevin Harned
Eats & Drinks (non-franchise)
Hamburger
- Laha’s Red Castle
- Bardstown Burger
- B&N Food Market
Down-Home Restaurant
- Lighthouse Restaurant
- Mammy’s Kitchen & Bar
- Our Best Restaurant
Bourbon
- Maker’s Mark
- Elijah Craig
- Inclusion Brand
Barbecue
- Brothers
- B&N Food Market
- Thatcher Barbecue Company
Food Truck
- Pappy’s
- The 5,000
- Matilda’s Dogs and More
Coffee Shop
- Harden Coffee
- The Hive Coffee & Bakehouse
- Vibe Coffee
Sweets Shop
- The Sweet Shoppe and Dessert Cafe
- Serendipity Kandy Kitchen
- Hadorn’s Bakery
Breakfast Place
- Druther’s Restaurant
- Carriss’s Grocery
- Pat’s Place
Craft Beer
- Country Boy Brewing
- Good Buddies Brewing Co.
- Henderson Brewing Co.
Outdoor
Hiking Trail
- Mammoth Cave National Park
- Red River Gorge Geological Area
- Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
Camping or RV Spot
- Green River Lake State Park
- John James Audubon State Park
- Lincoln Lodge
Public Hunting/Fishing Area
- Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area
- Taylorsville Lake
- Cave Run Lake
Place for Adventure
- Mammoth Cave National Park
- Red River Gorge Geological Area
- Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
Water Tourism Spot
- Green River Lake
- Lake Cumberland
- Cave Run Lake
Destination
Place for Live Music
- Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
- The AMP at Log Still
- Joel Ray’s Lincoln Jamboree
Downtown Shopping District
- Bardstown Main Street
- Campbellsville Main Street
- Shelby Main Street
Event or Festival
- Campbellsville Fourth of July Celebration
- Marion County Country Ham Days
- Lincoln Days Celebration
Winery
- Purple Toad Winery
- McIntyre & Family Winery
- Happy Jack’s Winery
Road Trip
- Mammoth Cave National Park
- Red River Gorge Geological Area
- Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Distillery Tour
- Maker’s Mark Distillery
- Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Heaven Hill Springs Distillery
Agritourism Attraction
- Gallrein Farms
- Dennison’s Roadside Market
- Blackacre Nature Preserve & Historic Homestead
Specialty Lodging or Bed & Breakfast
- My Old Kentucky Dome
- Restin’ Holes
- L&N Bed and Breakfast
Historic Attraction
- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park
- Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Kid-Friendly Attraction
- Louisville Zoo
- Ark Encounter
- Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo
Museum
- Frazier Kentucky History Museum
- Lincoln Museum
- Creation Museum
Contest Rules
OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES
Kentucky Living 2026 Best in Kentucky Reader Contest
CONTEST IS OPEN to persons 18 years of age or older in the Continental United States, except for employees or immediate family members of Kentucky Living, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, Kentucky’s electric co-ops and their respective divisions, subsidiaries, advertising, and promotion agencies.
ONLINE SUBMISSIONS ONLY at KentuckyLiving.com. Submit by voting for one or more categories to qualify for random drawings.
PRIZES: Five $100 cash prizes drawn from entries, February 6, February 13, February 20, and February 28. Prizes subject to change but value of prize will not.
HOW PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED: Winners will be announced in the September 2026 issue of Kentucky Living, when the 2026 Best in Kentucky awards are published. Prize winners will be notified by phone, email or online. Prizes will be mailed by USPS, to arrive no later than September 30, 2026.
ONE ENTRY PER PERSON, drawn at random; odds of winning depend on number of entries received.
Winners’ names, city, and electric co-op name may be published in Kentucky Living KentuckyLiving.com, on social channels, and other publications of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives/Kentucky Living.
DEADLINE: Online Best in Kentucky entries must be received no later than 12 midnight Eastern Daylight Saving Time, February 28, 2026. Kentucky Electric Cooperatives/Kentucky Living is not responsible for lost or misdirected electronic entries; In the event that the Best in Kentucky Reader Contest is impaired in any way (i.e., operation, security, or administration), Kentucky Electric Cooperatives/Kentucky Living may suspend, resume, or elect to award prizes from the eligible entries received at the time the contest was suspended.
QUESTIONS: Inquiries about contest rules can be submitted online at Contact Us/Submissions.
Any information submitted as part of the Best in Kentucky Reader Contest will be used in accordance with the Official Rules and Privacy Policy/Terms of Use below.
Kentucky Living 2026 Best in Kentucky Reader Contest
CONTEST IS OPEN to persons 18 years of age or older in the Continental United States, except for employees or immediate family members of Kentucky Living, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, Kentucky’s electric co-ops and their respective divisions, subsidiaries, advertising, and promotion agencies.
ONLINE SUBMISSIONS ONLY at KentuckyLiving.com. Submit by voting for one or more categories.
ONE PERSON VOTES PER EMAIL PER DAY
DEADLINE: Online Best in Kentucky entries must be received no later than 12 midnight Eastern Daylight Saving Time, May 31, 2026. Kentucky Electric Coopertives and Kentucky Living are not responsible for lost or misdirected electronic entries; In the event that the Best in Kentucky Reader Contest is impaired in any way (i.e., operation, security, or administration), Kentucky Electric Coopertives/Kentucky Living may suspend, resume, or elect to award prizes from the eligible entries received at the time the contest was suspended.
QUESTIONS: Inquiries about contest rules can be submitted online at Contact Us/Submissions.
Any information submitted as part of the Best in Kentucky Reader Contest will be used in accordance with the Official Rules and Privacy Policy/Terms.
