2025 Best in Kentucky finalists

The 2025 Best in Kentucky finalists are here! Voting will begin on May 1. Until then, learn about each nominee below and get ready to vote for your favorite. Sponsored by LaRue County Chamber of Commerce.

People & Personalities

Local Radio Host

• Larry Smith – WVLC 99.9, Campbellsville
• Kellie McKay – WHHT 103.7, Glasgow
• Cale Tharp – WLCB 93.7, Hodgenville

Local TV Personality

• Candyce Clifft – WDRB, Louisville
• India Jones – WKYT, Lexington
• Dawne Gee – WAVE, Louisville

Meteorologist

• Jude Redfield – WDRB, Louisville
• Marc Weinberg – WDRB, Louisville                     
• Jim Caldwell – WKYT, Lexington

Kentucky Musician or Band

• Tyler Childers – Nashville, Tennessee (from Lawrence Co.)
• JD Shelburne – Nashville, Tennessee (from Taylorsville)
• Chris Stapleton – Nashville, Tennessee (from Johnson Co.)

Athlete

• Trent Noah – Harlan             
• Otega Oweh – Lexington (from New Jersey)
• Chucky Hepburn – Louisville (from Nebraska)

Destination

Road Trip

• Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave
• Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton
• Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience – Bardstown

Distillery Tour

• Evan Williams Bourbon Experience – Louisville  
• Buffalo Trace Distillery – Frankfort
• Maker’s Mark Distillery – Loretto

Event or Festival

• Marion County Country Ham Days – Lebanon
• Holiday on the Hill – Bardstown
• Lincoln Days Celebration – Hodgenville

Agritourism Attraction

• Gallrein Farms – Shelbyville
• Hinton’s Orchard & Farm Market – Hodgenville
• Dennison’s Roadside Market – Horse Cave

Place for Live Music

• The AMP at Log Still – Gethsemane
• Joel Ray’s Lincoln Jamboree – Hodgenville
• The Grove – Glasgow

Museum

• John James Audubon State Park Museum – Henderson
• Frazier Kentucky History Museum – Louisville
• Lincoln Museum – Hodgenville

Kid-Friendly Attraction

• Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo – Horse Cave
• Louisville Zoo – Louisville
• Ark Encounter – Williamstown

Winery

• Purple Toad Winery – Paducah
• McIntyre & Family Winery – Bardstown
• Springhill Winery – Bloomfield

Historic Attraction

• Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave
• My Old Kentucky Home State Park – Bardstown
• Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park – Hodgenville

Specialty Lodging or Bed & Breakfast

• Maple Hill Manor Bed & Breakfast – Springfield
• My Old Kentucky Dome – Mt Washington
• Springhill Bed & Breakfast – Bloomfield

Outdoor

Camping or RV Spot

• Green River Lake State Park – Campbellsville
• Nolin Lake State Park – Mammoth Cave
• Lincoln Lodge – Hodgenville

Place for Adventure

• Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton
• Bernheim Forest and Arboretum – Clermont
• Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave

Hiking Trail

• Bernheim Forest and Arboretum – Clermont
• Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave
• Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton

Public Hunting/Fishing Area

• Cave Run Lake – Morehead       
• Green River Lake                                                                     
• Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area – Golden Pond   

Water Tourism Spot

• Lake Cumberland
• Green River Lake                                                                     
• Cave Run Lake – Morehead

Eats & Drinks

Breakfast Place

• Kentucky’s Finest Family Style Restaurant – Hodgenville
• Mammy’s Kitchen & Bar – Bardstown
• Pat’s Place – Bardstown

Bourbon        

• Maker’s Mark – Loretto
• Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond– Bardstown
• Buffalo Trace – Frankfort

Barbecue

• Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn – Owensboro
• Thatcher Barbecue Company – Slade
• B&N Food Market – Bagdad

Craft Beer

• Scout & Scholar Brewing Company – Bardstown
• Country Boy Brewing – Georgetown, Lexington
• Good Buddies Brewing Co. – Lebanon

Hamburger

• Bardstown Burger – Bardstown
• Laha’s Red Castle – Hodgenville
• B&N Food Market – Bagdad

Bakery

• Tipton’s Traditions – Ashland
• Burke’s Bakery & Delicatessen – Danville
• Hadorn’s Bakery – Bardstown

Down-Home Restaurant

• B&N Food Market – Bagdad
• Lighthouse Restaurant – Sulphur Well
• Country Store Restaurant – Bradfordsville

Coffee Shop

• Apostoli Coffee – Radcliff
• Vibe Coffee – Elizabethtown & Hodgenville
• Ace Coffee – Cave City

Sweets Shop

• Sweets by Cindy – Junction City
• Serendipity Kandy Kitchen – Shelbyville
• The Sweet Shoppe and Dessert Cafe – Hodgenville

Food Truck

• Backroads Cookin’ – Bardstown
• Matilda’s Dogs and More – Sonora
• Juanito’s Street Tacos & More – Radcliff & Bardstown