Best in Kentucky 2017 winners

Kentucky Living

August 24, 2017
11 min read
Best in Kentucky

Agritourism

THIRD PLACE
Kentucky Horse Park – Lexington

SECOND PLACE
Chaney’s Dairy Barn & Restaurant – Bowling Green

WINNER
Whispering Woods Riding Stables – Georgetown

No ring rides here. Located on 250 wooded acres, Whispering Woods is the place to feel like a real cowboy or cowgirl and experience Kentucky’s beauty in the most natural way—by horseback. Photo: Heather Jackson

Antiques Store

THIRD PLACE – TIE

Feather Your Nest – Lexington

Irish Acres – Versailles

SECOND PLACE

The Elm – Consignments & More – Henderson

WINNER

Georgetown Antique Mall

Shopper Jeanine Glass admires a 19th-century flow blue platter at the Georgetown Antique Mall. Founded by Joann Sharpe in 1975, the Georgetown Antique Mall is Kentucky’s original antique mall—the place to find furniture, art, antiques, collectables, and more. Photo: Georgetown Antique Mall

Arts and Crafts Fair

THIRD PLACE

Woodland Art Fair – Lexington

SECOND PLACE

Glendale Crossing Festival

WINNER

Berea Craft Festival

Find that item you can’t live without from among the more than 100 artists from across the country showcasing their work. Take part in craft demonstrations and enjoy live music and regional entertainment. Photo: Berea Tourism

Barbecue

THIRD PLACE – TIE

J&B Barbecue – Henderson

Old Hickory Bar-B-Q – Owensboro

SECOND PLACE

Blue Door Smokehouse BBQ – Lexington

WINNER

Red State BBQ – Lexington

This little roadside barbecue joint keeps it down home with low-and-slow smoked meats, an offering of six different sauces representing Kentucky, both Carolinas, Texas, Alabama, and Memphis on the table, and made-fresh-daily sides like beer cheese grits, baked beans, and mac ’n’ cheese. Photo: Kristin Shenk

Bourbon

THIRD PLACE

Jim Beam – Clermont

SECOND PLACE

Woodford Reserve – Versailles

WINNER

Maker’s Mark – Loretto

Founded in 1954, Maker’s Mark Distillery continues to make its bourbon the same way Bill Samuels Sr. did more than 60 years ago, in small batches by craftsmen who hand-dip each bottle. Photo: Maker’s Mark

Campground

THIRD PLACE

Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton

SECOND PLACE

Kentucky Horse Park – Lexington

WINNER

Axtel Campground at Rough River – McDaniels

Lake views, clean facilities, and a family environment await at this large 158-site campground managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Find a marina, boat ramp, showers, playground, bank fishing, and more. Photo: Diane Stratton

Canoeing/Kayaking Spot

THIRD PLACE

Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton

SECOND PLACE

Green River

WINNER

Elkhorn Creek – Frankfort

Beloved by canoeists and anglers, Kentucky’s premier stream smallmouth bass fishing destination flows for 86 miles through the heart of the Bluegrass before emptying into the Kentucky River near Frankfort. Photo: Adam Jones

College Basketball Player

THIRD PLACE

Malik Monk – University of Kentucky

SECOND PLACE

Dominique Hawkins – University of Kentucky

WINNER

De’Aaron Fox – University of Kentucky

The most successful NCAA Division I basketball program in terms of all-time wins and all-time winning percentage, the Kentucky Wildcats have had many successful and notable players in its history.
Photo: Chet White/UK Athletics

College Football Player

THIRD PLACE

Stephen Johnson – University of Kentucky

SECOND PLACE

Benny Snell, Jr. – University of Kentucky

WINNER

Lamar Jackson – University of Louisville

“I’m very fortunate to be a part of the University of Louisville football program and I’m grateful for all my teammates. These awards are team accomplishments,” says Lamar Jackson. Photo: University of Louisville

Craft Beer

THIRD PLACE

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale – Lexington

SECOND PLACE

West Sixth Brewing – Lexington

WINNER

Country Boy Brewing – Georgetown and Lexington

Country Boy Brewing was founded in 2012 by four Kentucky boys with a passion for unique craft brews—left to right, Jeff Beagle, operations manager; Nate Coppage, brewery manager; Daniel Harrison, brand manager; and Evan Coppage, head of brewing operations—who met through the local homebrew club. Photo: Ryan Murphy/bloc MKTG

Distillery Tour

THIRD PLACE
Woodford Reserve Distillery – Versailles

SECOND PLACE
Buffalo Trace Distillery – Frankfort

WINNER
Maker’s Mark Distillery – Loretto

The only operating distillery designated a National Historic Landmark, Maker’s Mark—one of Kentucky’s most popular tourist destinations—perfectly reflects the unique character of the whisky handcrafted. Photo: Maker’s Mark

Family Getaway

THIRD PLACE

Kentucky Lake – Marshall County, Calloway County

SECOND PLACE

Lake Cumberland – Somerset-Pulaski County, Russell County, Burnside, Monticello-Wayne County, and Albany-Clinton County

WINNER
Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave

Remember when? Parents and grandparents do—and many return to Mammoth Cave with the next generation in tow. It is a timeless place that fascinates all ages. Photo: National Park Service

Flea Market

THIRD PLACE
The Most Awesome Flea Market – Shepherdsville

SECOND PLACE

Kentucky Flea Market – Louisville

WINNER – TIE

Flea Land of Bowling Green

Three hundred indoor booths, 100 outdoor booths, plus a 60-booth Antique Mall – let the hunt begin for bargains, treasures, antiques, curiosities, and more. Photo: Flea Land of Bowling Green

Flea Land Flea Market – London

Wear your shopping shoes to cover the 80,000 square feet of bargains and goodies among Flea Land Flea Market’s more than 300 booths. Photo: Rachel Wombles

Fried Chicken

THIRD PLACE

Claudia Sanders Dinner House – Shelbyville

SECOND PLACE

Lee’s Famous Recipe

WINNER

Kentucky Fried Chicken

Those 11 herbs and spices? Still a secret, and still delicious. And Colonel Harland Sanders, the white bearded (and suited) gent who created the recipe? Still a legend. Photo: KFC

Fried Fish

THIRD PLACE

Country Store – Bradfordsville

SECOND PLACE

Coe’s Steak House – Russell Springs

WINNER

Mike Linnig’s Restaurant – Louisville

Opened in 1925 as a fruit stand on what was then Mike and Carrie Linnig’s working family farm, the restaurant today—still family-owned—uses the same recipe for its famous fish sandwiches as it did then. Photo: Mike Linnig’s Restaurant

Hamburger

THIRD PLACE – TIE
Bread of Life Café – Liberty

Bru Burger Bar – Lexington

Five Guys

Parkette Drive-In – Lexington

Root Beer Stand – Corbin

SECOND PLACE – TIE

Culver’s

Steak ’n Shake

WINNER – TIE

Ferrell’s Hamburgers – Hopkinsville

Lesson in becoming No. 1: Use fresh meat—never frozen. Hand roll into hamburger balls and cook to order while customer waits. No frills—just pickles, onions, mustard, and ketchup. Photo: Ferrell’s Hamburgers

Laha’s Red Castle – Hodgenville

Known for seasoned onion burgers cooked on a vintage Vulcan Hart grill they have used since the early 1950s, Laha’s was started by William and Sally Laha in 1934 and now Kelly Laha is the third-generation owner, with his wife Anita. Photo: Laha’s Red Castle

Hiking Trail

THIRD PLACE

John James Audubon State Park – Henderson

SECOND PLACE

Natural Bridge State Resort Park – Winchester

WINNER

Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton

Stop by the Gladie Visitor Center to learn about hiking trails to spectacular overlooks, streams, and unique geological features, such as natural sandstone arches, in the Red River Gorge.

Historic Site

THIRD PLACE – TIE
John James Audubon State Park – Henderson

Mill Springs Mill – Monticello

SECOND PLACE
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill – Harrodsburg

WINNER
My Old Kentucky Home State Park – Bardstown

This incomparable national treasure, Federal Hill, known by the public as My Old Kentucky Home, offers interactive programming, singing hoop-skirted guides, live outdoor musicals, 18-hole golf course, visitor center and gift shop, birding, hiking trails, and camping—all surrounded by legendary bourbon distilleries. Photo: My Old Kentucky Home State Park

House Boating Lake

THIRD PLACE

Rough River Lake – Breckinridge County and Grayson County

SECOND PLACE

Kentucky Lake – Marshall County and Calloway County

WINNER

Lake Cumberland – Somerset-Pulaski County, Russell County, Burnside, Monticello-Wayne County and Albany-Clinton County

Whether docking along its 1,200 miles of wooded shoreline, at one of nine marinas, or in one of many beautiful coves, a house boat vacation on Lake Cumberland creates memories waiting to go into your scrapbook. Photo: KSD Kinetic Design/LakeCumberlandTourism.com

Kentucky Recording Artist

THIRD PLACE – TIE

Chris Stapleton

Loretta Lynn

SECOND PLACE

County Wide Band – Corbin

WINNER

Jericho Woods

“As Kentucky boys, there is probably nothing more fulfilling than having the folks of Kentucky be behind us. We are proud Kentuckians, and we are proud to represent our Commonwealth across this country.” Photo: Ashley Satterfield/Fourth Street Live

Local TV Personality

THIRD PLACE

Nancy Cox, LEX18

SECOND PLACE – TIE

Bill Bryant, WKYT Lexington

Matt Jones, LEX18 “Hey Kentucky!”

WINNER

Dawne Gee, WAVE 3 – Louisville

“It has always been my privilege to serve my hometown and the families that live in this community. Thank you to the readers of Kentucky Living magazine for this great honor!” says Dawne Gee. Photo: Kris Baete

Made in Kentucky Product

THIRD PLACE – TIE

Dad’s Favorites Cheese Spreads & Deli – Lexington

Maker’s Mark Bourbon – Loretto

SECOND PLACE

Louisville Slugger Bats

WINNER

Ale-8-One – Winchester

Crisp clean ginger with just a hint of citrus…You’ve known that taste since 1926: It’s the only soft drink invented in Kentucky still in existence, from Ale-8-One Bottling Company; offering free tours. Photo: Ale-8-One

Meteorologist

THIRD PLACE

Kevin Harned, WAVE 3 – Louisville

SECOND PLACE

Chris Bailey, WKYT – Lexington

WINNER

Bill Meck, LEX18 – Lexington

“Each and every day we get the information out, but just as important, we try to teach a little something, have a little fun and, if we’ve done the job right, get folks to smile just a little,” says Meteorologist Bill Meck. Photo: Photo: LEX18

Milkshake

THIRD PLACE

Big Dipper – Owensboro

SECOND PLACE

Dairy Queen

WINNER

Steak ’n Shake

Since 1934, Steak ’n Shake has been hand-dipping those frosty milkshakes into stainless steel containers, including classic flavors chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, each topped with whipped cream and a cherry. Photo: Steak ’n Shake

Music Festival

THIRD PLACE

Master Musicians Festival – Somerset

SECOND PLACE

Forecastle – Louisville

WINNER

W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival – Henderson

One of the longest-running free music festivals in the nation, W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival always has a fantastic lineup of blues musicians performing in a beautiful setting at Henderson’s Audubon Mill Park on the Ohio River. Victor Wainwright & WildRoots perform at the 2016 W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival. Photo: Samantha Winstead

Performing Arts Venue

THIRD PLACE

Louisville Palace

SECOND PLACE

Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC) – Bowling Green

WINNER

Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts – Louisville

Home to the Louisville Orchestra, Kentucky Opera, Louisville Ballet, Stage One Family Theatre, and PNC Bank Broadway in Louisville, the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts is nationally-renowned and home to the finest in music, dance, and theater. Photo: Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts

Radio Personality

THIRD PLACE

Lee Cruse, 590 WVLK – Lexington

SECOND PLACE

Terry Meiners, 840 WHAS – Louisville

WINNER

Matt Jones, Kentucky Sports Radio

“What an honor for me and the show. We do the show for the listeners, and it is gratifying to see that people enjoy it. I truly appreciate all the support and thank everyone,” says Matt Jones, Kentucky Sports Radio.

Romantic Getaway

THIRD PLACE
Louisville

SECOND PLACE
Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton

WINNER
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park – Corbin

Known as the “Niagara of the South,” the 125-foot-wide curtain of water is dramatic day or night. But it’s only at night during a full moon that you can see the phenomenon known as a moon bow. Photo: Kentucky State Parks

Shooting Range

THIRD PLACE

Kentucky Gun Company – Bardstown

SECOND PLACE

Knob Creek Gun Range – West Point

WINNER

Buds Gun Shop & Range – Lexington

Kentucky’s largest indoor shooting range is also the state’s largest firearms dealer, offering private lessons with certified firearms instructors and a state-of-the-art Laser Shot Training Simulator featuring more than 60 different training exercises. Photo: Bentley Primm

Tourist Attraction

THIRD PLACE

Wayne County Museum – Monticello

SECOND PLACE

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park – Corbin

WINNER
Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave

Visitors come for its caves, trails, rivers, camping, or just a pleasant drive through dense hardwood forests. Every visit, cave tour, and experience is a different adventure. Photo: National Park Service

Wine

THIRD PLACE

Talon Winery & Vineyards – Lexington and Shelbyville

SECOND PLACE

Elk Creek Vineyards – Owenton

WINNER

Purple Toad Winery – Paducah

Modern wine-making techniques combined with Old World knowledge equals award-winning, extraordinarily high-quality, gourmet sweet wines crafted to intrigue the palate of oenophiles and budding wine lovers alike. Photo: Steven Dossey

Winery

SECOND PLACE
Talon Winery & Vineyards – Lexington and Shelbyville

THIRD PLACE – TIE
Elk Creek Vineyards – Owenton
Farmer & Frenchman Winery – Henderson

WINNER
Purple Toad Winery – Paducah

Kentucky’s largest and most award-winning winery produces sweet and dry wines, from Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon to gourmet sweet wines, specializing in fruit wines made from blackberries, strawberries, peaches, apples, and many more. Photo: Steven Dossey

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