2024 Best in Kentucky finalists
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The 2024 Best in Kentucky finalists are here! Voting will begin on May 1. Until then, learn about each finalist below and get ready to vote for your favorite!
People & Personalities
Local Radio Host
- Kellie McKay – WHHT 103.7, Glasgow
- Larry Smith – WVLC 99.9, Campbellsville
- Cale Tharp – WLCB 93.7, Hodgenville
Local TV Personality
- Lee Cruse – Lexington
- Dawne Gee – WAVE, Louisville
- Candyce Clifft – WDRB, Louisville
Meteorologist
- Jude Redfield – WDRB, Louisville
- Marc Weinberg – WDRB, Louisville
- Kevin Harned – WAVE, Louisville
Kentucky Musician or Band
- Tyler Childers – Nashville, Tennessee (from Lawrence Co.)
- JD Shelburne – Nashville, Tennessee (from Taylorsville)
- Carly Pearce – Nashville, Tennessee (from Kenton Co.)
Athlete
- Justin Thomas – Louisville
- Reed Sheppard – London
- Cutter Boley – Hodgenville
Destination
Road Trip
- Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton
- Hatfield-McCoy Feud Driving Tour – Pikeville
- Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience – Bardstown
Distillery Tour
- Evan Williams Bourbon Experience – Louisville
- Boone County Distilling Co. – Independence
- Maker’s Mark Distillery – Loretto
Event or Festival
- Marion County Country Ham Days – Lebanon
- Lincoln Days Celebration – Hodgenville
- Manchester Music Festival – Manchester
Farm Tourist 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 – New Haven
- Paramount Arts Center – Ashland
- Joel Ray’s Lincoln Jamboree – Hodgenville
Museum
- Speed Art Museum – Louisville
- Frazier Kentucky History Museum – Louisville
- Lincoln Museum – Hodgenville
Kid-Friendly Attraction
- Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo – Horse Cave
- Louisville Zoo – Louisville
- Newport Aquarium – Newport
Winery
- Purple Toad Winery– Paducah
- Baker-Bird Winery & Distillery – Augusta
- McIntyre & Family Winery – Bardstown
Historic Attraction
- Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle Homeplace – Van Lear
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park – Bardstown
- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park – Hodgenville
Specialty Lodging or Bed & Breakfast
- Reed-Dossey Bed & Breakfast – Brownsville
- My Old Kentucky Dome – Mt. Washington
- Lincoln Lodge – Hodgenville
Outdoor
Camping or RV Spot
- Green River Lake State Park – Campbellsville
- Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton
- Lincoln Lodge – Hodgenville
Place for Adventure
- Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton
- Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area – Golden Pond
- Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave
Hiking Trail
- Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest – Clermont
- Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave
- Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton
Public Hunting/Fishing Area
- Cave Run Lake – Morehead
- Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area – Golden Pond
- Green River Lake State Park – Campbellsville
Water Tourism Spot
- Green River Lake State Park – Campbellsville
- Lake Cumberland
- Cave Run Lake – Morehead
Eats & Drinks
Breakfast Place
- Kentucky’s Finest Family Style Restaurant – Hodgenville
- The Cafe at Swope Toyota – Elizabethtown
- Carriss’s Grocery – Shelbyville
Bourbon
- Buffalo Trace – Frankfort
- Elijah Craig – Bardstown
- New Riff – Newport
Barbecue
- Brothers – Campbellsville
- RedPoint BBQ – Campton
- Arrowhead BBQ – Hodgenville
Craft Beer
- Scout & Scholar Brewing Company – Bardstown
- Sawstone Brewing Co. – Morehead
- West Sixth Brewing – Lexington
Hamburger
- Bardstown Burger – Bardstown
- Laha’s Red Castle – Hodgenville
- B&N Food Market – Bagdad
Bakery
- Tipton’s Traditions – Ashland
- Hadorn’s Bakery – Bardstown
- Sweet Sisters Sweets – Hodgenville
Down-Home Restaurant
- Kentucky’s Finest Family Style Restaurant – Hodgenville
- The Whistle Stop – Glendale
- Billy Ray’s Restaurant – Prestonsburg
Coffee Shop
- The Black Goose – Union
- Harden Coffee – Campbellsville
- Vibe Coffee – Elizabethtown & Hodgenville
Sweets Shop
- Muth’s Candies – Louisville
- Serendipity Kandy Kitchen – Shelbyville
- The Sweet Shoppe and Dessert Cafe – Hodgenville
Food Truck
- Maillard Wood Fired Kitchen – Campbellsville
- Matilda’s Dogs and More – Hodgenville
- Juanito’s Street Tacos & More – Radcliff & Bardstown