Best in Kentucky 2026
Readers pick the top destinations, restaurants and experiences
Kentucky is filled with unforgettable experiences. Some are world-famous, like exploring Mammoth Cave or touring a legendary bourbon distillery. Others are hidden gems, from small-town restaurants and scenic hiking trails to family-owned businesses that have become local institutions.
For the 2026 Best in Kentucky Awards, readers of Kentucky Living voted for their favorite destinations, attractions, restaurants, personalities and outdoor experiences across the Commonwealth. The results showcase the places and people that make Kentucky unique.
Best Road Trip
🥇 Mammoth Cave National Park (Mammoth Cave)
Home to the world’s longest known cave system, Mammoth Cave combines natural beauty, adventure and history. Visitors can explore over 426 miles of mapped passages, hike scenic trails and learn about the region’s rich heritage.
🥈 Red River Gorge Geological Area (Stanton)
🥉 Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (Golden Pond)
Best Distillery Tour
🥇 Maker’s Mark Distillery (Loretto)
Maker’s Mark offers more than a bourbon tour. Guests experience historic rickhouses, active production areas, tastings and the famous hand-dipped red wax bottles that helped define the brand.
🥈 Buffalo Trace Distillery (Frankfort)
🥉 Heaven Hill Springs Distillery (Bardstown)
Best Event or Festival
🥇 Campbellsville Fourth of July Celebration
This weeklong Independence Day tradition combines community pride, entertainment, family activities and small-town hospitality into one of Kentucky’s most beloved annual events.
🥈 Marion County Country Ham Days (Lebanon)
🥉 Lincoln Days Celebration (Hodgenville)
Best Agritourism Attraction
🥇 Gallrein Farms (Shelbyville)
A family destination known for seasonal activities, fresh produce, u-pick pumpkins, hayrides and fall festivities.
🥈 Dennison’s Roadside Market (Horse Cave)
🥉 Blackacre Nature Preserve & Historic Homestead (Louisville)
Best Place for Live Music
🥇 Renfro Valley Entertainment Center (Mount Vernon)
Known as “Kentucky’s Country Music Capital,” Renfro Valley has hosted country music legends since 1939 and remains a premier destination for live entertainment.
🥈 The Amp at Log Still (Gethsemane)
🥉 Joel Ray’s Lincoln Jamboree (Hodgenville)
Best Museum
🥇 Frazier Kentucky History Museum (Louisville)
The Frazier tells the story of all 120 Kentucky counties through exhibits exploring the state’s influence on history, culture, food, business and entertainment.
🥈 Lincoln Museum (Hodgenville)
🥉 Creation Museum (Petersburg)
Best Kid-Friendly Attraction
🥇 Louisville Zoo
From close-up animal experiences to conservation programs, the Louisville Zoo offers educational fun for visitors of all ages.
🥈 Ark Encounter (Williamstown)
🥉 Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo (Horse Cave)
Best Winery
🥇 Purple Toad Winery & Distillery (Paducah)
Known for its approachable fruit wines and free tastings, Purple Toad has built a loyal following throughout Kentucky.
🥈 McIntyre & Family Winery (Bardstown)
🥉 Happy Jack’s Winery (Hardinsburg)
Best Historic Attraction
🥇 Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park (Hodgenville)
Visitors can stand where Abraham Lincoln was born and walk the same landscape that shaped his early years.
🥈 My Old Kentucky Home State Park (Bardstown)
🥉 Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (Harrodsburg)
Best Specialty Lodging or B&B
🥇 My Old Kentucky Dome (Mount Washington)
This luxury glamping destination combines countryside views, hot tubs and unique geodesic domes for a memorable getaway.
🥈 Restin’ Holes (Mackville)
🥉 L&N Bed and Breakfast (Henderson)
Best Downtown Shopping District
🥇 Bardstown Main Street
Visitors come for the bourbon history but stay for the boutiques, restaurants, live music and welcoming atmosphere.
🥈 Campbellsville Main Street
🥉 Shelby Main Street (Shelbyville)
Best Camping or RV Spot
🥇 Green River Lake State Park (Campbellsville)
Popular for boating, fishing and family-friendly camping.
🥈 John James Audubon State Park (Henderson)
🥉 Lincoln Lodge (Hodgenville)
Best Place for Adventure
🥇 Mammoth Cave National Park
Whether underground cave tours or above-ground hiking and paddling, Mammoth Cave offers something for every explorer.
🥈 Red River Gorge Geological Area
🥉 Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
Best Hiking Trail
🥇 Mammoth Cave National Park
Miles of scenic trails lead visitors through forests, historic cemeteries and remnants of former communities.
🥈 Red River Gorge Geological Area
🥉 Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
Best Public Hunting or Fishing Area
🥇 Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Home to excellent fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and the famous Elk & Bison Prairie.
🥈 Taylorsville Lake
🥉 Cave Run Lake
Best Water Tourism Spot
🥇 Green River Lake
A favorite for boating, fishing, swimming and camping.
🥈 Lake Cumberland
🥉 Cave Run Lake
Best Breakfast Place
🥇 Druther’s Restaurant (Campbellsville)
The last remaining Druther’s continues serving classic comfort food, homemade biscuits and all-day breakfast.
🥈 Carriss’s Grocery (Shelbyville)
🥉 Pat’s Place (Bardstown)
Best Bourbon
🥇 Maker’s Mark
More than 70 years after its founding, Maker’s Mark remains one of Kentucky’s most iconic bourbons.
🥈 Elijah Craig
🥉 Inclusion Brand
Best Barbecue
🥇 Brothers (Campbellsville)
Known for slow-smoked meats and fan favorites like the “Pig in the Orchard” sandwich.
🥈 B&N Food Market (Bagdad)
🥉 Thatcher Barbecue Company (Slade)
Best Craft Beer
🥇 Country Boy Brewing
With locations across Kentucky, Country Boy continues to earn devoted fans with beers like Cougar Bait.
🥈 Good Buddies Brewing Co. (Lebanon)
🥉 Henderson Brewing Co. (Henderson)
Best Hamburger
🥇 Laha’s Red Castle (Hodgenville)
A Kentucky burger landmark famous for its smashed burgers, onions and nearly century-old traditions.
🥈 Bardstown Burger
🥉 B&N Food Market
Best Down-Home Restaurant
🥇 The Lighthouse Restaurant (Sulphur Well)
Family-style dining featuring catfish, fried chicken, country ham and homemade pies.
🥈 Mammy’s Kitchen & Bar (Bardstown)
🥉 Our Best Restaurant (Smithfield)
Best Coffee Shop
🥇 Harden Coffee (Campbellsville)
Known for expertly crafted coffee drinks and house-made pastries.
🥈 The Hive Coffee & Bakehouse (Glasgow)
🥉 Vibe Coffee (Elizabethtown & Hodgenville)
Best Sweets Shop
🥇 The Sweet Shoppe & Dessert Cafe (Hodgenville)
Famous for homemade fudge, ice cream creations and baked treats.
🥈 Serendipity Kandy Kitchen (Shelbyville)
🥉 Hadorn’s Bakery (Bardstown)
Best Food Truck
🥇 Pappy’s (Campbellsville)
This family-run food truck serves favorites across Kentucky while teaching the next generation the value of hard work.
🥈 The 5,000 (Campbellsville)
🥉 Matilda’s Dogs and More (Sonora)
Best Local Radio Host
🥇 Larry Smith (99.9 The Big Dawg)
🥈 Terry Meiners (WHAS)
🥉 Cale Tharp (Abe 93.7)
Best Local TV Personality
🥇 Dawne Gee (WAVE)
🥈 Candyce Clifft (WDRB)
🥉 Railfan Micah Turner
Best Meteorologist
🥇 Marc Weinberg (WDRB)
🥈 Jude Redfield (WDRB)
🥉 Kevin Harned (WAVE)
Best Kentucky Musician or Band
🥇 Green River Band
🥈 JD Shelburne
🥉 Tyler Childers
Best Athlete
🥇 Trent Noah (University of Kentucky)
🥈 Otega Oweh
🥉 Malachi Moreno
