Best in Kentucky winners for 2026!
Local Radio Hosts
- Larry Smith, WVLC 99.9 (Campbellsville)
- Terry Meiners, WHAS 840 (Louisville)
- Cale Tharp, WLCB 93.7 (Hodgenville)
Local TV Personalities
- Dawne Gee, WAVE (Louisville)
- Candyce Clifft, WDRB (Louisville)
- Railfan Micah Turner, YouTube
Meteorologists
- Marc Weinberg, WDRB (Louisville)
- Jude Redfield, WDRB (Louisville)
- Kevin Harned, WAVE (Louisville)
Kentucky Musicians or Bands
- The Green River Band, Columbia, Kentucky
- JD Shelburne, Nashville, Tennessee (Originally from Taylorsville, Kentucky)
- Tyler Childers, Nashville, Tennessee (Originally from Lawrence County, Kentucky)
Athletes
- Trent Noah, Harlan, Kentucky
- Otega Oweh, Lexington, Kentucky (Originally from New Jersey)
- Malachi Moreno, Georgetown, Kentucky
Road Trip
- Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave
- Red River Gorge Geological Area, Stanton
- Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Golden Pond
Distillery Tour
- Maker’s Mark Distillery, Loretto
- Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort
- Heaven Hill Springs Distillery, Bardstown
Event or Festival
- Campbellsville Fourth of July Celebration, Campbellsville
- Marion County Country Ham Days, Lebanon
- Lincoln Days Celebration, Hodgenville
Agritourism Attraction
- Gallrein Farms, Shelbyville
- Dennison’s Roadside Market, Horse Cave
- Blackacre Nature Preserve & Historic Homestead, Louisville
Place for Live Music
- Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, Mount Vernon
- The AMP at Log Still, Gethsemane
- Joel Ray’s Lincoln Jamboree, Hodgenville
Museum
- Frazier Kentucky History Museum, Louisville
- Lincoln Museum, Hodgenville
- Creation Museum, Petersburg
Kid-Friendly Attraction
- Louisville Zoo, Louisville
- Ark Encounter, Williamstown
- Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, Horse Cave
Winery
- Purple Toad Winery, Paducah
- McIntyre & Family Winery, Bardstown
- Happy Jack’s Winery, Hardinsburg
Historic Attraction
- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Hodgenville
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown
- Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg
Specialty Lodging or Bed & Breakfast
- My Old Kentucky Dome, Mount Washington
- Restin’ Holes, Willisburg
- L&N Bed and Breakfast, Henderson
Downtown Shopping District
- Bardstown Main Street, Bardstown
- Campbellsville Main Street, Campbellsville
- Shelby Main Street, Shelbyville
Camping or RV Spot
- Green River Lake State Park, Campbellsville
- John James Audubon State Park, Henderson
- Lincoln Lodge, Hodgenville
Place for Adventure
- Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave
- Red River Gorge Geological Area, Stanton
- Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, Clermont
Hiking Trail
- Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave
- Red River Gorge Geological Area, Stanton
- Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, Clermont
Public Hunting/Fishing Area
- Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Golden Pond
- Taylorsville Lake, Taylorsville
- Cave Run Lake, Morehead
Water Tourism Spot
- Green River Lake, Campbellsville
- Lake Cumberland, Jamestown
- Cave Run Lake, Morehead
Breakfast Place
- Druther’s Restaurant, Campbellsville
- Carriss’s Grocery, Shelbyville
- Pat’s Place, Bardstown
Bourbon
- Maker’s Mark, Loretto
- Elijah Craig, Bardstown
- Inclusion Brand, Crestwood
Barbecue
- Brothers, Campbellsville
- B&N Food Market, Bagdad
- Thatcher Barbecue Company, Slade
Craft Beer
- Country Boy Brewing, Georgetown & Lexington
- Good Buddies Brewing Co., Lebanon
- Henderson Brewing Co., Henderson
Hamburger
- Laha’s Red Castle, Hodgenville
- Bardstown Burger, Bardstown
- B&N Food Market, Bagdad
Down-Home Restaurant
- Lighthouse Restaurant, Sulphur Well
- Mammy’s Kitchen & Bar, Bardstown
- Our Best Restaurant, Smithfield
Coffee Shop
- Harden Coffee, Campbellsville
- The Hive Coffee & Bakehouse, Glasgow
- Vibe Coffee, Elizabethtown & Hodgenville
Sweets Shop
- The Sweet Shoppe and Dessert Cafe, Hodgenville
- Serendipity Kandy Kitchen, Shelbyville
- Hadorn’s Bakery, Bardstown
Food Truck
- Pappy’s, Campbellsville
- The 5,000, Campbellsville
- Matilda’s Dogs and More, Sonora
