8 Coolest Kentucky Towns For A Summer Vacation In 2025

There is more to Kentucky than meets the eye. Most visitors to Kentucky come during the spring months for the Kentucky Derby, but summer is also a great time to visit the Bluegrass State. There are a wide variety of cool towns to visit during summer 2025. Travelers to these towns will get to walk in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln, see the best waterfalls west of Niagara Falls, and stand atop a natural bridge. Discover the eight coolest Kentucky towns for a summer vacation in 2025.

Slade

Slade is an underrated Kentucky town hidden away in the Red River Gorge Geological Area. The gorge itself is a favorite among rock climbers across the United States, but Slade has a lot to see for anyone going on a summer vacation. The most visited attraction in Slade is the Natural Bridge State Resort Park. Here, visitors can take a skylift or hike up to a natural sandstone bridge, which is 78 feet long and 65 feet high.

Within the park, there are also multiple hiking trails, the Natural Bridge Cave, and cottages for rent. In June, birdwatchers can observe woodland warblers. There are other fun nature activities to do in Slade, such as seeing snakes and reptiles at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo and Captive Born Venom Lab, or going on aerial rope courses at Thrillsville Adventure Park.

Paducah

If outdoor adventures aren't your cup of tea, you just might find Paducah more up your alley. This town is a creative, artistic hub that has earned its spot as a UNESCO Creative City. By taking a trip here, one can enjoy all manner of artistic wonders, especially quilting. The National Quilt Center features exhibits of both old school and avant-garde quilts, along with classes by experts.

By further exploring downtown, visitors can also see more than 200 pieces of art at the Yeiser Art Center or learn about Paducah's history within a restored 1876 drugstore at the William Clark Market House Museum. If you want to get a little fresh air while looking at art, check out the Paducah Wall to Wall Murals by the floodwall. These murals were made by famed artist Robert Dafford and are one of the finest examples of public art in Kentucky.

Harrodsburg

History buffs will definitely want to spend some time in Harrodsburg. First settled in 1774, it's the oldest founded town in Kentucky. It was first established as a fort town, and visitors can see a recreation of that settlement at the Old Fort Harrod State Park. At the park, there is the fort itself with block houses, weapons, and settler artifacts, but one can also see a Mansion Museum and the Lincoln Marriage Temple where Abraham Lincoln's parents were wed.

By driving a few miles outside of downtown Harrodsburg, one can bask in the beauty of the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. The Shakers were a charismatic and celibate religious group in the 19th and 20th centuries, and at Pleasant Hill, you can see their original dwellings, feast on organic food grown on site, or explore the woods within the Preserve.

Hodgenville

For anyone looking to walk in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln, Hodgenville should be the first stop. After all, it was here that Abraham Lincoln was born. Abraham Lincoln led the US through its most difficult years during the American Civil War. Much of his character was shaped by his humble beginnings, which visitors can see firsthand at The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace.

At the park, there is the Birthplace Unit, which has a Symbolic Cabin within the Memorial Building. There is also the Boyhood Home Unit, which features a log cabin, the Knob Creek Tavern Visitor Center and other landmarks to explore from his childhood. The town of Hodgenville itself has the Lincoln Museum, which chronicles his life in full. After a day of learning about Lincoln, visitors can enjoy a fun country music show at The Lincoln Jamboree.

Corbin

Corbin is one of the most fun towns in Kentucky to visit or stay a while. This is in large part due to the many Kentucky treasures travelers can find here. One such treasure is a moonbow on the misty falls of the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. A moonbow is a rainbow formed by moonlight that is only visible in a few places on Earth, including the Cumberland Falls, which are worth seeing at any time of day.

There are also several cute attractions in town, like the Harland Sanders Café and Museum, the site of the original restaurant set up by none other than Colonel Sanders. For other activities, travelers can play vintage pinball at the Pinball Museum of Corbin or enjoy a live musical performance at The Corbin Arena.

Bardstown

Bardstown regularly ranks highly in lists of the best vacation spots in Kentucky. The reason for this is obvious: Bardstown is the capital of the proud Kentucky tradition of distilling Bourbon whiskey. This drink was first made by Baptist preacher Elijah Craig, who aged whiskey in a wooden barrel, giving it a unique flavor. There are a large number of distilleries that offer both samples and tours in Bardstown, including Barton 1792 Distillery.

Bardstown is also a deeply historic town and has several intriguing museums you can't find anywhere else in Kentucky. These include the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History, the Civil War Museum with one of the largest collections of artifacts from the Western Theater of the War, and the My Old Kentucky Home State Park. This park features an 1818 Federal Hill mansion, which was renamed in honor of Stephen Foster's famous song. The mansion has tours and culinary experiences ranging from bourbon to mint julep to lemonade tastings.

London

One of the best ways to cool off during the summer is to feel the wind whipping by your face with the windows rolled down in the car or atop a bicycle. As the Cycling Capital of Kentucky, it offers a diverse set of biking trails, such as the downtown Redbud Ride or the Cane Creek Wildlife Management Area.

For those who like to hike, the Daniel Boone National Forest and Laurel Lake are ideal spots to enjoy nature or go fishing. If historic spots are more your cup of tea, London has you covered with the Battle Camp Wildcat, an 1861 Civil War battlefield. Lastly, London offers a lot of family fun at the London Children's Museum and the London Dragway, a favorite among Kentucky racing fans.

Georgetown

Georgetown stands out among Kentucky towns as the fastest-growing city. However, its population sits just below 40,000, giving it a great small-town feel. There are a wide number of Bluegrass experiences here for a summer trip, including the wonderful Old Friends Retired Thoroughbred Farm. Here, you can interact with retired horses that once raced in the Kentucky Derby.

Those who want to experience horsepower can see a classic 1988 Camry by taking a tour at the Toyota Kentucky Experience Center. If you are a history buff, the Ward Hall villa is a must-see. This 1857 Greek Revival mansion has 27-foot-high Corinthian columns and was the home of the fashionista and local eccentric Sallie Ward. Lastly, visitors can relax at the Yuko-En on the Elkhorn, a Japanese-style garden in the heart of the Bluegrass state.

When planning a summer vacation in Kentucky, these eight cool towns give you a lot to choose from. You can enjoy Kentucky hospitality at Bardstown distilleries, explore a Civil War battlefield in London, go walking through a Shaker village in Harrodsburg, or go hiking up a beautiful sandstone arch in Slade. For those who want to get out of the heat, the multiple mansions within these towns are a perfect place to cool off and see beautiful architecture. These eight cool towns will ensure you have a great 2025 summer vacation.