Discover some of the most picturesque towns in Kentucky, tour the third largest Shaker village in the U.S., gaze in awe at the ARK Encounter and the Creation Museum —and we’re just getting started! A visit to Kentucky would not be complete without a stop at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. At the Kentucky Horse Park you will meet retired race horses and visit the world-renowned international Museum of the Horse. Get ready for a taste of the Bluegrass State as we travel its hilly backroads on a journey you’ll always cherish.
DAY 1—WELCOME TO THE BLUEGRASS STATE!
Enjoy meeting your fellow travelers and Discoveries Director at a welcome dinner. D
DAY 2—CREATION MUSEUM/BOURBON
This morning we will see Biblical history come to life at the Creation Museum. This state-of-the-art museum allows you to venture through religious history, stunning exhibits, botanical gardens, a fascinating planetarium, and more. This afternoon we travel south to Oldham County for a savory southern comfort lunch and meet Dr. Nancy Theiss for an insightful presentation about the Underground Railroad. We may even see La Grange’s “Street Runner”! As the only Main Street “Street Runner” left in America, this famous train shares the street with pedestrians and automobile traffic. This evening, continue on to Louisville, and a tasty tour of Evan Williams Bourbon located on the city’s “Whiskey Row”. B, L
DAY 3—CHURCHILL DOWNS/STONEWARE/LOUISVILLE FREE TIME
There’s no experience quite like a private backside tour of Churchill Downs Racetrack. Enjoy breakfast in the Horsemen’s Track Kitchen, see the horses training rail side, and learn about everyday life at the track. Be sure to bring your cameras—you will get an up close and personal view of the horses, jockeys, and trainers. Afterwards, we tour and have lunch at Louisville Stoneware, one of the oldest stoneware manufactures in the U.S. Watch artisans turn clay into beautiful pieces of pottery by hand. This afternoon you’ll have free time in the very walkable downtown area, where you may wish to visit the Slugger Museum or the Muhammad Ali Center. B, L
DAY 4—MY OLD KY HOME PARK/SHAKER VILLAGE/BOONE TAVERN
Today we begin our journey with a visit to the homestead that inspired Stephen Foster’s famous “My Old Kentucky Home”. Commissioned by Scotch-Irish immigrant John Rowan Sr., the main building is a Federal-style mansion and the centerpiece of this 1,300 acre plantation. Interestingly, in 1923, “My Old Kentucky Home” became Kentucky’s first state-owned park. Later a traditional Kentucky lunch prepared with straight-from the-garden ingredients at Shaker Village, followed by a guided tour of the grounds, and some free time to explore this 19th-century village, home to the third largest Shaker community in the United States. Next, we travel to Berea, located at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is known as the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky. You will have some free time to look around the town. No trip to Berea is complete without visiting and enjoying a meal and music at the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant. Built in 1909 on the old “Dixie Highway,” this establishment was named after Kentucky explorer Daniel Boone. B, L, D
DAY 5—KENTUCKY HORSE PARK/FARM TOUR
Today, we start our day at the Kentucky Horse Park and Museum in Lexington where we will be enchanted by the beauty, strength, and spirit of the horse. Our stop includes a visit to the world-renowned International Museum of the Horse, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. After lunch we will visit a beautiful family-owned Farm and Greenhouse for an exciting tour and wagon ride. You'll even get to try some tasty farm fresh treats! B, L
DAY 6—ARK ENCOUNTER/HOME
After breakfast, possibly our biggest highlight of the tour is literally huge in size and stature —the ARK Encounter! ARK Encounter features a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old. After our visit, our group will head back to Cincinnati with fond memories of the Bluegrass State. B
Quality Accommodations
Night 1: Hilton Garden Inn Cincinnati Airport South, Florence, KY
Nights 2-3: Hampton Inn Downtown, Louisville, KY
Night 4: Boone Tavern Hotel, Berea, KY
Night 5: Home 2 Suites by Hilton, Georgetown, KY
Dates:
Sep 25-30, 2024
Price Per Person:
Double $1,777
Single $2,195
Pre/Post Tour Hotel:
$178/night
Depart/Return:
Cincinnati, OH
Inclusions:
Free airport shuttle or hotel parking
Welcome Dinner and meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Fees and tips for included attractions and meals
Luggage handling at most hotels
Free bottled water on coach
24-hour emergency call service
Arrival Time
Our Welcome Dinner on Day 1 is at our hotel, Hilton Garden Inn Cincinnati Airport South, starting at 6:30 p.m. We recommend scheduling your flight to arrive by 4:00 p.m.
Departure Time
Schedule your flight home to depart the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport any time after 3:00 p.m. on Day 6.
Airport Transportation / Vehicle Parking
Our starting hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to/from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. If you are driving to the starting location, they also offer complimentary parking for the duration of the tour.
Walking Distance
Moderate walking is required to fully enjoy this tour. Some walking will also be on uneven paths. While walking canes are allowed, we are unable to accommodate travelers using other mobility devices, including walkers and wheelchairs.
Average Temps
High of 75°, low of 55°
Time Zone
Eastern
Hotel Amenities
Each hotel has a hair dryer, iron, ironing boards, swimming pool (Except Boone Tavern) and Wi-Fi.
Additional Information
A total of three mailings are sent to assist you in preparing for your tour, including information sent upon receipt of your reservation.
Dress on tour is casual. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, visors, and comfortable walking shoes will add to your enjoyment of this tour.
Travel Protection Available?
Yes, see CountryTravelDiscoveries.com/TravelProtectionPlan.
