15 days in Kentucky Itinerary

Paducah is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of McCracken County, Kentucky, United States. Start off your visit on the 16th (Tue): explore the activities along Kentucky Lake, look for all kinds of wild species at Land Between the Lakes NRA, Golden Pond Visitor Center & Planetarium, and then do a tasting at Purple Toad Winery. Keep things going the next day: admire the natural beauty at Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland, admire the engineering at Kentucky Dam, then have fun and explore at River Discovery Center, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Paducah Riverwalk.

For other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Paducah trip planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from your home destination to Paducah. In June, plan for daily highs up to 87°F, and evening lows to 67°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Wed) so you can go by car to Bowling Green.

Bowling Green is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Warren County, Kentucky, United States. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Dinosaur World and Cub Run Cave. Take a break from the city and head to Mammoth Cave and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Explore Bowling Green's surroundings by going to Fat Man's Misery (in Mammoth Cave National Park), Diamond Caverns (in Park City) and Horse Cave (Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum & Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo). There's still lots to do: take an in-depth tour of Aviation Heritage Park, make a trip to 1921 Standard Oil Station, relax in the rural setting at Chaney's Dairy Barn, and examine the collection at National Corvette Museum.

For other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, read Bowling Green travel route planner.

Traveling by car from Paducah to Bowling Green takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In June, plan for daily highs up to 87°F, and evening lows to 66°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sun) so you can drive to Lexington.

Known internationally as the "Horse Capital of the World," Lexington boasts a thriving economy resting largely on its thoroughbred racehorse industry.

Get some historical perspective at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill and Mary Todd Lincoln House. Ark Encounter and The Great American Dollhouse Museum will appeal to museum buffs. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Lexington: Kentucky River Museum (in Richmond), Natural Bridge State Resort Park (in Slade) and Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea (in Berea). There's still lots to do: explore the different monuments and memorials at Lexington Cemetery, indulge your thirst for a good beer at Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., examine the collection at Kentucky Horse Park, and witness the site of a historic battle at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site.

Planning Lexington trip won't be overwheling when you use's Insprock itinerary maker.

Getting from Bowling Green to Lexington by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus. Traveling from Bowling Green to Lexington, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In June in Lexington, expect temperatures between 84°F during the day and 64°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) so you can go by car to Louisville.

Kentucky’s largest city, Louisville, is best known as the home of the Kentucky Derby.

Appreciate the collections at Frazier History Museum and Old Bardstown Village Civil War Museum. Step off the beaten path and head to Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Historic Locust Grove. Explore Louisville's surroundings by going to Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum (in Elizabethtown) and Bardstown (Barton 1792 Distillery, My Old Kentucky Home, &more). There's much more to do: stroll the grounds of Cave Hill Cemetery, try your luck at Churchill Downs, sample the fine beverages at Angel's Envy Distillery, and make a trip to The Belvedere.

To see traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Louisville trip itinerary maker website.

Drive from Lexington to Louisville in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. June in Louisville sees daily highs of 86°F and lows of 67°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Tue) early enough to go by car back home.