Welcome to Kentucky

The Kentucky Derby. Held the first Saturday of every May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, this 1¼ mile race features $2 million in prize money that attracts the best horses, trainers, and jockeys in the nation. The event, which is part of the Triple Crown of horse racing, also attracts visitors who like to play the horses and revel in Derby style. The whole state gets excited for this event, which is often referred to as the most exciting two minutes in sports.

Bourbon. All those Derby partiers get thirsty, and the drink of choice is the Mint Julep. And, the main ingredient of this quintessential Kentucky cocktail is bourbon. The state has 68 distilleries devoted to producing bourbon, and many say it's the ideal combination of climate, conditions, and naturally limestone-rich water that makes the spirit so unique. Kentucky bourbon is tasty served on its own, but to make the Derby day drink, mix it with sugar, water, ice, and fresh mint.

Kentucky barbecue. When many people think about barbecue, pork, beef, or chicken often come to mind. Kentucky has plenty of these meat options to offer but adds mutton as its unique barbecue meat. Mutton is the name for older sheep, and its use in Kentucky barbecue followed a wool production boom in the early 1800s. The meat has a deeply rich flavor, but can be chewy and gamey when cooked quickly. Low and slow barbecue and an acidic sauce combine for a barbecue experience like no other.

The Hot Brown. Kentucky cuisine has more to offer than regional barbecue. One of the most famous culinary creations in the Bluegrass State is the Hot Brown, an open-faced turkey and bacon sandwich that is covered in Mornay cheese sauce and broiled crisp. It’s been a popular dish for a century, but it’s hard to find it on any restaurant menus outside of Kentucky.

Bluegrass. Now, you may be wondering why Kentucky is referred to as the Bluegrass State. The term is not a direct reference to the style of music, but a nod to a particular type of grass found in Kentucky. This grass is not blue, but early settlers to the area thought it had a peculiar blue-green tint in the sun. Bluegrass music is an American roots music genre that originated in Kentucky in the 1940s.

Friendly faces. Another name for Kentucky could be the Friendly State, as its residents are well-known for being polite. Kentucky’s laid back vibe has also helped make it a retirement-friendly state, but the low taxes and deductions of seniors have helped, too.

Fort Knox. This army post south of Louisville contains the United States Bullion Depository, which houses much of the nation’s gold reserves — valued at over $6 billion. It is an interesting fact about Kentucky but is not a tourist destination, as the gold depository is one of the most secure facilities in the world, and visitors are not permitted.

Cumberland Falls. Dubbed the “Niagara of the South,” Cumberland Falls is a 60-foot tall waterfall on the Cumberland River. It’s a breathtaking piece of nature, deep inside a vast area filled with outdoor activities for residents and tourists alike. It’s also one of the few places in the world where people can witness a moonbow — which is like a rainbow but is formed from the reflection of moonlight on water droplets misted from the falls.

Rock climbing. Kentucky is also known for its sandstone mountains and cliffs. Actually, these rock formations are the top edges of the Cumberland Plateau. This sandstone is the preferred climbing surface for rock climbing enthusiasts. Popular climbing spots include the Red River Gorge, Morehead, and the Rockcastle River watershed.

The Wildcats. The University of Kentucky’s men’s basketball team, the Wildcats, has the most victories in NCAA Division I. So, the team is a big deal in Kentucky and throughout neighboring states as well.