Southern Kentucky Travels – NanaHood’s Top 5 List
I love my state and I’ve lived here a very long time. There are fun things to do from one end of the state to the other and it’s hard to limit it to just 5, but here is my “Must See” if you come to my corner of southern Kentucky.
- Metcalfe County. I know, I know. What’s so great about one little county in the bottom half of the state? More things than you can imagine! Miss Kentucky 2017 is from Metcalfe County. A southern rock group called The Kentucky Headhunters are my long time friends and live right down the road. And so do some of the members of the phenomenal Black Stone Cherry rock band. Those are just a few of the talented, wonderful, loving and kind people who live in Metcalfe County. We are small but mighty!
2. Mammoth Cave National Park
When I was child we went to Mammoth Cave several times and I’ve been on several of the tours. It is well worth your time.
It’s the world’s longest cave system and is a limestone labyrinth with more than 400 miles of it explored, and the park estimates a potential for another 600 miles in its system. In addition, over 200 caves in the park exist as disconnected fragments of the larger Mammoth Cave system.
The park itself is beautiful. My son and his wife love hiking the trails. It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves turn colors. Be sure and read more about it here.
If you are really into spelunking then there are lots more caves in the area to explore besides Mammoth Cave.
Diamond Caverns is near the park and Lost River (boat tour) is in Bowling Green.
3. The Corvette Plant and the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green
I’ve toured them both and they are fascinating. Over the years my husband has owned a couple of Corvettes and when you see them on the highway in large numbers coming to the Corvette Homecoming it’s always exciting!
The Corvette Plant is not giving tours right now but will start again in 2019 so make plans for next year!
The National Corvette Museum The Museum has over 80 Corvettes, including mint classics, and one-of-a-kind prototypes. You can test your knowledge at interactive trivia kiosks, and don’t miss the chance to try a Corvette on for size in their lobby where they have a 2015 Stingray. Displays continually rotate so no two visits are the same. Finish your visit with a souvenir from the Corvette Store, get a bite to eat in the Corvette Cafe, and then race over to the NCM Motorsports Park to watch or take a lap!
Located in Sulphur Well (which has a rich history all it’s own) this restaurant is also in my county. Voted Kentucky’s 3rd Best Non-Franchised Restaurant by Kentucky Living Magazine I can assure you that eating there is well worth your time. They have the best home cooked meals and desserts in this area and you won’t leave disappointed! My favorites include the fried catfish, country ham and the coconut creme pie, but no matter what you order, you will love it.
5. Kentucky’s Blueberry Capital
Just in case you didn’t know, Metcalfe County has the most blueberries per acre of any county in the state. If you aren’t a fan of blueberries you should be. As one of the top ten super foods they are chock full of antioxidants. Blueberries are believed to boost memory, act as an anti-inflammatory, improve brain function, reduce the risks of cancer, reduce cholesterol and improve heart function, have anti-aging benefits, and much more.
Our blueberry farm isn’t the biggest farm in the area but we are easy to find and we are adding some things to our farm to make it a family destination. We are hoping to open Bellview Family Farm by this fall. Complete with a petting zoo, fishing, pumpkin patch, wagon rides, corn maze and much, much more!
“You Pick” blueberries during the month of June
Nigerian Dwarf Goats
The Blueberry Blaze Slide (that’s me and my granddaughter testing it out)
Stay tuned for more information for what we hope will be one of south central Kentucky’s premier destinations!
