The Bluegrass state has more than bourbon and horses, and the tourism industry there is skyrocketing.

Kentucky Tourism

When it comes to tourism, you typically think of exotic places like Hawaii or big cities like New York or Chicago.  But there are many great places to travel to in visit without ever leaving the Bluegrass State.  Kentucky is known as the Bourbon Capital of the World, there are countless distilleries to discover, and there's also a history of horse racing that runs deep in the state as well.   But besides bourbon and horses, Kentucky is also home to some seriously stunning nature views, and plenty of incredible natural wonders to check out.  These are just a few of the reasons Kentucky has found itself excelling in tourism.

Photo of Cumberland Falls below.

The Best State for Tourism in the United States

Recently a study named Kentucky as the best state for tourism for the second year in a row.  According to Lex18, Kentucky tourism is a massive industry, and it's continuing to grow into 2024.

For the second year in a row, Kentucky has been recognized as the best state for tourism.

According to a 2023 study, 79.3 million travelers visited the state in 2023, a 4.5% increase from 2022.

Lex18 credits things like the Red River Gorge, bourbon distilleries, and delicious food as all part of the reason Kentucky is thriving in tourism.

Photo of Manchester Farm below.

Tourism in Kentucky is a Huge Deal

The Kentucky Travel Industry Association (or KTIA for short) says that tourism in Kentucky helps support more than 90,000 jobs across Kentucky, and visitors to Kentucky spent upwards of  $8.9 billion in 2022 alone.   

Photo from Red River Gorge below.

KTIA credits Kentucky's unique experiences along with friendly and hospitable people are what sets Kentucky apart, and is a big part of the reason Kentucky is excelling with tourism.

Experiences related to bourbon and horses, two authentic Kentucky icons, are as unique to Kentucky as they are compelling for visitors. However, Kentucky possesses far more than bourbon and horses to attract visitors. Its outdoor recreation and adventure, historical and cultural offerings, Bluegrass and other music genres, its own special version of Southern cuisine, folk art and craft and the artisans who create them, and authentic small towns and urban excitement all comprise Kentucky’s portfolio of tourism assets. Two others are often noted by visitors and are reflected in Kentucky tourism research: the beauty of the state and the friendly and hospitable people who live here. The full array of Kentucky’s assets forms a mosaic of experiences unlike anyplace else in the world.