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Mammoth Cave is the longest cave in the world, with more than 400 miles of underground passageways, and they are still discovering more. I have always been a huge fan of caves, so this was high on our bucket list. My family and I decided to visit this year, and we didn’t just want to trek all the way over to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky without making it one of the most epic trips of the year. So we jammed our trip packed full of amazing adventures underground and above ground.

Our adventure began with our accommodations on Friday night.

The Horse Cave KOA is home to large covered wagons to spend the night and it was the perfect hub for our Kentucky adventures -- just twenty minutes from the entrance to Mammoth Cave National Park. The spacious outdoor space came with its own grill, a swing, a picnic table, and a fire pit with Adirondack chairs.

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When we opened the door to the covered wagon, we were amazed at the clever use of space and the welcoming vibe.

They took the time to set the air conditioning for us so it would be cool when we arrived and they even had a tray on the bed with K-Cups to make coffee. This wasn't just camping, it was glamping.

And the view in the morning -- simply phenomenal.

The covered wagons were positioned to face the farmland next door. As the sun was starting to peek over the trees, dense fog settled in around us making a beautiful swirl of hazy colors. For a full tour of the covered wagon and a couple of other features of the Horse Cave KOA, including the morning scenery, check out this video.

We bought our tickets for the Mammoth Cave Historic Tour a week before we left and had an early time slot, so we woke up with excitement and headed to the park.

We joined our group and walked down a paved path to the cave entrance. A long staircase leading into Mammoth Cave was made better by the waterfall steadily falling to our left. The cool air rushed out of the deep cavern as we descended. Soon, the darkness surrounded us, and the sunlight from outside faded. Soon the only light source was the spotlights illuminating many of the awesome rock formations.

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We soon entered a room that seemed like the size of a football stadium.

It was so much bigger than we expected. Large tunnels guided us down the well-marked path. The ranger was knowledgeable and had a good sense of humor. The stories he told about the history of Mammoth Cave were fascinating, but eventually, we ended up at the back to take more pictures. We ended up missing a few things our guide said, though, so I would suggest sticking close if you are interested in the history.

One of our favorite sections was a place called “Fat Mans Misery.”

This was a tight section of the cave where the roof is much lower, the rock around your feet is very close, and the walls force you to have to twist and move around it. Luckily, it was passable with minimal effort - I am almost six feet tall and during the last section, I had to crouch and climb over rocks but it lasted approximately ten feet. The tight corridors and twisting rocks made for a fun and adventurous experience. To learn more about the two-hour tour, check out our video.

When we emerged from underground, the bright sun seemed to shine brighter as our eyes adjusted.

The trails you'll find topside are also worth exploring. After perusing the visitor's center, we hit the trails in the area. Forested trails gave way to overlooks of the Green River and the surrounding gorge in addition to fascinating rock formations. Leave yourself plenty of time to explore both above and below ground. Check out the trails we hiked in this video.

After spending the morning in Mammoth Cave, we headed north.

Our next stop was Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace Memorial. When we arrived, we were greeted by a well-kept green space and a large staircase leading up to the monument. We traveled up the fifty-six steps leading to the memorial and once inside, we viewed the replica cabin that was created to represent the humble beginnings of one America's greatest presidents. We also walked down to witness the Sinking Spring, a hole in the ground that naturally dripped water and was most likely the water source for the Lincoln family. Witness this memorial in Kentucky yourself in this video we made.

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Our next stop was the Bernheim Arboretum. We were mostly excited to see the three giant forest trolls hidden throughout the property, but we were in for a special treat.

Bernheim Arboretum was hosting its annual Connect event. This event takes place every summer and brings in musicians, unique art installations, and special lights to illuminate the trolls. We didn't know about the event in advance, but decided to stay and enjoy. Bernheim was huge and you can easily spend all day exploring. My favorite part was the trolls. Positioned around the Arboretum, each of the three trolls has an interesting story to tell. The biggest troll is pregnant and laying down by some trees while her daughter plays in a field; her son is by the pond.

The trolls are made from discarded wood from whisky barrels and other wooden scraps.

We walked to see them in daylight, and then again at night to see them lit up.

The contrast was stunning after dark. Walking around at night with lit-up paths made for another fun and immersive experience. Check out our time at Bernheim with all of the other great things we found in the arboretum in this video.

The next day, we couldn’t bare the thought of leaving the area without one more trip into the depth of the earth.

Thankfully Mammoth Cave had tickets available early in the morning again - this time we chose the Domes and Dripstone Tour. The first half of the tour starts by leading you into what looks like an old military bunker. Unlike the day before, when we walked into an epic cave entrance, this tour starts with a humble metal door. Winding staircases lead you further and deeper into Mammoth Cave once again. where we found tight quarters that had us ducking low-hanging ceilings and twisting around small spaces. Many sections have you also walking across a bridge with a massive drop underfoot.

The second half leads to Frozen Niagara. This section is more open, but is covered from ceiling to floor with incredible dripstone formations.

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Large stalagmites and stalactites were beautifully formed by the dripping water all around the cave. Dynamic lighting plays on the shadows and I didn’t want to leave. I wasn’t allowed to stay forever though, so I caught up with my family and followed the path out of the cave once more. I highly suggest both tours that we did. Each offered a unique experience filled with fun and amazement at every turn. If you want to see the whole tour, here's our video.

It was time to make the long trip home, but not without one last stop. We read about this little town called Horse Cave perched on top of a big cave.

The town was positively charming, with a massive mural proudly showcasing its name on the side of a building. We snapped a picture and then crossed the street to look at the entrance of Hidden River Cave.

This opening is nothing short of breathtaking. With layers of jagged rocks, lush green moss, and overhanging vines, it certainly was well worth the stop.

They also have a small free museum inside the building next to the cave. There were lots of cool features with interactive elements and informative signs about the caves in Kentucky. It was a quick stop, and a fitting end to our epic cave weekend. If you want to take a look at Horse Cave, watch this video.

Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, was high on my list of national parks to visit. We had high expectations for the world's longest cave, and it blew all of those expectations out of the water. The whole trip was a lot of fun, and filled with memories we can hold on to for a lifetime.

To discover more incredible boots-on-the-ground adventures across America from our team of local travel experts, check out all of the articles in OnlyInYourState’s Everyday Explorers series. What destinations would you like to see featured next on OnlyInYourState’s Everyday Explorers? Tell us where we should go on our nominations page.

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There's something so addictive about getting lost in a good book, but one pleasure that's nearly as enjoyable is losing yourself in the shelves of an independent book shop. No matter how impossibly long my to-read list gets, I love stopping at local bookshops when traveling to check out the wares. It's so easy to feel at home in a cozy bookstore, and the aisles and aisles of reading material are like catnip to a bibliophile. If you've been searching for a fun afternoon road trip and love to read, you'll adore this easy trip to some of the best bookstores in Kentucky.

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We're typically fans of lengthy road trips that take days and days, but for this one, we figure you want to spend as much time as possible in these wonderful bookshops, so you'll only have to be behind the wheel for about two hours. The trip is centered between Lexington and Louisville, though obviously, there are plenty of great bookstores in other parts of the Bluegrass State, too! You can check out the full itinerary on Google Maps. It's customizable, so feel free to add additional stops to really make the trip your own.

We'll start off our journey at Carmichael's Bookstore in Louisville. There are actually two locations in Louisville, and the first opened up way back in 1978. This is one of Louisville's most iconic stores, and we love the focus on local authors. Neither branch of the store is particularly large, but there's an emphasis on quality, and it's a pretty good bet that if Carmichael's stocks it, it's worth a peek.

For our next stop, we'll head to Frankfort, where you'll find Poor Richard's Books. It's located across from the old state capitol building and features wall-to-wall books of every genre. There are thousands of books in this place, and bookworms can easily spend all day browsing the new and vintage selections. This is the type of quintessential stuffed-into-every-nook-and-cranny bookstore that comes to mind when you imagine an old bookshop.

Continue driving east to Lexington to come to our next stop: sQecial Media. This delightful shop is located near the UK campus and has a wide array of products that include gifts, candles, tarot cards, jewelry, and crystals, in addition to, of course, books. The store has been around since 1972 and loves to focus on the quirky and slightly off-the-wall, which makes it a perfect brick-and-mortar alternative for products you'd normally have to go online to find.

We'll remain in Lexington for the rest of the afternoon, and you'll definitely want to pay a visit to Friends Book Cellar. The store is operated by the Friends of the Lexington Public Library and operates out of the library's central branch. The library itself is also worth taking the time to explore, but make sure to head downstairs and check out the thousands of books available for purchase at the Book Cellar. They're organized by genre and all purchases go to support the library's operating costs.

Last but not least on this bookstore road trip is Joseph-Beth Booksellers. This popular shop has several locations throughout the Kentucky and Ohio area, but the Lexington branch was the first and remains a beloved part of the Lexington literary scene today. The two-story bookstore regularly hosts author readings and events and is also home to the Kentucky Book Festival, which takes place each November.

Have you ever visited any of these bookstores? Did your favorite not make the list? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Looking to support a local bookstore but not able to buy in person right now? Check out Bookshop.org, where a portion of each sale goes to your local independent bookshop.

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There's nowhere in the world quite like Kentucky. Between the rolling hills of Horse Country, grandiose gorges of the Daniel Boone National Forest, riverfront vistas of northern Kentucky, Appalachian hills in our eastern region, and waterfront splendor of Lake Cumberland *and* Land Between the Lakes, you're guaranteed to find a scenic destination anywhere in the state. Today, we put together a scenic Kentucky road trip that visits some of our state's finest features, and it's sure to make you fall in love with the beauty of the Bluegrass all over again.

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Our scenic road trip to some of the most beautiful places to visit in Kentucky visits several beautiful destinations in the Bluegrass State. While it can be done in a day, we suggest breaking it into a weekend, and we have suggested accommodations listed below.

Check out the Google Maps link and plan your trip along this Kentucky scenic byway!

On your mark, get set, go! We're kicking off this scenic road trip through Kentucky in the most Kentucky way possible: with the horses!

The Kentucky Horse Park is always a blue ribbon winner in our books, and it's the perfect place to stop and spend the morning. And honestly, it's one of those things to do in Kentucky that's a must!

We recommend going for a guided horseback ride through the equestrian park, which is one of the best ways to enjoy the rolling hills of the Bluegrass.

As the state is home to the famous Kentucky Derby, you can learn more about the horses by watching this video by @OnlyInYourState:

Next stop, Red River Gorge! Located within the state’s Daniel Boone National Forest, Red River Gorge is the Holy Grail of outdoor recreation and adventure.

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Known as the "Grand Canyon of Kentucky," Red River Gorge is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state. The vistas here are out-of-this-world, and we recommend staying in your car and driving through a bit of the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway.

When you feel like getting out and stretching your legs, Natural Bridge is one of Red River Gorge's most spectacular spots and offers 10 hiking trails ranging from a half-mile to 7.5 miles in length.

Formed over millions of years, the park's eponymous sandstone arch stretches more than 75 feet long and 65 feet high and is truly a sight to behold. When you're tired and ready to rest your feet for the night, we suggest checking into the 35-room Hemlock Lodge, where each suite has a balcony for peak vista viewing!

Curious to explore RRG before you go? Check out this video from YouTube user Robert Zinn:

New day, new possibilities. First up: a hike at the Berea Pinnacles, the trail Outside Magazine called the best in Kentucky in 2019.

To get to these overlooks, however, you're going to need to lace up your hiking boots and set out on a 6.6-mile journey, but trust us when we say: it's worth each and every step!

Once you've explored the pinnacles, head to Bardstown for a late lunch. Hailed as one of the most charming and walkable small towns in the country, Bardstown is peak Bluegrass beauty!

We suggest stopping by The Old Talbott Tavern, the oldest bourbon bar in the country, for lunch.

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Order a bourbon flight to sample some of the state's finest spirits, and dine on Southern favorites like beer-battered fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, and bourbon-glazed chicken.

Fortified, it's time to embark on the last leg of our trip, and it's breathtakingly beautiful.

Travel up through central Kentucky's rolling blue hills, through tunnels of trees and white picket fence-lined farms. Roll down the windows and drink in the sublime scenery of Horse Country.

Our final stop is as grand as it gets: the Kentucky Castle. It's a place that's truly as beautiful as it gets, and from its perch in Versailles, it almost doesn't seem real.

Luckily for us, it is.

Wander the grounds and then enjoy a scenic dinner whilst gazing out on your Kentucky kingdom.

Your trip can end here, but we suggest booking a night's stay at the Kentucky Castle and reveling in being real-life royalty for the night.

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Oh, Kentucky, there's nowhere in the world we'd rather be. We hope you enjoyed this scenic Kentucky road trip to some of the state's most beautiful places and encourage you to get out and let yourself fall head-over-heels for the beautiful Bluegrass State!

Not sure what to bring with you on this or any other Kentucky road trip? Take a look at our Ultimate. Road Trip Packing List for ideas!

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