There are many reasons to love September and October in Kentucky, and one of them is the wide variety of activities that are perfect for a lovely autumn day. During these few short months of cooler temperatures and vibrant color, we want to be outside, soaking it in before winter creeps into the Bluegrass State. If you’re looking to explore our beautiful state this season, check out our list of picture-perfect fall day trips to take throughout Kentucky.
- Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest - 2075 Clermont Rd. Clermont, KY, 40110
Facebook/Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest Bernheim Arboretum is a picturesque retreat any time of the year, but in the fall the 15,625 acres of land come to life with stunningly brilliant color. There are many events held at the Arboretum throughout the season and more than 40 miles of trails available to take in the gorgeous scenery. The best way to soak up all this glorious scenery is on one of Bernheim’s numerous trails. In addition to its paved walking paths, the park invites visitors to, quite literally, take to the trees. On its acclaimed canopy walk, a boardwalk extends straight into the forest canopy, suspending visitors an astonishing 75 feet above the forest floor. The experience truly feels as though you’re floating in a dreamy, fairy tale forest! Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd, Clermont, KY 40110, USA
- Bardstown, Kentucky
TripAdvisor/joyjim Bardstown is hailed as Kentucky’s most enchanting small town; a place that is filled with history, lovely restaurants and cafes, shops, and My Old Kentucky Home State Park. There’s plenty to do here to keep you busy for an entire day, or better yet, stay in one of the delightful B&Bs nearby and make a fall weekend of it. Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
- The Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Flickr/Juan Monroy Speaking of Bardstown, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is an excellent day trip any time of year, but it has certain appeal in the fall. As the weather cools, the bourbon seems to taste even better and the properties of these beautiful distilleries come to life with vibrant fall color.
- Waverly Hills Sanatorium - 4400 Paralee Dr., Louisville, KY, 40272
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium What would fall be without a trip to a haunted house? And why not go to one of the most terrifying places for the ultimate experience? The Waverly Hills Sanatorium is one of the most haunted places not only in Kentucky, but in all of America. Waverly Hills Sanatorium is a historic former hospital in Louisville that came close to being demolished. A historical society saved it and has offered tours, ghost hunts, and other events for several years. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium, 4400 Paralee Dr, Louisville, KY 40272, USA
- Country Pumpkins - 1835 Sherman Mt. Zion Road, Dry Ridge, KY, 41035
Facebook/Country Pumpkins Country Pumpkins is the ultimate “fall on the farm” experience, located in Northern Kentucky’s Dry Ridge. Although it’s just minutes from the highway, you’ll love your time on this peaceful, working dairy farm where the staff are extremely friendly and the activities are festive and authentic. It’s the perfect family day trip to find that one-of-a-kind pumpkin in the patch, take a hayride, and try your luck at a massive corn maze. Country Pumpkins, 1835 Sherman Mt. Zion Road, Dry Ridge, KY 41035, USA
- Belle Of Louisville Riverboats - 401 W. River Rd. Louisville, KY, 40202
Facebook/Belle of Louisville Riverboats You may not think of taking a riverboat cruise in the fall, but now is actually an excellent time to hop aboard one of these historic boats. The Belle Of Louisville Riverboats has cruises through October, so you can still enjoy the sightseeing, history and food while also taking advantage of lovely autumn scenery. Belle of Louisville Riverboats, 401 W River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Big South Fork Scenic Railway - 66 Henderson St. Stearns, KY, 42647
Facebook/Big South Fork Scenic Railway Enjoy the brilliant fall foliage in Kentucky aboard the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. The 14-mile trip is full of scenic vistas, lush vegetation and mountain streams as the train descends 600 feet into the Big South Fork River Gorge. It’s an unforgettable fall excursion. Big South Fork Scenic Railway, 66 Henderson St, Stearns, KY 42647, USA
- Natural Bridge State Resort Park - 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY, 40376
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn All of the Kentucky State Parks are favorite fall destinations, but Natural Bridge State Resort Park holds special charm this time of year. Witness one of our state’s spectacular natural wonders and through October, take a trip up the sky lift for the best views of the colorful fall foliage. Natural Bridge State Resort Park, 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376, USA
If only we could fit in all of these fun excursions in one short season — the weeks in September and October in Kentucky fill up fast! Luckily, there’s always next year, too. How many of these fall day trips have you taken? Do you have another favorite spot in Kentucky to explore during fall? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Facebook/Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
Bernheim Arboretum is a picturesque retreat any time of the year, but in the fall the 15,625 acres of land come to life with stunningly brilliant color. There are many events held at the Arboretum throughout the season and more than 40 miles of trails available to take in the gorgeous scenery. The best way to soak up all this glorious scenery is on one of Bernheim’s numerous trails. In addition to its paved walking paths, the park invites visitors to, quite literally, take to the trees. On its acclaimed canopy walk, a boardwalk extends straight into the forest canopy, suspending visitors an astonishing 75 feet above the forest floor. The experience truly feels as though you’re floating in a dreamy, fairy tale forest!
Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd, Clermont, KY 40110, USA
TripAdvisor/joyjim
Bardstown is hailed as Kentucky’s most enchanting small town; a place that is filled with history, lovely restaurants and cafes, shops, and My Old Kentucky Home State Park. There’s plenty to do here to keep you busy for an entire day, or better yet, stay in one of the delightful B&Bs nearby and make a fall weekend of it.
Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
Flickr/Juan Monroy
Speaking of Bardstown, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is an excellent day trip any time of year, but it has certain appeal in the fall. As the weather cools, the bourbon seems to taste even better and the properties of these beautiful distilleries come to life with vibrant fall color.
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium
What would fall be without a trip to a haunted house? And why not go to one of the most terrifying places for the ultimate experience? The Waverly Hills Sanatorium is one of the most haunted places not only in Kentucky, but in all of America. Waverly Hills Sanatorium is a historic former hospital in Louisville that came close to being demolished. A historical society saved it and has offered tours, ghost hunts, and other events for several years.
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium, 4400 Paralee Dr, Louisville, KY 40272, USA
Facebook/Country Pumpkins
Country Pumpkins is the ultimate “fall on the farm” experience, located in Northern Kentucky’s Dry Ridge. Although it’s just minutes from the highway, you’ll love your time on this peaceful, working dairy farm where the staff are extremely friendly and the activities are festive and authentic. It’s the perfect family day trip to find that one-of-a-kind pumpkin in the patch, take a hayride, and try your luck at a massive corn maze.
Country Pumpkins, 1835 Sherman Mt. Zion Road, Dry Ridge, KY 41035, USA
Facebook/Belle of Louisville Riverboats
You may not think of taking a riverboat cruise in the fall, but now is actually an excellent time to hop aboard one of these historic boats. The Belle Of Louisville Riverboats has cruises through October, so you can still enjoy the sightseeing, history and food while also taking advantage of lovely autumn scenery.
Belle of Louisville Riverboats, 401 W River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
Facebook/Big South Fork Scenic Railway
Enjoy the brilliant fall foliage in Kentucky aboard the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. The 14-mile trip is full of scenic vistas, lush vegetation and mountain streams as the train descends 600 feet into the Big South Fork River Gorge. It’s an unforgettable fall excursion.
Big South Fork Scenic Railway, 66 Henderson St, Stearns, KY 42647, USA
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
All of the Kentucky State Parks are favorite fall destinations, but Natural Bridge State Resort Park holds special charm this time of year. Witness one of our state’s spectacular natural wonders and through October, take a trip up the sky lift for the best views of the colorful fall foliage.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park, 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376, USA
Wondering when fall foliage will peak in your next of the woods? Kentucky in October is generally prime fall foliage season, and you can learn more about what and when to expect the best leaf peeping conditions in this article.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
October in Kentucky August 19, 2022 Sarah M. What are some fun festivals that happen in September and October in Kentucky? There’s nothing like fall festival season in Kentucky, and there are definitely some perennial favorites we eagerly await each year! There are the tried-and-true festivals that scream “fall,” complete with pumpkins galore, hayrides, apple cider, and spooky fun, but we’re partial to the quirky, only-in-Kentucky fall festivals that are truly unique to the Bluegrass State. For example, each September, the World Chicken Festival fills the streets of Corbin, Kentucky, with hundreds of Colonel Sanders lookalikes and the delicious, unmistakable, and wholly irresistible aroma of fried chicken. The festival is home to numerous only-in-Kentucky spectacles, from the World’s Largest Stainless Steel Skillet, to culinary cook-offs in the aforementioned superlative skillet, to a Colonel Harland Sanders Look-a-Like Contest that will have you seeing double! If you’ve never been, definitely put this festival on your fall bucket list. In October, the woolly worm takes front-and-center in the small Kentucky town of Beattyville, during the aptly-named Woolly Worm Festival. Far from your typical pumpkins-and-hayrides fall fete, the Woolly Worm Festival is a beloved tradition rooted in Lee County’s culture. And, in fact, there’s a very logical explanation for this fuzzy festival. You see, the woolly worm is believed to forecast the weather for the coming winter season. A woolly worm’s body has 13 segments – each corresponding to a week in winter. If a segment is light brown, that means the week will be mild. If a segment is black, that means a harsh, cold week. The worm acted as a weather predictor for many old time farmers who would harvest crop and cut firewood in preparation for the upcoming winter; and, in fact, there are many “Woolly Worm” festivals held throughout the U.S. each fall! But Kentucky’s is the best.
The OIYS Visitor Center
October in Kentucky
August 19, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some fun festivals that happen in September and October in Kentucky? There’s nothing like fall festival season in Kentucky, and there are definitely some perennial favorites we eagerly await each year! There are the tried-and-true festivals that scream “fall,” complete with pumpkins galore, hayrides, apple cider, and spooky fun, but we’re partial to the quirky, only-in-Kentucky fall festivals that are truly unique to the Bluegrass State. For example, each September, the World Chicken Festival fills the streets of Corbin, Kentucky, with hundreds of Colonel Sanders lookalikes and the delicious, unmistakable, and wholly irresistible aroma of fried chicken. The festival is home to numerous only-in-Kentucky spectacles, from the World’s Largest Stainless Steel Skillet, to culinary cook-offs in the aforementioned superlative skillet, to a Colonel Harland Sanders Look-a-Like Contest that will have you seeing double! If you’ve never been, definitely put this festival on your fall bucket list. In October, the woolly worm takes front-and-center in the small Kentucky town of Beattyville, during the aptly-named Woolly Worm Festival. Far from your typical pumpkins-and-hayrides fall fete, the Woolly Worm Festival is a beloved tradition rooted in Lee County’s culture. And, in fact, there’s a very logical explanation for this fuzzy festival. You see, the woolly worm is believed to forecast the weather for the coming winter season. A woolly worm’s body has 13 segments – each corresponding to a week in winter. If a segment is light brown, that means the week will be mild. If a segment is black, that means a harsh, cold week. The worm acted as a weather predictor for many old time farmers who would harvest crop and cut firewood in preparation for the upcoming winter; and, in fact, there are many “Woolly Worm” festivals held throughout the U.S. each fall! But Kentucky’s is the best.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There’s nothing like fall festival season in Kentucky, and there are definitely some perennial favorites we eagerly await each year! There are the tried-and-true festivals that scream “fall,” complete with pumpkins galore, hayrides, apple cider, and spooky fun, but we’re partial to the quirky, only-in-Kentucky fall festivals that are truly unique to the Bluegrass State.
For example, each September, the World Chicken Festival fills the streets of Corbin, Kentucky, with hundreds of Colonel Sanders lookalikes and the delicious, unmistakable, and wholly irresistible aroma of fried chicken. The festival is home to numerous only-in-Kentucky spectacles, from the World’s Largest Stainless Steel Skillet, to culinary cook-offs in the aforementioned superlative skillet, to a Colonel Harland Sanders Look-a-Like Contest that will have you seeing double! If you’ve never been, definitely put this festival on your fall bucket list.
In October, the woolly worm takes front-and-center in the small Kentucky town of Beattyville, during the aptly-named Woolly Worm Festival. Far from your typical pumpkins-and-hayrides fall fete, the Woolly Worm Festival is a beloved tradition rooted in Lee County’s culture. And, in fact, there’s a very logical explanation for this fuzzy festival. You see, the woolly worm is believed to forecast the weather for the coming winter season. A woolly worm’s body has 13 segments – each corresponding to a week in winter. If a segment is light brown, that means the week will be mild. If a segment is black, that means a harsh, cold week. The worm acted as a weather predictor for many old time farmers who would harvest crop and cut firewood in preparation for the upcoming winter; and, in fact, there are many “Woolly Worm” festivals held throughout the U.S. each fall! But Kentucky’s is the best.
