What’s better than all the pumpkin patches, PSLs, and harvest festivals combined? Fall foliage! The colors of autumn are Mother Nature’s most glorious artistic masterpiece, and, with all due respect to Vermont, there’s nowhere more beautiful than fall in Kentucky. We’re proving it today with a wonderful weekend road trip adventure that puts you front-and-center in Kentucky’s best fall foliage. Fill up the tank and get ready for an amazing autumn adventure in the Bluegrass State!
One weekend, all.the.fall.foliage. Are you ready? Our weekend fall foliage road trip through Kentucky spans about 400 miles and is designed to be spread out over three days and two nights, with suggested accommodations and dining along the way.
Google Maps View the Google Map and customize your leaf peeping adventure!
Best fall town in Kentucky? That’s easy: Cynthiana! This charming town of around 6,200 is peak “small town” vibes, with a delightful Main Street district, proud local businesses, and scenic beauty. But what this Northern Kentucky town truly prides itself for is its fall foliage.
Cynthiana Tourism/Facebook From its cheeky skeletons welcoming visitors downtown in September and October to pretty much every house featuring pumpkins, mums, skeletons, and other fall decor, there’s no town that celebrates autumn bigger than Cynthiana. Cynthiana, KY 41031, USA
Next, we’re heading into the beauteous Daniel Boone National Forest, which is drop-dead gorgeous in the autumn.
Anthony/Flickr
Red River Gorge is one of the most scenic places in the country, and you can experience its grandeur on the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, which we’re going to enjoy on this road trip.
Kirkikis/iStock via Getty Images Plus This 46-mile scenic byway is one of most beautiful drives you’ll ever take, and is a perfect way to take in the resplendence of Red River Gorge – without planning a bigger trip! Sit back and enjoy the spectacular dashboard views. Red River Gorge Geological Area, Robbie Ridge Rd, Stanton, KY 40380, USA
Our last stop for Day 1 of this fall foliage road trip in Kentucky is none other than Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
Kentucky State Parks/Facebook It’s no secret we adore Cumberland Falls, revering it as the single best Kentucky State Park. One of the reasons for this praise is that it’s a perfect year-round destination, no matter the season. But in the autumn? Cumberland Falls State Resort Park takes on a sublime splendor that’s downright irresistible, making it the best place for a fall weekend getaway in Kentucky. Come and enjoy the eponymous falls – hailed as the Niagara of the South – from your room at the historic Dupont Lodge. Get some rest – you’ll need it for Day 2! Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, 7351 KY-90, Corbin, KY 40701, USA
We’re kicking off another day of epic autumn adventures at one of our all-time favorite places in Kentucky: Bernheim Arboretum.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook Bernheim Arboretum is a favorite destination all year long, with each season offering new shades of splendor. At this delightful arboretum, you can explore over 16,000 acres of natural beauty, for an enchanting escape in nature – especially in the height of fall foliage. In terms of treks, the canopy walk is an easy, paved stroll that’s accessible for everyone, and puts visitors 75 feet high in the treetops! Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd, Clermont, KY 40110, USA
We’re spending the rest of the day in beautiful Bardstown, a friendly and walkable locale that’s at its prettiest in the fall.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook With charming shops, historic points of interest, and loads of scenic beauty, you’ll be totally swept off your feet by Bardstown! Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
For dinner and the night’s lodging, we’re recommending booking a table and room at the Old Talbott Tavern.
Visit Bardstown/Facebook The state’s oldest and most haunted restaurant, the Old Talbott Tavern is a total step back in time. Since the late 1700s, the Old Talbott Tavern has provided shelter, sustenance, and spirits to the good folks of Bardstown, Kentucky. Oh, and did we mention it might be haunted? Level up your fall adventure with some ghost hunting fun! Old Talbott Tavern, 107 W Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
The final day of our fall foliage road trip brings us to Horse Country. Kentucky is known for its beautiful horses and the rolling blue pastures where they roam and run. The state is filled with fence-lined fields, each one more picturesque than the last, where majestic horses graze and gallop in a way that’s truly magical. And in the autumn, when the rolling blue hills become scarlet red and golden yellow? Sublime.
Kentucky Horse Park/Facebook This magic is celebrated at one of Kentucky’s most iconic attractions, the Kentucky Horse Park. Located just outside of Lexington (but in an idyllic area that feels quite rural and remote), the Kentucky Horse Park is the perfect day trip destination. We highly recommend a carriage ride or horseback tour of the park, to really soak up the autumnal colors! Horse Park Road, Horse Park Rd, Kentucky 41008, USA
Continuing through Horse Country, Pisgah Pike and Old Frankfort Pike is easily the most scenic drive through Kentucky.
Anthony/Flickr Just outside of Lexington, the route along Old Frankfort Pike and Pisgah Pike is a drive every Kentuckian should take. These beautiful backroads in Kentucky allow drivers to really sit back and enjoy the resplendence of this region. Pisgah Pike, Kentucky 40383, USA
And because every great road trip ends with a meal, break for a late lunch at Wallace Station. This darling little eatery is housed in a building that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was built around the turn of the 20th century.
Wallace Station Deli and Bakery/Facebook While rustic and unassuming, this restaurant is led by Ouita Michel, a highly respected, James Beard Award-nominated chef. And while the menu at this beautiful little eatery is comprised of humble classics like sandwiches and burgers, the fare here is truly Top Chef level. The fried chicken sandwich? A must-try, and delicious conclusion to this wonderful weekend road trip in Kentucky. Wallace Station Deli and Bakery, 3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles, KY 40383, USA
Where’s your favorite spot for leaf peeping in the Bluegrass? Did you discover any new places on this fall foliage road trip through Kentucky?
Google Maps
View the Google Map and customize your leaf peeping adventure!
Cynthiana Tourism/Facebook
From its cheeky skeletons welcoming visitors downtown in September and October to pretty much every house featuring pumpkins, mums, skeletons, and other fall decor, there’s no town that celebrates autumn bigger than Cynthiana.
Cynthiana, KY 41031, USA
Anthony/Flickr
Kirkikis/iStock via Getty Images Plus
This 46-mile scenic byway is one of most beautiful drives you’ll ever take, and is a perfect way to take in the resplendence of Red River Gorge – without planning a bigger trip! Sit back and enjoy the spectacular dashboard views.
Red River Gorge Geological Area, Robbie Ridge Rd, Stanton, KY 40380, USA
Kentucky State Parks/Facebook
It’s no secret we adore Cumberland Falls, revering it as the single best Kentucky State Park. One of the reasons for this praise is that it’s a perfect year-round destination, no matter the season. But in the autumn? Cumberland Falls State Resort Park takes on a sublime splendor that’s downright irresistible, making it the best place for a fall weekend getaway in Kentucky. Come and enjoy the eponymous falls – hailed as the Niagara of the South – from your room at the historic Dupont Lodge. Get some rest – you’ll need it for Day 2!
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, 7351 KY-90, Corbin, KY 40701, USA
Visit Bardstown/Facebook
Bernheim Arboretum is a favorite destination all year long, with each season offering new shades of splendor. At this delightful arboretum, you can explore over 16,000 acres of natural beauty, for an enchanting escape in nature – especially in the height of fall foliage. In terms of treks, the canopy walk is an easy, paved stroll that’s accessible for everyone, and puts visitors 75 feet high in the treetops!
Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd, Clermont, KY 40110, USA
With charming shops, historic points of interest, and loads of scenic beauty, you’ll be totally swept off your feet by Bardstown!
Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
The state’s oldest and most haunted restaurant, the Old Talbott Tavern is a total step back in time. Since the late 1700s, the Old Talbott Tavern has provided shelter, sustenance, and spirits to the good folks of Bardstown, Kentucky. Oh, and did we mention it might be haunted? Level up your fall adventure with some ghost hunting fun!
Old Talbott Tavern, 107 W Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
Kentucky Horse Park/Facebook
This magic is celebrated at one of Kentucky’s most iconic attractions, the Kentucky Horse Park. Located just outside of Lexington (but in an idyllic area that feels quite rural and remote), the Kentucky Horse Park is the perfect day trip destination. We highly recommend a carriage ride or horseback tour of the park, to really soak up the autumnal colors!
Horse Park Road, Horse Park Rd, Kentucky 41008, USA
Just outside of Lexington, the route along Old Frankfort Pike and Pisgah Pike is a drive every Kentuckian should take. These beautiful backroads in Kentucky allow drivers to really sit back and enjoy the resplendence of this region.
Pisgah Pike, Kentucky 40383, USA
Wallace Station Deli and Bakery/Facebook
While rustic and unassuming, this restaurant is led by Ouita Michel, a highly respected, James Beard Award-nominated chef. And while the menu at this beautiful little eatery is comprised of humble classics like sandwiches and burgers, the fare here is truly Top Chef level. The fried chicken sandwich? A must-try, and delicious conclusion to this wonderful weekend road trip in Kentucky.
Wallace Station Deli and Bakery, 3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles, KY 40383, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
