Things to do in Kentucky, United States: The Best Historic Sites

Enjoy spectacular views from the cupola while seeing how the Hobson family lived at Bowling Green’s historic house museum, Riverview at Hobson Grove. Built by Atwood and Juliet VanMeter Hobson on a hill overlooking the Barren River, this historic landmark has been restored to its original splendor and is listed on the National Register. An official site on the Civil War Discovery Trail, the house was used for storage of Confederate munitions when the Rebel forces held Bowling Green. Riverview is an elegant interpretation of a prosperous Victorian home of the 1860 to 1890 period and invites visitors to experience the life of a 19th century family and their servants.

The Conrad-Caldwell House Museum is a historic, Victorian mansion located in the heart of Old Louisville on St. James Court. It is one of the finest examples of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture and was the masterpiece of famed local architect Arthur Loomis of Clarke & Loomis. Surrounded by a beautiful courtyard neighborhood at the center of the largest collection of Victorian Homes in the US, "Conrad's Castle" featured all the latest innovations of its day, including interior plumbing and electric lighting. Known for its beautiful woodwork and parquet floors, this massive Bedford limestone home, covered with gargoyles, beautiful archways, and elaborate stone designs, incorporated 7 types of hardwoods and magnificent stained glass windows in the interior design, making it one of the most stunning homes in Old Louisville. The Museum has been lovingly restored to the Edwardian Age, housing a massive collection of period items including many original pieces.

The Filson was founded on May 15, 1884, by ten Louisvillians with a common love of history. The primary founder and first president was Reuben T. Durrett. The Filson’s mission is to collect, preserve, and tell the significant stories of Kentucky and Ohio Valley history and culture.

In 2011, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute approached local Hardin County veterans in the hopes to bring a permanent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to Elizabethtown, KY. The project was approved by the City of Elizabethtown and land from the Elizabethtown Nature Park was chosen to house The Wall project. The newly formed Hardin County Veterans Tribute Group began fund-raisin

The site of celebrated statesman Henry Clay's original 672-acre estate that once grew hemp, tobacco and grain is now a museum and National Historic Landmark, where visitors can tour the reconstructed 18-room mansion, grounds and beautiful gardens. *New for 2019: We now allow non-flash photography on all of our tours!*

Learn about the Beam family history at this 1911 national landmark, which is on the grounds of the Jim Beam American Outpost.

Built in 1792, Locust Grove, a three story brick Georgian home, is the final home of General George Rogers Clark, the founder of Louisville, and conqueror of the Old Northwest Territory. The house was built by his sister Lucy Croghan and her husband William Croghan who raised 8 children here and hosted their brother William Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame, as well as Presidents Monroe, Jackson and Taylor, Vice President Arron Burr, statesmen such as Cassius Clay, and several artists including John James Audubon. This National Historic Landmark has been restored to reflect the elegance of General Clark's time at Locust Grove. The 55 acres of gardens, fields and woodlands are open for exploration daily.

A living history museum dedicated to the Appalachian pioneers.

Although TripAdvisor will not use our correct name, Farmington Historic Plantation, the site was home to the John and Lucy Fry Speed family and over 60 enslaved black Americans. The main house, completed in 1816, is a Jeffersonian Federal style Italianate villa, the center of a 550-acre hemp plantation. The house, restored 2000-2002, includes period furniture, art, and textiles. The 18.5 acre property includes educational signs, a formal garden, and agricultural signs. Farmington docents interpret Kentucky plantation slavery, hemp, and Abraham Lincoln's 1841 visit here with his friend, Joshua Speed.