Tamara and I have visited a lot of places this past year and the more we travel around Kentucky, the more we are reminded of its beauty. Tourism contributes over $15 billion to Kentucky’s economy, with over 195K Kentucky jobs. (source: http://www.ktia.com/tourism-impact). So why not become an in-state tourist? Kentucky has several fun and relaxing getaway options, and the good news is, you will help to keep our great state green...as in dollars. It's a win-win! Take a look below at some of our favorite ideas.
1. Let’s start with a bed & breakfast. Snug Hollow is nestled in the hills near Irvine, KY, and it’s the perfect spot for reconnecting with loved ones. They have excellent food there; they even have their own cookbook called Hot Food & Warm Memories, written by Owner and Innkeeper, Barbara Napier. You will get a gourmet breakfast to fuel your day, whether you spend it hiking the trails, birdwatching or simply swinging away on the front porch. There are 3 cabins, one dating back to the1800's, all comfortably appointed with a full array of amenities. Snug Hollow has over 300 acres of beautiful vistas, babbling creeks, and wildflowers. It’s nature at its finest. Voted one of the 50 Best Girlfriend Getaways by National Geographic Traveler and One of the South’s Most Charming Inns by Southern Living magazine. It’s an Appalachian Shangri-La. Prices start at $179 per night. You can find them at snughollow.com.
2. AirBnB’s are all the rage, but here’s the thing, you don’t have to go out of the state to try one. Kentucky has plenty and one of our favorites is The Peach House at Harkness Edwards Vineyards in Winchester Ky. It has a Five Star rating on Airbnb.com but it’s also very affordable. Try $175 a night and sleeps up to six! It’s a spacious, charming house overlooking grassy farmland and the distant mountains and only 20 minutes from Lexington. The best part is, you can tour their vineyards and tasting room, and trust me, Tam and I know, they have the best wines. In fact, pick up a bottle of their Zinthiana Rosé. It's the perfect summer wine! You can find their full lineup at area Kroger stores, Liquor Barn, and many other local outlets. To learn more visit harknessedwardsvineyards.com.
3. If you are looking for an inexpensive vacation idea, State Parks are the way to go. Recently, we visited Pulaski County State Park on Lake Cumberland in Nancy, Kentucky and we had a blast. For just $19 day, we purchased a campsite and set up a tent. You don’t have to have a boat or jet ski because they have beaches where you can go swimming or float around on rafts. If water sports aren't your thing, there are many hiking trails. At night, you can grill out, tell ghost stories around the campfire, play corn hole and take in the beautiful scenery. It’s gorgeous and it’s a great way to connect with nature and most importantly, your family. For a listing of state parks, check out parks.ky.gov.
4. And if you want to visit one of the state parks, but don’t want to “rough it”, try glamping in an RV from Bluegrass RV's here in Lexington. They’re also opening locations in Ashland next month, and Georgetown in 2019. You can rent one for the weekend, the week or the month! These RV's are the way to be in nature, but with all the comforts of home, like beds, refrigerators, showers, and most importantly, AC! They have one to fit your family and budget (small trailers are $800/week, large motor homes are $1850 a week), so contact them at bluegrassrvs.com.
