Here at OnlyInYourState, we’re all about having adventures – big and small. And while there are certainly many bucket-list-worthy trips that require a bit of planning and saving to accomplish, we firmly believe that travel shouldn’t break the bank. Luckily for us here in the Bluegrass, it doesn’t have to! We designed the following affordable Kentucky road trip to prove just that.
One road trip, five stops, all for under $100? Only in Kentucky!
Google Maps View the Google Map to plan your affordable (and delicious!) adventure in the Bluegrass State.
One of the quirkiest museums in the Bluegrass, our affordable road trip through Kentucky begins at the eponymous Kentucky Museum.
Kentucky Museum/Facebook Did you know Duncan Hines was an actual person? And that he was from Kentucky? At the Kentucky Museum, “Recommended by Duncan Hines” is an eight-section exhibit celebrating the life and work of the boxed cake king. The exhibit is a look into Hines’s own Kentucky kitchen, complete with retro appliances, mid-century decor, and a rather uncanny wax figure of Mr. Hines himself. The best part? Admission to this only-in-Kentucky museum is free! Kentucky Museum, 1444 Kentucky St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
Kentucky is known for its lovely lakes, and Land Between the Lakes celebrates the Bluegrass State’s natural beauty in a big way.
ANPerryman/iStock via Getty Images Plus This natural paradise in Kentucky also stretches into Tennessee and when combined, offers 170,000 acres of outdoor beauty and adventure. Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, 238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211, USA
In addition to amazing hiking and water recreation, one of the most popular areas of Land Between the Lakes is the Elk & Bison Prairie.
Different_Brian/iStock via Getty Images Plus This road winds through the prairie where bison and elk roam and graze in herds. They will walk right up to your car, so you have to stay inside and watch through the window, but this unique experience is a must when in the area. Oh, and admission into this Kentucky paradise? Free. Elk & Bison Prairie Road, Elk & Bison Prairie Rd, Kentucky, USA
Next up, a stop at the World’s Best Dairy Queen in Murray, Kentucky. The Murray Dairy Queen opened in 1949, and has basically operated the same since then.
Visit Murray, Kentucky/Facebook The prices are also totally ’40s, too, with pretty much every menu favorite (foot-long hot dogs, shakes, and cones) costing under $5. Dairy Queen Store, 1303 Main St, Murray, KY 42071, USA
Man cannot live on ice cream alone, so we’re headed to dine at Bluegrass BBQ royalty: Old Hickory Bar-B-Q in Owensboro.
Old Hickory BBQ/Facebook Hickory Bar-B-Q, 1082 Brown St, Dayton, OH 45409, USA
Hailed as the “world’s best barbecue,” Old Hickory Bar-B-Q certainly lives up to this bold claim.
Frank Murphy/Google Local Grab a BBQ Plate and feast like a king or queen; all of these epic meals cost under $20!
Our last stop is a destination that needs to be on every Kentuckian’s bucket list: Mammoth Cave. But today, we’re not going underground.
Mammoth Cave National Park/Facebook Mammoth Cave, KY 42259, USA
The above-ground hiking at Mammoth Cave is unrivaled, with the park boasting some of the most beautiful trails in the country – over 90 miles of surface hiking trails, in fact!
Mammoth Cave National Park/Facebook One of the most popular treks is the Sinkhole Trail, a 2.4-mile hike that traverses past several small caves and the River Styx. And guess what? Entry to Mammoth Cave National Park and its surface features is free of charge! There is, however, a charge to tour the cave, stay in campgrounds, or reserve picnic shelters; these fees are nominal, however, and you could easily tack on a tour and not break the $100 budget we set for this road trip!
If you’re doing the math, this road trip (excluding gas) costs well under $100 — well under $50, even if you feast like royalty at the two restaurants. So the next time you’re looking for an epic adventure without an epic price tag, hop in the car on this amazing and affordable Kentucky road trip!
Google Maps
View the Google Map to plan your affordable (and delicious!) adventure in the Bluegrass State.
Kentucky Museum/Facebook
Did you know Duncan Hines was an actual person? And that he was from Kentucky? At the Kentucky Museum, “Recommended by Duncan Hines” is an eight-section exhibit celebrating the life and work of the boxed cake king. The exhibit is a look into Hines’s own Kentucky kitchen, complete with retro appliances, mid-century decor, and a rather uncanny wax figure of Mr. Hines himself. The best part? Admission to this only-in-Kentucky museum is free!
Kentucky Museum, 1444 Kentucky St, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
ANPerryman/iStock via Getty Images Plus
This natural paradise in Kentucky also stretches into Tennessee and when combined, offers 170,000 acres of outdoor beauty and adventure.
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, 238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211, USA
Different_Brian/iStock via Getty Images Plus
This road winds through the prairie where bison and elk roam and graze in herds. They will walk right up to your car, so you have to stay inside and watch through the window, but this unique experience is a must when in the area. Oh, and admission into this Kentucky paradise? Free.
Elk & Bison Prairie Road, Elk & Bison Prairie Rd, Kentucky, USA
Visit Murray, Kentucky/Facebook
The prices are also totally ’40s, too, with pretty much every menu favorite (foot-long hot dogs, shakes, and cones) costing under $5.
Dairy Queen Store, 1303 Main St, Murray, KY 42071, USA
Old Hickory BBQ/Facebook
Hickory Bar-B-Q, 1082 Brown St, Dayton, OH 45409, USA
Frank Murphy/Google Local
Grab a BBQ Plate and feast like a king or queen; all of these epic meals cost under $20!
Mammoth Cave National Park/Facebook
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259, USA
One of the most popular treks is the Sinkhole Trail, a 2.4-mile hike that traverses past several small caves and the River Styx. And guess what? Entry to Mammoth Cave National Park and its surface features is free of charge! There is, however, a charge to tour the cave, stay in campgrounds, or reserve picnic shelters; these fees are nominal, however, and you could easily tack on a tour and not break the $100 budget we set for this road trip!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Affordable Things to do in Kentucky February 06, 2023 Sarah M. What are some other affordable things to do in Kentucky? Did you know that many of Kentucky’s most iconic landmarks are free to visit? We’re talking about natural wonders; Mother Nature’s very own masterpieces! Here are some of the most beautiful natural wonders in Kentucky you can visit for free:
Red River Gorge. One of the most iconic places in the state, Red River Gorge is the Holy Grail of outdoor recreation and adventure. 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. Admission to Red River Gorge is free; however, if you plan on camping, you’ll want to note that vehicles on KY-15 or in the Red River Gorge and Indian Creek area north of KY-15 must display a recreation permit for backcountry camping between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Permits are $3/day or $30/year and can be purchased at the Cumberland District Office.
Natural Bridge. If you’re looking for a hike that the whole family can enjoy, 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. With stunning geological features and sweeping panoramas, Natural Bridge is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the region.
Kingdom Come State Park. The aptly-named Kingdom Come State Park really is one of Kentucky’s most glorious wonders – and a hidden gem many don’t know about! With an elevation of 2,700 feet, this state park, located in the Pine Mountain range near Cumberland, offers some of the most perfect panoramas you’ll ever see. But this park is also home to some of the most spectacular geological formations in the state (and this is Kentucky we’re talking about, so that’s saying a lot!).
Big Bone Lick State Park. A hidden gem located in the northern part of the state, Big Bone Lick State Park is a place where past and present meet. Known for its grand herds of bison, you’ll marvel at these benevolent beasts, the largest of all North American land mammals. Great bison herds once roamed the region and provided food, clothing, and shelter for the American Indians and pioneers. Hunted to near extinction, the last of the wild bison was seen in Kentucky around 1800. The bison herd today harkens back to the park’s prehistoric past and serves as the only living mammalian link to the Ice Age.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Affordable Things to do in Kentucky
February 06, 2023
Sarah M.
What are some other affordable things to do in Kentucky? Did you know that many of Kentucky’s most iconic landmarks are free to visit? We’re talking about natural wonders; Mother Nature’s very own masterpieces! Here are some of the most beautiful natural wonders in Kentucky you can visit for free:
Red River Gorge. One of the most iconic places in the state, Red River Gorge is the Holy Grail of outdoor recreation and adventure. 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. Admission to Red River Gorge is free; however, if you plan on camping, you’ll want to note that vehicles on KY-15 or in the Red River Gorge and Indian Creek area north of KY-15 must display a recreation permit for backcountry camping between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Permits are $3/day or $30/year and can be purchased at the Cumberland District Office.
Natural Bridge. If you’re looking for a hike that the whole family can enjoy, 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. With stunning geological features and sweeping panoramas, Natural Bridge is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the region.
Kingdom Come State Park. The aptly-named Kingdom Come State Park really is one of Kentucky’s most glorious wonders – and a hidden gem many don’t know about! With an elevation of 2,700 feet, this state park, located in the Pine Mountain range near Cumberland, offers some of the most perfect panoramas you’ll ever see. But this park is also home to some of the most spectacular geological formations in the state (and this is Kentucky we’re talking about, so that’s saying a lot!).
Big Bone Lick State Park. A hidden gem located in the northern part of the state, Big Bone Lick State Park is a place where past and present meet. Known for its grand herds of bison, you’ll marvel at these benevolent beasts, the largest of all North American land mammals. Great bison herds once roamed the region and provided food, clothing, and shelter for the American Indians and pioneers. Hunted to near extinction, the last of the wild bison was seen in Kentucky around 1800. The bison herd today harkens back to the park’s prehistoric past and serves as the only living mammalian link to the Ice Age.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Did you know that many of Kentucky’s most iconic landmarks are free to visit? We’re talking about natural wonders; Mother Nature’s very own masterpieces! Here are some of the most beautiful natural wonders in Kentucky you can visit for free:
- Red River Gorge. One of the most iconic places in the state, Red River Gorge is the Holy Grail of outdoor recreation and adventure. 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. Admission to Red River Gorge is free; however, if you plan on camping, you’ll want to note that vehicles on KY-15 or in the Red River Gorge and Indian Creek area north of KY-15 must display a recreation permit for backcountry camping between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Permits are $3/day or $30/year and can be purchased at the Cumberland District Office.
- Natural Bridge. If you’re looking for a hike that the whole family can enjoy, 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. With stunning geological features and sweeping panoramas, Natural Bridge is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the region.
- Kingdom Come State Park. The aptly-named Kingdom Come State Park really is one of Kentucky’s most glorious wonders – and a hidden gem many don’t know about! With an elevation of 2,700 feet, this state park, located in the Pine Mountain range near Cumberland, offers some of the most perfect panoramas you’ll ever see. But this park is also home to some of the most spectacular geological formations in the state (and this is Kentucky we’re talking about, so that’s saying a lot!).
- Big Bone Lick State Park. A hidden gem located in the northern part of the state, Big Bone Lick State Park is a place where past and present meet. Known for its grand herds of bison, you’ll marvel at these benevolent beasts, the largest of all North American land mammals. Great bison herds once roamed the region and provided food, clothing, and shelter for the American Indians and pioneers. Hunted to near extinction, the last of the wild bison was seen in Kentucky around 1800. The bison herd today harkens back to the park’s prehistoric past and serves as the only living mammalian link to the Ice Age.
Big Bone Lick State Park. A hidden gem located in the northern part of the state, Big Bone Lick State Park is a place where past and present meet. Known for its grand herds of bison, you’ll marvel at these benevolent beasts, the largest of all North American land mammals. Great bison herds once roamed the region and provided food, clothing, and shelter for the American Indians and pioneers. Hunted to near extinction, the last of the wild bison was seen in Kentucky around 1800. The bison herd today harkens back to the park’s prehistoric past and serves as the only living mammalian link to the Ice Age.
