10 Things You Must Do In Kentucky On A Hot, Summer Day

Summers in Kentucky are hot and muggy. A cool breeze is a blessing that we usually thank our higher powers for, but that doesn’t limit our fun. Just having a way to relax and cool off is completely necessary to survive the heat. Fortunately, the Bluegrass offers a variety of ways to beat the humidity and still enjoy the summer.

Here are 10 great things to do during a hot summer day in Kentucky:

Valhalla

No summer is complete without a trip to Valhalla, with or without the Valkeries. You may find it surprising how relaxing a day of golf can be, depending on your handicap. If Valhalla is not of interest, Lexington, Richmond, Bowling Green, Owensboro, and almost every city in Kentucky offers a well kept and beautiful course.

Friends of Nolin FB

The 26th Annual NolinFest takes place at the Moutardier Recreation Shelter on 1900 Moutardier Road on August 1st. This is a great family function with a custom car show, live music, bouncables for the little ones, and food. If you feel like taking out a boat afterward, rentals are located not far away. Information about this, along with other Kentucky summer festivals, can be found at: https://ohiofestivals.net/kentucky-festival-schedule/

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KY Splash

There are several different water parks for you to choose from, all with unique attractions and a refreshing environment. People rave about the Kentucky Splash Water Park in Williamsburg’s low price and its variety of entertainment. Venture River in Eddyville, Kentucky Kingdom Wave Park in Louisville, and the Barbourville Water Park are all popular water play grounds for adults and children as well.

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Louisville Megacavern

There are over 17 miles of manmade tunnels under Louisville that contain offices, historic markings, Dirt bike track, zip lining, adventure areas, and green technology. Take a tour and check them out at: https://www.louisvillemegacavern.com/

Falling Rock Quarry

This is pretty obvious, as there are tons of places to do it. When looking for places to swim, Kentucky Lake, Red River Gorge, Falling Rock Quarry, Lake Cumberland, Green River, etc. etc, each have an environment that welcomes visitors. This is a favorite among those in the Ohio Valley: https://www.fallingrockpark.biz/

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KY State Fair

The State Fair only comes around once a year for 10 days. Visitors will see a little bit of everything there, including rides, food, games, businesses, and live shows. https://www.kystatefair.org/admissionHoursMore.html

Hummel

Watch a show or stargaze in Richmond’s Planetarium and just get lost in the stars on a nice summer’s evening. Show and special event scheduling is available here: https://planetarium.eku.edu/

KY Bourbon Trail Tours

This Bourbon County tour of eight different bourbon distilleries, is the perfect way to beat the heat. Visitors get a variety of sites and tastes, along with some sunshine. Not to mention you can pick up a nice bottle of your favored bourbon on the way out. There are several different tours to choose from and you can obtain more information here: https://kybourbontrail.com/

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Beech Bend

From Beech Bend in Bowling Green to Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, theme parks are great places to spend at least a day or 3 in the summer. The rides will cool you off and if you need ac, visit an exhibit. Going to an adventure park like Beech Bend can open the door to hours of outdoor fun: https://www.beechbend.com/

Waterway Adventures

Even if you don't own a boat, there are places to rent a pontoon or paddle boat. Those who want to go boating but find themselves in need of the actual boat will find rentable solutions at Kentucky Lake, Red River Gorge, Lake Cumberland, and throughout the Land Between the Lakes. You can find pricing and boating availability here: https://www.explorekentuckylake.com/lakesarea/boating/boatrentals.htm

Some of these make me want to just pack up and head on out. There are so many options scattered across the state, just waiting for our participation. On those hot, sticky days where you feel compelled to stay inside, try getting out to one of these instead. If you have any favored summer activities, please share them in the comments below.