Almost everyone reaches a certain age and then thinks, "I wish I’d have seen or gone to _____".  The excuses as to why we did not are almost always the same. We were too busy with work, family, watching television, or hanging out with our friends. Sometimes we were just too busy doing nothing. These are places we could have easily visited had we taken the time, especially in the Bluegrass State. The state is covered in lush forests, rolling hills, and all-out beautiful country from the Appalachians to the Ohio Valley; places everyone should add to their bucket lists. Here are 10 must-visit places in Kentucky you will want to see before you die.

10. Louisville on Derby Week

The River City gets busy on Derby week so it's a great time to visit, as things are only like this once a year. There is a carnival-like atmosphere downtown with a flurry of activity each day and evening. We have the Pegasus Parade, Chow Wagons, Balloon Glow, Steamboat Race, Bourbon everywhere, the Oaks, and the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, which is one of the top Kentucky attractions. To learn more, visit the Kentucky Derby website.

9. The Appalachians

Almost anywhere one travels in the Appalachians there's a view that could stop traffic. Peering down into those mountain ravines across roaring rivers or miles of trees can take your breath away. To learn more about Kentucky's Appalachian Mountains, visit the webpage.

8. Cumberland Falls, Southeastern Kentucky

Visiting this state park in Corbin sets an adventure into motion, regardless if you're there to hike, camp, or just relax. The hiking trails in this area are some of the best in the state and you can't forget Cumberland Falls is the largest waterfall in Kentucky. To learn more, visit the Cumberland Falls webpage.

7. Newport Aquarium, Newport

There's no ocean in the Bluegrass, but this indoor aquarium lets visitors imagine they're at one. The glass walls come alive as shark, jelly fish, coral, and other vibrantly colored sea life swirls around you. To learn more, visit the Newport Aquarium website.

6. Shaker Village, Harrodsburg

This takes us back to part of the root of Kentucky, where people still live off the land and maintain the old ways. This Shaker Village shows us a look at the past, and offers over 30 miles of amazing scenery on a trail around the town. To learn more, visit the Shaker Village website.

5. Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington

This Lexington experience allows a sneak peek into the equestrian industry with their renowned "Horses from Around the World" show. Those who would like to ride are also given the opportunity to do so in several different capacities. To learn more, visit the Kentucky Horse Park website.

4. Land Between the Lakes

This is another one of those Bluegrass spots that is both vast and varied. Visitors can camp, fish, swim, boat, hike, picnic, and more for an unforgettable experience. You can even drive through the Elk & Bison Prairie for an up close view of our state's wildlife. To learn more, visit the Land Between the Lakes webpage.

3. Mammoth Cave

Not only is Mammoth Cave one of the natural wonders in Kentucky, but it is one of the natural wonders of the world! This is the largest known cave system on Earth with a variety of caves that showcase the many different kinds of the soil. It may sound boring but the way these caves formed and moved over the millennia is actually quite fascinating. To learn more, visit the Mammoth Cave webpage.

2. Muhlenberg County

There have been songs written about this peaceful rural country in Kentucky, one of which being "Paradise", by John Prine. The banks of Muhlenberg County along Green River are a little slice of heaven. To learn more, visit the Muhlenberg County webpage.

1. Red River Gorge, Wolfe County

This beautiful piece of Kentucky land can be an adventure or a romantic getaway. The scenery around the gorge is legendary in the Bluegrass State. To learn more, visit the Red River Gorge webpage.

It is difficult to narrow down all the amazing places in the Bluegrass State that one should experience, but these certainly deserve a look. Each one offers a special kind of serenity or one-of-a-kind experience you just cannot find anywhere else. Have we helped you add to your Kentucky bucket list? Please add any additional must-visit places in Kentucky in the comment section.

And if you'd like to check out one of the lesser known must-visit places in Kentucky, take a look at this beautiful natural spot in the Bluegrass.