With temperatures dropping and the days getting shorter, the first snow fall in the Bluegrass State isn’t too far away. Some people dread snow, and it can be quite a pain. But instead of dreading it, remember that a Kentucky landscape blanketed in snow can be a truly breathtaking sight. These 12 places in Kentucky make winter a little more bearable, and you’ll swear you’re at the North Pole.
- My Old Kentucky Home, Bardstown
Facebook/My Old Kentucky Home The historic mansion in Bardstown looks idyllic in snow, especially around Christmas when every room has a decorated tree in the corner.
- Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill
Facebook/Carter Caves State Resort Park Explore this state park that features natural arches and caves. Then warm up by a fire in a cozy lodge or cabin.
- Cumberland Falls, Corbin
Facebook/Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Viewing this massive waterfall known as the “Niagra of the South” is pretty awe inspiring during any season, but it’s especially gorgeous after a snow. If the temperatures have been super low, it’s worth braving the cold to see how frozen the river is.
- Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg
Flickr/hieronymouspidgeon Like My Old Kentucky Home, Shaker Village is picturesque in the winter. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you explore the historic property that seems so peacefully quiet as your boots crunch through the snow.
- Ashland
Facebook/Winter Wonderland of Lights Festival-Ashland, Kentucky The town of Ashland in eastern Kentucky goes all out for Christmas. Their Winter Wonderland of Lights Festival is a must-see for Christmas light lovers. Drive through their downtown and Central Park and admire the intricate light displays. For more about Ashland’s annual transformation into a magical Christmas town, read our article about everything the town does to celebrate.
- Horse Country
Flickr/Carolyn Sugg There’s nothing like Kentucky Horse Country. Driving through the rolling hills around Lexington and Midway makes any Kentuckian’s chest swell with pride, but there’s something especially elegant about seeing a horse galloping through the snowy hillsides.
- Jefferson Memorial Forest, Louisville
Facebook/Jefferson Memorial Forest and Natural Areas-Jonathan Ricketts Located just south of Louisville, Jefferson Memorial Forest is the largest municipal forest in the country. After a good snow, traverse the knobs and valleys and admire the beauty.
- Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Golden Pond
Flickr/Carolyn Sugg The Land Between the Lakes is a natural gem of western Kentucky. While it’s probably not wise to go swimming in Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley in the winter, they look absolutely majestic in the snow, as does the surrounding wilderness. Be on the lookout for elk and buffalo!
- Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Stearns
Facebook/Big South Fork Scenic Railway Big South Fork is a gorgeous area in southern Kentucky that extends over the border to Tennessee. Like any natural area, Big South Fork is both stunning and peaceful under a blanket of snow. If you visit around the holidays, see if there are any tickets left to take the North Pole Express on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Read our article about this special train ride to find out more.
- Black Mountain, Cumberland Mountains
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM What better way to enjoy a good snow fall than by viewing it from the top of Kentucky’s highest mountain peak? Black Mountain has an elevation of 4,145 feet, so you’ll have an amazing view from the summit.
- Olmsted Parks, Louisville
Flickr/w. marsh Whether you decide to visit Cherokee, Seneca, Iroquois, or Shawnee Parks in Louisville after a snow fall, you will experience a peaceful sense of calm that will almost make you forget you’re in a city.
- McConnell Springs Park, Lexington
Flickr/keithreed01 McConnell Springs Park is a natural area in Lexington that offers nice forested walks and two natural springs. Get a nice escape from city life in this peaceful park.
- Grand Rivers
Facebook/Patti’s 1880’s Settlement Like Ashland, Grand Rivers does the holidays right. You don’t want to miss their huge displays of twinkling lights at Patti’s 1880’s Settlement. The thousands of lights illuminating the restaurant will surely get you into the holiday spirit.
Make a snow fall a positive thing by visiting these gorgeous places in Kentucky that could rival the North Pole. For more towns that are absolutely charming in the winter, check out our article about the best Christmas towns in Kentucky.
Facebook/My Old Kentucky Home
The historic mansion in Bardstown looks idyllic in snow, especially around Christmas when every room has a decorated tree in the corner.
Facebook/Carter Caves State Resort Park
Explore this state park that features natural arches and caves. Then warm up by a fire in a cozy lodge or cabin.
Facebook/Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Viewing this massive waterfall known as the “Niagra of the South” is pretty awe inspiring during any season, but it’s especially gorgeous after a snow. If the temperatures have been super low, it’s worth braving the cold to see how frozen the river is.
Flickr/hieronymouspidgeon
Like My Old Kentucky Home, Shaker Village is picturesque in the winter. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you explore the historic property that seems so peacefully quiet as your boots crunch through the snow.
Facebook/Winter Wonderland of Lights Festival-Ashland, Kentucky
The town of Ashland in eastern Kentucky goes all out for Christmas. Their Winter Wonderland of Lights Festival is a must-see for Christmas light lovers. Drive through their downtown and Central Park and admire the intricate light displays. For more about Ashland’s annual transformation into a magical Christmas town, read our article about everything the town does to celebrate.
Flickr/Carolyn Sugg
There’s nothing like Kentucky Horse Country. Driving through the rolling hills around Lexington and Midway makes any Kentuckian’s chest swell with pride, but there’s something especially elegant about seeing a horse galloping through the snowy hillsides.
Facebook/Jefferson Memorial Forest and Natural Areas-Jonathan Ricketts
Located just south of Louisville, Jefferson Memorial Forest is the largest municipal forest in the country. After a good snow, traverse the knobs and valleys and admire the beauty.
The Land Between the Lakes is a natural gem of western Kentucky. While it’s probably not wise to go swimming in Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley in the winter, they look absolutely majestic in the snow, as does the surrounding wilderness. Be on the lookout for elk and buffalo!
Facebook/Big South Fork Scenic Railway
Big South Fork is a gorgeous area in southern Kentucky that extends over the border to Tennessee. Like any natural area, Big South Fork is both stunning and peaceful under a blanket of snow. If you visit around the holidays, see if there are any tickets left to take the North Pole Express on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Read our article about this special train ride to find out more.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
What better way to enjoy a good snow fall than by viewing it from the top of Kentucky’s highest mountain peak? Black Mountain has an elevation of 4,145 feet, so you’ll have an amazing view from the summit.
Flickr/w. marsh
Whether you decide to visit Cherokee, Seneca, Iroquois, or Shawnee Parks in Louisville after a snow fall, you will experience a peaceful sense of calm that will almost make you forget you’re in a city.
Flickr/keithreed01
McConnell Springs Park is a natural area in Lexington that offers nice forested walks and two natural springs. Get a nice escape from city life in this peaceful park.
Facebook/Patti’s 1880’s Settlement
Like Ashland, Grand Rivers does the holidays right. You don’t want to miss their huge displays of twinkling lights at Patti’s 1880’s Settlement. The thousands of lights illuminating the restaurant will surely get you into the holiday spirit.
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