The big tourist destinations can be overpopulated, but there are more mysterious spots in Kentucky worth visiting. You won’t likely find them on the average tourism site, as many of these unique spots offer a genuinely interesting experience. Some have a history that hasn’t been over-exploited, but others are occasionally brought up in a crowd. Each spot has its own charm.

Here are 12 mysterious spots in Kentucky you’ll want to check out:

  1. Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden at 9351 US Hwy 68 W in Calvert City

Apple Valley This entire attraction is a collage of vintage toys and memorabilia set up in an entertaining fashion. Some of the toys have been modeled into amusing pieces of art based on satirical hillbilly fiction. There are also several running vintage trains. There is not actual fee, but donations are appreciated.

  1. Big Mike’s Rock and Gift Shop at 566 Old Mammoth Cave Road in Cave City

Dan M

Cathy h This unique roadside attraction has a vintage Mystery Spot with a perception distort chamber from the 1970s. They also have the world record fossilized skull on display. This is not something you will want to do if you have bad balance or issues with vertigo.

  1. World Peace Bell at 425 York Street in Newport

Elbedo20 The World’s Largest Free Swinging Bell, aka the Peace Bell resies in Newport. The bell rings daily at 11:55 am in hopes that peace will indeed find the world some day. It may not seem that exciting, but there is a certain serenity to the sound.

  1. Dinosaur World at 711 Mammoth Cave Road in Cave City

Dinosaur World You will find the most some very realistic and life size dinosaurs lined up around a nice wooded trail. There are different breeds and sizes in different areas. This can be an interesting visit for adults but it is a real treat for kids.

  1. Floyd Collins Grave at Mammoth Cave Baptist Church Cemetery

Dave Riggs This is the grave of the man known as the Greatest Cave Explorer ever known. He met his end doing what he loved, exploring in Sand Cave. A rock fell down trapping his leg. Despite efforts to save him, his was trapped to deep and died of dehydration and starvation before his body was rescued.

  1. Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery to Freedom Museum…

Harriet Beecher Museum

…and the Maysville Floodwall

J Stephen Conn There is a little home sitting at 1009-1019 Forest Avenue in Maysville that was built in 1807. Stowe visited this home to teach a young women and witnessed a slave auction during her time there. It inspired her to write the book, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” which some blame the initial uprising of the Civil War on. It was a museum open to public visits, but is closed more often than open. It is still interesting to see where it began. The flood wall of Maysville is also worth a visit. It is like an outdoors art exhibit.

  1. Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum at 119 E Main Street in Horse Cave

Hidden River Cave There is an interpretive exhibit and 2 stories of cave simulations, including stalactites, soda straws and columns explaining the evolution of cave formations. After the museum, you take an elevator, followed by stairs to get to the actual Hidden River Cave.

  1. Wig Wam Village Inn at 601 N Dixie Hwy in Cave City

Rose

KJ If you are looking for an unusual stay that is comfortable and reasonable, the Wig Wam Village is a great place to stop. You get all the comforts and convenience of your average Holiday Inn, but instead sleep in a round, and somewhat whimsical environment.

  1. Venthaven Museum at 33 W Maple in Fort Mitchell

Venthaven This place is filled with dummies… hand carved or molded ventriloquist dummies. If these hand held creations could speak, oh the stories I imagine they’d tell. Some have traveled all around the globe and performed in from of the noblest of crowds. Others have been the highlight of children’s parties, and all are unique and maybe a little creepy.

  1. White Squirrels of Bowling Green

Angie

Tani DeBoucher Beautiful White Squirrels can be found all over Bowling Green, but especially at 1906 College Heights Blve. These pure white fur babies are not seen as often anywhere else in the state. The best time to catch them out is in the morning. They seem to like to play and gather their food early.

  1. Cave Hill Cemetery at 701 Baxter Avenue in Louisville

Cave Hill This amazing Victorian Cemetery was built in 1848 on land chartered from the Johnston Cave Hill Farm. The entrance wasn’t fully completed till 1892, but is of the classic Corinthian architectural design, including a 2,000 lb. bell in the clock tower. There are more than 200 Confederate soldiers buried in Section O and more in the row near the National Cemetery. The collection of Victorian era and hand crafted monuments to the deceased is remarkable. There was much love put into the entombment of the dead and the creations that garnished their final resting place. You can visit on your own or schedule a tour with a local historian. (Call 502-451-5630.)

These lesser known places could be considered mysterious spots in Kentucky, as some of them are a bit unusual. They do have their appeal if you are looking for an off the beat and path type of experience. What would you add to the list of unusual or mysterious attractions in the Bluegrass State?

Apple Valley

This entire attraction is a collage of vintage toys and memorabilia set up in an entertaining fashion. Some of the toys have been modeled into amusing pieces of art based on satirical hillbilly fiction. There are also several running vintage trains. There is not actual fee, but donations are appreciated.

Dan M

Cathy h

This unique roadside attraction has a vintage Mystery Spot with a perception distort chamber from the 1970s. They also have the world record fossilized skull on display. This is not something you will want to do if you have bad balance or issues with vertigo.

Elbedo20

The World’s Largest Free Swinging Bell, aka the Peace Bell resies in Newport. The bell rings daily at 11:55 am in hopes that peace will indeed find the world some day. It may not seem that exciting, but there is a certain serenity to the sound.

Dinosaur World

You will find the most some very realistic and life size dinosaurs lined up around a nice wooded trail. There are different breeds and sizes in different areas. This can be an interesting visit for adults but it is a real treat for kids.

Dave Riggs

This is the grave of the man known as the Greatest Cave Explorer ever known. He met his end doing what he loved, exploring in Sand Cave. A rock fell down trapping his leg. Despite efforts to save him, his was trapped to deep and died of dehydration and starvation before his body was rescued.

Harriet Beecher Museum

J Stephen Conn

There is a little home sitting at 1009-1019 Forest Avenue in Maysville that was built in 1807. Stowe visited this home to teach a young women and witnessed a slave auction during her time there. It inspired her to write the book, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” which some blame the initial uprising of the Civil War on. It was a museum open to public visits, but is closed more often than open. It is still interesting to see where it began. The flood wall of Maysville is also worth a visit. It is like an outdoors art exhibit.

Hidden River Cave

There is an interpretive exhibit and 2 stories of cave simulations, including stalactites, soda straws and columns explaining the evolution of cave formations. After the museum, you take an elevator, followed by stairs to get to the actual Hidden River Cave.

Rose

KJ

If you are looking for an unusual stay that is comfortable and reasonable, the Wig Wam Village is a great place to stop. You get all the comforts and convenience of your average Holiday Inn, but instead sleep in a round, and somewhat whimsical environment.

Venthaven

This place is filled with dummies… hand carved or molded ventriloquist dummies. If these hand held creations could speak, oh the stories I imagine they’d tell. Some have traveled all around the globe and performed in from of the noblest of crowds. Others have been the highlight of children’s parties, and all are unique and maybe a little creepy.

Angie

Tani DeBoucher

Beautiful White Squirrels can be found all over Bowling Green, but especially at 1906 College Heights Blve. These pure white fur babies are not seen as often anywhere else in the state. The best time to catch them out is in the morning. They seem to like to play and gather their food early.

Cave Hill

This amazing Victorian Cemetery was built in 1848 on land chartered from the Johnston Cave Hill Farm. The entrance wasn’t fully completed till 1892, but is of the classic Corinthian architectural design, including a 2,000 lb. bell in the clock tower. There are more than 200 Confederate soldiers buried in Section O and more in the row near the National Cemetery. The collection of Victorian era and hand crafted monuments to the deceased is remarkable. There was much love put into the entombment of the dead and the creations that garnished their final resting place. You can visit on your own or schedule a tour with a local historian. (Call 502-451-5630.)

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