Extended Weekend Getaways New Art and Culture Experiences
Bernheim Forest installing new large-scale outdoor art experience – Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest has opened a new art experience called L+A+N+D, which stands for Landscape + Art + Nature + Design, the exhibit features large-scale outdoor installations that explore the human connection to nature, sustainability, climate change, and other environmental issues. https://bernheim.org/arts-in-nature/
The Louisville Zoo debuted a new mural at its entrance that features a series of animals. The piece was a partnership between the Zoo and an art collective called Often Seen Rarely Spoken. The mural took a week to complete and involved meticulous planning and collaboration between the artists and zoo staff.
New Frazier History Museum exhibit celebrates all 120 Kentucky counties – In March 2024, the Frazier History Museum debuted a new exhibit called 120 Cool KY Counties. The exhibit is the result of a huge collaboration between the museum and all 120 Kentucky Counties. 120 Cool KY Counties features stories, pictures and artifacts from each county in one location.
50-foot-tall alien named Clive installed on Covington parking garage – Covington has a new public art installation in the form of a 50-foot-tall alien dubbed Clive. The extraterrestrial can be seen hanging out of the Midtown Parking Garage on Fifth and Scott Street studying anyone who passes under him with his magnifying glass.
New mural on Purple People Bridge combines iconic symbols from both sides of the river – Cincinnati based artist Matt Grote has completed a mural on the Purple People Bridge which connects downtown Cincinnati and Newport on the Levee. The mural, which is on the floor of the bridge, celebrates both Kentucky and Ohio and their respective cultures. The Purple People Bridge is only open to pedestrians and spans the Ohio River between the two cities.
New Passport Attractions
Bluegrass Train Experience is new Ky Tourism passport project — The Bluegrass Train Experience launched from the Bowling Green Convention & Visitors Office in October 2024 with collaboration across five total communities and tourism offices, all of which boast a historic train presence. The latest passport program includes Oldham County, Bardstown, Woodford County, McCreary County and Warren County. The experience offers 13 train experiences ranging from a museum on wheels, train rides through the countryside, historic diner trains, and one of the newest interactive Kentucky attractions, the Rail Explorers©.
New passport program highlights Horses, Horsepower and Hollers attractions across six counties – “Horses, Horsepower and Hollers” is a new initiative aimed at giving visitors an authentic Kentucky experience. By using one of the itineraries on the initiative website, tourists can visit places unique Kentucky destinations such as National Corvette Museum and Cumberland Falls State Park. Visitor’s can register for the digital pass, and track visits to earn points and be entered into a sweepstakes.
New Trails to Explore
Nine Counties Take Part in Kentucky Garden Trail — Nine Kentucky counties have teamed up to form a botanical adventure that allows visitors to discover gorgeous gardens across the Bluegrass State. From exquisite plant collections to historic sites and monuments, each garden offers its own distinct experience worth enjoying.
New Kentucky Black History Trail Uses Augmented Reality — The Kentucky Black History Trail is a new collaborative project between six Kentucky counties that uses augmented reality to bring Kentucky’s Black history to life. Visitors can use their mobile devices to experience holograms of Kentucky historical figures at more than six sites across the region.
Kentucky After Dark Trail adds more spooky attractions across the state – With 21 stops across the state, Kentucky After Dark is a trail and passport program that promotes some of Kentucky’s favorite haunted locations and stories. Some of the locations for the trail’s second season include Somerset’s International Paranormal Museum, Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville and the Anderson Hotel Haunted House in Lawrenceburg.
Western Kentucky Wine Trail launches – The Western Kentucky Wine Trail is a new collaborative initiative from area tourism offices that launched June 6. Christian, Graves, Logan, Marshall, McCracken, and Warren County tourism offices have brought together nine area wineries to create an official wine trail in Western Kentucky.
Three New Louisville Restaurants
Silver Dollar in Louisville gets new owner and new menu – The Silver Dollar, a Louisville institution, has reopened under new ownership. Brian Downing, the new owner and general manager, has made changes to the restaurant, including a refreshed menu focused on Tejano cuisine. The restaurant also boasts a curated whiskey and bourbon list, alongside innovative cocktails.
High Stakes Grill, new rooftop restaurant, opens in Louisville – Located on the roof of the new Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown NuLu, High Stakes Grill offers fine dining and a fine view from its perch six stories up. In addition to an extensive menu consisting of high-end surf and turf entrées, High Stakes features a full bar and wide-ranging cocktail list.
Log Still Distillery opens high-end restaurant in downtown Louisville – Log Still Distillery celebrated the grand opening of its restaurant and tasting room experience, Monks Road Boiler House, on Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville. Named after the distillery’s flagship line of bourbons and gins, Monk’s Road Boiler House embodies the rich history and craftsmanship of Log Still Distillery, providing guests with an immersive and nostalgic dining experience.
