Northern Regions
Regions
When Kentucky was first established the northern part was known as the Bluegrass region with the heart of it called the Inner Bluegrass region. This was mainly due to the bluegrass growing there providing a high fertile soil making a perfect pasture area. Today the Inner Bluegrass region is known as the Bluegrass Region. Part of the old Outer Bluegrass region on the western side became part of the Kentucky Derby Region. Here Abraham Lincoln was born and raised and the Kentucky Derby is held. The Northern Kentucky River Region is right above the Bluegrass region and the Kentucky’s Appalachians region.
Wineries
The Kentucky Derby region has most of the wineries on the East side where the old Outer Bluegrass region used to be. In the Bluegrass region you can find Wineries around the major cities of Richmond, Lexington, and Frankfort. Wineries are also spread out around the countryside like Harrodsburg and Winchester. There are a group of over 30 wineries that you can visit in the three northern regions alone that are part of a personal tour you can embark on called the Horseshoe Trail.
Go on a tour of the winery and then do some wine tasting. Some wineries will allow you to help pick their grapes in their grape vineyards. Learn firsthand the process to make the perfect wine.
Farms and Horse Farms
The oldest farms can be found on the eastern side of the Kentucky Derby region while the horse farms are sprawled throughout the area. Traveling through the Bluegrass region you will see an abundant of farms and horse farms because of the rich soil this area provides.
Most horse farms will have an area or a trail that allow tourists to travel on and enjoy the beautiful countryside. Here you can learn and observe the basics of raising horses.
Lakes
In the Northern Kentucky River region there are multiple rivers to spend the day at. At the Kincaid Lake State Park, located next to Concord, you can rent boats and go out fishing or just camp under the stars. At the Williamstown Lake just north of Williamstown you can rent a beachfront house and lounge around on the lake. The Elk Lake and Elmer Davis Lake are both within 5 miles of Owenton. While the Elk Lake is a reserved lake for the local community and their guests the Elmer Davis Lake is open to the public. The AJ Jolly County Park, south of Aspen Grove, has a 200-acre fishing lake and an 18-hole golf course. You can go bird watching in their bird sanctuary and enjoy having a picnic at one of their private picnic areas.
