Kentucky: Bluegrass State

Kentucky, bridging South and Midwest, is famous for bourbon, thoroughbred horses, Kentucky Derby, and bluegrass music. The state features rolling hills, horse farms, and Appalachian mountains in the east.

Louisville hosts the Kentucky Derby, "the most exciting two minutes in sports," at Churchill Downs. The state produces 95% of the world's bourbon, with distilleries offering tours. Mammoth Cave is the world's longest cave system. Lexington is the "Horse Capital of the World" with beautiful horse farms. Daniel Boone explored Kentucky through Cumberland Gap.

Kentucky's economy includes bourbon and spirits, tobacco, automotive manufacturing (Corvettes made in Bowling Green), and coal mining. Colonel Sanders started KFC in Corbin. Kentucky Fried Chicken remains iconic. Muhammad Ali was from Louisville. The state has produced both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. Despite economic challenges in coal regions, Kentucky maintains distinctive culture and Southern hospitality.