The 10 Best Museums in Kentucky!

Famous baseball bats, boxing legends, horse racing, and creation are just a few things you can explore at the best museums in Kentucky. With its rich culture and history, the Bluegrass State doesn't disappoint when it comes to interesting museums.

If you're looking for a day of educational experiences or a chance to observe some of the finest art in the country, you may want to stop into one of these 10 fantastic museums in Kentucky.

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, Louisville, KY

Marked by the world's largest baseball bat leaning against the side of the museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory in Louisville shares the history of America's favorite pastime. Learn about baseball's greatest players with interactive exhibits, and watch how Louisville Slugger bats are made. The best part is that every visitor leaves with his/her own miniature Louisville Slugger. Just don't try to carry it on the plane when you fly back home. Security will confiscate it unless you pack it with checked luggage!

The Aviation Museum of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Learn about the history and science of flight at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky in Lexington. The 20,000 square foot museum boasts restorations of antique aircrafts, aviation memorabilia, and newer planes that are still capable of flight. The museum is also dedicated to educating and encouraging students interested in entering a career in aviation, so it's a great place to take young aspiring pilots, air traffic controllers, and flight attendants.

Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts, Louisville, KY

Located on Museum Row in Louisville, the Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts is an art museum and gallery dedicated to showcasing the works of regional artists from the present and past. Browse historical and contemporary art in the gallery, shop for an original piece of art or jewelry in the gift shop, or attend during one of the museum's special events to combine art and alcohol consumption. The best part is that admission to the museum is free.

The National Quilt Museum, Paducah, KY

The National Quilt Museum in Paducah showcases some of the region's and world's most interesting and unique quilts. With three galleries of quilts and eight rotations throughout the year, there's always something new and interesting to see at the museum. Great for crafters and people who just enjoy viewing the output of a lot of time, care, and effort, the National Quilt Museum is a great place to visit on a trip to Kentucky.

National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, KY

The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green is a haven for car lovers. The 115,000 square foot museum showcases the history of the classic American sports car with contemporary Corvettes placed alongside classics, antiques, rare restorations, and one-of-a-kind prototypes that were never mass produced. After browsing the museum, grab a bite to eat at the Corvette Café to relive the 50's diner scene.

Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville, KY

From the outside, you can tell that the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, is a special place. Thousands of tiles forming the façade of the building come together to form an image of Muhammad Ali's face from certain angles and an image of him boxing from others. Inside, you'll find memorabilia and exhibits that celebrate the life of Ali and teach visitors about the boxing champion's six core values: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect, and spirituality. While in part the museum is about Ali's boxing career, the overall theme of the museum is one of acceptance and respect for others.

Creation Museum, Petersburg, KY

Whatever your beliefs, the Creation Museum in Petersburg, boasts a unique experience that's difficult to find outside of the Bluegrass State. The Creation Museum chronicles the history of the creation and evolution of the world according to the Bible, even boasting a dinosaur skeleton showing proof of Noah's flood. If you're looking for a little adventure beyond the museum, you can also visit the petting zoo, ride a zip line, and wander through the museum's botanical gardens.

Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY

Located on the University of Louisville's Belknap campus in Louisville, the Speed Art Museum is the best place in the state for browsing historical and contemporary art. On the outside, the Speed Art Museum boasts an interesting, modern architecture that's worth seeing even if you don't set foot inside. If you do decide to venture in, you'll find contemporary art exhibits, ancient art archives, art from Native American and African cultures, and original art created by renown Kentucky artists.

Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, Bardstown, KY

Whiskey enthusiasts and individuals exploring Kentucky's bourbon distilleries will want to make a stop at the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History in Bardstown. The museum boasts a collection of whiskey memorabilia that takes visitors from precolonial times to post-prohibition. Take in rare bottles of whiskey and peruse unique whiskey art and advertisements. While well-known in Kentucky, the museum is also nationally recognized: it won Whiskey Magazine's "Whiskey Visitor Attraction of the Year" award in 2014.

Kentucky Coal Museum, Benham, KY

Truly exploring the history of Appalachia and Eastern Kentucky requires understanding the impacts of coal mining in that region, and visitors to the Kentucky Coal Museum in Benham can do just that. The museum's focus is on life as a coal miner in the Eastern Kentucky region. After browsing the museum's exhibits, visitors can also take a tour of a closed mine in order to get a full understanding of what life was like for coal miners from the early days of the 20th century to the present.

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344 Swope Drive, Danville, KY
Our Purpose:We believe that people learn best when thoroughly engaged, and we make it our business to captivate and delight our audiences.The Great... Read More
1369 Stanford Avenue, Danville, KY
About Us : We are a local museum serving the community of Danville and the surrounding counties. We have a 40 year private collection on display... Read More
100 S. College St., Harrodsburg, KY
A full-scale replica of the fort, built by James Harrod in 1774, is the centerpiece of this park. Cabins and blockhouses are furnished with handmad... Read More
1825 Battlefield Road, Perryville, KY
On October 8, 1862, cannon explosions shattered the rural peace of this tranquil countryside and the death moans of young soldiers. Perryville beca... Read More
625 William Whitley Road, Stanford, KY
The William Whitley House, also known as Sportsman's Hill, stands today as a monument to pioneer ingenuity and resourcefulness. It was the first b... Read More
5079 Lincoln Park Rd., Springfield, KY
Lincoln Homestead State Park features the original home of Lincoln’s mother, as well as replicas of the 1782 cabin and blacksmith shop where ... Read More
175 Beasley Road, Versailles, KY
Operating out of the Woodford County Park outside of Versailles, Kentucky, the Museum offers an 11 mile, 1.5 hour round trip train excursion throug... Read More
225 Waveland Museum Ln., Lexington, KY
Antebellum house with three original outbuildings - slave quarters, smokehouse and ice house. Guided tours focus on the everyday lives of family an... Read More
4029 Airport Road, Lexington, KY
History: Since its founding in 1978, members of the Kentucky Aviation History Roundtable dreamed of an aviation museum. To this end, the group inco... Read More
4435 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY
George W. Headley III (1908-1985) studied art at the Art Student's League in New York and l'Ecole des beaux-arts in Paris and later apprenticed as ... Read More
405 Rose Street, Lexington, KY
Mission: The Art Museum at the University of Kentucky promotes the understanding and appreciation of art to enhance the quality of life for t... Read More
2590 Richmond Road, Renfro Valley, KY
 The  Kentucky Music Hall of Fame   honors Kentucky performers, songwriters, publishers, promoters, managers, broadcasters come... Read More
215 West Main Street, Lexington, KY
About Us:The Lexington History Museum is a 501 (c)3 Not for Profit orgainization. The Lexington History Museum engages all people in the discovery ... Read More
440 West Short Street, Lexington, KY
Mission : Explorium of Lexington creates a fun and dynamic hands-on learning environment that inspires imagination and curiosity. History : In 1... Read More
500 White Hall Shrine Road, Richmond, KY
Nestled in rolling farmland, the home was built in the late 1700’s, with a major addition constructed in the 1860’s. The mansion, built... Read More
In 1800 water was turned into hydrogen and oxygen, using a battery. In 1805 the first car with an internal combustion engine burned hydrogen from w... Read More
Post Box 89, Lexington, KY
More than just a place for housing memories and traditions, the museum is an interactive visit inside the world of UK basketball. There is someth... Read More
125 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY
About Us:  The Kentucky Military History Museum emphasizes the service of the Kentucky Militia, State Guard, and other volunteer military org... Read More
4083 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY
Mission : The American Saddlebred Museum presents the traditions and heritage of the American Saddlebred Horse through the collection, preservatio... Read More
4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY
In 1777, Patrick Henry, then Governor of Virginia, granted 9,000 acres of land in the Kentucky Territory to his brother-in-law, William Christian, ... Read More
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