CORBIN, KY

Bourbon Tours

According to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the state’s bourbon industry is worth $9 billion, resulting in 22,500 jobs. But it’s about more than that. The ingredients, including mineral-rich limestone water, come from the land. Plus, it’s a tradition that dates to before Kentucky was even a state. Bourbon is a great reason to visit, and many iconic distilleries are open for tours and tastings, such as the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, which opened on Derby Day in 1935, and the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, one of the first distilleries on Louisville’s Whiskey Row.

Southeast of Louisville, you’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the black buildings and red shutters of the Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto. Located on the 1,000-acre Star Hill Farm, Maker’s Mark opened its doors in 1953 and offers tours, tastings and a restaurant. While the standard Maker’s Mark Tour takes visitors through the expansive distillery and bourbonmaking process (including a guided tasting), the Behind the Bourbon tour is for true aficionados. The deep-dive experience is detailed and technical, taking guests through the distillery, warehouse, cellar, cistern and bottling area, before ending, of course, with a bourbon tasting.

Founded more than 60 years after Maker’s Mark, Newport’s New Riff Distilling in northern Kentucky offers just that: a fresh spin on the tradition of following the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, which set out rules that require spirits such as whiskey to be aged and bottled according to a set of legal regulations. Housed in an industrialstyle glass-and-steel building, the distillery, which was founded in 2014, offers tastings of its flagship straight or single-barrel bourbon and four different tour experiences. The Blend tour gives whiskey fans the chance to learn the ins and outs of combining bourbons from more than one barrel, creating their own personal riff.

Horse Heritage

If bourbon is the lifeblood of Kentucky, horses are its beating heart, which is why mint juleps are such an apt accompaniment on Derby Day. Whether or not you’re lucky enough to be at Churchill Downs the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby Museum next door to the famed racetrack in Louisville will give you a taste of the experience year-round. Across two floors, the museum features more than a dozen exhibit areas covering past winners, stories of the jockeys and the first electric starting gate used at the race. New for this year is an exhibit honoring Secretariat, the horse that won the Triple Crown in 1973.

Get even closer to the majestic animals at Lexington’s Horse Park . The Equine Theme Park features four museums (including the Smithsonian affiliate International Museum of the Horse), the Big Barn with draft horse demonstrations and the Parade of Breeds Show, where you can take photos and pet the horses. Race fans can also meet retired former champion horses, including Funny Cide and Point Given. If that’s still not up close and personal enough for you, the park offers horseback trail and pony rides to complete the equine experience.

To meet more winning steeds, head to Old Friends Farm a retirement retreat fit for champions. The 236-acre main Dream Chase Farm, along with three satellite facilities, is home to more than 240 retired former racehorses and breeding stallions, including Triple Crown race winners Birdstone, Ruler on Ice, Sarava and Touch Gold. Old Friends offers a handful of tours, including one led by founder Michael Blowen, who leads visitors on a 90-minute jaunt while introducing 10 to 15 resident horses such as 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm. The Every Horse on the Farm Tour is exactly what it sounds like: You get to see the more than 150 horses that live at Dream Chase Farm.

For more information about these and other destinations in Kentucky, visit kentuckytourism.com.

Experience

AKRON/SUMMIT CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

City Life. Outdoor Life. Grab Life Right Here! Hot metro places and cool outdoor spaces: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron Art Museum, Hale Farm & Village and Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Scenic Railroad. Explore: summitbrewpath.com, thedripdrive.com and newagainakron.com.

800-245-4254 AKRON.TRAVEL

STEUBENVILLE VISITOR CENTER

Take a long weekend to enjoy Steubenville’s arts events, the concerts, exhibits and festivals at Historic Fort Steuben, the unique shops and eateries on Fourth Street, and the natural beauty and trails of Beatty Park.

866-301-1787 VISITSTEUBENVILLE.COM

Reeves

Return to the elegance of the late 19th century by visiting the Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum. This opulent mansion, topped by a third-floor ballroom, has been carefully restored and features original furniture and antiques owned by the Reeves family.

330-343-7040 DOVERHISTORY.ORG

Springtime in the other side of Amish country brightens your soul with colorful landscapes while time spent tasting your way through wineries, breweries and luscious local dining delights your tastebuds! Cap off your weekend with boutique shopping, hiking and rediscovering

800-527-3387 TRAVELTUSC.COM

YOUNGSTOWN LIVE — MAHONING COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Get outdoors in Mill Creek MetroParks in Youngstown. Rent a kayak, explore forty-five miles of scenic trails, or visit beautiful Fellows Riverside Gardens. Learn while having fun at OH WOW! Children’s Center. Request your free travel guide at youngstownlive.com. 800-447-8201 YOUNGSTOWNLIVE.COM

Indulge

Come Experience, Explore and Enjoy the abundance of fun in Streetsboro and Portage County. Indulge in the over 60 nearby attractions, 50+ restaurants, specialty stores, affordable hotels, serene campgrounds and special events. Who’s ready for a memorable trip to Streetsboro?

888-558-5580 STREETSBOROVCB.COM

COUNTY

Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in a rich culture, hop on a tour, enjoy a little comfort food, or find your bliss away from the everyday, you’ll find what you are looking for here in Ohio Amish Country.

330-674-3975

VISITAMISHCOUNTRY.COM

SUMMER FUN!

Visit

It’s the season for festivals, live music, and summer fun! Sip and stroll through outdoor refreshment areas enjoying local craft brew, wine, and spirits. Sightsee, explore national historic sites, tour world-class museums, and shop local boutiques. Plan your summer road trip!

800-552-6051 VISITCANTON.COM

Please call ahead before traveling to confirm operating hours for each destination.

Destination Advertiser

Illinois

IL1 Chicago Air and Water Show, chicago.gov PAGE 17

IL2 Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, fs.usda.gov/midewin PAGE 62

IL3 Wrigley Field, mlb.com/cubs

PAGE 40

Indiana

IN1 Conner Prairie, connerprairie.org PAGE 22

IN2 Joseph Decuis, josephdecuis.com PAGE 15

IN3 Muncie Delaware County Visitors Bureau, visitmuncie.org

PAGE 65

IN4 Patoka Lake, patokalakemarina.com PAGE 66

IN5 Visit Bloomington, visitbloomington.com PAGES C4, 9

Kentucky

KY1 Berea Tourist Commission, visitberea.com PAGE 76

KY2 Cave Run Lake, fs.usda.gov/dbnf PAGE 59

KY3 Churchill Downs Behind the Scenes Tours, derbymuseum.org PAGE 17

KY4 Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission, corbinkytourism.com PAGE 75

KY5 Elwood Hotel & Suites, theelwoodhotel.com PAGE 42

KY6 Kentucky Dept. of Tourism, kentuckytourism.com PAGE 68

KY7 Kentucky State Parks, parks.ky.gov PAGE 73

KY8 Muddy Boots Horseback Tour, visitpikeville.com PAGE 64

KY9 Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau, meetnky.com PAGE 70

KY10 Paducah CVB, paducah.travel

PAGE 74

KY11 Sanders Cafe and Museum, sanderscafe.com PAGE 50

KY12 Shepherdsville-Bullitt Co. CVB, travelbullitt.org PAGE 77

KY13 Visit Bowling Green, KY CVB, visitbgky.com PAGE 72

KY14 Visit Oak Grove, visitoakgroveky.com PAGE 71

KY15 Winchester-Clark County Tourism Commission, visitwinchesterky.com PAGE 76

Michigan

For all locations, see map on page 80.