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Things to Do in Kentucky!

On the following pages you'll find many fun things to do in Kentucky. Whether it's fishing on one of Kentucky's many lakes, exploring caves, visiting a Kentucky State Park, hiking, or golfing a great Kentucky golf course, there are plenty of fun things to do in Kentucky. Just remember to bring your camera! If you're unsure of a date for an event, please leave a comment, e-mail me, or contact me on Twitter (@GenuineKentucky).

2018-2019 Winter Schedule for Kentucky State Resort Parks

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Kenlake State Resort Park's Lodge

Kenlake State Resort Park’s Lodge

Spring and Summer aren’t the only times you’ll enjoy a visit to the Kentucky State Parks – they’re just as warm, welcoming, and fun during the fall and winter. In fact, maybe even more so because they’re quieter and less crowded!

The resort parks have different hours during the colder months, so always double check before leaving home. Below is their recently announced schedule for the winter months.

Each of the Kentucky State Park Resort Parks will be open on weekends through the winter months in 2018-2019.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park will be open seven days a week; the other 15 resort parks will have different schedules, with many of them closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Restaurant schedules will also be based on the resort schedules during the winter.

All resort parks have lodges and food services; 15 parks also have cottages. Cottages will be open daily at these parks through the winter.

There will be no changes for full-time staff within the Parks – all will be working their normal hours during the winter. On days the resort parks are not open to the public, staff will be cleaning and repairing park facilities.

Below are the winter dates and schedules for the 17 resort parks. The first day listed is the day of the week available to check in a lodge room, the second day is the check-out day.

Barren River Lake, Dec. 3, 2018-March 2, 2019, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Blue Licks Battlefield, Nov. 12-April 1, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out)

Buckhorn Lake, Nov. 1-March 31, open Friday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Carter Caves, Dec. 27-March 3, open Wednesday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Cumberland Falls, Dec. 16-March 3, open Tuesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Dale Hollow Lake, Nov. 11-March 1, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

General Butler, Dec. 23-March 31, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Greenbo Lake, Nov. 1-March 30, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Jenny Wiley, open daily.

Kenlake, Dec. 9-March 10, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Kentucky Dam Village, Nov. 12-March 1, open Thursday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Lake Barkley, Nov. 25-Feb. 27, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Lake Cumberland, Dec. 1-Feb. 28, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Natural Bridge, open daily.

Pennyrile Forest, Dec. 14-March 3, open Friday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Pine Mountain, Jan. 1-Jan. 31, open Wednesday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Rough River Dam, Nov. 4-April 30, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Many resort parks will host seasonal events such as Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas programs and New Year’s Eve parties.

For more information about Kentucky State Parks or to make reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov

Snap Apple Night 2018 at The Homeplace Tomorrow Night!

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Snap Apple Night at the Homeplace 2017

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this time of year! The crispness in the air, football on tv, the UK Wildcats starting to hit the court, autumn leaves, pumpkins, hot chocolate… love it, love it, love it. So, needless to say, I’m excited that it’s time for Snap Apple Night at the 1850’s Homeplace in the Land Between the Lakes. They put on such a wonderful production – you can tell that (like me!) they’re kids at heart. The decorations, the festivities, the atmosphere… they embrace this season like it deserves to be embraced.

Below are events that’ll be going on tomorrow (October 13). Hope you can make it!

Saturday, October 13

1-3pm | Carving Jack-O-Lanterns
In Ireland, people carved turnips with scary faces to help ward off evil spirits. The tradition migrated to the United States where the pumpkin became the vegetable of choice. Help the Homeplace workers scoop out the insides of turnips and pumpkins and create scary faces on them for Snap Apple Night! Come early since there are a limited number of pumpkins to carve.
{Continued Below….}
Snap Apple Night at the Homeplace
6-8:30pm:  Snap Apple Night
Enjoy an evening in the 1850s where the nights were very dark, and the only light comes from lanterns. Family entertainment was sitting round the hearth listening to stories of long ago. Step back in time, gather around for the old-time tradition of storytelling and listen to award winning storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis www.foxtalesint.com as he shares scary stories around the blazing bonfire.
Between storytelling, get a hot cup of cider and discover your future as we tap into the “other world” and learn your fate through Victorian fortune telling games. Program held rain or shine, so please be prepared for the weather. Great family fun!
  • 6 pm – 1st storytelling scary stories
  • 6:45 pm –- fortune telling games
  • 7:30 pm –2nd Storytelling, Even Scarier Stories
Doors open at 5:30 pm 

Upcoming August Events at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

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Hummingbirds at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

Saturday, August 11

9:30am-12pm | Hummingbird Photography Workshop

Hands-on workshop with instructors who’ll show photos on the big screen in the Nature Station’s theater as they lead a discussion on the qualities of the photos, share tips on how to improve them through photographic technique, composition, and editing and more. Includes Nature Station admission. Participants are encouraged to bring photos they have already taken on an external hardware device. Bring a lunch and stay in the afternoon to take your own photographs. $15 per person. Limited space. Registration and deposit required.

11am-2pm | Hummingbird Kids’ Craft
Join our naturalists as you learn how to make a super simple and fun bird nest, complete with your own crafty versions of baby hummingbirds!

2-2:30pm | Knee-high Naturalists: Hummingbirds
Join us for a story, a craft, and a memorable nature experience witnessing dozens of hummingbirds as they buzz around the Nature Station’s gardens and feeders. This program is specially designed to make hummingbirds fun for preschoolers.

Sunday, August 12

2-2:30pm | Knee-high Naturalists: Hummingbirds
Come discover hummingbirds with your young naturalist! Join us for a story, a craft, and a memorable nature experience witnessing dozens of hummingbirds as they buzz around the Nature Station’s gardens and feeders. This program is specially designed for preschoolers.

Monday, August 13

3:30-3:50pm | Monday Funday: Deer and Turkey Playtime
Watch as our animals react to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

Tuesday, August 14

10-11am | Morning with the Hummingbirds
Mornings are one of the best times to view Nature Station’s hummingbirds as they feed at our freshly filled feeders. Let’s step outside into the gardens and watch them in their morning feeding frenzy.

Wednesday, August 15

11:30am-12:15pm | Hummingbirds of the World
Join us for this presentation to discover some of the world’s most interesting hummingbirds such as the Marvelous Spatuletail, Bee Hummingbird, Streamertail, and Sword-billed Hummingbird.

Thursday, August 16

10-11am | Morning with the Hummingbirds
Mornings are one of the best times to view Nature Station’s hummingbirds as they feed at our freshly filled feeders. Let’s step outside into the gardens and watch them in their morning feeding frenzy. Then, join us for an indoor presentation to learn about hummingbird’s natural history and how to help them during their migration.

Friday, August 17

3:30-3:50pm | Feed the Animals Fridays: Opossum
Come help feed Nature Station’s resident opossum during her chow time! We’ll let you sneak into the opossum’s enclosure while she’s not there and hide treats for her to find.

Saturday, August 18

9-10am | Hummingbird Café
Join us under the shade in our garden and enjoy some coffee (hot or iced), juice, and breakfast goodies while the hummingbirds have a feeding frenzy of their own! Relax in our scenic wildflower gardens. $10 per person, includes same day NS admission. Reservation required. Call 270.924.2020 to reserve your space.

2:30-3pm | Dive Into the Hive

Discover what all the buzz is about! You’re invited to bee a part of the hive! Come along on Honeybee Awareness Day as we play bee games, join a hive, and discover what each bee does for the hive! This is a perfect activity for children of all ages.

Sunday, August 19

2:30-3pm | Creature Feature: Bobcat
Did you know that about 200 bobcats live right here in Land Between The Lakes? Find out how these masters of stealth survive so well without being seen.

Hummingbird at Woodlands Nature Station

Canoe and Kayak Rentals on Honker Lake This Memorial Day Weekend!

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Canoe Trip on Honker Lake
Read More About The Canoe Trip Above: Canoeing on Honker Lake in the LBL!
My husband and I enjoyed every minute of a canoe trip we took on Honker Lake a few years ago. Every single minute. Last summer, we were unable to make it (I can’t remember if it was weather-related or what… but I recall being pretty bummed about it!). Another opportunity is coming up and I hope you’ll be able to make it. WEATHER PERMITTING! I write that in all caps for obvious reasons…. seriously, what is up with weather this year? First it takes forever to run winter out of town and now rain is calling the shots.
Hopefully it’ll take the weekend off and allow fun on Honker Lake to reign supreme.
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Canoeing on Honker Lake
Canoe and kayak rentals on Honker Lake begin on Memorial Day Weekend. Hourly rentals start at 10am (all boats need to be returned by 4:30pm). Rental fees are $10 per hour per boat. Visitors must check in at Nature Station in order to rent a canoe or kayak.
Rentals may be suspended for inclement weather. For more information, please call  call 270-924-2299.
Canoeing on Honker Lake

Happy First Day of Spring, Kentucky: Even if Winter Hasn’t Gotten the Memo Yet….

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Green Turtle Bay Resort and Marina

Beautiful Green Turtle Bay in Grand Rivers

As I’m typing this, snow is falling outside of my window. While it’s beautiful (I’ve always loved snow), I’m READY for spring! Hard to believe today is actually the first day of spring, isn’t it? Winter seems to be having a hard time believing it, too.

I have no doubt that in just two weeks, we’ll have forgotten all about this snow and will only be focusing on tulips, flower beds, baseball, and strawberry sundaes (or whatever flavor YOU choose!).

The beautiful picture above was taken a few years ago at Green Turtle Bay in Grand Rivers – I’m guessing it doesn’t look quite like this today…. but it will!

Enjoy the peaceful day and hang in there. Beautiful weather is just around the corner. I cannot… CANNOT… wait to get out there and start enjoying and photographing the beauty that is Kentucky.

"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

Fraley Music Festival
Maddox
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Trail Through the Forest