Kentucky State Parks

My Old Kentucky Home State Park Celebrates Federal Hill’s 200th Year With Culinary New Tours and Additions to Collection

February 20, 2018 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

My Old Kentucky Home State Park is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the construction of Federal Hill mansion with new tours and new displays at the popular Bardstown historic site.

Federal Hill was built by the Rowan family in 1818 and became popular because of its connection to Stephen Foster’s famous song “My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night!” Visitors can tour the home and learn about the Rowan family history.

New this year is a “Culinary Biscuit Tour” that explains how to make beaten biscuits as well as southern ham biscuits. This tour is offered to groups of 15-30 people.

Also new is the “Mint Julep Tour,” which explains the history of one of the earliest mixed cocktails and symbolizes southern hospitality. It is the favorite drink for the Kentucky Derby.

Other new culinary tours include the “Lemonade Tour,” and “Apple Cider Tour.”

This year has been declared “The Year of Kentucky Food” and the Kentucky Department of Tourism and Kentucky State Parks are celebrating all the local flavors, spirits and delicious foods of the bluegrass state.

School groups can take tours at My Old Kentucky Home on architecture, furniture made from wood, and farm to table, as well as the mansion tour.

The park also has some new items on display for 2018. They include:

The Rowan family’s original Victorian style parlor set, crafted from walnut and upholstered in woven horse hair, has been fully restored and returned to My Old Kentucky Home’s parlor. Consisting of two settees, a gentleman’s arm chair, a ladies chair, and multiple side chairs, the set was likely purchased by the mansion’s second owner, Rebecca Carnes Rowan, in the mid to late 19th century.

An original 19th-century painting of the birthplace of Stephen Foster, known as “The White Cottage,” was purchased by My Old Kentucky Home State Park for inclusion in the park’s permanent collection and will be on display in the mansion’s parlor.

My Old Kentucky Home State Park acquired an original 19th-century portrait of Stephen Foster that once belonged to Oliver Ditson, a publisher of Foster’s music during the mid to late 1800s. The oil on canvas portrait was painted by Frederick R. Spencer has been placed in the mansion’s central hall.

Visitors to the park gift shop will notice a new collection of Kentucky Proud jellies, jams, sauces, and mixes from My Old Kentucky Home. The new collection of food products include blackberry jam, strawberry jam, pepper jelly, biscuit mix and Henry Bain sauce.

Besides historic Federal Hill and the visitor center, My Old Kentucky Home State Park also has a campground and an 18-hole golf course.

For more information about tours and other events at My Old Kentucky Home State Park, visit https://www.visitmyoldkyhome.com/ For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov

Valentine’s Events at Kentucky State Parks

February 5, 2018 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Island View Restaurant at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park

While winter is a pretty slow time when it comes to Kentucky Events, Valentine’s Day is generating a little buzz. One of the things I love the most about Valentine’s Day (besides the chocolate!) is the fact that, for me, it marks the end of the long winter months. Granted, we aren’t even close to spring, officially, yet, but Valentine’s Day gets us one step closer and, by this time, I’ll settle for that!

From Kentucky State Parks:

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at a Kentucky State Park this year with your special someone! Many parks are offering events and weekend packages in February to help celebrate Valentine’s Day.

The packages include overnight stays, meals and entertainment. Kentucky State Resort Parks have lodges, restaurants and recreational opportunities.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park in Calvert City is offering an overnight package Feb. 10-11 that includes a cruise on the 96-foot heated yacht CQ Princess. The 2-1/2 hour cruise will include dessert tasting and eagle viewing. The package also includes dinner for two, a one-night lodge stay and breakfast for two. Call 270-362-4271 for reservations.

General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton is hosting its Perfect Harmony Dinner Theater on Feb. 10. Elvis impersonator Todd Bodenheimer from LaGrange, Ky., will bring his “Love Me Tender” show to General Butler. The package includes a lodge room for one night, dinner buffet, the Elvis show, and breakfast on Sunday morning. The package for two is $185.95 plus tax. Dinner and show tickets are available for $50, plus tax, a person. Call 502-732-4384.

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park in Greenup is hosting a Mystery Dinner Show on Feb. 3. Step back in time with the “Murderous Match Game” featuring the celebrities you loved back in the early 1970’s. Spend the evening dining and playing detective as you try to solve a “murder” by gathering clues and mingling with “suspects.” The park is offering overnight packages that include one night’s lodging and dinner and show for two for $140. Call 606-472-7324 for reservations.

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park in Burkesville is hosting its Valentine’s Celebration Feb. 10-11. It includes a Saturday night dinner at the Island View Restaurant and a dance with music from the Starr Mountain Band. Packages are $174.96 and include dinner, dance, overnight lodging and breakfast for two. For more information, call 270-433-7431.

To find out more about other state park offerings, visit http://parks.ky.gov/valentines-weekend/

2017 Thanksgiving Buffets at Kentucky State Resort Parks

October 31, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Rough River Dam State Resort Park’s Grayson Landing Restaurant

Seventeen Kentucky State Resort Parks will serve a Thanksgiving Day buffet on Nov. 23, 2017.

All in all, the parks will serve 2,000 pounds of turkey, 1,500 pounds of sweet potatoes, and 750 pounds of country ham! Additionally, 4,300 pieces of fried chicken, 1,300 pounds of roast beef, and 12,000 rolls will be served along with 600 pies, including pecan and pumpkin.

The parks have hosted the Thanksgiving Day buffet for more than 40 years and typically serve around 10,000 guests.

For starters, the buffet includes soups, cheeses, and salads. The menu features turkey, dressing, baked ham, carved roast beef, and fried chicken. Vegetables include old-fashioned candied yams, country-style green beans, and mashed potatoes with giblet gravy.

The cost for the buffet is $19.50 plus tax (drink included) for adults, $9.50 for children ages 6-12, and free for children five and under.

The buffet will be served starting at 11 a.m. and closing time will vary by park.

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park will be offering a reduced buffet and price (very cool of them – they’re obviously in the holiday spirit!).

For more information on the Thanksgiving Day buffet and other state park events, visit www.parks.ky.gov.

Fly Fishing Weekend at Pine Mountain State Resort Park November 11-12, 2017

October 19, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Fly Fishing at Pine Mountain State Resort Park (Photo Credit: Kentucky State Parks)

One of the most scenic and beautiful parks in the Kentucky State Park system is Pine Mountain State Resort Park. The views redefine breathtaking, so any chance you get to visit this park should be an opportunity you jump at. If you enjoy fishing, the Park will give you an opportunity you’ll especially love in November.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park will host its Fly Fishing Weekend on November 11-12.

Participants will learn to fly fish in the beautiful autumn mountains during this two-day workshop. It will include choosing equipment, fly selection, reading a stream, casting, and hooking and landing a fish.

The weekend package includes a Saturday continental breakfast, classroom and casting instruction on Saturday, Saturday night’s lodging, a Sunday streamside lunch, and actual fly fishing on Sunday.

This workshop starts with an 8 a.m. Saturday breakfast, followed by a 9 a.m. classroom experience. After lunch on your own, the class resumes with individual casting instructions. After dinner, participants can watch the film “A River Runs Through It.”

Sunday’s class will include fishing instruction, fishing on your own and a box lunch along Clear Creek.

The package cost is $189 per person or $295 per couple.

For information and reservations, call 606-337-3066 or email Keith Bowling at keith.bowling@ky.gov.

The park has a 30-room lodge, cottages and a full-service restaurant. It also has a golf course and other recreational opportunities for guests. Pine Mountain State Resort Park is located south of Pineville, on U.S. 25E, 10 miles north of Middlesboro.

Click the pictures below to give you an idea of just how spectacular Pine Mountain and Pine Mountain State Resort Park are in Autumn… Stunning!

All States in the Path of Hurricane Irma Offered Lodging Discount at Kentucky State Parks During Hurricane

September 7, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park Lodge

EDIT: The Kentucky State Parks have graciously included all states in the hurricane’s path in this discount.

Kentucky State Parks are offering a lodging discount to Florida residents (and other states in the hurricane’s potential path) looking for a place to stay to avoid Hurricane Irma.

Guests with a Florida driver’s license can receive a 25 percent off the regular rate for lodge rooms and cottages through Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017.

The Kentucky State Parks have 17 resort parks that feature lodges, restaurants and recreational activities. Most resort also have cottages. Additionally, the park system operates 30 campgrounds across the state.

For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov To take advantage of this special offer, please call the park you are interested in to make a reservation. Mention the code PR25 for this offer and show your Florida driver’s license when you check in.