Books, books, books

If you are anything like me, you love to find out about new places by both being there and by reading about it. I good book can be invaluable in discovering those unknown bits about a place. Kentucky is no exception to this. There are so many diamonds in the rough about this state. Little places to visit, great places to eat, and outstanding scenery to witness. Here are a few books that might be helpful in your discovery of the 15th State:



This is a wonderful look at some of the best hiking trails around the state. There is a wide variety of trails, from urban and easy to hilly and hard. The hikes span the state and include many of the greatest natural and historical aspects of Kentucky. It has an easy to follow format and is broken up unto regions, depending on which part of the state you want to explore. Often, the authors will highlight a single trail within a park but will still provide an overview of all the trails in a park. This is a great resource to have in your Kentucky tourist collection.



OK foodies, this one's for you! When I am traveling around the state, I don't want to have to spend precious time looking for something other than deep fried fast food funkiness. This is one of the best companions to have! The author has toured around Kentucky looking for those restaurants that quintessentially local. The requirements for the restaurants are that it has to be local (i.e. not a chain) and must have great food. Sometimes they are very cosmopolitan and chic places to east, sometimes they are just holes in the wall tucked at the end of a gravel road. Whatever the case, these places are great. To add something to the experience, take the book with you and get it signed by the owner/manager/chef of the restaurants you choose. Directory and diary all in one!



This book and the next are two guides to those parts of Kentucky that you didn't already know about. Everyone knows about Mammoth Cave, Bourbon, The Kentucky Derby, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Off the Beaten Path and Kentucky Curiosities give more of an insider's look at all the things that are interesting about Kentucky. Off the Beaten Path is the more standard type of guidebook for the state. It takes a look at all of the regions and gives a pretty good description of the attractions to visit. It lists contact information and some rough maps to help guide you around. This is part of a larger series of books that cover most states. My wife's Aunt edited the same series for Nebraska. This series is written by people who not only love their states but want everyone else to love them as well.



Last but not least, Kentucky Curiosities. This is the book to tickle the funny bone. The author has found some of the most absurd facts and figures about this wonderful state. Did you know that Louisville was home to the creator of the "Happy Birthday" song? Did you know that Bourbon County is dry but Christian Country is wet? (For those outside of the Bible Belt, dry meaning no alcohol is sold, wet meaning it is.) Did you know that Kentucky boasts a city built in the center of a meteor crater? More than just the home of Colonel Sanders and Maker's Mark, Kentucky is full of surprises. This book will keep you laughing and thinking, "No way is this true!" Trust me, it all is! Have fun wandering!