Kentucky factories to visit and tour
Kentucky has factories to visit and tour. Below, first are the active, working factories. The next section has historical operations which often have demonstrations or renactments. These incluse both large and small operations, from several person chocolate factories and cheesemakers to large manufacturers making paper towels, wood products, beverage cans and bottles, are open to the public with real tours, exhibitions and fun education.
In some cases, such as a manufacturing process that is no longer in use, the only way to see it and learn about it is a museum or living history center. So, we also provide information about engineering facilities and museums, dinosaur digs, even government facilities, like NASA, astronomy oberservatories and more that are open to the public on certain days and times. And if there is some place that is just plain fun to visit, we add that, too!
These are perfect for homeschooling, for STEM and for fun! Kids love visiting these places! They're learning and getting an education without even realizing it. And most of these are either free or under $10! What's better then fun, entertaining, good for children and families, educational and free?
Here are some of the top factory tours in Kentucky and contact information and tips about visiting them.
Factories, Engineering, Museums and other fun demonstrations and exhibits to visit in Kentucky
- Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory - baseball bat factory
800 West Main St, Louisville, KY 40202. Map. Phone: (877) 775-8443. Email: museum@sluggermuseum.com. Open: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm. Guided factory tours depart every 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the season. The last factory tour of the day leaves 40 minutes before closing. Factory tours last approximately 30 minutes. Guests will see bats being made on every tour, every day. Allow 2 hours to enjoy the entire museum and factory experience. Everyone receives a miniature souvenir bat at the end of the tour. Personalized bats can be purchased in the museum store. At the end of the tour, you’ll get a free souvenir mini bat in a gallery Last checked, prices were $18 for adults, $11 for ages 6 to 12, free for ages 5 and under .
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky - automobile manufacturer
Toyota Kentucky Experience Center, 1001 Cherry Blossom Way, Georgetown, KY 40324. Phone: 502-570-6572. Open: Tuesday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CST; Tour Times Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Reservations required; times vary. Join us for a free, tram-driven tour through the home of the American-made Toyota Corolla (the world’s all-time best selling car) to experience how people and machines work together to build ever-better vehicles.
Kentucky Historical Forts and Sites, Famous buildings, Active Federal facilities to tour, Geology: like fossils and volcanic areas
- Camp Nelson National Monument,
KY.
Established as a supply depot and hospital during the Civil War for the U.S. Army, Camp Nelson became a large recruitment and training center for African American soldiers (USCTs), and a refugee camp for their wives and children. Thousands of enslaved people escaped to this site with the hope of securing freedom and ultimately controlling their futures by aiding in the destruction of slavery.
- Fort Donelson
Dover, KY,TN
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union.
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail,
Sixteen States: IA,ID,IL,IN,KS,KY,MO,MT,NE,ND,OH,OR,PA,SD,WA,WV.
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is approximately 4,900 miles long, extending from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River, near present day Astoria, Oregon. It follows the historic outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as well as the preparatory section from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Wood River, Illinois.
Kentucky State historic sites and parks
These are state-run parks, museums and historic sites that present the history of some manufacturing process, industry, or living settlement
- BARREN RIVER LAKE STATE RESORT PARK 270-646-2151 Caves, Lakes and CorvettesGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- BIG BONE LICK STATE HISTORIC SITE 859-384-3522Northern Kentucky River RegionGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- BLUE LICKS BATTLEFIELD STATE RESORT PARK 859-289-5507Bluegrass, Horses, Bourbon and Boone RegionGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- CARR CREEK STATE PARK 606-642-4050Daniel Boone CountryGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- CARTER CAVES STATE RESORT PARK (606) 286-4411, Kentucky AppalachiansGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- COLUMBUS-BELMONT STATE PARK 270-677-2327, Western WaterlandsGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- CUMBERLAND FALLS STATE RESORT PARK 606-528-4121, Daniel Boone CountryGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- DALE HOLLOW LAKE STATE RESORT PARK 270-433-7431, Kentucky's Southern ShorelinesGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- FORT BOONESBOROUGH STATE PARK (859) 527-3131, Bluegrass, Horses, Bourbon and Boone RegionGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- GENERAL BURNSIDE ISLAND STATE PARK 606-561-4104, Kentucky's Southern ShorelinesGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- GENERAL BUTLER STATE RESORT PARK 502-732-4384, Northern Kentucky River RegionGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- GRAYSON LAKE STATE PARK 606-474-9727, Kentucky AppalachiansGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- GREEN RIVER LAKE STATE PARK 270-465-8255 Kentucky's Southern ShorelinesGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- GREENBO LAKE STATE RESORT PARK 606-473-7324 Kentucky AppalachiansGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- JENNY WILEY STATE RESORT PARK 606-889-1790 Kentucky AppalachiansGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- JOHN JAMES AUDUBON STATE PARK 270-826-2247 Bluegrass, Blues and BBQGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- KENLAKE STATE RESORT PARK 270-474-2211 Western WaterlandsGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- KENTUCKY DAM VILLAGE STATE RESORT PARK 270-362-4271 Western WaterlandsGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- KINCAID LAKE STATE PARK 859-654-3531 Northern Kentucky River RegionGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- LAKE BARKLEY STATE RESORT PARK 270-924-1131 Western WaterlandsGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- LAKE CUMBERLAND STATE RESORT PARK 270-343-3111 Kentucky's Southern ShorelinesGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- LAKE MALONE STATE PARK 270-657-2111 Bluegrass, Blues and BBQGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- LEVI JACKSON WILDERNESS ROAD PARK 606-330-2130 Daniel Boone Country GET DIRECTIONS
- MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME STATE PARK 502-348-3502 Bourbon, Horses and HistoryGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- NATURAL BRIDGE STATE RESORT PARK 606-663-2214 Daniel Boone CountryGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- NOLIN LAKE STATE PARK 270-286-4240 Caves, Lakes and CorvettesGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- PAINTSVILLE LAKE STATE PARK 606-297-8486 Kentucky AppalachiansGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- PENNYRILE FOREST STATE RESORT PARK 270-797-3421 Bluegrass, Blues and BBQGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- TAYLORSVILLE LAKE STATE PARK 502-477-8713 Bourbon, Horses and HistoryGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
- YATESVILLE LAKE STATE PARK, 606-673-1492 Kentucky AppalachiansGET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS
Kentucky Seasons, bugs, topography and climate
Kentucky has relatively hot, humid, rainy summers, and moderately cold and rainy winters. Mean maximum temperatures in July vary from 83 to 90 °F (28 to 32 °C); the mean minimum July temperatures are 61 to 69 °F (16 to 21 °C).
Camping in Kentucky
If you're looking to save money on your trip, camping may be a fun alternative to hotels and motels, especially, if you already have the gear, or are looking to get some. BTW, this websites ( https://RoadTrippingAndCamping.com ) explains everything you need to know about camping gear and where to the best gear at the lowest prices.
There are 30 campgrounds in the Kentucky State Park system, spread out across the state so you’re not too far from being able to enjoy the outdoors.
Four parks - Dale Hollow Lake, Pennyrile Forest, Taylorsville Lake and Carter Caves - also offer equestrian-friendly sites.
Each public campsite facility offers amenities such as restrooms, trail access, RV electric and water hookups, a fire ring, table and more - all in a beautiful setting with affordable rates.
Kentucky State Parks have year-round campgrounds. CLICK HERE for a compiled list. Due to weather, Kentucky State Parks cannot guarantee the availability of water or other resources at our campgrounds during inclement weather months when freezing temperatures are possible. Please contact the park directly for available resources if traveling during months that are conducive to freezing temperatures. Water restrictions may apply.
There are both state parks and private campgrounds in Kentucky.
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