There’s a reason Kentucky’s state song is “My Old Kentucky Home.” Our state is the type of place that always feels like home and that sticks with you no matter how far you stray. We are a passionate, beautiful state with plenty to offer locals and visitors alike. If you have moved away, or even if you’ve traveled out of the state, and you’ve gotten homesick, next time, be sure to keep this list handy because these 11 things will always make Kentuckians think of home.
- Horse Racing
Facebook/Kentucky Derby Our state is, of course, known for the Kentucky Derby, but we actually host quite a few horse races and other horse-related events in the Bluegrass State. Especially those in Louisville or locals who make a horse race an annual tradition will always think of home when they hear the sound of hooves pounding the dirt.
- Bourbon
Facebook/Kentucky Bourbon Trail Even if you don’t care for this Kentucky-made beverage, Bourbon will still make you think of home. It’s hard to escape this amber colored liquid when you’re in Kentucky with distilleries scattered about and countless options available on almost every restaurant menu.
- Homemade Fried Chicken
Facebook/Greyhound Tavern There’s nothing quite like Sunday suppers with the family and the smell of homemade fried chicken. All of these things will evoke memories of home as this golden, crispy meal is the unofficial food of Kentucky.
- Country Ham
Facebook/Father’s Country Ham Another favorite food in Kentucky, country ham, is a local favorite. If you come across this flavorful delight outside of Kentucky, your stomach will surely begin to growl, thinking of fond memories from home.
- Camping
Facebook/Kentucky Lake/Marshall County Tourism Camping is a favorite Kentucky pastime and it probably has to do with the fact that we have so much natural beauty to take advantage of. With countless lakes, mountains, hiking trails, waterfalls, and more, there is no better way to experience them than by camping.
- Baseball Bats
Facebook/Louisville Slugger We may not have an MLB team, but they couldn’t do it without Kentucky and the Louisville Slugger. This classic wooden bat — and the cracking sound it makes when perfectly connected with a ball — is a beloved sound in Kentucky and can instantly take you home.
- College Basketball
Facebook/University of Kentucky Speaking of sports, even if you leave the great state of Kentucky, one glimpse of a college basketball game will take you home. Whether you bleed blue or red, college basketball is close to the hearts of Kentuckians.
- Farmland
Flickr/Anthony The picturesque sight of a sprawling horse form, or crops growing for miles, or even a field filled with wildflowers will always make us think of and miss home. Of course, this land is most beautiful in Kentucky, but at least if we see it somewhere else we can be reminded of what a lovely state we have.
- Steamboats
Facebook/Augusta, Kentucky With so many towns along the Ohio River and a rich history tied to them, steamboats are a beautiful part of Kentucky’s past. You can still experience these nostalgic beauties in many of these cities and they are definitely part of the heartbeat of Kentucky.
- Coal Mining
Tripadvisor/Annmarie D. Our state is very closely tied to coal mining, both in the past and present. Especially if you grew up in eastern Kentucky, the sights and sounds of the coal industry will likely take you right back home.
- Small Town Festivals
Facebook/Marion County Country Ham Days Kentucky loves a good festival, as we recently shared here. From parades and delicious food to rides and entertainment, our state knows how to celebrate just about anything. If you ever find yourself walking through an out-of-town festival, be sure to reminisce about your favorites from home.
Our old Kentucky home is filled with heart and will always be in our hearts, no matter how far away we go. What reminds you of home in Kentucky? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments!
Facebook/Kentucky Derby
Our state is, of course, known for the Kentucky Derby, but we actually host quite a few horse races and other horse-related events in the Bluegrass State. Especially those in Louisville or locals who make a horse race an annual tradition will always think of home when they hear the sound of hooves pounding the dirt.
Facebook/Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Even if you don’t care for this Kentucky-made beverage, Bourbon will still make you think of home. It’s hard to escape this amber colored liquid when you’re in Kentucky with distilleries scattered about and countless options available on almost every restaurant menu.
Facebook/Greyhound Tavern
There’s nothing quite like Sunday suppers with the family and the smell of homemade fried chicken. All of these things will evoke memories of home as this golden, crispy meal is the unofficial food of Kentucky.
Facebook/Father’s Country Ham
Another favorite food in Kentucky, country ham, is a local favorite. If you come across this flavorful delight outside of Kentucky, your stomach will surely begin to growl, thinking of fond memories from home.
Facebook/Kentucky Lake/Marshall County Tourism
Camping is a favorite Kentucky pastime and it probably has to do with the fact that we have so much natural beauty to take advantage of. With countless lakes, mountains, hiking trails, waterfalls, and more, there is no better way to experience them than by camping.
Facebook/Louisville Slugger
We may not have an MLB team, but they couldn’t do it without Kentucky and the Louisville Slugger. This classic wooden bat — and the cracking sound it makes when perfectly connected with a ball — is a beloved sound in Kentucky and can instantly take you home.
Facebook/University of Kentucky
Speaking of sports, even if you leave the great state of Kentucky, one glimpse of a college basketball game will take you home. Whether you bleed blue or red, college basketball is close to the hearts of Kentuckians.
Flickr/Anthony
The picturesque sight of a sprawling horse form, or crops growing for miles, or even a field filled with wildflowers will always make us think of and miss home. Of course, this land is most beautiful in Kentucky, but at least if we see it somewhere else we can be reminded of what a lovely state we have.
Facebook/Augusta, Kentucky
With so many towns along the Ohio River and a rich history tied to them, steamboats are a beautiful part of Kentucky’s past. You can still experience these nostalgic beauties in many of these cities and they are definitely part of the heartbeat of Kentucky.
Tripadvisor/Annmarie D.
Our state is very closely tied to coal mining, both in the past and present. Especially if you grew up in eastern Kentucky, the sights and sounds of the coal industry will likely take you right back home.
Facebook/Marion County Country Ham Days
Kentucky loves a good festival, as we recently shared here. From parades and delicious food to rides and entertainment, our state knows how to celebrate just about anything. If you ever find yourself walking through an out-of-town festival, be sure to reminisce about your favorites from home.
And if you’d also like to see what every single Kentuckian keeps in their Kentucky home, check out our previous article here.
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