Kentucky is redefining what it means to be offer accessible travel destinations. These include barrier-free bourbon tours and wheelchair-accessible trails to adaptive outdoor recreation, inclusive museums and welcoming places to stay and dine.
Across the state, communities are embracing thoughtful design and inclusive programming to ensure every traveler can experience the culture, adventure and warmth that set the Bluegrass State apart.
To make planning even easier, the Kentucky Department of Tourism has launched a new Accessible Kentucky landing page featuring curated itineraries, can’t-miss attractions and firsthand travel tips from accessibility advocate Cory Lee of Curb Free with Cory Lee, who recently explored the state.
Whether mapping out a road trip, seeking low-sensory cultural spaces or looking for travel experiences that genuinely accommodate a range of physical, sensory or cognitive needs, Kentucky offers welcoming, well-rounded experiences for every kind of traveler.
Accessible Experiences Across Kentucky
- Kentucky Derby Museum – Louisville, KY
- Celebrate racing history at this fully ADA-compliant museum, part of Kentucky’s African American Heritage Trail. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, view a sensory-rich 360° film and take a Churchill Downs Track Tour with accessible routes and assistive staff. The museum also offers borrowable wheelchairs, assistive listening, low-stimulation maps and quiet spaces for a truly inclusive experience.
- Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave, KY
- Home to the world’s longest known cave system, Mammoth Cave National Park is committed to ensuring its natural wonder is accessible to all. The park offers a range of experiences for visitors with physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities. From accessible cave tours and paved trails to assistive listening devices, tactile exhibits and simplified educational materials, Mammoth Cave has options for every level of ability. The park continues to expand its inclusive infrastructure and welcomes feedback to enhance the experience for all visitors.
- National Quilt Museum – Paducah, KY
- This calm, thoughtfully designed museum is a haven for fiber art lovers, with soft lighting, tactile quilt samples, large-print guides and ADA-compliant galleries. Quiet morning visits are encouraged (doors open at 10 a.m.) and adaptive workshops are available year-round. Don’t miss the Paducah Signature Experience or the museum shop’s curated Kentucky Crafted collection.
- Bluegrass Music Museum & Hall of Fame – Owensboro, KY
- Engage with Kentucky’s musical legacy through interactive exhibits, tactile instruments and accessible listening stations. The museum is fully ADA accessible with spacious galleries and optional guided verbal tours. Visitors can even mix their own bluegrass track—a hands-on experience for all.
- Kentucky Artisan Center – Berea, KY
- Explore handcrafted Kentucky-made art in a fully accessible space with wide aisles, quiet lighting and ample seating. Weekly artisan demonstrations, food tastings and book signings provide immersive, low-stimulation experiences. Staff can also provide verbal art descriptions and large-print materials with sensory break areas near exhibits and the on-site café.