REGIONAL LOCATION

Southern Kentucky

Enjoy the full Kentucky horsepower experience waiting for you right in the middle of the state! Buckle up for a trip around four close counties in Southern Central Kentucky – a rushing, roaring, cheering, galloping, and railroading experience for the entire family! Here you’ll see hills and valleys, scenic railroad rides, boating and fishing at Lake Cumberland with a destination marina, farmland experiences with animals and beautiful countryside, horseback riding and competitions, classic car cruise-ins, and so much more.

Itinerary Quick Look:

Poker Run  |  Conley Bottom Marina  |  Fishing Lake Cumberland  |  Thunder Run  |  Classic Car Museum  |  Central Kentucky Ag/Expo Center with Rodeos Barrel Racing  |  Pole Bending  |  and Horse Shows  |  South Fork Amish/ Mennonite Community  |  Somernites Cruise in  |  Thunder Run  |  Poker Run  |  Fishing Lake Cumberland  |  Big South Fork Scenic Railway  |  Horseback Riding

Keep Reading to Learn More.

Related Locations

Casey County

Liberty Tourism & Convention Commission
606-706-7777
518 Middleburg St. Liberty, KY 42539
explorelibertyky.com

Discover Liberty, KY’s vibrant horsepower culture at the Central Kentucky Ag Expo Center. Experience thrilling truck pulls, graceful horse shows, and lively rodeos. Then, explore the serene rural charm of South Fork, where Amish traditions and a slower pace of life await.

McCreary County

McCreary County Tourist Commission
606-376-3008
14 Geary Ave. P.O. Box 62 Whitley City, KY 42653
mccrearytourism.com

Welcome to McCreary County, where horsepower reigns supreme, and adventure awaits at every turn.

Pulaski County

Somerset-Pulaski Co. CVB
606-679-6394
522 Ogden St. Somerset, KY 42501
lctourism.com

Throttle your way into Kentucky’s horsepower experience in Somerset, KY. Somerset is the official Car Cruise Capital of Kentucky and home to Somernites Cruise, held on the fourth Saturday of the month April through October! On the streets of downtwon Somerset, you can show off your classic, meet other enthusiasts, admire the amazing cars on display and feel the horsepower in those motors travel through your veins. Free for all ages!

Russell County

Lake Cumberland Tourist Commission
270-866-4333
650 S. Highway 127 Russell Springs KY 42642
lakecumberlandvacation.com

Feel the Horsepower on Lake Cumberland in Russell County! Gear up for an adrenaline-fueled adventure with our thrilling Poker Run and Thunder Run events on the majestic waters of Lake Cumberland. Whether you’re revving up your engines or cheering from the shore, Russell County has the horsepower to make your experience unforgettable.

girl barrel racing on horse | southern Kentucky | Kentucky Horse Power
boating dock | marina | horsepower on the water
young couple outside of restaurant | Kentucky

southern

Itinerary Details

This area of Kentucky is very appropriately named Southern Kentucky Vacations! Similar to Kentucky’s Western Waterlands, this portion of the Commonwealth features lots of water, including Houseboat Capital of World, Lake Cumberland! Horsepower thrives on and off the water here. View this three day itinerary for ideas and examples on how best to spend your getaway in Kentucky’s Southern Vacation destination!

DAY 1 & 2

  • Fast or Slow? Slow or Fast? How about both!! Lake Cumberland spans across Russell and Pulaski Counties and offers lots opportunities for a leisure fishing excursion or jet-packed weekend with speed during any weekend, but especially for their annual poker run!
  • It’s full of horsepower as it attracts some of the FASTEST boats on the market. This event is hosted annually in month of June! Whether your a participant or bystander, you’ll be impressed by the roar of engines during the Thunder Run!
  • Consider getting a group of friends together for a weekend in the bays on a houseboat!
  • Lake Cumberland’s beautiful scenery lends itself to a much more serene vibe as well, kayak Throughout the bays, visit Lake Cumberland State Resort Park for a bite to eat.
  • In the evenings, find yourself in downtown Somerset for a lively downtown scene with restaurants and several boutique shops! You may even plan this trip during one of the many weekend events including concerts, festivals, and the Somernites Cruise In series!

 

DAY 3

  • For the final day of this itinerary, choose to head either north or south to Casey County or McCreary County for a different type of horsepower experience!
  • The whole family is sure to enjoy the Big South Fork Scenic Railway in McCreary County.
  • This train ride gives riders a glimpse of Kentucky Appalachia and look back at the rich history of logging and mining in the Commonwealth.
  • If you’re traveling in the area around the holidays the train ride magically transforms into a Polar Express that kids both young and old will appreciate!
  • Liberty, Kentucky in Casey County has that small town charm that so many are looking for these days. From concert series, to festivals, and cruise ins, families can enjoy all Liberty has to offer!

Lodging accommodations are abundant in this part of the Commonwealth, you can choose your stay from hotel rooms, short term rentals, houseboat rentals, and campgrounds and more! Spend in a weekend on water in Kentucky’s Southern vacation destination!