“Kentucky Wildcat Basketball”byMCHartis licensed underCC BY 2.0
Big Blue Nation is absolutely insane over the Kentucky Wildcats. They create tent cities to get tickets, they lead the nation with home attendance, get Wildcat tattoos—but that’s nothing compared to what they do when UK loses. They’ll set off fireworks, get into fights, set couches on fire and get arrested. Told you they were insane.
“Fancy Kentucky Bourbon Drink”byJazz Guyis licensed underCC BY 2.0
95 percent of the world’s bourbon is made in Kentucky. 95 percent. Needless to say, it’s everyone’s favorite drink. If you’re not in-the-know, grab a Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport and try the best of the best all over the state. Just don’t ever make the mistake of calling it whiskey.
“The Hunter”byJenelle Wolnyis licensed underCC BY 2.0
If you’re not from here, you might be a little surprised at how popular hunting is. Black bear, deer, turkey, coyote, bobcat, elk, river otter, squirrel, and almost everything else should be on the lookout. Just be sure to check on what season you’re in before you go out for a nice walk in the woods.
The Kentucky Derby is serious business in this state. It’s an excuse to place a bet, party, and celebrate everything Kentucky. It all begins with The Kentucky Derby Festival, which lasts two weeks before the actual race and you better bet the whole state is celebrating. If you want to fit in, find the best Derby hat that you can.
Everyone in this state is genuinely and selflessly kind, friendly and helpful. It’s really true. If you run out of gas or break down, someone will always stop and check on you to see if you need help. If they’re female, they’ll also try to feed you, no matter what your circumstances. Or how much you say “no thank you.” But you shouldn’t. I mean, you might get some burgoo.
For the most part Kentucky is full of educated, civilized, wonderful people….and then there are the true hillbillies. They’re some of the nicest people you will ever meet—if you can understand what they’re saying. The thick Southern drawl here is very prominent. Here are a few tips: They call soda “pop,” they’ll say they live in a “hollar” (a dirt road) and they might call you a “feller,” even if you’re female.
Head a little east of central Kentucky and you’ll run right into some of the most intricate canyon systems in the country at Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone National Park. You can dance across natural bridges, play in waterfalls, run through sandstone arches, and scale mountains. Do it all.
Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State", but don’t waste your time looking for actual blue grass. Bluegrass is just plain old green, unless it grows really tall and blooms. Oh, you thought it was called the Bluegrass State because of bluegrass music? Nope. It’s actually the other way around.
If you’re coming to Kentucky from a big metropolis, you’ll probably find it refreshing that the kids in Kentucky still play outside - a lot. They dig in the dirt. They climb trees and jump from tire swings into the lake. They look for ‘crawdads’ in the creek and collect rocks. Kids get pure joy out of the simpler things in Kentucky.
In Western Kentucky BBQ means mutton (lamb) shoulders with ‘dip’, a Worcestershire-based sauce. In the south-central area, you’ll get thin-sliced pork shoulder served with a vinegar and pepper sauce over bread. Just be sure to ask before you order, so you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Kentucky is divided into five different regions—and they’re all very different. Before you move here, do your research. Google is your friend.
You might be thinking of moving to Kentucky based on how pretty it is or how friendly the people are. Well, consider yourself forewarned: Kentucky also gets its share of twisters. Not all the time, but it does happen and can be pretty vicious. So be on the lookout.
Before you move to Kentucky, you should know that there are more deer and turkey here per capita than anywhere else in the United States. The deer are pretty well-known for jumping out in front of your car and making you use words that would make your grandmother blush. And don’t even try to imagine how many deer and turkey would be roaming around if Kentuckians weren’t thinning out the numbers during hunting season.
If you love ‘The Big Lebowski’ (who doesn’t??) then the only place for Lebowski Fest is where it all began—Louisville, Kentucky. Two nights, live music, a screening of the film, of course, a bowling party and a bunch of crazy fans in costumes every July. You’re welcome. “If you will it, it is no dream.”
Cumberland Falls, aka ‘Little Niagara’ or ‘Niagara of the South’ is something every true Kentuckian knows to be awesome. I suggest you go on a clear night with a full moon to experience the elusive moonbow—the only one in the Western Hemisphere. It’s incredible.
Imagine an open-faced sandwich with bacon and turkey (possibly ham, and maybe tomatoes or pimentos, depending) covered in Mornay sauce and then baked until the bread is crispy and the sauce starts to bubble and brown. Are you packing for Kentucky yet? And don’t let anyone give you an imitation—make sure it’s Mornay sauce and not some commercial processed cheese-like-food. Only the real deal will do.
The recipe is simple: Fresh mint leaves, bourbon, sugar and water. Just make sure your bartender knows what they’re doing….the leaves should be slightly bruised with the sugar, not ground to a pulp. For the best, drink it at the Derby, of course.
Big pots of burgoo, a spicy stew with an elusive recipe, are the perfect Kentucky social dish. Traditionally it’s made with game meats, like venison or rabbit, but today you can just use chicken, mutton or pork. But good luck on getting “the recipe”—every single one is completely different. You won’t find it in every Kentucky restaurant, but when you can find it, try it.
Most people agree that the drive along Old Frankfort Pike is the prettiest in the state. You'll pass through six historic districts and have endless places to stop and enjoy a bit of Kentucky nature.
It’s a museum, it’s a cafe, it’s a modern KFC with access to the kitchen where it all began…. get your touristy fix at the one-and-only original cafe in Corbin, Kentucky before settling into your new life. You know you want to. Just get it over with.
It’s so true that some enterprising locals actually want to replace the state’s current slogan, “Unbridled Spirit,” with this one. Who knows if it’ll happen, but it sure would be easy to remember.
