As you can see, this swimming quarry has the most pristine water.

You might even forget you're in Kentucky when you're taking advantage of this Louisville quarry swimming oasis!

Our creeks and lakes are beautiful but undeniably murkier and often even contaminated with harmful bacteria and chemicals.

However, this swimming quarry is only filled with rainwater, which is why you can see straight down to the rock bottom.

There are awesome diving spots for those courageous enough to leap into this swimming hole near Louisville, KY.

This quarry is huge and has plenty of deep spots for you to take a refreshing dive. The rock ledges are fair game to jump from unless there are warning signs suggesting otherwise.

You can swim alongside the catfish, too!

Peer down at the fish swimming below or beside you!

There's nowhere else around Louisville where you can see so clearly as you swim through this crystal-clear water.

Make sure to bring a floating device to this epic swimming hole near Louisville, KY.

Regulations require you to bring a float to enter the premises. This can be a simple pool noodle or a larger inflatable; it's your choice what to bring, as long as it floats! There are a few other rules to take note of: You must be 18 years old and have a government I.D. at entry, and you will be asked to sign a safety waiver.

Have you been to Falling Rock Park? Tell us about your trip to this summer swimming hole near Louisville in the comments below! Check out Falling Rock Park’s website for more information about Louisville quarry swimming.

If you enjoyed this article, take a look at these swimming holes across Kentucky and get ready to make a splash this summer!

The post The Swimming Hole Near Louisville That Will Make Your Summer Epic appeared first on Only In Your State ®.

1. McNeely Lake Park

Home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Louisville, McNeely Lake Park is located right here within city boundaries and is a favorite for many residents in the city. This park offers beautiful trails, great fishing spots, boating ramps, and sports fields. This lake offers a little bit of everything for the entire family to enjoy.

2. Waverly Park Lake

Another beautiful lake located in Louisville is Waverly Park Lake. This lake offers mountain biking, fishing, grills, hiking trails, picnic areas, and a playground. The scenery here is a perfect setting to kick back, relax, and enjoy the outdoors. We especially love hiking along the park's 9.5 miles of hiking trails in the summer and fall seasons!

3. Lake Nevin

Lake Nevin is located in the beautiful Bernheim Forest, just a short 20 to 30 minutes away from Louisville. In addition to being located within one of the most immensely beautiful places in Kentucky, this lake offers limited bank fishing, but the best thing to do here is walk around the trails and admire its beauty.

4. Deam Lake

Located just 30 minutes away from Louisville in Southern Indiana, Deam Lake is like a dream. It has a public swimming area and many other designated areas for fishing, boating, swimming, camping, kayaking, picnicking, hiking, and hunting across the Deam Lake Recreation Area. You can also rent rowboats here to fully enjoy your time out on the water. Deam Lake is an amazing place to camp and it's one of the nicest, closest lakes around Louisville.

5. Lake Shelby

Lake Shelby, located just under 40 minutes away in Shelbyville, Indiana, is a fisherman's dream. The waters are loaded with bluegill, crappie, bass, catfish, and more. The lake is popular for fishing, but many people simply take their canoes and kayaks out and explore nature here.

6. Taylorsville Lake

Taylorsville Lake is located almost an hour away, but it's one of the best near the city. A true nature lover's paradise, this lake is wonderful for camping, fishing, boating, hiking, and more. The 24-mile trail system around the lake allows for hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding. Birdwatching is popular here as well, as there are so many spectacular species that call this lake home, such as the Blue Heron seen above taking flight. The Van Buren Boat Ramp area also contains two nesting sites for the American Bald Eagle.

7. Hardy Lake

Located a little over an hour away in Scottsburg, Indiana, Hardy Lake offers hiking, boating, camping, and has an interesting raptor rehabilitation center with trained professionals who can teach you about the region's hawks, owls, falcons, and vultures.

8. Lake Reba

Located and hour and a half away in Richmond, Kentucky, Lake Reba offers a surprising amount of amenities to entertain guests. They have a little league baseball complex, an adult softball complex, a batting cage, miniature and regular golf courses, the Paradise Cove Aquatic Center, a soccer complex, an off-leash dog park, a football field, walking/jogging trails, Herb Vescio horseshoe pits , and the fishing lake with boat ramp & fish cleaning station.

9. Laurel River Lake

Located two and a half hours away in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Laurel River Lake is a beautiful man-made lake that was built in 1977 as a reservoir of the Laurel River. There's a pristine beach to swim at and the water is amazingly clear and clean. While you're in the area, you should also check out Cumberland Falls!

10. Lake Cumberland

Also located two and a half hours away, the beautiful Lake Cumberland is surrounded with spots for hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and boating. Cumberland Lake prides itself in being "the Houseboat Capital of the World," as the marina offers 100 open slips, rental fishing boats, pontoon boats, houseboats, and ski boats. People just can't get enough of this gorgeous lake, so they decide to live on it!

What do you think are the best lakes in Louisville? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook! To learn about more beautiful Kentucky lakes, check out this article about the best lakes in Kentucky.

The post 10 Gorgeous Lakes To Visit Around Louisville This Summer appeared first on Only In Your State ®.

It’s well-known that there’s tons of history in Kentucky, but the individual cities here don’t get enough credit. Many people think the only Louisville first is the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. In addition to the most famous horse race in the world, we have plenty of other things from Louisville! Louisville is nothing if not innovative, ad there are lots of inventions from Louisville. The city has a lengthy history of producing some of the nation’s (and the world’s) most important items and traditions. Here’s a list of twelve of the things that we’re proud to say are Louisville firsts:

1. Did you know we were the first American city to use secret ballots during elections?

Anonymity for voters was first adopted in Australia, and in 1888, Louisville became the first American city to adopt the practice. Anonymity for voters greatly cut down on the frequency of fraud, which was quite prevalent in the voting process prior to the secret ballot system.

2. Two sisters from the city pioneered the "Happy Birthday" song.

In 1893, sisters Patty Hill, a kindergarten principal, and Mildred J. Hill, a pianist and composer, made history. They created the song now known as "Happy Birthday" as a variation of a song called "Good Morning." The song was intended to be easy for schoolchildren to sing, and, sure enough, it's now sung annually at birthday celebrations all over the globe.

3. Louisville was the first city in Kentucky to adopt urban planning.

This was a time when the population of cities was booming. Committees had to be formed to deal with zoning and city planning, so that the growth didn't get out of control. This strategy was later adopted in many other cities.

4. Louisville built the first bridge made exclusively for cars to cross the Ohio River.

People may complain about being stuck in traffic on these bridges that span the river today - we all know what a pain it is to be caught in a jam! However, if it weren't for that very first bridge, we'd still be crossing the river in boats.

5. Louisville was home to the first licensed female steamboat master.

Mary Millicent Miller got her steamboat operator's license in 1884. She was the daughter of a steamboat engineer and practically grew up on the river.

6. The University of Louisville basketball team is rumored to have been used the "high-five" before anyone else.

This Louisville first is unproven, so it's not clear if the claim is true. According to legend, the high-fives exchanged by the team during a practice in 1978 were the first high-fives in history.

8. The country’s first hand transplant was done at Louisville’s Kleinert Kutz Hand Care Center in 1999.

This one's been life-changing for a number of people! The patient, Matthew Scott, lost his hand in a fireworks accident and received a transplant in 1999. Just a few years later, he was given the honor of pressing the button to set off the fireworks for Thunder Over Louisville, the biggest fireworks display in the country.

9. Louisville was the first city to produce an enamel bathtub.

The enamel bathtub was another Louisville first. It was created in 1856 and has made bath time more fun ever since!

10. A Louisville team was the first to spark a gambling scandal in Major Leagues Baseball.

This one's maybe not quite a noble thing that Louisville did first. The team was known as the Louisville Grays. They joined the National Baseball League in 1876. Their 1877 season was looking like a winning year, and the team was on top of the league... until they experienced a suspicious seven-game losing streak. The run of bad luck was later revealed to be a series of intentional losses in exchange for money. The team was forced to disband in 1878.

11. Louisville invented the Old Fashioned.

This invention from Louisville is now a world-renowned cocktail. It was first served up by a private Pendennis Club in Louisville during the 19th century. In 2015, it was declared the official cocktail of Louisville.

12. Louisville produced the first (and so far, only) female Governor of Kentucky.

Martha Layne Collins served as Governor from 1983 to 1987. Collins was actually in consideration as a potential running mate for Walter Mondale during his 1984 presidential campaign. Geraldine Ferraro was eventually chosen for the position, but Collins still had an illustrious career. Interestingly enough, she first gained fame as the Kentucky Derby Festival Queen in 1959!

Were you surprised by anything on this list? Which of these firsts do you think was most important in history? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post Some People Don’t Know That Louisville Was The First To Do These 12 Things appeared first on Only In Your State ®.

1. Jefferson Memorial Forest

One of the closest and most beautiful campgrounds around Louisville is the Jefferson Memorial Forest, located a mere 20-30 minute drive from Downtown Louisville. This forest has many trails to explore and Tom Wallace Lake to fish on. Take your family out to enjoy the beauty of Kentucky nature without driving hours away to experience it!

2. Hoosier National Forest

While Hoosier National Forest is a little farther away, it's still under an hour and a half away from Louisville and it's a massive park to explore. Pakota Lake is located in the forest, which offers boating, fishing, and even swimming on the designated beach.

3. Charlestown State Park

Charlestown State Park is also located in Indiana, but is right across the river and about 30 minutes away. Here you can find beautiful trails, amazing views of the Ohio River, and even the remains of the abandoned Rose Island Amusement Park.

4. Lake Jericho

Lake Jericho is located 30 to 40 minutes from Louisville and is another amazing area to camp in near the city. It's the perfect lake to take your family fishing.

5. O'Bannon Woods State Park

Located 45 minutes out in Corydon, Indiana, O'Bannon Woods State Park is a beautiful place to explore. Check out Wyandotte Lake for fishing and the Wyandotte caves, which recently reopened to offer guided tours.

6. Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave offers tours that make for an amazing day trip, but many people don't' realize that it's a great park to go camping too! It makes for the perfect location to take a weekend trip, as you can explore the beautiful forests and take a guided cave tour through the longest known cave system in the world.

7. Taylorsville Lake

Taylorsville Lake is one of the best places to camp around Louisville and there are so many activities to do here! There are trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, and of course the gorgeous lake to boat and fish on. You'll have the perfect camping trip at Taylorsville Lake, and you won't have to do too much driving as it's only an hour away.

8. Deam Lake

Deam Lake is located only about 30 minutes away. For those who want to swim, Deam Lake is the closest place to camp. The sandy beaches are the perfect place to relax on a warm summer day.

9. Red River Gorge

Although this site is located two and a half hours from the city in the Daniel Boone National Forest, I encourage everyone to make the drive out to this location before the weather becomes to cold to camp. This location is a prime example of the natural beauty that Kentucky has to offer. Wake up to the sight of these amazing canyons filled with tall tree canopies from your tent!

There’s still time to head out, build a campfire, and roast some s’mores… just don’t put it off for too long, or you will be waiting for a whole year to get back out there! Where is your favorite place for a campout? Let us know in the comments below!

The post These 9 Amazing Camping Spots Around Louisville Are An Absolute Must See appeared first on Only In Your State ®.

The Derby Park Flea Market is located on 58 acres of property on the south side of Louisville.

With more than 100 outdoor vendor spaces and 600 indoor spaces, you can surely track down something that you absolutely have to have at this epic shopping destination.

The market is open year-round and is divided up into different buildings and sections.

You should probably head to Treasure Gallery first, where you'll find all sorts of clothing, collectibles, home decor, housewares, and more. The space is organized, clean, and often filled to the brim with everything you can imagine.

After all of that shopping, you'll likely need a bite to eat.

Eats is in building 2 and offers daily specials and other menu items. It's the perfect spot to sit and relax and gain more energy to head back for more treasure hunting.

Derby Park Flea Market is open all year long on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 5pm.

With an average attendance of 10,000 – 15,000 visitors per weekend, join your fellow Louisville residents at the most epic flea market in our city.

Derby Park Flea Market provides hours of wandering fun if you like to see what you can discover. Have you shopped at this epic market? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Derby Park Flea Market is located at 2900 7th St. Rd., Louisville, KY, 40216. For more information, visit the official Derby Park Flea Market website.

And for more of the best flea markets in Louisville, check out this article!

The post Everyone In Louisville Should Visit This Epic Flea Market At Least Once appeared first on Only In Your State ®.

1. Fairmont Falls

Located just about 25 minutes from downtown Louisville, Fairmont Falls is one of the largest falls you can find in the area. Get out your hiking shoes and go explore these beautiful falls -- just make sure you reserve a permit ahead of time.

2. Beckley Creek

Located in East Louisville, Beckley Creek Park has amazing hiking trails and a lovely waterfall. This park offers many ways to relax in nature and one of the best is this boardwalk hike in Kentucky. This easy path leads to incredibly scenic views, waterfalls included, making this park a perfect place for a romantic stroll or solitary hike.

3. McNeely Lake Park

In addition to fishing, boating, kayaking, and grilling out with the family, McNeely Lake is a beautiful place to hike. Its falls are among the most beautiful in Kentucky and especially the Louisville area.

4. Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve

Outdoor adventures about at this 170-acre nature preserve filled with beautiful Kentucky nature to hike through and even camp in. Listen to the water trickle down rocky falls as you walk through this 170-acre nature preserve that offers a range of activities that are perfect for the family, including nine miles of trails, a playground, an educational nature center, and various monthly events. The Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve makes for a perfect family-friendly day trip.

5. Falls of the Ohio

Located just across the river, the Falls of the Ohio is a beautiful place to enjoy waterfalls while viewing the 390 million-year-old fossils beneath your feet. (It's also a picture-perfect place to catch a beautiful sunset!) The park's interpretation center is a must-visit and features history exhibits about the fossils that remain here.

6. Clifty Falls State Park

Located about an hour away from Louisville, this waterfall is the farthest on our list but also among the most beautiful. Its rock beds are also filled with fossil remnants of prehistoric marine life, making for a very interesting park to explore! We absolutely adore Clifty Falls State Park.

7. Tioga Falls

Located about 30 minutes from Louisville, Tioga Falls is a must-see spot for nature lovers.

8. Broad Run Park

With 600 acres of nature to explore, you'll never grow tired of Broad Run Park, part of the acclaimed Louisville Parklands. Its beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails are great places to start enjoying Kentucky nature.

Did you like this list of Louisville waterfalls? Are you still wondering about “waterfalls near me” in Kentucky? Check out our feature article about the best waterfalls in the Bluegrass State — there’s sure to be a fabulous fall near you! If you know of any other beautiful waterfalls hiding across Louisville, let us know in the comments below.

The post These 8 Breathtaking Waterfalls Are Hiding In Louisville appeared first on Only In Your State ®.

As you read this, Paoli Peaks is busy making snow in preparation for their upcoming opening day. When you arrive at the mountain it will look like a winter wonderland with piles of soft, fresh snow ready for winter activities.

This popular ski and snow tube destination is only an hour from Louisville, making it perfect for a winter day trip. The property is divided into two sections - the ski/board area and the tubing area - making it a one-stop-shop for snowy fun.

Paoli Peaks makes a fantastic day trip but there's also lots of lodging nearby if you want to turn the outing into a weekend of fun.

The snow tubing section, known as Arctic Blast, has its own parking lot and lodge, which is perfect for those visiting just to tube.

The seamless process means you spend less time figuring out logistics, and more time rushing down the mountain in your spacious tube. This snow sledding near Louisville is the best way to maximize winter in Kentucky.

After you purchase your ticket at the lodge window and get your tube, you can hop on the surface lift to get to the top of the hill. Only one rider is allowed on each tube, but children 6 years of age and younger may link up with an adult. Others may do this at times too, weather and snow conditions permitting.

Your epic winter thrill begins as you zip down the snowy lane!

The tubes are large and padded for safety but you'll still feel yourself flying through the air down the snowy mountain. It's winter excitement like no other.

The speed of your ride will depend on the softness of the snow, and you can check the current conditions on Paoli's website throughout the season. Soft snow means a slower ride, while colder temps and harder snow means you're in for a speedy trip. You can use the online information to gauge when is the best time for a trip over to Paoli Peaks, depending on how you like your sledding ride.

Paoli Peaks also offers skiing and snowboarding, you'll just have to drive over to the other section of the park to purchase those tickets and hit the slopes.

After a long day of tubing, skiing, snowboarding, or all three, you can eat at one of two restaurants on site, a pizza joint or a snack shop. There are other dining options nearby as well if you're craving something different.

No matter which adventure you choose, a winter day spent at Paoli Peaks is sure to provide a chilly thrill and memories that will last a lifetime.

Snow tubing at Paoli Peaks is the ideal way to spend a winter day! Have you been to this snowy winter wonderland? Share your experience with us in the comments! If you love visiting Paoli Peaks there are all kinds of different passes you can purchase, whether it’s a day pass for 24 hours of snow laden fun, or a season pass to get you skiing and tubing all season long. It’s a great way to maximize your Kentucky winter fun.

Please keep in mind that at the time of publishing, Paoli Peaks had not yet set the date for their opening day, but it’s coming up soon! Be sure to check out their website, linked below, for all of the details and when you can visit!

Paoli Peaks is located at 2798 W. County Road 25 S., Paoli, IN, 47454. For more information, including snow conditions, pricing, and hours, visit their website.

And for more winter fun around town, check out our Louisville Holiday Bucket List.

The post This Epic Snow Tubing Hill Near Louisville Will Give You The Winter Thrill Of A Lifetime appeared first on Only In Your State ®.

1. Visit Holiday in the City.

Downtown Louisville is one of the most festive spots in the city, beginning the night after Thanksgiving. Holiday in the City is a family tradition with thousands of twinkling lights, ice skating, and plenty of holiday memories.

2. Drive through Lights Under Louisville.

There is no other place in the entire world where you can drive through an underground light display! Louisville Mega Cavern is illuminated with over 3 million lights for the most epic light display in the city. For more details, visit the Lights Under Louisville website.

3. Head to Christmas in the Park.

Enjoy a beautiful light display as you drive through Freeman Lake Park in Elizabethtown. This is a free event (donations are welcome) and has become an area tradition. For more details, visit Elizabethtown's Facebook page.

4. Take a holiday stroll across the Big Four Bridge.

A walk across Louisville's most popular bridge is a fun activity any time of year, but it's especially festive during the holidays. Bundle up and enjoy the stunning lights as you cross the 1/4-mile pedestrian bridge. For more details, visit Waterfront Park's website.

5. See a performance of The Nutcracker.

We are lucky in Louisville to have the incredible Louisville Ballet that always gives a memorable performance of The Nutcracker every holiday season. For more detail on how you can take in one of these magical performances, visit the Louisville Ballet's website.

6. Visit Santa at the Louisville Zoo.

Santa's Safari takes place at the zoo during the second and third weekends of December. Make a craft, enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus, pictures with Santa, and a festive safari throughout the zoo. Recently this event has not been held, so please be sure to check the Louisville Zoo's website to help plan your visit.

7. Go on a day trip to Bardstown.

Bardstown is a lovely day trip from Louisville and during the month of December is especially enchanting. Visit My Old Kentucky Home for a number of Christmas activities and stroll along Main Street for a magical experience. For more details on all of these festive Christmas activities in Kentucky, visit the event page on Bardstown's tourism website.

8. Say hello To Santa!

It's not Christmas without a visit with the man in red. There are a number of places throughout Louisville to visit with Santa, and one of the best spots is Fourth Street Live's Winter Wonderland. Before your visit, please confirm the event details by visiting Fourth Street Live's Facebook page.

Christmas in Louisville, Kentucky is a magical time filled with festive fun. Did your favorite holiday tradition make the list? Anything to add? Let us know in the comments!

If you are feeling up for a holiday adventure but want to stick to just Christmas lights, check out our holiday display road trip around Louisville. We know you will love taking in all the sights (and sometimes sounds!) of these dazzling displays!

The post It’s Not Christmas In Louisville Until You Do These 8 Enchanting Things appeared first on Only In Your State ®.

PS: If you’d like to adjust the trip itinerary, you can easily do so on Google Maps.

1. Christmas 'Round Bardstown

Bardstown is a small town gem near Louisville that is absolutely idyllic at Christmastime. Walk along the glowing streets and feel like you've been transported into a Christmas movie. The town hosts many events throughout the season to make your visit even more memorable.

2. Lights Under Louisville

Louisville Mega Cavern hosts the most popular light display in the city as you drive your car into the only underground event of its kind in the entire world. You'll spend 30 minutes meandering through millions of lights, all while inside this unique Louisville destination.

3. Christmas in Charlestown

Just north of Louisville, across the river in the small town of Charlestown, you'll find one of the most charming holiday events in the area. Charlestown City Square becomes a winter wonderland with animated lights, ice skating, visits with Santa and memorable rides on the glowing train. It's a unique can't-miss holiday attraction.

4. Holiday in the City

Each Christmas season, Holiday Square is lit up with beautiful, twinkling lights, and you can enjoy them while ice skating on the delightful outdoor rink.

These four stops around Louisville will make for many happy holiday memories. Where do you head around town for the best Christmas lights? Let us know in the comments!

And for another spectacular light display in Kentucky, check out our previous article about an enchanting walk-thru event.

The post The Christmas Lights Road Trip Around Louisville That’s Nothing Short Of Magical appeared first on Only In Your State ®.

1. 21C Museum and Hotel

Definitely stay here if you're an art enthusiast. The lobby is a two-floor contemporary art museum that is completely free to walk through, while pieces of art are scattered throughout every room of the building. 21C is one of the most highly rated hotels in the city and a truly fun place to stay in Louisville. Read more about 21c Museum and Hotel.

2. Gralehaus

You may have heard of Gralehaus as a breakfast and brunch restaurant, but did you know it's also a cool place to stay in Louisville? Located above the restaurant are three unique rooms to choose from, each carefully decorated with locally-made items. All you need to do is walk downstairs to get a delicious breakfast too! Check out some further information on Gralehaus.

3. 1888 Historic Rocking Horse Manor B & B

How about a stay in one of the many Victorian-era bed and breakfasts around Louisville? Staying in these old buildings will make you feel like you've gone back in time. Peer out the beautiful stained-glass windows as you relax. These unique places to stay near Louisville are perfect for a short weekend getaway or for friends and relatives visiting the city. Get more details about what 1888 Historic Rocking Horse Manor is all about.

4. Chateau Bourbon B&B

Chateau Bourbon is another really cool place to stay in Louisville. As you could guess by the name, this place is bourbon themed and has hidden hints of it all over the rooms. Get all the details on a stay at Chateau Bourbon B&B.

5. Bashford Manor Inn

Stay on this beautiful historic property for the most memorable getaway within the city. This unique place to stay in Louisville once hosted Abraham Lincoln and has raised many Derby-winning horses. Get all the details on staying at the Bashford Manor Inn.

6. The Galt House

Have a seat at the fish-tank bar before heading up to the top floor and dining in Louisville's revolving restaurant. The Galt House is a truly unique hotel and is central to everything downtown. The view of the city from one of these higher floors is also breathtaking, making the Galt House one of the most unique places to stay near Louisville. Learn more about the restaurant at the Galt House.

7. Aloft

Staying at Aloft will make you wonder why you've ever stayed in any of the usual drab and outdated rooms that most hotel chains offer. Everything, from the exterior to the lobby and room itself, pops with light and color, welcoming you to this fun place to stay in Louisville. Learn more about what a stay at Aloft is like.

8. The Brown Hotel

The Brown Hotel is a landmark of the city and a place that every Louisvillian should stay in once. Walking into this unique place to stay near Louisville will amaze you with the luxurious lobby and ballrooms, and the rooms themselves will exceed your expectations. And don't forget to eat a real Louisville hot brown while you're staying here! Get more details on the Brown Hotel and its infamous hot browns.

Have you ever been to any of these unique places to stay in Louisville? Let us know in the comments. If you prefer to stay in a more intimate setting, check out these Louisville bed and breakfasts.

The post These 8 Unique Places To Stay In Louisville For A Memorable Experience appeared first on Only In Your State ®.