Deborah Kohl Kremer, who hails from northern Kentucky, contributes feature stories to several magazines and newspapers. She resides in Villa Hills, KY.

Visit the birthplace of bluegrass, the Derby, and much of American history.

Friendly, welcoming Kentucky offers a wealth of vacation opportunities: Experience the rhythms of bluegrass music in the land where it began; discover American history, from the struggles of the early pioneers to the battle sites of the Civil War; take in a race at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby; and breathe in the beautiful rolling hills of the Bluegrass State. Watch as a stick of wood is transformed into a baseball bat at the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum; follow the Bourbon Trail to distilleries where the world's finest bourbon is made. Art enthusiasts need look no further than Kentucky, where you can take in a play under the stars or explore eclectic galleries and museums. And come hungry, because the state harbors both world-class restaurants and down-home eateries. For those with outdoor adventures on their agenda, the state is a paradise, with plentiful opportunities for hiking, kayaking, spelunking, and fishing.