Kentucky Home for the Holidays

UPDATED, Tuesday, Nov. 24, UPDATE, Tuesday, Dec. 1, UPDATE, Saturday, Dec. 19

The leaves are off the trees, which means Kentucky's fall festivals make room for great winter events.

You can ring in 2010 at a number of Kentucky State Parks with New Year’s celebrations and parties. Several state resort parks across Kentucky are having parties, dances and dinners on Dec. 31 to say goodbye to 2009 and welcome in a new year. The resorts have lodges, cottages, restaurants and other facilities and many parks will be offering overnight packages that include meals and a party, dance or show."

Big Bone Lick State Park is home to 14 bison, commonly called buffalo. What is the difference? Can you out run a bison? What do bison eat? If you want to know more about these rugged animals then join the park naturalist and learn all about the bison. These weekend tours are free of charge and start at 1:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, from Nov. 28-Dec. 20, weather permitting.

The Kentucky State Parks are hosting many holiday events this time of year, including open houses, children’s activities and tours of historic homes. State parks are a great place for holiday gatherings in December. All 17 resort parks have restaurants and state parks gift shops that offer unique gift ideas. That includes Kentucky Unbridled Spirit gift cards that are good at Kentucky State Parks, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.
And don’t forget New Year’s Eve! Many resort parks plan special events for Dec. 31. For more information about events and how to purchase a gift card, visit www.parks.ky.gov. Click here for a listing of state parks with dates and event information for the holiday season.

The historic Old Governor’s Mansion on High Street in downtown Frankfort will be open for public tours Dec. 10-12 to celebrate “Christmas at the Old Governor’s Mansion.” In addition to the impressive interior design that showcases the donated furnishings and accessories from talented decorators across the state, the Old Mansion will also be decked out for the Christmas season. “Christmas at the Old Governor’s Mansion” will be the public’s last opportunity to tour the Old Mansion until the conclusion of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in October 2010. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door. All proceeds will go to the Kentucky Executive Mansions Foundation, Inc. (KEMFI). The renovations were solely funded by private and in-kind donations. The tours will run from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. on Saturday.

Looking to get away for a few days and do something different for the holidays? The Kentucky State Parks invite you to stay with them at one of their cottages at 13 resort parks between Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, 2009. The parks will be closed through this traditional holiday period, but the cottages, which range from one to three bedrooms, will be open for business at lower, winter rates. All have kitchens and utensils, full bathrooms, and TV sets. Fresh linens and towels will be available during this time. Trails at the parks will be open for hiking and wintertime is an excellent time to view wildlife.

Carter Caves State Resort Park continues to offer cave tours during the winter season in two caves. Tours of Cascade Cave are offered at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily through April 2. Cascade Cave is one of the largest of over 200 caves in Carter County and is noted for its large chambers and numerous cave formations. Highlights of the tour include the reflecting pool in the Lake Room, the unique cave formations in the Cathedral Room, and an underground waterfall over 30 feet high. The tour lasts about 75 minutes and covers a walking distance of about ¾ of a mile.

It’s time for nature lovers to make plans for a Kentucky State Park tradition – Eagle Watch Weekends in January and February of 2010. American Bald Eagles will be gathering around the major lakes of Western Kentucky and South-Central Kentucky as they look for food during the winter. Kentucky State Parks will take you there to observe and learn about these beautiful birds of prey.