Winter Holidays at Kentucky State Parks

UPDATED Dec. 29

Budget cuts have forced reduced hours at Kentucky State Parks, but holiday and winter events continue. Check back here for updates on events and activities.

Kentucky State Parks will help you ring in 2011 with New Year’s Eve celebrations and parties. Several state resort parks across Kentucky are having dances, dinners and entertainment on Dec. 31 to welcome in a new year. The resorts have lodges, cottages, restaurants and other facilities. Many parks will be offering overnight packages that include meals and a party and dance. Here’s a listing of the parks and the New Year’s celebration details. All events are on Dec. 31 unless otherwise noted. For more information about these and other parks, or to make reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov.

The Kentucky State Parks will be ready for the winter holidays this year with special meals, decorations, candlelight tours, entertainment and other special events planned. 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 valid at Kentucky State Parks, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. Many state resort parks will also be holding New Year’s Eve parties and dinners on Dec. 31, 2010. For more information about these and other events, visit www.parks.ky.gov

Click here for a listing of holiday events at Kentucky State Parks.

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park is hosting a mystery dinner theater the weekend of Dec. 10-11. The “Murder With a View” is set at a bed and breakfast in a rural area. Following the discovery of a murder scene, the owners propose their own murder investigation with the help of the staff and guests. Who did it? Join Fantastical Theatricals for “Murder With a View.” Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $34.95 per person for dinner and entertainment. Packages are available for $129 plus tax. The package includes lodge room, two tickets to the show and breakfast for two the following morning. Call 800-443-7008 for your reservation. Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park has a lodge, cottages, campground, Hidden Waters Restaurant, Pioneer Museum and Store, gift shop, miniature golf, picnic areas and hiking trails. The resort is located 45 miles northeast of Lexington off historic Highway 68.

Cottages at all Kentucky State Parks will be open seven days a week throughout the winter.

All 17 state resort park restaurants will be serving the annual Thanksgiving Day buffet on Nov. 25, 2010. The buffet will include soups, cheeses and salads for starters. Entrees include turkey and dressing, baked ham, carved roast beef and fried chicken. Vegetables include old fashioned candied yams, country-style green beans and mashed potatoes with giblet gravy. There will be a variety of desserts including pecan pie and pumpkin pie. The cost for the buffet will be $17.95 plus tax (drink included) for adults; $6.95 for children ages 6-12 and children 5 and under are free. The buffet will operate from noon to 8 p.m. at all park restaurants.

Three historic homes that are part of the Kentucky State Parks will have special holiday tours in November and December. My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown will hold its annual Candlelight Tour on Nov. 26-27, Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hot cider and cake will be served.

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White Hall State Historic Site near Richmond will hold its Victorian Christmas tours Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11.

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Waveland State Historic Site in Lexington will have its traditional candlelight tour of the mansion on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11 and 12, from 6-9 p.m.

Click here for details on the historic homes tours.