Travel Planners
Provided below are general categories of important things to know when traveling to Kentucky. Click each heading to learn more about each topic.
General Information
Airport Information
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)
CVG offers first-tier accessibility along with international recognition for convenience and passenger satisfaction.
Delta's second largest hub, behind Atlanta.
580 daily departures to 113 cities non-stop, with 18 daily international flights including nonstop service to Frankfurt, London, Montreal, Nassau, Paris, and Toronto.
For the 11th time in seven years, the airport has been recognized nationally for its high level of customer satisfaction -- J.D. Power and Associates ranked CVG third best in the U.S. for overall passenger satisfaction.
Website: www.cvgairport.com
Louisville International Airport (SDF)
Louisville is one of the most accessible cities in the country. Louisville International Airport provides nearly 100 flights daily, and downtown is literally seven minutes away.
Website: www.louintlairport.com
Lexington Blue Grass Airport (LEX)
Since 2000, the airport has introduced airline service to 8 new destinations including Memphis, Houston, New York, Newark, Washington D.C., Orlando, Dallas and Minneapolis.
· Lexington offers nonstop service to seven of its top ten destinations
· Six of the top seven airlines in the nation serve Lexington.
Blue Grass Airport
Info: ( 859 ) 425-3114
Website: www.bluegrassairport.com
Local Tourism Offices
Travel Tips
Speed Limits
The speed limit on Kentucky's multi-lane, limited-access parkways and interstate highways outside metropolitan areas is 70 miles per hour (104 kilometers per hour). On Kentucky's two-lane parkways, and the open road, the speed limit is 55 miles per hour (88 kilometers per hour) unless otherwise posted. Speed limits within city limits are 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour) or 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour) unless otherwise posted. School Zones are enforced during such time as the flashing yellow lights are displayed. Fines for speeding in works zones are doubled.
Traffic Regulations
Kentucky has a right turn on red law, unless an intersection sign states otherwise. Please, for your safety and the safety of others, don't drink and drive. If convicted of D.U.I., first-time offenders can expect a 90-day license suspension, fines of $200-$500, and possible jail time up to 30 days. Penalties are more severe for second and subsequent convictions.
Headlights should be used during periods of rain or other inclement weather.
Seat Belts
Kentucky has a mandatory seat belt law, so please, buckle up.
Child Restraints
Federally approved child restraint seats are required by Kentucky law for all children 40 inches tall or less.
Accidents
If you are involved in an accident, notify the nearest state police post or call 1-800-222-5555.
For emergencies, dial 911 from any land or mobile phone. 911 is the universal emergency number for the United States and operators will assist you during your call.
To report a reckless driver or someone who you think may be violating Kentucky's traffic laws, call the Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement at 1-800-928-2402.
State Police
Click here to go to the Kentucky State Police website.
Time Zones
Frankfort, population 27,741. Frankfort was chosen as the capital in 1792 by a commission who was instructed to choose the town that pledged the largest contribution toward the construction of a statehouse. Frankfort's proposal overwhelmed all other offers and the town was chosen as the state capital.
During the Civil War, Frankfort was the only Union capital occupied by Confederate troops.
Frankfort is located astride a double curve in the Kentucky River in central Kentucky and is known for one of the most beautiful capital buildings in the country.
Climate and Weather
No matter the season, you'll love Kentucky's mild climate. Summers can be very warm, but cool evenings are not unusual. For spring and fall, it's a good idea to bring a light jacket. In the winter, we get a moderate amount of snow. The wettest seasons are spring and summer, and the driest is the fall.
Average Hi and Lo Temperatures
FAHRENHEIT
January
hi 40 / lo 23
February
hi 44 / lo 25
March
hi 54 / lo 34
April
hi 66 / lo 44
May
hi 75 / lo 54
June
hi 83 / lo 62
July
hi 86 / lo 66
August
hi 85 / lo 65
September
hi 79 / lo 58
October
hi 68 / lo 46
November
hi 54 lo 36
December
hi 44 / lo 28
CELCIUS
January
hi 4 / lo -5
February
hi 7 / lo -4
March
hi 12 / lo -1
April
hi 19 / lo 7
May
hi 24 / lo 12
June
hi 27 / lo 17
July
hi 30 / lo 19
August
hi 29 / lo 18
September
hi 26 / lo 15
October
hi 20 / lo 8
November
hi 12 / lo 2
December hi 7 / lo -2
State Regulations
Alcohol
The legal age to buy alcohol is 21, and it is not available in every county. A complete listing of the counties where alcohol can be purchased is available online here (JPG format) or here (PDF format). To view Adobe Acrobat files (PDFs) you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free here.
Alcohol is sold at retail liquor stores, drug and grocery stores. Large restaurants in Campbell, Fayette, Jefferson and Kenton counties sell by the drink on Sundays. To check local availability, please call ahead to your destination.
Other
Hunting Regulations
Fishing Regulations
Boating Regulations
Natural Resources
Kentucky has more miles of running water than any other state except Alaska. The numerous rivers and water impoundments provide 1,100 commercially navigable miles (1,770 kilometers).
Kentucky has 12.7 million acres of commercial forest land - 50% of the state's land area. The main species of trees are white oak, red oak, walnut, yellow poplar, beech, sugar maple, white ash and hickory. Kentucky ranks third among hardwood producing states.
The total value of Kentucky's mineral production in 1999 was $3.8 billion. Principal minerals and by-products produced in order of value are coal, crushed stone, natural gas and petroleum. Kentucky is the nation's third largest coal producer - 152.4 million tons in 1996.
Resources
Kentucky Department of Travel Office
Cheryl Hatcher
Deputy Commissioner
500 Mero Street
Capital Tower, 22nd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Tel: (502) 564 4930 or (800) 225 8747 (toll-free)
Fax: (502) 564 5695.
Website: www.kentuckytourism.com
United Kingdom Office
Sarah Falkingham
Black Bull Yard
24-28 Hatton Wall
London ECIN 8JH
T: 020 7430 7911
Website: www.goshpr.co.uk
Canadian Office
c/o Access Marketing
Joanne Scalamogna
2401-1101 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2W8
(416) 2-ACCESS (416-222-2377)
Fax: (416) 595-5060
Receptive Operator
c/o The American Traveler Service Corporation
Maree S. Forbes
PO Box 1263
Martinsburg, WV 25402
(877) 485-TRIP (877-485-8747)
Website: www.americandrivingvacations.com
