Bedford KentuckyATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Bedford, Kentucky.
1. The Little Kentucky River Winery
LOCAL WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
The Little Kentucky River Winery offers visitors a charming wine tasting experience in the peaceful countryside of Bedford. Visitors can sample locally produced wines while enjoying the picturesque vineyard views and rural Kentucky atmosphere. The winery provides a perfect stop for wine enthusiasts looking to experience Kentucky's growing wine culture.
2. Trimble County Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA
Trimble County Park serves as a central recreational area for residents and visitors in Bedford. The park offers various outdoor activities including walking trails, picnic areas, and sports facilities for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Its well-maintained grounds provide a peaceful setting for community gatherings and outdoor relaxation.
3. Cardinal Hills Golf Course
SCENIC GOLFING DESTINATION
Cardinal Hills Golf Course presents golfers with a pleasant playing experience in Bedford's rolling countryside. The course features well-maintained greens and fairways that take advantage of the natural landscape and terrain. Golfers of various skill levels can enjoy the challenging yet accessible course while taking in the beautiful Kentucky scenery.
4. Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve
NATURAL WOODLAND SANCTUARY
Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, located just 7.1 miles from Bedford, offers 170 acres of protected woodlands, meadows, and gardens. Visitors can explore numerous hiking trails that wind through diverse ecosystems and seasonal wildflower displays. The preserve also features educational programs, a nature center, and special events throughout the year.
5. Point Park
HISTORIC RIVER VIEWPOINT
Point Park in Carrollton sits at the scenic confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio Rivers, approximately 9 miles from Bedford. The park offers stunning river views, boat ramps, fishing opportunities, and picnic facilities for visitors to enjoy. Its historical significance as a river trading post adds cultural interest to this natural recreational area.
6. Clifty Creek Park
RIVERSIDE RECREATION AREA
Clifty Creek Park provides a refreshing riverside retreat less than 10 miles from Bedford in Madison, Indiana. The park features scenic walking paths along Clifty Creek with picturesque views of the water and surrounding woodlands. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, bird watching, and the peaceful ambiance of this well-maintained natural area.
7. Bicentennial Park
RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY SPACE
Bicentennial Park stretches along the Ohio River in Madison, Indiana, offering spectacular river views just a short drive from Bedford. The park features a paved riverwalk, benches, and open spaces perfect for relaxing while watching river traffic and enjoying the scenery. Its convenient downtown location makes it an ideal spot for visitors to appreciate Madison's riverfront charm.
8. General Butler State Resort Park
COMPLETE OUTDOOR RECREATION
General Butler State Resort Park encompasses over 800 acres of natural beauty approximately 10 miles from Bedford. The park offers diverse amenities including hiking trails, a lake for fishing and boating, a golf course, and a lodge with restaurant and accommodations. Visitors can immerse themselves in Kentucky's outdoor splendor while enjoying both recreational activities and comfortable facilities.
9. Butler-Turpin Historic House
19TH CENTURY HERITAGE SITE
The Butler-Turpin Historic House, located within General Butler State Resort Park, preserves a significant piece of Kentucky's past near Bedford. This Federal-style brick home, built in 1859, contains original furnishings and artifacts belonging to the Butler family, who played important roles in Kentucky's early development. Tours of the house offer visitors insight into 19th-century life and the legacy of this prominent Kentucky family.
10. Broadway Fountain
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LANDMARK
The Broadway Fountain stands as an iconic centerpiece in Madison's historic district, just a short drive from Bedford. This ornate cast-iron fountain, created for America's 1876 Centennial Exposition and installed in Madison in 1886, represents one of the few remaining fountains of its kind in the country. Visitors admire both its beautiful design and its significance as a symbol of Madison's rich historical heritage.
11. Clifty Falls State Park
DRAMATIC WATERFALL DESTINATION
Clifty Falls State Park showcases spectacular waterfalls and rugged terrain approximately 13 miles from Bedford. The park features four major waterfalls that change dramatically with the seasons, from roaring cascades in spring to ice sculptures in winter. Visitors can explore over 10 miles of challenging hiking trails that wind through deep canyons, alongside cliff edges, and near fossil beds dating back 425 million years.
12. Oldham County History Center
REGIONAL HERITAGE MUSEUM
The Oldham County History Center preserves and showcases the rich heritage of the region surrounding Bedford. The museum complex includes historic buildings, archives, and engaging exhibits that tell the story of Oldham County's development and notable residents. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and documents that bring local history to life through thoughtfully curated displays.
13. Eagle Valley Golf Course
PREMIER GOLFING EXPERIENCE
Eagle Valley Golf Course offers an exceptional golfing experience approximately 17 miles from Bedford. The 18-hole course features challenging play across beautifully maintained fairways and greens set amid rolling Kentucky hills and scenic landscapes. Golfers appreciate the course's thoughtful design, quality conditions, and the peaceful countryside setting that enhances the playing experience.
14. Madison Historic District
PRESERVED 19TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE
Madison's Historic District encompasses 133 blocks of beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture just across the Ohio River from Kentucky. Visitors can stroll along brick streets lined with over 1,600 historic structures representing Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, and other architectural styles. The district offers a remarkably intact glimpse into America's past with its numerous museums, shops, restaurants, and homes that showcase the city's prosperity during the steamboat era.
15. Lanier Mansion State Historic Site
GREEK REVIVAL ARCHITECTURAL GEM
The Lanier Mansion stands as one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the Midwest, located in nearby Madison, Indiana. Built in 1844 for financier James F.D. Lanier, the home features a grand façade with Corinthian columns, spectacular spiral staircase, and period furnishings that reflect the elegant lifestyle of its original owner. Guided tours allow visitors to experience the restored rooms and formal gardens of this National Historic Landmark that represents the golden age of Madison's prosperity.