SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) People from all over the world come to Kentucky to take part in celebrations of music, culture and heritage. These events range from small-town cultural celebrations to massive annual festivals.

Because these festivals can last several days, it is not uncommon for people to make them the centerpiece of a longer vacation. And now is the perfect time to make plans for the 2027 festival season. But what is there to do when one is not actively jamming out in the Bluegrass State?

Quick answer... a lot.

Beyond Louisville’s festivals, concerts, symphonies and dance halls, visitors will find the entire region is brimming with things to do and see.

For instance, nearby is La Grange, a delightful small town full of shops, restaurants, active freight train tracks, and more. By the way, that was not a typo. La Grange’s picturesque downtown features an active railroad track running down Main Street. This, along with the La Grange Railroad Museum, make it a perfect place for train enthusiasts and their families.

Venturing out of La Grange into surrounding Oldham County, visitors can choose from more than a dozen interactive farm tours. These tours provide a behind-the-scenes look at working farms, allowing visitors to interact with a variety of farm animals, learn how crops go from farm to table, and so much more.

Looking to taste America’s Native Spirit? Bardstown, also known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World,” is 40 miles south. This one town is home to over a dozen world-famous distilleries, including Jim Beam, Heaven Hill and Willett.

The Railbird Festival, held on the first weekend of June, has been bringing huge crowds to the heart of Lexington since 2019. Luckily for all those visitors, the city is a gateway to all that central Kentucky has to offer.

For horse lovers, the Kentucky Horse Park is just a few miles from the festival. Among the many attractions of this equine paradise are museums, active stables and riding competition venues.

For nature lovers, Red River Gorge is less than 60 miles from downtown Lexington. There, you can enjoy thousands of acres of pristine Kentucky wilderness in the form of forests, natural arches and breathtaking views.

In late June, the ROMP Festival kicks off at Yellow Creek Park on the outskirts of Owensboro. This four-day celebration of all things bluegrass attracts the biggest names in Americana and country music, as well as over 20,000 people.

Bluegrass aficionados arriving early may want to visit the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Owensboro. With interactive exhibits, artifacts, instrument demonstrations, and more, this museum can make anyone a bluegrass fan.