The Field Trip
Brushy Fork Blue Trail
Tucky Tip: Start on the blue trail and don't skip the metal bridge over the creek.
5/5
Worth the drive?Yes
The Tucky
Traveling like a local.
Living like a tourist.
Madison County, KYEst. 2026
Welcome to The Tucky
I'm Juli-Anne. We moved to Kentucky and made a rule: don't wait to feel settled, explore it like tourists. This is where I share the spots that are actually worth your gas money, rated by a very honest 3 year old.
What you'll find here:
- Toddler tested trails + field trips
- Date nights + good eats
- Mom's Day Off: coffee, shops, spas
- Festivals + weekends worth the drive
Free seasonal guide · Issue No. 02
I made your Central Kentucky holiday bucket list for you.
Small towns do Christmas best. Don't spend December scrolling for plans. A 25 page magazine style guide, free in your inbox:
- 12 holiday mustsParades, lights, trees, Santa's train + tea
- 80+ holiday eventsWeek by week, Nov 1 to Christmas, tagged for littles
- The Winter Day BagWhat to pack so nobody melts down
- Fridge checklistCheck them off, rate them in cardinals
Coming next:The 60 Minute Bucket List · January
Kentucky is a lot more fun than we were told.
We said yes to the trails, the festivals, the tiny restaurants and the long drives. Most spots are within an hour of home base in Madison County. Some are worth 90 minutes. A few are worth a whole weekend. Bougie on a budget, always family friendly.
Meet the crewCommunity Cravings
The Tucky Ratings
Five ways we explore Kentucky. Every spot gets a Tucky Score out of 5 and one honest question answered.
Table for Two
Chenault Vineyards
Tucky Tip: Grab a blanket and go before sunset. Seasonal menus are fabulous.
5/5
Worth the babysitter?Yes
Mom's Day Off
Just Love Coffee
Tucky Tip: Order a latte and a waffle-ironed creation, then settle in. Free Wi-Fi and free parking.
4/5
Worth a $12 breakfast + latte and time for yourself?Priceless
Fest Check
Berea Fall Festival
Tucky Tip: Go for night 2. Face painting, a kids parade, hula hooping, music, mask making, yard games and an outdoor movie. Don't skip the carved pumpkins in the Pumpkin Glow Garden.
4/5
Worth the gas?Yes
The Weekender
The Kentucky Castle
Tucky Tip: Yes, Kentucky has a castle. Yes, you need the photo.
Rating soon
Worth the weekend?Coming soon
Asking Ainsley
Toddler approved.
Family friendly spots, rated by our head critic (age 3) in cardinals, Kentucky's state bird. She gets the same three questions at every stop:
1. What was the best part?
2. What should Mama eat?
3. How many cardinals?
Apple picking
"Wow these apples are as big as my head! They sure are juicy!"
4 cardinals
Littles · Stroller friendly, easy for toddlers to walk
The Pumpkin Express
"I've never been on train to get pumpkins before. This sure is fun. I think if I get the biggest pumpkin ever, they'll have to put it on the roof above where I sit."
4 cardinals
All ages · Saturdays in Oct
Pumpkin patch
"Mom will our pumpkin gardens grow to be whole patch like this? It will take over the whole backyard."
4 cardinals
Littles · Corn maze anyone can do
every week on Instagram
Your Central KY plans, handled.
Field Trips · Table for Two · The Weekend Plan · Family to do's · Where to stay · Where to eat & drink in Kentucky
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