Off the Beaten Track

If you travel around Kentucky on I-75 or I-64 you’ll get where you are going pretty quickly, but unless you get off the beaten track you might miss out on some of the unique and interesting places to visit.

Lexington Family has compiled a list of our favorite lesser-known Kentucky destinations.

Little Green Men Festival – In 1955, Kelly, Ky., just 5 miles north of Hopkinsville, experienced a strange invasion of what was reported to be 12 to 15 “little green men.” That event has spawned the annual Little Green Men Festival – set for Aug. 16-17 this year – featuring arts & crafts and vendor booths, a “battle of the bands” and a gospel sing. Alcoholic beverages are banned at this festival. www.kellyky.com

Lost River Cave – Have you ever taken a boat ride through a cave? You can experience Kentucky’s only Underground Boat Tour nestled on the floor of a beautiful and historic valley right in the city of Bowling Green. There are easy hiking trails through the valley, a kids “cave crawl,” a butterfly habitat, as well as a gift shop where kids can “pan” for gems. Boat Tour tickets are $3.95-$15.95, but hiking through the valley is free. You can borrow pre-programmed GPS units and try out geocaching. www.lostrivercave.com.

Great American Doll House Museum – Located in a historic building in Danville, this museum showcases more than 200 dollhouses, miniature buildings and room boxes, furnished in remarkable detail and populated with tiny people at work and play. The museum even offers a birthday party package where kids can create their own dollhouse room. The museum is open Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. www.thedollhousemuseum.com.

Vent Haven Museum – The world’s only museum devoted to the art of ventriloquism can be found in Ft. Mitchell, Ky., just off I-75. It houses more than 700 figures from the collection of William Shakespeare Berger and hosts the annual international ConVENTion that will host more than 400 ventriloquists July 17-20. Tours are by appointment only, May-September. Admission is $5 per person. www.venthavenmuseum.com

Wigwam Village Inn – One of the most unusual hotels in Kentucky is also one of the least expensive. For $55-$70 per night, you can reserve an actual teepee- shaped hotel room in Wigwam Village #2 in Cave City. The unique hotel is close to Mammoth Cave State Park and features air conditioned rooms, TVs and a playground for kids. www.wigwamvillage.com.