Kentucky boasts a bounty of unique muse­ums in smaller com­mu­ni­ties through­out the state. From doll col­lec­tions to care­fully restored 19th cen­tury man­sions, these muse­ums offer insights into the his­tory and cul­ture of Kentucky. If you’re look­ing for a rea­son to get out and see some new places in the state, check out some of these muse­ums that can pro­vide hours of enter­tain­ment and enlightenment.

21c Museum Hotel has been selected as the #1 hotel in the United States and #6 in the world in the pres­ti­gious 2009 Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Hundreds of hotels were eval­u­ated by Conde Nast Traveler read­ers and more than 25,000 indi­vid­u­als voted. This year marks one of the few times an inde­pen­dent hotel has won the top award. 21c is the only U.S. hotel to make the list of the world’s top twenty hotels for 2009.

The stretch of U.S. 25E from Cumberland Gap to Newport, called “East Tennessee Crossing” by the local orga­ni­za­tions who pro­mote tourism, received des­ig­na­tion as a National Scenic Byway on October 19, 2009.

Historic Maple Hill Manor of Springfield Kentucky, was selected as “Best B&B in the South” in the annual Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards, 2009–2010. The Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards are based upon a qual­i­ta­tive and quan­ti­ta­tive review of the nearly 100,000 inde­pen­dent reviews sub­mit­ted to BedandBreakfast.com, the lead­ing online B&B direc­tory and reser­va­tion net­work worldwide.

Fall, the best time of year for sto­ries of ghosts and other haunt­ing, is upon us. From now through early November, take a trip to where your spine gets tin­gled by tales of para­nor­mal activ­ity through­out Kentucky.