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Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, is a land of unparalleled beauty and history—perfect for motorcycle trips. Following are a few of the scenic routes you won’t want to miss, and keep in mind that helmets are required for riders under 21 and eye protection is mandatory.
Red River Gorge Scenic Byway
Begin in Stanton, KY, and continue along the Red River through the picturesque gorge, or get off your bike and canoe the river and enjoy the tranquility. A few minutes down the road, you’ll reach the hand-carved Nada Tunnel, which is a fascinating drive. When you reach Raven Rock, be sure to stop and see the natural stone arches of the Red River Gorge Geological Area.
This area offers several natural wonders, sights, and historic sites:
- Clifty National Wilderness Area
- Dozens of arches, including Angel Windows and Sky Bridge, the largest arch in Red River Gorge
- Gladie historic logging site
- Natural Bridge State Resort Park
- Sheltowee Trail, used by Native Americans and Daniel Boone
Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Since 1999, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail has educated visitors about the long, proud tradition of Kentucky whiskey making. When Kentucky was settled, farmers found that the mountains posed an obstacle to getting crops to market, so they converted their crops to whiskey and shipped it in oak barrels. Bourbon County was where the barrels shipped from, so the whiskey became known as Bourbon.
The Bourbon Trail includes stops and tastings at the following distilleries:
- Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg http://www.fourroses.us
- Heaven Hill Distilleries in Bardstown http://www.heaven-hill.com
- Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont http://www.jimbeam.com
- Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto http://www.makersmark.com
- Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg http://www.wildturkey.com
- Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles http://www.woodfordreserve.com
Other attractions near the Trail include The Bourbon Chase http://www.bourbonchase.com, the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History http://www.whiskeymuseum.com, and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival http://www.kybourbonfestival.com.
**Of course, drink responsibly, and if you run into trouble, find a good DUI lawyer immediately.
Country Music Highway
Located in eastern Kentucky, this route commemorates country music with stops at several sites of interest:
- Paramount Theater in Ashland, home of Billy Ray Cyrus and Naomi Judd
- Kentucky Pavilion, with memorabilia from Dwight Yoakam and Ricky Skaggs
- Butcher Hollow, the childhood home of Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle, with tours of the actual cabin they lived in
- Mountain Arts Center, home of the Kentucky Opry and Kentucky mountain music
Which trip would you prefer, and why?
When you’re on a motorcycle trip, one of the most exciting treats is finding a unique bed and breakfast to stay in. Here are three not to be missed:
Image to the left taken from the East Main Guest House Bed & Breakfast Inn website.
East Main Guest House Bed & Breakfast Inn
This 1916 home is located in Rock Hill, and is a beautiful combination of antiques, art, and pine floors. It has several rooms to choose from, such as the romantic Honeymoon Suite with a fireplace, canopy bed, and whirlpool garden tub. The East Room is a lovely, dignified suite with designer window treatments, and the Garden Room’s windows let in plenty of sunlight and give you a stunning view of the gardens and pergola.
East Main Guest House offers a sitting room with a game table, television, and puzzles, and the rooms have Wi-Fi and cable television. A hot gourmet breakfast is served every morning with coffee, tea, juice, fruit, muffins, and croissants.
Travel Holiday says that The Governor’s House Inn has the most glamorous feel and most sophisticated style of all the inns in Charleston. A former governor’s mansion, this enchanting inn has the distinction of being a pre-Revolution National Landmark and boasts stunning drawing rooms and verandah porches.
Image above taken from The Governor’s House Inn website.
The Governor’s House Inn was the residence of Edward Rutledge, the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is located within walking distance of the historic Battery, the Old Market, and the Gibbs Art Museum. Its suites each have a distinctive look and personality. The Rutledge Suite boasts a large master bedroom with canopied 4-poster bed, Italian chandeliers, private porch, and marble bathroom with whirlpool.
If you desire, the staff will handle all your entertainment and dining arrangements, and a gourmet southern breakfast awaits you every morning. Should you choose, you might enjoy afternoon tea, wine and cheese, and sherry in the parlor in the evening.
If you love the outdoors and cozy cottages, the Red Horse Inn is for you. Located in Landrum, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this AAA 4-Diamond bed and breakfast is one of BedAndBreakfast.com’s “Top 25 Best Undiscovered Incredibly Romantic Inns.” The spacious Springhouse Cottage has a private deck leading to a relaxing outdoor spa, and mountain views await you from a luxurious king-size bed and tall arched windows. The Carriage Bay Cottage has a romantic loft, fireplace nook, and whirlpool tub.
The Red Horse Inn also offers romantic packages that include roses, wine or champagne, and strawberries with dipping chocolate. Your breakfast is prepared before your arrival and stored in your kitchen, ready whenever you are.
Which B&B would you like to visit, and why?
For spectacular scenery, Civil War historic sites, and an exhilarating yet leisurely ride, try the Blue Ridge Parkway of Virginia.
This 367-mile-long motorcycle tour runs from Afton, VA south to Cherokee, NC. The northern half runs from Afton south to I-77, and you’ll find several Civil War sites among the breathtaking, lush country you find only in Virginia. The southern half runs from I-77 to the Cherokee Indian reservation and takes you through North Carolina’s picturesque Smokey Mountains and the town of Asheville. You’ll see blowing rock and Civil War era plantation houses as you wind your way through the mountains.
The Blue Ridge Parkway has limited access for trucks and commercial traffic, and its lower speed limit (45 mph) allows you to enjoy the ride at a relaxed pace. The road is well maintained and easy to ride, with plenty of spaces to pull off and take in the scenery or camp if you choose. If you’d like to venture off the path a bit, you can ride to the town of Mt. Airy, NC, known to the world as Mayberry from “The Andy Griffith Show”.
Each half of the parkway has a service station, and while some of the small towns have lodging, the northern part of the parkway has a motel and the central area has a bed and breakfast. You’ll want to carry a map, as the parkway has very few signs to show you where the small towns are—and you’ll definitely want to explore those and experience incredible cuisine and hospitality.
No matter where you live in South Carolina, whether in Columbia, Monks Corner, or James Island, you’ll want to make the time for this incredible journey. Riders who travel the Blue Ridge Parkway (known to them as BRP) note that the area south of Asheville, NC, on the southern half of the road, is the most spectacular part of the ride. Many of them ride during the fall when the leaves are changing, and report that it’s one of most amazing rides they’ve ever taken.
Click here for more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If you’re a history buff, a little searching will find motorcycle tours to just about anywhere you’re interested in visiting. Below are historical trips ranging from one day to two weeks and from one state to several. If you know of any motorcycle tours that other history lovers would enjoy, please let us know!
Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride
This three-day ride commemorates the Trail of Tears, the brutal journey that tens of thousands of Indians took when soldiers forcibly removed them from their homes and sent them to Oklahoma to live during the 1800s. The ride begins on the third Saturday of September each year in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and continues to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, ending at the Cherokee Heritage Center. For more information, visit http://www.trailoftears-remembrance.org.
Historic Adventure Rides in Tennessee 
East Tennessee offers a multitude of short motorcycle rides, including the Eighth Wonder of the World Ride, which ends at the 400-foot-tall Natural Tunnel in Duffield, VA. The East Tennessee Snake ride cruises through Revolutionary War towns such as Shady Valley, Elizabethton, and Stoney Creek. If you’re interested in local history, the Places of the Past Ride takes you through Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough, where you’ll see historic buildings and landmarks. Other East Tennessee rides are outlined here: http://www.johnsoncitytnchamber.com/mediaguide/pdf/oa_3-Motorcycles.pdf
Frontier Forts and Trading Post Loop Ride
This single-day trip in Montana starts at Culbertson and goes through the Fort Union Trading Post; Fort Buford, where Sitting Bull surrendered; the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center; and the Fairview Lift Bridge. For those who love old west towns, try the Just Ride tour, which takes you to the frontier town of Scobey, just a few miles south of the Canadian border. Several more Montana motorcycle tours are outlined at http://visitmt.com/experiences/scenic_adventures/motorcycle_touring/high_plains/.
US Route 66 Guided Tour
On this 14-day tour, the road you’ll take is historic. Route 66, also known as “The Mother Road,” runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, and this tour takes you through the heart of America. You’ll see history meld with the present and visit cities such as St. Louis, Tulsa, Amarillo, and Laughlin. You’ll see the Grand Canyon, the Chain of Rocks Bridge, Ice Cave, Meramec Caverns, the Cadillac Ranch, and the Route 66 Museum. Tour information can be found at http://www.ridingroute66.us/index.asp.
What’s your favorite motorcycle tour?
Taking a motorcycle road trip is one of my favorite weekend activities. It’s nice to just get away and unwind on the open road. And there’s no better time to embark on a motorcycle trip than the beginning of spring when all the trees and shrubbery are in bloom. Not to mention, the weather is perfect for an open-air drive.
South Carolina is one of my favorite places to ride and the best region for driving is the beautiful Lowcountry. Here, you’ll travel past sprawling marshes, horse- and cow-clad farms, forests, and rivers.
Below are three of my favorite South Carolina rides:
Trip to Beaufort: If you’re looking to soak in some picturesque scenery on your motorcycle trip, you’ll definitely want to take a trip to Beaufort. Here, you can enjoy a nice picnic in Hunting Island State Park, enjoy nature walks, or explore Beaufort’s old historic district. This quaint seaside town is a great way to enjoy nature and the coast.
Image above taken from BeaufortSC.org.
Highway 28: The Blueridge Parkway offers some great twists and turns, as well as sprawling views of valleys and rolling hills. Sometimes it’s nice to get away to the mountains and breath the fresh air from above sea level!
Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway: Witness waterfalls, lakes, rivers, mountains, and a variety of wildlife on this picturesque route through northwestern South Carolina. On your way along this highway, there are a handful of state parks that are great to stop at and enjoy a picnic or relax as you enjoy the quiet natural surroundings.
What’s your favorite South Carolina ride?
