Explore the Kentucky Faith Trail With This Four-Day Itinerary

It was Daniel Boone who with his first footfalls into the Kentucky wilderness in 1769 compared this land to paradise. And Kentucky’s rich history of faith —from early settlers building churches to contemporary attractions bringing the Bible to life—echoes the frontier explorer’s assertion that “heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place.”

Today, the rich history of Kentucky’s faith-filled past comes to life along the Kentucky Faith Trail. Presenting a full spectrum of religious traditions, from the Second Great Awakening to a literal interpretation of the biblical account of creation, the Kentucky Faith Trail is a family-friendly adventure filled with spiritual moments and activities to inspire, enlighten and reinvigorate your faith whether it is a faith-based scavenger hunt, 19th century ballgame, or ziplining at an ark of Biblical proportions. Here we’ll show you how to make the most of a 3-4 day sojourn moving northbound along the Kentucky Faith Trail.

Day 1: Bowling Green Area

Built in 1804, the Old Mulkey Meetinghouse in Tompkinsville is the oldest freestanding log meetinghouse in the Commonwealth. Here, John Mulkey, 3rd generation Separate Baptist preacher, took his famous stand against Calvinism to restore the congregation to “New Testament” Christianity.

Now a Kentucky State Park State Historic Site, it is home to a Storybook Trail, playground, picnic grounds and the quest game, “The View from the Pulpit.” Grab a pencil and a copy of the quest from the park office and search for clues in the old church records, the cemetery—final resting place of Hannah Boone (Daniel’s sister) and the Meetinghouse.

In Auburn, see original artifacts of the Shakers who lived at the South Union Shaker Village from 1807 to 1922, and learn about ongoing restoration efforts at the site. Plan a visit to coincide with events held at the village, such as seasonal farm-to-table dinners, vintage baseball games and an annual Holiday Market.

Other sites to visit: The 1839 cabin of “Raccoon” John Smith, early leader in the Restoration Movement, and the Red River Meeting House, a replica site of the first religious camp meeting in the United States, which marked the start of the Second Great Awakening.

Day 2: Trappist/Bardstown/Harrodsburg

Start day 2 with time spent meandering the Abbey of Gethsemani a monastery in the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance, part of the body of the Roman Catholic Church. With the dramatic architecture of a “spare beautiful space,” nature trails crisscrossing 1,500 wilderness acres, and a gift shop filled with Kentucky bourbon-infused fruitcakes and fudge made by Trappist monks, you will leave delighted.

It welcomed pioneers in 1816 and welcomes all now. Visit for Mass and light a candle at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral, the first cathedral in the United States west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Another site to visit is Old Mud Meeting House in Harrodsburg, the First Dutch Reformed Church west of the Allegheny Mountains. This is one of the most culturally significant buildings in Kentucky.

Day 3/4: Williamstown/Petersburg/Covington

For days 3 and 4 make your way towards the buzzing Covington area. Kick off your day at Ark Encounter, explore a life-size replica of Noah’s Ark built to Biblical blueprints, its three decks filled with world-class exhibits. At the award-winning Emzara’s Kitchen, dine buffet-style while feasting your eyes on the 51-foot-tall ark. Ride a carousel, take a kangaroo walkabout at Ararat Ridge Zoo and enjoy a live music concert. Other activities include ziplines, mining sluice and fossils, camel rides and VR experiences.

Next head to Ark Encounter’s sister attraction, the Creation Museum and get interactive with science workshops, planetarium shows, a petting zoo and tours like “Birds in the Garden.” Browse the Dragon Hall Bookstore and grab a bite at Noah’s Café for al fresco dining overlooking a lake.

Other sites to visit: Covington’s Mother of God Catholic Church, established in 1841 and showing off a stunning blend of Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles.