Ah, Kentucky – home of bluegrass, horse racing, and delicious fried chicken. There’s a lot to be said about this quirky state, and a lot more to explore. From deep, sprawling caves to wide open grasslands, Kentucky sure has plenty of variety. In fact, it’s one of the wildest states in the nation. With two national forests, 45 state parks, and a whopping 82 protected wildlife areas, it’s safe to say that The Bluegrass State has a lot more to see than just bluegrass.
The land isn’t the only part of Kentucky worth exploring, either. The state has more navigable waterways than almost every other state in the nation, coming in second only to Alaska. As you can imagine, outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds flock to Kentucky. And if the outdoors isn’t your thing, there’s a ton of city life to experience, as well. Whether checking out Corvettes at the National Museum in Bowling Green or taking a Bourbon Tour in Louisville, you’ll get your fill of authentic Kentucky character.
Due to its plethora of opportunities for outdoor recreation and cultural exploration, Kentucky is a magnet for RVers in particular. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go RVing there? With so many state parks and amazing Kentucky RV parks, you won’t have to look far for an interesting place to stay. It’s no wonder, then, that Kentucky is home to a handful of popular RV shows. For those wondering, “Where are the RV shows near me?” — well, we’ve got the answer! We’ll give you the scoop on a few of the best ones in this article.
Louisville Boat, RV, and Sportshow
The Kentucky Exposition Center hosts this 5-day, annual show. Located just minutes from historic Old Louisville, the Expo Center is convenient to a wealth of attractions and places to stay. The facility itself is quite impressive. Taking up more than 1 million square feet of space, it’s been named in the top ten largest expo centers in the country. If you’re attending the show for the full five days, you’ll likely have a lot of downtime between shows. Luckily, there’s plenty to do in the area, including the Kentucky Derby Museum and the Louisville Mega Cavern. That is if you don’t get lost in the massive Expo Center first!
What You’ll Love About the Louisville Boat, RV, and Sportshow
With such a big venue, you can probably imagine how big this show is. You’ll find hundreds of booths selling everything from boats and boating accessories to camping gear and travel destinations. And, of course, there are countless RVs for you to tour, including Class A motorhomes, pop-up campers, and everything in between. Don’t worry about finding stuff for the kids to do, either – there’s a handful of activities they’ll love, like free fishing at the trout pond, trampoline wall demos, and a boating simulator.
Information About the Louisville Boat, RV, and Sportshow
- Location: Kentucky Exposition Center 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209
- Dates: January 24th-28th, 2024
- Contact: 502-957-0471
- Tickets: Adults are $14 at the door and $12 online. Children under 13 are free with an adult.
Kentucky Sport, Boat, and Recreation Show
The Kentucky Sport, Boat, and Recreation Show occurs annually at the Rupp Arena in the bustling city of Lexington. The Arena is just north of the University of Kentucky and just a short walk from the beautiful Lexington Cemetery (which makes for a nice spot to take a break from the crowds). Lexington is a fast-growing city that’s packed with things to do, especially if you love horses. A 1,200-acre Horse Park welcomes guests to explore museums and galleries and observe roughly 50 different breeds of horses in the pastures. There’s also a Horse Farm Tour where you can see famous local horses roaming about their country estate farms.
What You’ll Love About the Kentucky Sport, Boat, and Recreation Show
Don’t be fooled by its name: this show has more RVs than you can count! It’s the longest-running expo of its kind in the state and has been around for more than 30 years. The show features RVs, boats, and camping gear from multiple dealers in the area. There are seven RV dealers alone at this show, so you know you’ll have plenty of options! The show is full of things to do and see, whether educational or just plain fun. There are several seminars throughout the weekend, covering topics like fishing, kayaking, and outdoor living tips. This show has hands-down the best attractions, including pony rides, an indoor zip line, a climbing wall, and live music and cocktails. It’s definitely a must-see!
Information About the Kentucky Sport, Boat, and Recreation Show
- Location: Rupp Arena 432 W Vine St., Lexington, KY 40507
- Dates: February 1st-4th, 2024
- Contact: 859-566-1208
- Tickets: Adults are $10 with Children under 13 free.
- Discounts: $8 Senior (60+) Night Thursday. $8 Military and First Responder Night Friday (with valid ID).
Make Your RV Dreams Come True in the Bluegrass State
Kentucky is a state for outdoor enthusiasts, and boy do their RV shows make that clear! Needless to say, the RV show in Kentucky offers an endless amount of fun, any time of year. But that’s not all; the state’s RV shows are in some of the most exciting parts of Kentucky. From the Horse Capital of the World to Kentucky’s largest city, you’ll have as much to explore outside the shows as you do inside.
Don’t forget to enjoy Kentucky’s natural beauty, either. There are scores of parks throughout the state with outdoor recreation like fishing, hiking, and swimming in the largest man-made lake on the planet. Oh, and don’t miss the underground dance hall and bat caves at Carter Caves State Resort Park! See? We told you that Kentucky is so much more than just bluegrass!
RV shows are a fun way to research different RV layouts and features before committing to a purchase. However, shows can also be hectic, and it can be tough to spend enough time in the RV to make an informed decision. Another viable option is to rent an RV from a site like RVshare and spend a few days or weeks traveling in it. You’ll be able to test out the RV in real life, get a feel for how it drives, and make sure the layout suits your lifestyle. Check out our inventory for a list of available RV rentals in Kentucky. Happy camping!
Psst — want to double down on your adventure? Check out some of the following RV road trip destinations and guides for Kentucky!
- The Ultimate Guide to RV Camping in Kentucky
- The Top 25 Bucket List Destinations in Kentucky
- Boondocking in Kentucky
- Top 10 Landmarks in Kentucky
Another way to try an RV before you buy? Renting with RVshare! Choose from thousands of RVs to find the perfect option for your trip or family.
