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Today best known to travelers as the land of pioneer trailblazer Daniel Boone - as well as home to the country's best fried chicken, tobacco and whiskey, the Kentucky Derby, and Kentucky Blue Grass music - the area originally belonged to Virginia when statehood was granted to the Kentucky region in 1792.

Almost a century later, on the issue of the Civil War the state was fairly divided between the pro- and anti-slavery factions, and Kentucky supplied troops to both Union and Confederate armies.

Today, bluegrass music fans from around the world gather within the state for annual music festivals that take place throughout the year, and race fans gather at Churchill Downs in Louisville each May for the annual Kentucky Derby that kicks off the yearly run for the Triple Crown.

Major tourism spots include the Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington (home to the 2010 World Equestrian Games), the Louisville Slugger Museum, and Mammoth Cave National Park.

In August, also don't miss a trip to the annual Kentucky State Fair in Louisville.

More about Kentucky tourist attractions around the Web:

Kentucky Department of Tourism - The official Kentucky travel guide featuring major attractions, hotels & restaurants, museums, outdoor activities, event calendar, pictures, maps and trip planner.

Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau - The state's largest city with lots to do and see, plus facts and information on travel packages, online booking, hotel & restaurant guide, shopping, entertainment, itinerary planner, photos.

West Kentucky Tourism Information - Major historic attractions including miles of nature refuges and lakefront water recreation, along with a hotel and lodging guide, restaurants, entertainment, getting around, maps and pictures.

Southern Kentucky Vacations - Featuring the region's state park system with information on attractions, facilities and activities, bike & hiking trails, campground and hotel guide, event calendar, pictures.

Kentucky's Bluegrass Region - Focusing on "horses and history" with more info on shops, antiquing, dining, hotels and major attractions, plus links to cities within the region and an extensive event calendar by season.

Lexington, Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau - Horses and more horses, with guides to related major attractions, feature stories, pictures, hotel & restaurant guide, a multitude of sightseeing ideas, photos, event calendar.