The limestone cliffs known as the Palisades were carved by the Kentucky River some 5 million years ago. Today, they loom 300 to 450 feet above the river, standing sentinel over the waters that lure so many outdoor lovers to this part of the country, and serving as a dramatic backdrop for the brilliant fall scenery that flanks the river.
One memorable way to take in the picturesque vista is aboard the 115-passenger Dixie Belle, an authentic sternwheeler that offers hour-long narrated excursions from Shaker Landing, near Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. From late April through October, the Dixie Belle glides along the river in a stretch of unspoiled natural beauty, through the Palisades — the oldest exposed rock in Kentucky — and passes beneath the historic 1887 High Bridge. Her captain shares the history of how the Shakers used the river for access to their southern trade route, and discusses the flora and fauna of the area and the ancient history of the region.
When the leisurely ride is over, pay a visit to the nearly 3,000-acre Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, a National Historic Landmark and America's largest restored Shaker community. Tour this living-history museum's 34 buildings and interact with costumed interpreters, and then end the day with even more history and southern hospitality with a stay at the Inn at Shaker Village.