5 Kentucky Destinations That AI Says Do Not Live Up to the Hype

After the Internet went mainstream, and we realized it was here forever, then came social media. Many of us may have wondered, "What's next?" It seems we had done it all. But Artificial Intelligence had been lurking in the shadows all along. One of the best movies of the 1980s, WarGames from 1983, was about an AI, even though that term was never mentioned. What about 2001: A Space Odyssey from 1968? I think you could consider HAL 9000 an AI.

Overrated Kentucky Attractions

But those versions of artificial intelligence, if you want to call them that, are vastly different from what we are using in 2025. And it's becoming more and more mainstream everyday. Elfsight tells us that as of August of 2024, 40% of U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 64 were already dabbling in AI.

I just dabbled a few minutes ago, asking ChatGPT what attractions in Kentucky are considered overrated. In no particular order, this is what I got.

Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea

I've been here, and I enjoyed it. There is a lot of very cool local artwork, and Berea is always a home run.

ChatGPT says: Many items are mass-produced “craft-style” souvenirs. Some visitors compare it to a glorified gift shop rather than a true artisan experience.

While the Google reviews were largely kind, there was a number of complaints, but mostly about the bathrooms like this one...

If this is the WELCOME CENTER?!?! SHOULDNT IT BE OPEN AT ALL TIMES???? it would be nice if there was somewhere to use the restroom after they close!

Churchill Downs in Louisville

READ MORE: The 25 Highest-Rated Free KY Attractions According to TripAdvisor

A large majority of the reviews for all these places are GOOD reviews. But, as we know, everything reviewable online will get bad notices from time to time.

ChatGPT says: Outside of Derby Day, many say it feels commercialized, dated, and surprisingly small. The museum is decent, but the surrounding area isn't particularly inviting.

That second sentence is a recurring theme in many of this historic venue's bad reviews.

Spend the afternoon watching the horses run. When I returned to my truck, the rear window had been smashed out, in broad daylight. Security said there were no cameras facing that area. Was told parking at Churchill was the same risk as parking at Walmart or Kroger. You're a BILLION DOLLAR business and this is what we get for visiting. Wow!

Lexington Horse Parks

Chat GPT says: If you're not there during a major event or guided tour, it can feel like just open land with fences. You may not even see horses.

Speaking of which...

I've had some great experiences at the park in the past and was looking forward to my visit this time with some friends from Canada. I knew that we were going to miss most of the shows by entering at 3:30, but since they are open until 5 :00 I thought we could at least tour the barns and see all of the different breeds. I was completely wrong. Almost all of the horses had already been put out to pasture. There was basically nothing to see in any of the stalls. If that is the case, they need to close the park earlier in my opinion, as there was basically no reason for us to enter.

Newport on the Levee

ChatGPT says: Has gone through cycles of decline. Some shops/restaurants have closed, and redevelopment has been slow. It’s a better local hangout than a must-see tourist stop.

And some have had issues with the prices...

Let the price gouging commence. Ticket prices were fair, concession staff has to be the worst I'm the entire Tri-State. Concession costs are beyond ridiculous.

Ark Encounter

I've had family members visit and give it rave reviews, but here's what...

ChatGPT says: Some visitors feel it’s overpriced (over $50 per adult), with limited exhibits inside. Others cite concerns about the religious messaging being more aggressive than expected.

Personally, I've not heard any complaints about the latter, but I have about the former.

Exhibits are nothing special. Posters on the walls with plaques telling me things I already knew. The few animated ones were ok...in no way worth the $64 ticket price. There's a nice outdoor playground and a small zoo. Myself and my family were very disappointed.

As with "your mileage," reactions to these attractions may and will vary. At the very least, I can now see AI as a pretty good travel planner.