I'm from Kentucky and went to college in Arkansas. To say there are negative stereotypes associated with both places that leave people asking, "Why in the world would you want to live THERE?!" is to understate the issue by a great deal. But there's a ton to do in both places and a great deal to see, especially if you enjoy being outdoors. We have so many lakes here in Kentucky, and most of them have state parks, so excellent camping and boating facilities. There's the horse park, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, just driving through horse country. Go to the Louisville Slugger museum or visit one of the many bourbon distilleries. Visit the house where Harriet Beecher Stowe saw the slave auction that inspired Uncle Tom's Cabin (that's in my home town). See a Revolutionary War battlefield and re-enactment. It's not all "barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen, living in the Appalachan Mountains mining coal for a living" by a long shot.