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Kentucky has much more to offer than its heritage as the epicenter of equestrian activities. Visit stunning parks, forests, and caverns. Enjoy life-sized dinosaurs, water parks, rollercoasters and go-karting. The family won’t be bored in Kentucky; many of these activities are free or budget-friendly.
1. Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park, near Brownsville, is a pet-friendly, 400-plus-mile-long limestone cavern in Kentucky. It has miles of hiking trails suitable for various levels of experience. Entry is free unless you want to camp overnight or take a planned tour of the caverns.
2. Dinosaur World
Dinosaur World, in Cave City, is one of the most popular attractions in Kentucky. This amusement center has hundreds of life-sized dinosaurs and a dinosaur-themed children’s playground. The center welcomes dogs on leashes in all areas except the indoor museum. Dinosaur World has a 5,000-square-foot gift shop to buy dinosaur-themed artifacts, games, and toys.
3. The Louisville Zoo
The Louisville Zoo houses more than 1,700 animals from across the world. The exhibits include Cats of the Americas, Africa, The Islands, South America, Glacier Run, Gorilla World, and HerpAquarium. The one-mile paved trail around the zoo is suitable for the whole family. After admiring the animals, head to the nautical-themed splash park to cool off.
4. The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
The kids will love the 68,000-pound, 120-foot-tall baseball bat in the Louisville Slugger Museum. Even if the entire family doesn’t love baseball, the guided tours are fun and informative. The gift shop features merchandise for baseball fans.
5. Cherokee Park
Cherokee Park in Louisville is perfect for nature lovers who enjoy outdoor activities like jogging, hiking, fishing, and biking. For the less adventurous, there’s a family-friendly 2.3-mile trail around the park. Sports lovers can enjoy basketball, frisbee, archery, and soccer. It’s the perfect place for a picnic, and your well-behaved dog is welcome, too.
6. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park has two farm sites in LaRue County, where Abraham Lincoln was born. Around the park are picnic areas and scenic hiking trails. The park rangers are helpful and knowledgeable to visitors wishing to learn more about the 16th President of the U.S.
7. Kentucky Horse Park
Kentucky is renowned for breeding and racing some of the best horses in the world. The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. The area is steeped in equestrian history, and visitors can see the stunning thoroughbred horses in the fields and enjoy the themed barns. There are many horseback riding activities and shows, so the park is a must-visit if the kids adore horses.
8. Louisville Mega Cavern
For adventurous families, Louisville Mega Cavern offers a wide range of outdoor activities, such as zip lining underground (the only one in the world), an aerial ropes course, and a mega-tram tour. The former limestone mine is family-friendly, and although not the cheapest activity on the list, it’s one the family won’t forget.
9. Full Throttle Adrenaline Park
Full Throttle Adrenaline Park in Louisville is an action-packed venue for the family seeking adrenaline rushes. Start with a race around the tracks in go-karts that the park assures are twice as fast as a “normal” go-kart. Then, try some ax throwing or let loose in the rage room and blow off some steam (for those over 16 only). For the best experience, book an Adrenaline Pass, a two-hour experience at the park.
10. Newport Aquarium
Newport Aquarium has a wide variety of animals and experiences. Immerse yourself in sea life by walking through the exciting Coral Reef Tunnel. Visit rare baby Orinoco crocodiles and get close to starfish, crabs, penguins, and stingrays. If you’re feeling brave, walk across Shark Bridge. You can even touch the small sharks. Newport Aquarium is a wonderful day out for the family.
11. Kentucky Kingdom Theme and Water Park
The Kentucky Kingdom Theme and Water Park promises hours of family fun in this adventure-packed amusement park in Louisville. It is a two-in-one experience with an amusement park and a water park.
The Kentucky Kingdom has a world-class rollercoaster and dozens of kid-friendly, less scary rides, including a mini roller coaster. Hurricane Bay Water Park has over 70 family-friendly attractions, including pint-sized rides, sparkling wave pools, exciting water slides, and wave pools.
12. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Cumberland Falls State Resort near Corbin is a fantastic day out, or you can book one of the log cabins for a more extended stay. At night, check out the moonbow, a rainbow made from the moon’s light instead of the sun. The park offers 17 miles of hiking trails and water activities such as white-water rafting, swimming, canoeing, and fishing. For the horse lovers in the family, the park offers daily horseback trail rides.
13. Muhammad Ali Center
Also in Louisville, the Muhammad Ali Center is a museum celebrating the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. It has five levels of galleries, exhibits, artifacts, and films presenting snapshots of Ali’s life.
14. The Valley View Ferry
The Valley View Ferry in Lexington dates back to 1780, almost 12 years before Kentucky became a state. The ferry is free to pedestrians and cars. Enjoy the leisurely journey across the water and the stunning views of the Kentucky River.
15. Daniel Boone National Forest
The Daniel Boone National Forest in Winchester is an enormous 2.1 million-acre forest. The park has over 1 million visitors yearly and is open to everyone who enjoys outdoor activities, such as camping, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, boating, hunting, and more.
The Daniel Boone Forest offers rugged terrain, including narrow ravines, steep forest slopes, and sandstone cliffs. For the less adventurous, there are plenty of family-friendly trails for younger children.
From Boom to Bust: 18 States on the Brink of Financial Ruin—What Went Wrong?
We’re embarking on a financial roller coaster ride through 18 states, and it isn’t the fun kind. We’re talking about states having to check under the mattress and behind the couch cushions for extra change. These states are trying to balance their budgets, but the numbers aren’t increasing. Why are they skimming through their wallets like they lost a 20-dollar bill? Let’s find out!
From Boom to Bust: 18 States on the Brink of Financial Ruin—What Went Wrong?
12 u.s. Landmarks That Deserve a Spot on Your Bucket List
America is so huge that there seem to be endless iconic monuments and exciting places to see. It’s hard to know what is going to be worth your while. After all, taking time off work, saving up for a trip, and taking time to plan is no easy feat. These are the best U.S. landmarks worth visiting, according to a recent poll by people who have visited them. What would you add to the list?
