The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Kentucky, United States

October 7, 2021 Tynisha Seiler

Famous for Bourbon Country and horse farms, civil war battlefields and beautiful natural parks, Kentucky offers a delightful mix of experiences. You might begin in Lexington, where the 1200-acre Kentucky Horse Park is a popular attraction. The university adds exciting sports, impressive art and a vibrant student/professor population to the city. Louisville is similar, where renowned Churchill Downs hosts the annual Kentucky Derby and the Belle of Louisville, the nation’s oldest steam-driven river paddlewheeler, hosts enchanting lunch and dinner cruises along the beautiful Ohio River. Next, head south to visit Mammoth Cave National Park for a day of touring the cave (the world’s longest known cave), hiking and canoeing on the Green River. Paducah, Berea, Bowling Green – so many places to explore and enjoy!
Restaurants in Kentucky

1. Keeneland

4201 Versailles Rd, Lexington, KY 40510-9648 +1 859-254-3412 http://www.keeneland.com
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,811 reviews

Keeneland

Part thoroughbred race course, part sales company and considered one of America's most beautiful tracks, Keeneland is known for its well-designed and meticulous landscaping. The grounds consist of the paddock, a prep area where visitors can view horses up-close just before the race and a combination of dirt and turf race tracks.

Reviewed By garydK3367BN

Just a afternoon trip to see Keeneland before all the action starts APRIL 2-24 for live racing! A must is to stop by the GIFT SHOP great things for everyone! Many places to EAT but fun to wonder around grab something on the run to eat! Check out the paddock where you can get a closeup view of the horses and say “hi” to your favorite jockey or trainer! Great place to dress up and many restaurants to set down and eat( love The Lexington room on 4th floor). Arrive early and watch the morning workouts and have breakfast at the Track Kitchen (great food)!!! Very friendly people to help you with making your bets or finding great food!!! ENJOY ????

2. Crystal Onyx Cave

425 Prewitts Knob Rd, Cave City, KY 42127-8521 +1 270-773-3377 http://www.facebook.com/crystalonyxcave
Excellent
95%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 349 reviews

Crystal Onyx Cave

CRYSTAL ONYX Cave, one of Kentucky's premier show cave with beautiful formations throughout. Tour group sizes are small, with a slow pace. The steps, trails, handrails & lighting have recently been renovated. NOTE theirs another local cave using a similar name, we are CRYSTAL ONYX Cave, est 1960. We are family owned & operated with a laid back approach & unscripted tours. We allow plenty of time to take pictures, relax & enjoy our formation filled cave. NO reservations needed, 1 hour tours on approx. 35 minute departures. Seasonal open everyday March-Oct. 31. Check out our web site for off season tour availability & other useful information. Just 2 miles east of 65 on 90 to Prewitts Knob Road.

Reviewed By schultkr

What an awesome experience!! Great cave, excellent tour guide, who happened to be the owner and gave a lot of history and was a lot of fun! A natural wonder you should definitely check out.

3. Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm

1841 Paynes Depot Rd, Georgetown, KY 40324-9138 +1 502-863-1775 http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/
Excellent
90%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 489 reviews

Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm

Horse Racing's Living History Museum! At Old Friends, the non-profit Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY, the horses may not be racing anymore, but they are winners everyday. Founded in 2003 by former Boston Globe film critic Michael Blowen, Old Friends cares for more than 200 horses, many of them stallions whose racing and breeding careers came to an end. A "Rural Hall of Fame", the farm welcomes visitors to get up close and personal with such stars of the turf as Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners Silver Charm and War Emblem, Belmont Stakes winners Sarava and Touch Gold, millionaire gelding Arson Squad, and many more. Hear their stories, meet them in person...Er..Horse. Our guests come to visit a few ex-racehorses, they leave having been touched by the heart of a Thoroughbred hero. March 15th through November 4th, tours are daily at 10 am, 1 pm & 3 pm. Winter hours at our Kentucky farm November 4th through March 14th - one tour daily at 11:00 only.

Reviewed By RobtB - Saint Charles, United States

Take a trip back down memory lane while enjoying a small piece of the golden years for some of the greatest race horses ever to race. Silver Charm/1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, War Emblem/ 2002 Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness winner, Sarava/2002 Belmont Stakes winner, Touch Gold/1997 Belmont Stakes winner, reside here along with another 160 thoroughbreds living the good life in their twilight years. Also here are Alphabet Soup/Breeders Cup Classic champion from 1996, Popcorn Deelites, the horse that played "Seabiscuit" in the Toby McGuire movie. Afternoon Deelites, great grandson of Secretariat and Nicanor.....full blood brother to the great Barbaro. The final resting place of derby winner Charismatic and Secretariat's last sired foal "Tinners Way" are here along with so many others resting in peace. Many other champions and name horses from historic settings and times wait for you to either pet or feed a carrot to. The staff there is knowledgeable, friendly and so willing to tell the stories about these majestic animals you never knew. They exist because of our tour fees and donations in a setting fit for retired champions. If you are in the Georgetown KY area and you miss this, then you have cheated yourself out of a part of your trip through horse country. You never really know the next retired champion you may see at Old Friends. A return trip is a must.

4. Smothers Park

199 W Veterans Blvd, Owensboro, KY 42303-4101 +1 270-687-8333 [email protected] https://owensboroparks.org/parks/smothers-park/
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 525 reviews

Smothers Park

Reviewed By man0ske

Smothers Park is a beautiful clean park with a nice water park for the kids; a big playground; swings overlooking the river; and many fountains. Close to food and everything downtown. A definite must do when coming to Owensboro!

5. Kentucky Horse Park

4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40511-8400 +1 859-233-4303 http://www.kyhorsepark.com
Excellent
73%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,633 reviews

Kentucky Horse Park

The only park of its kind in the world, the Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm, educational theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man's relationship with the horse. Set on more than 1,200 acres in the heart of the Kentucky's famous Bluegrass region, the park is THE place to get close to horses! Featuring dozens of breeds of horse at work and at play, the park showcases the horse in daily equine presentations, horse drawn tours, horseback and pony rides, and an array of horse shows and special events throughout the year. The park's International Museum of the Horse, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is the world's largest equestrian museum. Offering both the experienced horseman and novice an opportunity to explore the many facets of humanity's relationship with the horse, the museum is dedicated to all breeds and disciplines of horse and covers some 50-million years of equine history. State-of-the-art technology complements rare artifacts and scholarly research to present a unique, educational, museum experience for all ages. The American Saddlebred Museum, the Showplace for Saddlebreds, celebrates Kentucky's first native breed of horse. The museum features interactive exhibits and a movie. With the park's own tourist activities and the numerous additional horse shows that take place in the equine competition facilities throughout the year, there can be a fair amount of walking involved, depending on visitor interest level. Comfortable shoes and clothing is recommended, appropriate for Kentucky's seasonal weather. Dogs and other pets are permitted on park grounds, as long as they are on a leash or in an approved carrier, although they may not be permitted in some buildings.

Reviewed By 676kathrynm - Palm City, United States

If you love horses this is the place to be! Man O' War's amazing statue and burial place, Secretariat's gorgeous statue! The museum is wonderful, plan on spending lots of time in it. All different breeds of horses, you get to see and pet. Some interesting shows and you get to see retired champion race horses!

6. National Corvette Museum

350 Corvette Dr I-65, Exit 28, Bowling Green, KY 42101-9134 +1 270-781-7973 [email protected] http://www.corvettemuseum.org
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,875 reviews

National Corvette Museum

See over 70 Corvettes in periodic settings including a mid-century barbershop, service station and historic race track. Exhibit Hall features special displays that change regularly. For hands-on activities visit the KidZone, Corvette Cave-In / Sinkhole Experience and numerous trivia kiosks, then try a Corvette on for size in the lobby. The Corvette Store offers apparel, collectibles, home and gift items. On-site 50's-inspired Corvette Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Reviewed By anitak474 - Oklahoma, United States

If you are a corvette or a car buff, then you will love this museum. Very well done and very well presented!

7. Kentucky Derby Museum

704 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208-1212 +1 502-637-1111 [email protected] http://www.derbymuseum.org/
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,298 reviews

Kentucky Derby Museum

The Kentucky Derby Museum, where every day is Derby day, is the official tour provider of historic Churchill Downs. When you visit the Museum, you will find yourself immersed in the next best thing to actually being at the Derby! As the exclusive tour provider for the track, various tours are offered throughout the year even when the track isn’t in session with live racing. General admission includes two levels of family-friendly interactive permanent & temporary exhibits, "The Greatest Race," a 360-degree immersive sound and visual experience that'll get your heart racing and emotions soaring, Historic Walking Tour of Churchill Downs Racetrack, access to the Gift Shop, Kentucky fare in the Derby Cafe Express and much more!

Reviewed By B465DMsarahc - Glenwood, United States

We stopped here on our drive through to take a break and it was well worth it. It was four of us, 10-month old, 14 year old, and my husband and I. We took the tour, watched the video, and walked around the museum. It was all well worth it and we learned a lot. We didn't get to see the entire museum because we had to get back on the road. You can stop here for a little over an hour, or spend the day....lots of options and lots of different tours depending on how long you want to stay. I will say, we got there after lunch time and the more in depth tours were already sold out, so if you want to take the behind the scenes tour that take you to the barns, etc. - you probably need to book those early. We would come here again.

8. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

800 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202-2620 +1 877-775-8443 [email protected] http://www.sluggermuseum.com
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,521 reviews

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

Batter up! It takes a special place to craft the #1 Bat in Major League Baseball. At Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, experience history-in-the-making as you stroll through the actual factory where world-famous Louisville Slugger bats are created. The award-winning factory tour is a highlight of the visit here, but there's plenty more to enjoy along with it. Admire the World's Biggest Bat - stretching 120 feet into the sky. Hold bats actually used by baseball superstars like Mickey Mantle, Johnny Bench, Cal Ripken Jr. And Derek Jeter. Face down a 90-mph fastball hurled by a major league pitcher. Count the homerun notches Babe Ruth carved into his Louisville Slugger bat for every home run he hit with it. Step into the batting cages and take some swings with a replica model of your hero's bat. Guests even get a free miniature souvenir bat at the end of the factory tour. You can even create a bat with your own name on it, just like the pros. They make great gifts for all kinds of special occasions, from newborn babies, to groomsmen gifts, to team trophies and more. The museum store is also loaded with lots of sporty merchandise for every budget. Be sure to swing by!

Reviewed By Vmorris99 - Saint Louis, United States

Don't hesitate...go...and pay for the tour! We toured the museum while in Louisville for a convention and visit with friends. My husband and I took our 9 year old son. We all found the museum to exceed our expectations. You can pop into the museum, and you have the option to pay for a tour of the factory. We are so glad we took the tour! Our tour guide was knowledgeable, interesting and funny. You begin with a short movie about how they own their own forest, and how trees are selected, harvested for production and conserved. It was a short and interesting film. Then, our guide lead us through the factory and stopped at key points to describe the process of bat production, labeling and painting. I found the info on how MLB players select bats fascinating. At the end if the tour, each person receives a miniature bat. Afterwards, you are able to explore the museum, which contains baseball history, actual bats of famous players, clocked pitching speed demo, and fun photo opportunities including a dugout and pitching mound where you can pose with a famous player's actual bat. For fellow smashed penny collectors, the lobby features a crank machine with four designs for your smashing pleasure! The lobby also contains a nice gift shop where custom bats, hats, keychains and other souvenirs can be purchased. The ginormous bat on the outside of the building is Instagramable!

9. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

7351 Highway 90, Corbin, KY 40701-8857 +1 606-528-4121 [email protected] http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/cumberland-falls/things_to_do.aspx
Excellent
61%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,302 reviews

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

Known as the "Niagara of the South," the 125-foot wide curtain of water is dramatic day or night. But it's only at night during a full moon that you can see the moonbow, a phenomenon not regularly visible anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. The park's many lodging, dining, and recreational opportunities make Cumberland Falls State Resort Park the perfect location for a family vacation, business retreat, or weekend getaway to the beautiful mountains of southeast Kentucky. The DuPont Lodge features 51 rooms, the Riverview Restaurant, meeting spaces, and easy access to the park's extensive trail system. Twenty woodland rooms and 25 cottages provide guests a more secluded lodging option. The 49-site campground, gift shop, horseback riding stables, Moonbow Cafe, playgrounds, tennis court, Olympic-size swimming pool, 17 miles of trails, and much more await visitors to Cumberland Falls - one of the "Nation's Finest" state parks!

Reviewed By jennyhazard

The Falls are amazing, the hiking trails are stellar, and the lodge is wonderful--the staff are all so friendly and helpful, and it's beautiful. Pro-Tip: Ask for a river view room (there are only two). The view is incredible and we had a great time. Drove over to Blue Heron Mining Camp (really cool, about a half hour away) an into Corbin for dinner at the Wrigley Taproom (great local food). If you're looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, you can't do better than this. Also good for meetings--our weekend started out with a Board retreat and the accommodations were perfect.

10. Mammoth Cave

1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave National Park, KY 42259 +1 270-758-2180 http://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm
Excellent
65%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,932 reviews

Mammoth Cave

A mysterious limestone cave that has fascinated people for 4,000 years.

Reviewed By JULIANP710 - High Point, United States

First time here at Mammoth Cave National Park!! Get you tickets well in advance for cave tours sell out early We did the Historic cave tour start to end ,worked out to be about 2 hours ,was very enjoyable there are some very low spots and narrow areas and some very wide and open . Tickets for adults $17 each. Many tours to choose from Many trails to choose from Many camping areas GPS coordinates appears to be off as you approach NPS offices

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