This Family-Friendly Park In Kentucky Has An Arboretum, Hiking Trails, A Children's Playscape, And More
By Sarah McCosham|Published June 16, 2022
×
Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
When you’re looking for a day of unplugged fun in nature, there’s no better place in Kentucky than Bernheim Arboretum. The ultimate family-friendly park in Kentucky, Bernheim has it all: an arboretum, hiking trails (including a canopy walk!), an epic children’s playscape, and even giants! If you’re looking for an amazing family-friendly day trip in the wondrous wilds of Kentucky, this is it.
Bernheim Arboretum is one of those impossibly beautiful places that seems too spectacular to be real.
Bernheim Arboretum is a favorite destination all year long, with each season offering new shades of splendor. At this delightful arboretum, you can explore over 16,000 acres of natural beauty, for an enchanting escape in nature.
The best way to soak up all this glorious scenery is on one of Bernheim's numerous trails. In addition to its paved walking paths, the park invites visitors to, quite literally, take to the trees. On its acclaimed canopy walk, a boardwalk extends straight into the forest canopy, suspending visitors an astonishing 75 feet above the forest floor. The experience truly feels as though you're floating in a dreamy, fairy tale forest!
...and this forest giant! For its 90th anniversary, Bernheim Arboretum invited Thomas Dambo, a Danish artist, to build three forest giants: Mama Loumari and her two children. These whimsical giants have become an iconic Kentucky photo op, and are totally fantastic to see in person.
The art-meets-nature experience continues in children's playground, which features a human-sized avian nest/tree house created by California artist Jayson Fann.
Opening in 2021, the Bernheim Playcosystem is a 10-acre playscape designed to encourage kids to connect with nature in a fun, hands-on way. It's proven to be downright irresistible for Bluegrass youngsters... and their parents!
