This Family Friendly Road Trip Through Kentucky Leads To Whimsical Attractions, Themed Restaurants, And More
By Sarah McCosham|Published March 04, 2022
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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.
It’s good to be a kid in Kentucky. Between our beautiful parks and world-class attractions, there’s no shortage of epic fun to be had in the Bluegrass State. The next time you’re looking for an adventure with everyone in your crew, check out this family friendly road trip, which leads to some of the most whimsical attractions, themed restaurants, and incredible parks in Kentucky.
Grab the kids, the snacks, and get ready to hit the road on a fun, family-friendly adventure in the Bluegrass State! This road trip is 162 miles through the north/central region of Kentucky, and designed to be taken over two days, stopping for the night at an incredible Airstream park.
We're kicking off this family-friendly trip in a big way, with a visit to the world's largest baseball bat. We're talking, of course, about the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, one of the coolest and most unique attractions in Kentucky. Peruse the museum, take a factory tour, and marvel at the massive bat-and-glove monolith at the corner of downtown Louisville!
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, 800 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
After a morning at the museum, it's time to stretch your legs and let the kids play -- and this new nature playscape is the perfect place to do just that! Bernheim Arboretum's Playcosystem, an epic 10-acre natural playground, is *the* kid-friendly place to be in the Bluegrass, with nature-inspired play structures, interactive equipment, and lots of rolling hills and open spaces for kids to run wild and free.
Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd, Clermont, KY 40110, USA
It's a known fact that kids love trains. (Who doesn't?) So we're wrapping up the first day of our Family Friendly Road Trip with a dinner-and-adventure twofer. My Old Kentucky Dinner Train is pure nostalgia, offering scenic rides and dinner service aboard restored 1940s train cars that are historic, comfortable, and incredibly charming.
My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, 602 N 3rd St, Bardstown, KY 40004, USA
While the adults dine on a five-star meal, kids can choose from chicken tenders or slow-roasted prime rib, plus their choice of dessert. We're partial to these adorable chocolate trains!
When it's time to break for the night, you'll head to Progress Park, an incredible Airstream glampground just outside Louisville. Choose from several different glamped-up vintage trailers, which include all the comforts of home, plus fun features like outdoor picnic tables and on-site kayaks for the kids to use.
Rise and shine -- and get ready for a day full of fun. One of the most underrated state parks in Kentucky, E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park is a hidden gem that's a true outdoor paradise for families. Let the kids run wild in the playground, test their skills in the archery range, or even tackle one of the only Supercross BMX tracks in the country!
E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, 3000 Freys Hill Rd, Louisville, KY 40241, USA
Home to the largest public outdoor swimming pool and splash park in Louisville, depending on when you visit this Kentucky State Park, the kids might be able to prance about in the epic splash pad, too!
For the last leg of the trip, we're heading north to a total Bluegrass treasure: Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. Because where else can you find Ice Age fossils, bison, and a larger-than-life prehistoric diorama? This park in Union, Kentucky, is free to visit and features an outdoor museum, discovery trail, and even a massive mammoth diorama, too.
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY 41091, USA
Our final stop is a true destination. Up in Union, Jane’s Saddlebag is one of the most unique attractions in the Bluegrass State. It’s a restaurant and a whimsical children’s playland. It’s a hands-on living history museum. It’s a family-run farm. It’s an event venue that hosts fun festivals all year-round. Jane's Saddlebag is, quite simply, one of the best family-friendly places in Kentucky!
Jane's Saddlebag, 13989 Ryle Rd, Union, KY 41091, USA
Come for lunch and spend the day wandering the grounds of this only-in-Kentucky attraction. Between the fun points of interest, friendly farm friends, and whimsical gift shop and general store, Jane's Saddlebag is the perfect grand finale to this family-friendly adventure in Kentucky!
How many places on our family friendly road trip through Kentucky have you been to before? What are you most excited to check out? Share your favorite family-approved attractions in the comments below!
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