The Official Kentucky Kid Bucket List For Every Youngster In The Bluegrass State
By Andrea Limke|Published February 10, 2021
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
If you grew up in Kentucky then you hopefully know that the Bluegrass State is a pretty great place to be. Not only do we have friendly people and beautiful cities and towns, but there are endless opportunities for childhood memories that include everything from touring a cave to visiting the place where baseball stars get their bats. Of course, every Kentucky kid should experience a summer of swimming holes and local ice cream shops and snow days of zipping down the neighborhood hill, but if you want to have even more adventures, check out our official Kentucky Kid Bucket List for every youngster in the Bluegrass State.
We'll kick off our list with animal-themed destinations throughout Kentucky and the first one that likely comes to mind is the Kentucky Horse Park. This is such a beloved place to visit in the Bluegrass and kids will love the horses, pony or horse rides, interactive sections, and abundance of fresh air. Plan a visit and learn more in our previous article.
Dinosaur World in Cave City is a totally different type of experience, but definitely kid-friendly. Walk along a paved path and feel as if you've stepped into Jurassic Park. There are lots of fun things to do as a family within the park and also in the Cave City area. See more of Dinosaur World in our previous article.
Go under the sea and into Northern Kentucky to visit the Newport Aquarium. Another family-friendly favorite, children and adults will love the wide variety of underwater animals, unique exhibits, and of course the one-of-a-kind shark bridge! Check it out in our previous article.
Did you know you can visit a bit of the Outback right here in Kentucky? Get up close and personal with these amazing animals at Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo. Read more about this classic attraction in our previous article.
Western Kentucky has so much to offer families with little ones and don't miss out on a chance to drive through the Elk & Bison Prairie within Land Between the Lakes. There is a plethora of wildlife in this area, as well as hiking trails, and many other outdoor adventures. See the bison up close in our previous article.
If your kids love baseball - or even if they don't - plan a trip to the iconic Louisville Slugger Museum. They'll leave as a true baseball fan, as well as with their own mini bat and the experience of witnessing how these wooden bats are made. See more highlights of the museum in our previous article.
Another museum that all ages will enjoy is the National Corvette Museum. Named the top attraction in Kentucky, this destination will leave you in awe of these incredible cars. And you can even take a glimpse down the sinkhole that damaged the property several years ago. Take a closer look at the museum in our previous article.
Shaker Village is the last museum on our list and it's mostly outdoors. Step back in time, and learn about the history of this area of Kentucky. There are also several scenic hiking trails on the property so you can easily make this a family day trip. See more of what Shaker Village has in store for you in our previous article.
If you want to show your kids the largest waterfall in Kentucky, head to Cumberland Falls. This majestic site is easy to reach and you can view it from several different points along the short trail. If you have time, explore more of the park and see Eagle Falls and other scenic spots in the area. Check out this list that has 8 ideas of things to do around Cumberland Falls.
Visitors come from all over the world to visit the longest cave that can be found right here in Kentucky. There are several tour options to learn about the geology and history of the cave, but this one should definitely be a must at some point while growing up in Kentucky. Learn more about Mammoth Cave in our previous article.
This may be a lesser known or surprising choice, but where else can you see a lighthouse and a sunset like this? This is a unique and gorgeous area of Kentucky and kids will love the access to the water and the array of fun things to do in the area. See more of what was called the "most beautiful town in Kentucky" in our previous article.
When your kids are a little older and the entire family is up for an adventure, book a cave tour by boat with Gorge Underground. This kayak or boat tour is definitely worthy of any bucket list and will make your kids feel like a real explorer. Learn more about this adventure in our previous article.
While you're in the Red River Gorge area, cross another adventure off of your bucket list and take your older kids ziplining! This particular tour is arguably the best in the state as it takes you high above the Gorge floor and right through the trees. See more of this exciting outing in our previous article.
Last, but certainly not least, the Louisville Mega Cavern may be the most unique spot on this list. Families can zip line, take a tram tour, try the underground ropes course, and more. It's the only destination of its kind in the world and a place that will fascinate kids of all ages. Plan a visit with our previous article.
It’s safe to say that little ones who grow up in the Bluegrass State are lucky, especially if they are able to complete this Kentucky Kid Bucket List. And even if you only make it to one or two of these favorite destinations in Kentucky, there are endless memories to be made while growing up in our beautiful state. Has your family completed this list? What would you add to it? Let us know in the comments!
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