Kentucky with Kids: Parks, Caves & Museums

The world-famous Louisville Slugger baseball bats have been made by the same family-owned company since 1884, and the Louisville Slugger Museum introduces visitors to the history behind the bats as well as to various other aspects of baseball history.

Half-hour guided tours of the factory are offered multiple times a day, and other attractions include a 120-foot replica of Babe Ruth's bat, a hands-on exhibit where visitors can hold legendary baseball bats, and an enormous glove sculpture kids can climb on. At the end of your visit, you and your kids will each get a miniature souvenir bat to bring home.

Address: 800 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202, Phone: 877-775-8443

Constructed in 1914, the Belle of Louisville is the country's oldest river steamboat still in operation. It was originally built to serve as a passenger ferry, but it now offers leisure cruises up and down the Ohio River.

Sightseeing cruises last approximately two hours, and as all the seating is outdoors, guests are advised to dress for the weather.

A small concession sells snacks and drinks, but if you'd like a full meal, you can also book a lunch or dinner cruise, which include live entertainment and a dance floor. Kids under the age of 4 travel free.

Address: 401 W River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202, Phone: 502-574-2992

Located in Woodford County Park, Versailles, the Bluegrass Railroad Museum is a heritage railroad with four operational diesel locomotives. The museum displays a variety of railroad memorabilia, and kids will particularly enjoy the model train layouts. If you're visiting on a weekend between May and October, you can also take a 90-minute scenic train ride through the Kentucky countryside. Old railway equipment can be seen alongside the track, and partway through the trip, the train stops at the historic Young's High bridge, which makes an excellent photo opportunity. Special holiday train rides are also offered on Thanksgiving weekend and during the Christmas season.

Address: 175 Beasley Rd, Versailles, KY 40383, Phone: 859-873-2476

Nestled in the lush countryside of southwestern Kentucky, Chaney’s Dairy Barn is a working dairy farm with an on-site restaurant, an ice cream shop, and an excellent children's playground. For a small fee, visitors can take a self-guided tour of the farm facilities, including a spacious dairy barn with viewing windows and a robotic milker. Access to the playground is free of charge, but passes must be purchased for kids who want to play on the Jumping Pillow. When you get hungry, stop by the restaurant to enjoy some delicious soups and sandwiches, and don't forget to try the farm's delicious ice cream for dessert.

Address: 9191 Nashville Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, Phone: 270-843-5567

Spanning more than two million acres of land in southern and eastern Kentucky, the Daniel Boone National Forest provides seemingly endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. There are more than 600 miles of trails for visitors to explore, but if you're visiting with your kids, the best options are the scenic one-mile Sky Bridge Trail and the 1.4-mile Rock Bridge Trail, which leads past several waterfalls. One a hot day, you might prefer to spend some time by one of the park's beautiful lakes and rivers, most of which are perfect for swimming, kayaking, and even scuba diving.

Address: 1700 Bypass Rd, London, KY 40744, Phone: 859-745-3100

Conveniently located right next to Mammoth Cave National Park, the Diamond Caverns boast one of the most beautiful show caves in Kentucky. The walls of the cathedral-like caverns are lined with thousands of colorful rock formations, and state-of-the-art white lighting illuminates all the most intricate and beautiful sections. Guided hour-long tours are offered every day of the week, and all tours are first-come first-served. Approximately half a mile of walking is required, and due to the nature of the cave, the path is not handicap accessible and the walk can be quite strenuous in parts.

Address: 1900 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Park City, KY 42160, Phone: 270-749-2233

The perfect destination for dino-crazy kids, Dinosaur World is a unique outdoor theme park dotted with hundreds of life-size dinosaur sculptures. A walking path meanders through the forest, providing plenty of opportunities to spot the dinosaurs, most of which are accompanied by informative signs. There's also a dinosaur-themed playground with swings and slides, and kids can participate in fun activities like a fossil dig and a gem excavation. Outside food and drinks are welcome, and geodes and other souvenirs can be purchased from the gift shop. Visitors are free to bring their dogs as long as they remain leashed.

Address: 711 Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, Phone: 270-773-4345

The Lexington Children’s Museum is a hands-on museum best suited to kids 10 and younger. The exhibits are designed to promote children's natural curiosity and desire to learn, and highlights include an interactive dinosaur and insect display, a bubble zone, and a space-themed exhibit where kids can get a photo of themselves walking on the moon. For kids 3 and under, there's a tots play area with a splash fountain and a treehouse. The space can also be booked for children's birthday parties, and packages include table set-up and optional add-ons like candy art, mad scientist experiments, and fort building.

Address: 440 W Short St, Lexington, KY 40507, Phone: 859-258-3253

Just outside the town of Carrollton, not far from the confluence of the Ohio and Kentucky rivers, General Butler Park is a state park with a lodge, a campground, and a handful of cabins. Many visitors choose to spend the night, but it's also an excellent place for a day trip, and popular activities include exploring the park's five miles of hiking trail and paddle-boating on Butler Lake. It's also worth taking a guided tour of the Butler-Turpin Historic home, which was built in 1859 and is still furnished with family heirlooms and other unique period pieces.

Address: 1608 KY-227, Carrollton, KY 41008, Phone: 502-732-4384

Green River Lake is a man-made reservoir that was created in 1969 by damming the river, and although it was primarily done for flood control, Green River Lake State Park is now a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Families tend to flock to the swimming beach, where kids can splash around in the water while their parents relax on the shore, but the lake is also excellent for fishing. However, there are things to do off the water as well; the park boasts an 18-hole mini golf course, and there are almost 30 miles of multipurpose trails to enjoy.

Address: 179 Park Office Rd, Campbellsville, KY 42718, Phone: 270-465-8255