12 Amazing Field Trips Every Kentuckian Took As A Kid... And Should Retake Now
By Jenn Shockley|Published March 01, 2016
×
Jenn Shockley
Author
I am somewhat a cliche'. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky.
I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side.
Going to school provides kids with a unique experience, adjusted according to child, home and class environment. Growing up, I recall some of the most interesting school days occurred when our class took a field trip in Kentucky. Excursions usually began with everyone lining up and getting on a bus for transport, all giddy with excitement. Some of the places we went to opened the door to exciting adventures and learning experiences.
Growing up doesn’t ban us from taking interesting excursions in our beautiful state. The field trips in Kentucky we loved as a child are still available to us, in most cases. Granted the memories of a cold sandwich and Kool-Aid may not hold the allure they once did, but as adults, we can improvise that. Here are 12 childhood field trips in Kentucky worth taking again:
12. Aviation Museum of Kentucky at 4029 Airport Road in Lexington
This museum reminds us that we were once flying high with simple propeller engines and prayers. We get to see vintage restored air crafts, along with memorabilia from long before some of us were born.
11. Lincoln Homestead State Park at 5079 Lincoln Park Road in Springfield
No, this is not the home of our late president, but it is the property containing the two-story home where Nancy Hanks, Abe’s mother, worked as a seamstress during her courtship with his father, Thomas Lincoln. The building has been preserved and several others reconstructed to give the allure of the day spread over 120 acres of scenic beauty.
10. George S Patton Museum of Calvary and Armor at 4554 Fayette Ave in Fort Knox
This museum is a architectural memorial to General George Patton, his memory, his military conquests and role as a leader during WW I and his legacy. This seemed to appeal more to the boys in class than most the girls, but history in itself is fascinating.
Advertisement
9. Kentucky Military History Museum at 125 E Main Street in Frankfort
The building itself is the Gothic Revival architectural style, but the history continues inside. During the Civil War it was used for as a factory to make munitions, primarily by women. The building was turned into a museum in 1973 and allows us to see how men fought wars before automatic weapons, bombs and drones.
Advertisement
8. My Old Kentucky Home State Park at 501 E Stephen Foster Ave in Bardstown
This beautiful property was owned by Senator John Rowan in 1795, and he made his home here on Federal Hill. The area has been preserved, and today we go there to step back in history and experience the beauty the Senator created. The park is also home to a theater that performs the "Stephen Foster Story", which was influenced by Federal Hill.
7. Old Fort Harrod State Park at 100 S College Street in Harrodsburg
This park is a 15-acre reconstruction of the very first American settlement in the state of Kentucky. It is literally like stepping back in time as you wander from building to building, looking at the sturdy design. It is a peaceful little spot to take in some history and look back on the simplicity of life.
This was the third Capital of Kentucky, and the building served as such from 1830 to 1910. The laws and labors of our great state were discussed and decided within those walls for 80 years, which makes it an important part of history.
Advertisement
4. Shakertown at Pleasant Hill at 3501 Lexington Road in Harrodsburg
This 1800s former Shaker village is close to the Fort Harrod State Park. It allows us a glimpse at the simple life that is still a part of Kentucky today. The Shakers survived purely off what the land and trade provided them with.
3. Lost River Cave at 2818 Nashville Road in Bowling Green
This is a cool field trip that takes us along an underground river. The crystal clear waters offer a different hue dependant on the area, but in most cases the bottom is visible. There is life within the water that can be observed, and the environment is almost other worldly.
2. Kentucky Horse Park at 4089 Iron Works Parkway in Lexington
This is the "everything Equistrian" park to visit if you are a fan of horses. Guests can take a ride, watch the horses, enjoy nature and just soak up the beauty that is a natural part of Kentucky. There are lots of opportunities to learn, as well as interact with our equestrian friends’, you will likely find yourself well entertained.
1. Mammoth Cave National Park at 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway in Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a unique place of above and underground wonders for young and old alike. I have never gotten tired of visiting this amazing part of Kentucky’s living, evolving history. The cave system has been used since long before settlers stepped foot on these lands, and will likely be around if civilization falls.
Do you remember taking any of these field trips as a kid? Share your memories with us!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
