There’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned day trip, and luckily for you, we’ve rounded up some of the best family-friendly day trips in Kentucky! If you’ve lived in the Bluegrass for a while and haven’t really explored, then it’s time to get out and experience all our amazing state has to offer. No matter what type of outing you enjoy, we have it here in our fun-filled and beautiful state. To get you started, we’ve outlined some of the best Kentucky day trips, each with something different to offer. Some of these may be better as an overnight, depending on where you live, but they are all guaranteed to be memorable. Plan a few adventures with these 12 unforgettable Kentucky day trips, one for each month of the year.

January — Eagle Watch Weekends
Kentucky Dam Village, 166 Upper Village Dr, Gilbertsville, KY 42044, USA
Facebook/KY Dam Village State Resort Park
Throughout January and early February, a few Kentucky State Parks host Eagle Watch Weekends. You can reserve a spot on a yacht that will take you out onto the water in search of the majestic bald eagle.

See what it’s like to go eagle watching:

February — Winter Zip Line Tour
Red River Gorge Ziplines, 455 Cliffview Rd, Campton, KY 41301, USA
Red River Gorge Zipline Tours/Facebook
You may not think about zip lining in the winter, but it can be such a unique and beautiful experience! Red River Gorge Zipline Tours is open all year long and is ideal for flying through the winter scenery. If you want to extend your day trip, consider a stay at adjacent Cliffview Resort.
March — Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213, USA
Wild Lights at the Louisville Zoo/Google
Take a walk on the wild side this spring! This is the only day trip that is month-specific. Each spring, the Louisville Zoo hosts a Wild Lights: Asian Lantern Festival that's truly magical. The zoo will be transformed with magical, larger-than-life lanterns at this can't miss event in Kentucky.

See more of what to expect, and be sure to check the Louisville Zoo website for information on specific dates. Of course, if you miss the festival, no worries: the Louisville Zoo happens to be an amazing family-friendly day trip in Kentucky any time of the year!

See what it’s like to walk through this dazzling display:

April — Hike to Sand Cave
Sand Cave Road, Sand Cave Rd, Ewing, VA 24248, USA
Facebook/Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Kick off spring with an epic hike to one of the most mesmerizing places in Kentucky. The hike to Sand Cave in Cumberland Gap actually begins in Virginia, but you'll cross back into Kentucky before reaching this massive cave.
May — Hike amongst wetlands and wildflowers at John James Audubon State Park
John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, KY 42420, USA
Facebook/John James Audubon State Park
This scenic park in western Kentucky is definitely worth a day trip, if not a few days. Visit in spring and witness wildflower trails and walk along the newer wetlands boardwalk. It's the perfect spot to be as Kentucky comes back to life.
June — Visit Land Between the Lakes
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, 238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211, USA
CobbCoGA/TripAdvisor
Land Between the Lakes is an area of Kentucky that everyone should visit at least once. There is so much to do here along the water and in the water, and of course, it's filled with incredible plant and wildlife. One unique way to spend a day trip here is to go horseback riding and watch the bison roam.

Check out all the natural splendor of this park:

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July — Head to Rabbit Hash
Rabbit Hash, KY 41091, USA
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
July is a great time to visit this slice of Americana and charming small town along the river in Northern Kentucky. Visit the famous general store, take in some live music, and enjoy the character of this unique place.

Learn why this is one of the best day trips in Kentucky.
August — Take an Underground Paddle Tour
Gorge Underground, 2478 Glencairn Rd, Rogers, KY 41365, USA
Gorge Underground
This unique adventure checks off so many bucket list boxes! It's in Red River Gorge, you get to kayak, and it's underground! Located in Red River Gorge, this unique kayak or pontoon boat tour takes you beneath the gorge and shows you the area like never before – and it’s definitely a bucket list-worthy adventure for everyone. Kentucky cave tours are popular in other areas of the state, but Red River Gorge underground kayaking is also a must.
September — Visit a local festival
Facebook/Marion County Country Ham Days
September is a popular festival month in Kentucky and one of the best is Country Ham Days in Lebanon. You'll be charmed by this small town that is known as the "Heart of Kentucky," and you'll also love the parade, activities, and of course, the food.

Find out more about this local tradition.
October —Take a scenic fall hike
2047 Big Hill Rd, Berea, KY 40403, USA
David George/Google
October, especially later in the month, typically offers the best hiking of the year. The brilliant scenery can't be beat when it's filled with colorful foliage. There are so many options when it comes to fall foliage trails, but you can narrow it down with this list of seven of the best.
November — Walk along the longest underground swinging bridge in the world
Hidden River Road, Hidden River Rd, Horse Cave, KY 42749, USA
Joseph Gage/Flickr
Did you know such a thing existed in Kentucky? This bridge is located within Hidden River Cave in Horse Cave, an area that makes for a great Kentucky day trip. You can head underground all year long, so why not make this your stop in November?
December — Patti's 1880's Settlement
Patti's 1880's Settlement, 1793 J H O'Bryan Ave, Grand Rivers, KY 42045, USA
Facebook/Patti's 1880's Settlement
In December, you have to head somewhere festive and there is no better place than Patti's 1880's Settlement in Grand Rivers. See the amazing light display, eat delicious food, and be sure to also make it down by the marina to check out the famous lighthouse all decked out for Christmas.

This list of the best day trips in Kentucky is just the beginning of what you can experience here in the Bluegrass State. Once you’ve checked these off, be sure to search our site for more ideas! Are you ready to explore Kentucky this year? Which one of these looks the most exciting? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Looking to extend your family-friendly day trip into a multi-day adventure? Then you’ll want to pack a bag and embark on this family-friendly road trip in Kentucky, which visits several of our favorite kid- and adult-approved attractions and destinations in the Bluegrass State!

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Best day trips in Kentucky

Sarah M. | May 29, 2022

What are some family-friendly day trips in Kentucky?

Family-friendly day trips in Kentucky include:

If you're looking for some of the best day trips in Kentucky everyone can enjoy, you have a ton of options. Got animal lovers? Take them to the local aquariums and zoos!

  • Newport Aquarium
  • Kentucky Reptile Zoo
  • Louisville Zoo
  • Kentucky Horse Park
  • Kentucky Down Adventure Park

 

If you have little outdoor adventurers in the family, some fun options include:

  • Red River Gorge
  • Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
  • Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park
  • Louisville Mega Cavern
  • Mammoth Cave

 

In terms of museums, these are all epic day trips in Kentucky that are as educational as they are fun:

 

For history buffs, Kentucky has some super fun day trips, like:

  • Butcher Holler
  • My Old Kentucky Home
  • Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
  • Old Fort Harrod State Park
  • Fort Boonesborough State Park
  • Perryville Battlefield State Historic Park
  • Cumberland Gap National Historic Park
  • Abraham Birthplace National Historic Park

 

Really, there is so much fun to be had around this wonderful state of ours, and no matter where in the Bluegrass you hail from, if you're searching for "day trips near me" in Kentucky, you are pretty much guaranteed to find something right in your own backyard!

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