If you’re thinking about taking your family to Kentucky this summer, it’s probably because you want your family vacation to include a trip to the derby right? Maybe, since that’s certainly an interesting experience for the kids. But there’s plenty more to Kentucky than just the horse races. Bluegrass music festivals, beautiful lakes and natural caves are just a few of the things that you’ll find if you look past the horses and into the rest of the state.
The horses
There’s no denying it, Kentucky is the home of the derby and there are plenty of racetracks and horse farms to show off this side of the state. Your kids will certainly enjoy seeing this side of Kentucky. And you’ll probably find that the races are fun for you as well. If you’re of the betting mind, you might even get a few dollars back on the money you spend. But you can venture to the tracks for a full day of activity without spending a whole lot of money at all.
Bluegrass
Your kids probably don’t want to listen to bluegrass. And it might not be your thing either. But Kansas is home to this unique kind of music and you all might find that the events surrounding the music are more fun than you’d have thought. Visit The Country Place Jamboree, which has live performances as well as activities for the kids. Or catch a weekend show at Olde Towne Park where the waterfalls and nature trails provide a nice backdrop to enjoying summer music with the family. Lake fun
Summer vacation just isn’t complete without playing in some water during those hot days. Kentucky offers several different areas of lakes (as well as rivers throughout the state) to satiate this summertime need. The Southern Lakes near Jamestown and Somerset have all of the normal daytime activities as well as the excitement of waterfalls and the only moonbow in the country (go there during a full moon to find out what that is). The lakes of the Western Waterlands may not be natural (they’re manmade) but they are home to lots of lake recreation enjoyed by all ages.
Caves
Caving is an exciting adventure for kids and something which families can spend a day or weekend doing together. Mammoth Cave National Park is the world’s longest explored cave system and has many places that are safe for exploration by families with young children. There are other caves besides Mammoth for you to explore as well. Onyx and Crystal Onyx Caves both have stunning views. Diamond Caverns is familiar with giving tours to families since it’s been hosting them for over 100 years. And Lost River Cave offers an underground boat tour.
Kentucky Travel Resources
The horses, the bluegrass music, the lakes and the caves are just a few of the things that you can do in the home state of Dorothy and Toto. To find other things to do with your family this summer during a trip to Kentucky, check out these other great state travel resources:
- Kentucky Department of Tourism
- Travel.org Kentucky
- Kentucky Family Vacations
- Kentucky Travel Guide for Parents
- Horse Racing Trips Kentucky
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