101 FREE things to do with your kids in Kentucky!

There are so many free things to do with kids in Kentucky!

free things to do with kids in Kentucky

We are lucky to live close to historical sites, many parks, cities with rich culture, and natural sites for outdoor adventures.

 

We know that so many people are looking for free things to do with kids in Kentucky. We have had this post on our KentuckyFamilyFun.net site for YEARS but decided to move it on over here for more people to see. 
 
The original list was made before the pandemic. Some of these places may have different programming since the pandemic changed many things. Please check with them before you go to make sure they are open! 
 
101 FREE things to do with your kids in Kentucky!

1. Visit Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace. Link here  – there’s a heritage trail! (Hodgenville)
2. Take a deep breath at the Patriot Peace Memorial. (Lousiville)
3. See folk art in Kentucky’s Folk Art Center.(Morehead)
4. Tour the State Capitol Building in Frankfort.

Click the image for a FREE day trip idea!

5. Pay your respects to Daniel Boone at his gravesite. (Frankfort)
6. Take a ride on the Valley View Ferry. (Lexington)
7. Take in the breathtaking views at Kingdom Come State Park. (Cumberland)
8. Eat a picnic lunch at the edge of Nolin Lake. (Mammoth Cave)
9. Plan a trip to see a moonbow at Cumberland Falls State Park. (Corbin)
10. Travel back to re-enact a battle at Perryville Battlefield – see our review here. (Peryville)
11. Get some energy out by hiking to the top of Natural Bridge.  See LouFamFun post. (Slade)

Tips for visiting Red River Gorge
12. Pay your respects to Thoroughbred Greats at Claiborne Farm. (Paris)
13. Visit Boone Station in Lexington.
14. Marvel at the Flood Wall Murals in Paducah.
15. Visit the Kentucky Dam and let the kids burn off some steam in the open areas. (Paducah)
16. Check out the Historic Apple Valley Roadside Attraction. (Calvert City)
17. Get up close and personal with the planes at Aviation Heritage Park. (Bowling Green)

field trips in Kentucky
18. Bask in the beauty of Blanton Forest State Nature Preserve. (Harlan)
19. Take the dogs (and kids!) to romp at Pioneer Park. (Covington)
20. Walk (or run!) across the Purple People Bridge. (Newport)
21. Play on the playground at Old Fort Harrod.(admission fee for inside the fort grounds) (Harrdosburg)
22. Enjoy sculptures outdoors at Josephine Sculpture Park. (Frankfort)
23. Explore one of the many covered bridges of Fleming County.
24. Marvel at the beauty of Tioga Falls. (West Point)
25. Spend a summer day exploring spraygrounds in Louisville. 
26. Go see how candy is made at Old Kentucky Chocolates and get a taste too! (Lexington)
27. Splash in Yahoo Falls, Kentucky’s tallest waterfall. (Whitley City)
28. Go see the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (Frankfort)
29. Tour the Ale 8 One Plant. (not currently open)
30. Stop for a picture opp at Weisenberger Mill. (Midway)
31. Tour the 21C Museum Art Gallery. (Lousiville)
32. Tour the Louisville Nature Center and hike.
33. Get locked up in the historic Scott County Jail. (Georgetown)
34. Attend a free event at Waterfront Park. (Louisville) 
35. Hike through the Arboretum in Lexington.
36. Check out the Daniel Boone National Forest.(Eastern KY)
37. Go back in time and visit the Dr. Thomas Walker Historic Site. (Barbourville)
38. In April, check out the Kite Festival in Lexington.
39. Stretch your legs on the Big Four Bridge. (Louisville)
40. Spend the day on the trails, playgrounds, and enjoying at picnic at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve. (Goshen)

outdoor family fun
41. Hike, fish, and make memories, then stop at the playground at The Parklands. (Louisville)
42. Take in the beauty of Kentucky at the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. (Lexington)
43. Brush up on your history at the Lexington History Museum.
44. Fish and enjoy the playground at Jacobson Park. (Lexington)
45. Pay your respects to the fallen men and women at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. (Nicholasville)
46. Stroll through the art galleries in Paducah.
47. Get in touch with your inner Daniel Boone at Fort Boonesborough State Park.(Richmond)
48. Take in the gorgeous scenery at Yew Dell Gardens (free seasonally). (Crestwood)
49. Get closer to the clouds at Natural Bridge State Park. (Slade)
50. Visit the Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum. Tour the museum! (Versailles)
51. Go for a hike at the Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park. (London)
52. Walk the scenic loop at Cherokee Park. (Louisville)
53. Explore the Freeman Lake Park. (Elizabethtown)
54. Go for a drive along the country roads along a quilt trail and see how many you can spot. 
55. Visit Anglin Falls. We love waterfalls! (Berea)
56. Cool off in the Torrent Falls. Another one! (Torrent by Natural Bridge)


57.Tour the governors mansion in Frankfort.
58. Count the love locks on the bridge at the RiverWalk in Bowling Green.
59. See the waterfall Cumberland Falls State Park is named for.
60. Hang out at Thoroughbred Park, get in the race and an awesome picture! (Lexington)
61. Find the hidden waterfalls of McCreary County.
62. Explore EP Tom Sawyer Park. Great for some outdoor volleyball, soccer, hiking, walking or archery too. (Louisville)
63. Hang out in Basil Griffin Park, play at the playground (Bowling Green)

best field trips in kentucky More FREE things to do with your kids in Kentucky

64. Be a skateboard pro at Roland Bland Park. (Bowling Green)
64. Picnic at Reservoir Hill Park.(Bowling Green)
65. Strike a pose in front of the fountains at Fountain Square Park and take in some Bowling Green shopping.

66. Pull over and check out the monuments on the side of the road. (Mayfield)
67. Learn a little bit about Whiskey at the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey. (Bardstown)
68. If you like gardening you’ll love the Hillbilly Garden! (Calvert City)
69. Head to La Grange and enjoy the historic downtown as the train goes through the middle of town. Don’t forget to visit the train museum.


70. Try out the slides at Legion Park. The zipline is fun!(Owensboro)
71. Pay your respects to the king of fried chicken, at Colonel Sanders Grave. (Louisville)
72. During the warmer months, go for a Dip at Moss Creek Beach. It’s a gorgeous spot on Kentucky Lake.


73. Stop for pictures in front of the worlds largest bat. (Louisville)
74. Learn about art at Speed Art Museum in Louisville, free on Sundays. 


75. Visit the beautiful grounds of Gethsemani. (Trappist)
76. Check out the Bardstown Art Gallery and Thomas Merton Books Collection.
77. Take your pick of a park in Mt. Washington. 
78. Smothers Park in Owensboro is a MUST! Best playground in Kentucky.

Even more FREE things to do with your kids in Kentucky……….

79. Find murals and public art in Lousiville. 
80. Go see the world peace bell. (Newport)
81. Check out Big South Fork National River. (KY/TN)
82. Get in the trenches at Camp Wildcat Civil War Battlefield. (Hazel Patch)
83. Immerse yourself in culture at the Godbey Appalachian Cultural and Fine Arts Center. (Cumberland)
84. Go on the Hatfield – McCoy Family Feud driving tour. (Pikeville)
85. Play around at the John James Audubon Park. (Henderson)
86. Take in the colors at Waterfront Botanical Garden in Louisville. 


87. You can’t miss the Annual Beer Cheese Festival in Winchester. 
88.Visit the Jesus swingset sculpture. (Louisville)
89. Hike at Berea Pinnacles.
90. Watch the barges go by at the Newport Levee.
91. Tour the Kentucky Artisan Center. (Berea)
92. Take a peek inside the Cane Ridge Meeting House. (Paris)
93. Tour the historic Duncan Tavern. (Paris)
94. Learn something new at Wrather West Kentucky Museum. (Murray)
95. Pull over and take your family’s Christmas card photo in front of Mother Goose. (Hazard)
96. See the sights while hiking the Osborne Bend Trail (near Stanton)
97. Take a day trip to Owensboro and spend the day on the waterfront. Lots of free fun. 


98. Hike to the top of Carrington Rock. (near Morehead)
99. Tour a working farm set in the 1850’s and other historic places in Paintsville. 
100. Explore the Big Bone Lick discovery trail. (Union)
101. Learn some local history at Fitchburg Furnace. (near Stanton)

In Louisville?  See this list from LouisvilleFamilyFun.net about 50 FREE things to do in Louisville with kids!


In Oldham County?  See OldhamFamilyFun.net for fun ideas!
We also recommend this article: 50 Free Fun Things to Do in Central Kentucky

 

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