20+ Amazing Day Trips from Louisville

February 21, 2023 Fall, Family Fun, Spring, Summer, Travel

Day trips from Louisville are great for making memories. Take your kids on an adventure for the day and you won’t even need a entire tank of gas.

Hit the road with your kids! So many unique day trip ideas that are just a short drive from Louisville

If you are looking for day trips from Louisville, we have so many ideas. We have compiled a list here of places that aren’t too far away. They apply to so many interests. You can go explore history or go on a hike. You can wade in a lake or you can pet kangaroos. Your pick any time of the year.

One of the best aspects of living in Louisville is that it is so close to so many places. Throughout the year, there’s always some place to visit nearby for seasonal events or specific fun that might be more suited for summer over winter.

And, since they are so close, they are budget-friendly. Less gas, you can pack your lunch, and there’s no flying or staying overnight.

What are you waiting for? Let’s go on summer day trips from Louisville!

Map at the bottom so you can easily find these places or check distances!

Day Trips from Louisville

Lexington – The Arboretum is open from noon to dusk (weekdays) and dawn to dusk (weekends). It has awesome stroller walks for little kids and a Children’s Garden (open seasonally)!

Ready for some adventure? Check out Boone Creek Outdoors. Soar on ziplines as long as 1400 feet and as high as 200 feet. Traverse bridges and staircases as guides share the history of the unique ecosystem of Boone Creek and the Kentucky Palisades Region.

Horse Country Tours are gradually reopening with socially distanced tour operations.

Huber’s Orchard and Winery – Huber’s is open for picking fruit, delicious homemade ice cream, and the farm market. You can also get lunch and eat out on their patio. Truly, I vote ice cream and one of their pies for lunch, balanced meal in my opinion. Maybe a glass of strawberry wine for mom or dad? Don’t forget quarters for food on the docks to feed the fish!

Conner Prairie – Near Indianapolis, you can drive up and back in a day. You will be active exploring their entire place. Take a step back in time in their old town area, pet animals, or play in the wood. Summer day trips from Louisville make memories and this one is super fun!

Owensboro – If you are looking for a packed day of outdoor fun, head out early to Owensboro and you will get there super early due to the time change. Spend the entire day on the waterfront at Smothers Park (amazing playground and sprayground) or split your day up exploring other notable places.

Yellow Creek Park is fantastic to explore and definitely stop at Wonder Whip for a treat! Another wonderful park with a smaller sprayground and playground but are very nice is Legion Park. The playgrounds and spraygrounds are now open, be sure to read the protocols.

Wendt’s Wildlife Adventure – This is a relatively new place outside of Lexington and makes for a great day trip. You can spend hours there interacting with a near array of animals.

Hodgenville – Are you looking for a little bit of history? Home of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park, Hodgenville is a quaint Kentucky town with a town center with places to eat and learn. At the national park, you can hike and read about Lincoln’s childhood.

Shaker Village – Shaker Village has 3,000 acres of things to explore. If you liked learning history in Hodgenville, head to Shaker Village next.

It’s a step back in time, be transported to the 19th century. Explore! They have a farm and a nature preserve as well as being close to the Kentucky River. You can also go horseback riding!

From April 25 to May 31 2023, anyone with a Jefferson County ID will receive free admission to the Shaker Village.

Holiday World – For you thrill-seekers who love rides. The section for young kids provides plenty of options for them to get in a good scream. And, their wooden coasters will surely provide that for everyone else…..or their new totally spinning upside-down rides. It’s also fun in the summer to combine with the water park for a really fully day.

Waterfalls – Instead of listing them all separately, we have linked up our existing list for you. There are waterfalls ALL OVER HERE! You can make a day trip out of them by packing a picnic or visiting a local restaurant for a meal after your hike and fun.

For example, if you go to Tioga Falls or Buttermilk Falls, you can get ice cream at Valley Dairy Freeze on the way home. A must for your family’s summer day trips from Louisville list!

When visiting these beautiful outdoor spaces, be sure to clean up what you brought in and keep it beautiful.

Kentucky Down Under – If you want to pet some kangaroo, this place is for you! Kentucky Down Under is just over an hour away from Louisville down I-65. It’s so easy for the day, and it’s central time. There’s a cave for exploration and lots of different animals!

Brown County, Indiana – Lots of shopping at local businesses – antiques, home décor, jewelry and more. Pick a local restaurant and place for a treat, there are many to choose from. Plus, go for a hike! It’s a gorgeous area; check out Brown County State Park.

Newport Aquarium – This attraction has reopened, be sure to check their reservation options and protocols. You can spending the day learning about all sorts of sea creatures. Around the aquarium, you can choose a place to dine and then walk over the bridge to Cincinnati. There’s a wonderful park on the other side of the bridge, if you want to bring a picnic instead!

Wilstem Ranch – This attraction is near French Lick. You can go through the drive-thru safari. Also, they have special animal encounters you can schedule for an additional fee. They have a picnic area you can use, pack a lunch. Since it’s just a moderate distance away, you can definitely make a day of it!

Photo from Wilstem Facebook Page

Salato Wildlife Center – What a gem in Frankfort. It is small enough to manage in a day but unique since it features native animals. Closed during winter months.

It’s not like a commercial zoo where it is more of an attraction, it’s a quaint place to learn about and see the animals! If you want to make it a day trip, bring a picnic you can enjoy outside of their grounds at the picnic area and your fishing supplies. You can fish right there at the pond in front of the education center.

Coney Island – This attraction has ride plus an amazing, huge pool. There are docks, a tall old-school metal slide, multiple diving boards, and ample room to float all around. If you want to catch some shade, get there early to claim a spot under the trees.

When it comes to eating, you can bring a cooler and store it in a specific area they have by the pool entrance and picnic outside of the pool area.

Explore Frankfort – Our state capital has a lot to offer! Visit downtown Frankfort for a look at the original capital building, a treat at B’s Bakery or Hoggy’s Ice Cream, and enjoy the local shops. Head to Cliffside Diner for a meal. And, of course, take a tour of the capital (check for current tour info before going!).

Walking tour of the capital grounds is great, since you can do it by yourself (here’s a map). Inside, you can tour yourselves around with this map. Want another tour? Take a public art tour with your family!

Deam Lake – This park is in Indiana, not far from Huber’s and great in warmer months. You pay per car to enter and you can spend the day at the beach area on the lake. It’s the closest swimming beach to Louisville. They have restrooms and picnic areas, concessions on weekends (they might add that back at some point during the summer).

Bring your coolers, something for shade, beach toys, floats, and make a day of it!

Madison, Indiana – What a charming town! We have a post that might be helpful. Right along the Ohio River with wonderful views and a path for walking along the river (up high), Madison is a wonderful river town. And, if you go via US-42 in Kentucky, the drive is quite scenic.

There’s a main street with many shops and places to eat or grab a coffee. There are historical markers and buildings, I love the architecture. Just dive into this town and explore – you will find something of interest!

Kings Island – Kings Island is your big day trip to an amusement park. Get daily passes and select your date or if you plan to go often, there are season pass options of course. The water park is open too throughout the summer!

Kentucky Horse Park – There’s no better way to make a day trip in Kentucky more….Kentucky. No matter the age, there’s something for everyone at the Horse Park.

They have horseback riding also, available Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for groups of 10.

Georgetown, Kentucky – We recently visited Evans Orchard and then downtown Georgetown for an indulgent dessert from Sweet Matriarch Bakery. We always look for treats on summer day trips from Louisville. We had to add it to our list! You can spend time at the orchard for lunch, playing, u-pick seasonal fruits and veggies, and visiting with animals. Then, head to the historic downtown Georgetown for a self-guided tour and an incredible milkshake from Sweet Matriarch. They are just unreal!

Noblesville, Indiana – This town is in Hamilton County, IN which is just north of Indianapolis. It’s a bit of a stretch for a day trip but if you leave early and come back late, it’s worth it. There’s an adorable town square with cute shops (great antique store) and wonderful restaurants (we mention some of these places here in another post.

You gotta get an Ooey Butter Cookie from Rosie’s Place). After visiting town, head to Koteewi Archery Range for a really unique archery experience.

Raven Run, McConnell Springs, Veterans Park – Hike in Lexington! You no longer have to reserve your spots for McConnell Springs and Raven Run.

Read more about McConnell Springs here. LexFun4Kids has told us that Crank and Boom (Distillery District location) ice cream is the perfect spot to go after your hike and before you head back to Louisville!

Lost River Cave – Great summer day trips from Louisville throughout Kentucky. Located in Bowling Green at just about 1:45 minutes from Louisville, you can do this in a day if you get out early and head back late. Remember, it’s central time so you have to factor that in. Lost River Cave is SO AWESOME. There are hiking trails you can access for free, and the play area for kids.

The gift shop is pretty darn amazing as well. Then, absolutely pay for the boat cave tour. After your time there, visit Chaney’s Dairy Barn. The ice cream is some of the best you will ever have! If you have time to walk around Historic Downtown Bowling Green, go for it!

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens – Get your reservations for summer day trips from Louisville first and then hit the road to an impressive zoo just up I-71. Our favorite exhibits at his zoo are the cheetahs and the giraffes! It’s a really large zoo, so wear your comfortable shoes and make a day of it. Reserve your tickets in advance!