Getaways

Fantastic family getaways for our Louisville readers! This page features wonderful family-friendly rentals near Louisville. 

The pandemic has made us rethink vacation and learn, wow, Kentucky has a lot to offer. Less of us are jet setting across the country for vacations. Where can families go for a break that’s nearby and has a lot to offer?

Family getaways in Kentucky are available. And, what’s also amazing about Kentucky is that it’s within driving distance of so many wonderful vacations spots. Kentucky and the surrounding areas are full of lakes and destinations perfect for hiking and exploring. Or, simply relaxing and taking in beautiful views.

From quaint main street towns to gorges with amazing views, you can have a weekend getaway any time of the year that will help your family recharge and take a break from the screens that monopolize our time! I know, I am speaking to you from a screen.

Kentucky is beautiful!

Use this page as a source to find family fun getaways from Louisville. We will feature places in the mountains, on the water, in a city or town for a different exploring experience. We will feature places of all price points and sizes. 

We hope that when you can, your family takes some time to focus on just your family. Play games, hike, kayak, shop, grab takeout from a cool local restaurant, explore a cave, and laugh together. Make the most of what you can do!

A new listing will be added often. Please check back as we hunt through hundreds of places for families and pick out the ones we think are WOWs!

Scroll down to see all of the places we have found!

(The links on this page may be affiliate links through which I earn a commission when readers book rentals.)

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Fantastic Family Getaways from Louisville

Today’s Feature: Hydrangea Hideaway in Union Pier, Michigan. 

Once again, we enjoyed (an understatement) a vacation on Lake Michigan. The short drive to the beach that has no sharks and no salty water is definitely our jam! And, the sunsets over the water put on a nightly show for free. We stayed up late and slept in, it was great. We ate all of the deliciously bad-for-you things…..I need a cleanse.

Details: Perfect for 4 guests (but technically can sleep 6) ·2 bedroom ·4 beds ·2 bath. Small but well-equipped. Just enough! You can walk to the little town for groceries, coffee, gelato, lunch, and shopping and you can walk to the private or public beach. Even if this is not for you, there are so many Lake Michigan homes to explore for vacation rentals. Rent early or go in the fall for the foliage!

This 684 sq. ft. cottage was just adorable. It was tucked away at the end of a small strip of cottages so it was very private. The deck was big and we loved it for our morning coffee and conversations to plan the day. Since the home is in the small niche of Gordon Beach, renters have access to a private beach area which is perfect for busier summer months. But, there are so many public access beaches all along Lake Michigan on the east side. 

The beach offered summer fun in the day and simply amazing sunsets at night. We were there for 4th of July so that weekend was busy but the rest of the time it was not crowded at all. The water temp was 72 degrees, not too cold at all and on cool nights, it was even warmer than the air temperature. Everyone ask that question and I say that July is just right for Lake Michigan and if I can get in the water, it isn’t too cold!

We rented some fun toys from a local shop to add extra fun to our vacation. They delivered the large lake mat and paddleboard right to us and picked it up! For teens, this really made out vacation and was totally worth it, though honestly, the prices were reasonable.

Nearby, we explored other towns and even a small zoo just 20 minutes away. For our second vacation in this area, it didn’t disappoint as we ate our way through ice cream shops and bakeries and shopped the countless antique malls along the Red Arrow highway. We will be back and already miss the 70 degree weather!

We also recommend New Buffalo, South Haven and St. Joseph for great family beaches and exploration! Explore more options here. 

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Today’s Feature: Bright and Airy South Haven Beach Retreat

South Haven makes for a wonderful family vacation in the summer. There’s a quaint town for dining, shopping, ice cream, and a farmer’s market. Also, you can drive just a few miles up and down the lake to access other beaches like Oval Beach or visit towns such as St. Joseph’s and Saugatuck. It’s in the middle of it all!

There are multiple beaches to access, a unique river-meets-lake area to watch boats come in, playgrounds, and the lighthouse. 

Details: Perfect for 5 guests ·2 bedroom ·4 beds ·2 bath. You will be just a short drive from the beaches and shopping, making this rental more affordable than some of the houses and cottages close to the water. 

This home is all yours! It has so much light shining in and a fantastic sun room for that outdoor feel without the bugs and sunscreen. There’s a room with bunk beds for the kids and they have a bunch of games for family game nights in the evenings. 

The beaches are clean and plentiful. Have breakfast at the house, pack your lunches and snacks to go for the day. You can spend your days at a different beach each time and return home for evening meals. South Haven has two large public beaches.

In the evening, go watch the sunset from the lighthouse and play on the sandy beaches until dark. In the middle of the summer, it stays light on the beach until LATE and it’s a fantastic time to be there and have the beach all to yourselves. 

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Today’s Feature: Private Lodge in Sevierville

Details: Perfect for 8 guests ·2 bedroom ·4 beds ·2.5 bath. Room for your family and maybe Grandma and Grandpa can come along as well. It’s a big space!

This getaway from Louisville is a luxurious cabin in Tennessee that is full of entertainment but also opportunities for relaxation. It’s the best of both worlds. Look at this deck, it’s huge!

Gorgeous deck with high ceilings, TV to watch from the hot tub. And, you are right in the woods to get away from it all. This would be an amazing getaway this spring or summer. If you go in summer, you would have access to a community pool. 

WOW! Take in this spot in the evening and have smores but the fire. Everyone can finish off the day with a round of mini golf a treat. And, send the kids off to their bunk beds. Will they go to sleep? I am not sure – with their own mini arcade, games, and pool table, they may be content to hang out. 

This location has it all, plus it is in a great area to find places to eat, shop, and mountain entertainment in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. And, the drive from Louisville is modest. Have fun!

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Today’s Feature: Greenwood

Demand for rentals is so high. We booked our vacation already and chose Lake Michigan because we know renting our own place will be a safe bet for this summer. We went to South Haven two years ago and loved every bit of it. I saved about 25 places back in December and then two weeks later only 7 were left for the week I wanted. Act fast! We selected Union Pier this year, slightly closer to Louisville and near towns we have not yet explored. Cannot wait!!

Union Pier is a quaint town with shops, antique stores, streets for walking and wandering, restaurants and easy access to beaches. You would also be close to New Buffalo for more exploring. And, since this location isn’t far into Michigan, the Indiana Dunes is also close for a special day trip. 

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Featured Stay: The Sportsman’s Lodge in Cadiz. Near the lake, perfect for fall break family time!

Accommodations: Perfect for 6 guests (can fit 8) · 2 bedroom · 3 beds · 3 bath. Can fit 2 more guests with air mattress. 

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Featured Stay: Larkspur Cottage. A getaway for fall to watch the changing of seasons near Red River Gorge. 

Accommodations: Perfect for 4 guests · 2 bedrooms · 3 beds · 1 bath.

Highlights from the Owners: Two porches and one has a new hot tub on it! That’s perfect for any season. Just 5 minutes from Stanton so you have access to restaurant and shopping. Also, enjoy hiking at Red River Gorge. Firepit and plenty of space for outdoor entertainment. 

Cozy for a family getaway. Enjoy your coffee on the rocking chair, make a bonfire at night. They have openings in the upcoming weeks. A safe getaway for 2020!

Inviting new hot tub, perfect for fall and winter to relax. Brand new, installed in 2020. 

I don’t know about yours, but my kids would LOVE sleeping up in a loft. When we go away, they love unique stays that are different than your standard house. I think they would want to hang out in that loft all day! Horses nearby, tells you just how much of a getaway this can be! 

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Featured Stay: WiFi & Waterfront. A cozy cabin in the heart of Red River Gorge. 

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Featured stay: Edgewater Retreat – Cottages for Rent in Danville, Kentucky. It is 6 miles from the heart of Danville. 

Look at this relaxing hammock and wonderful lake view. Wouldn’t this be gorgeous in the fall when the leaves change colors? 

Accommodations: 3 bedrooms, 3 beds, 2 baths

This is a lakeside home with a great deck and private dock. Family getaways in Kentucky don’t always come with private docks! The home has 3 Kayaks and life jackets (bring your own for best fit). It has a gas grill and gas outdoor fire pit. It is on Herrington Lake.

I can totally see myself on this dock, sipping my coffee in the morning. It is such a nice feature to have a dock to yourself and with kayaks…that’s such an added bonus at this price point. 

This home has WiFi, heating, and air conditioning. Family getaways in Kentucky while doing school online, doesn’t sound too bad! With a full kitchen, you can bring what you need an cook meals together or grill out on the deck. It does have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for your safety. 

Click here to check availability for this family getaway in Kentucky near Danville.

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Featured Listing: Aliyah treehouse, a whimsical magical treehouse in Germantown, Kentucky northeast of Lexington

We love exploring and hope you do also. We have included some additional ideas for family fun adventures via the links below. From neighboring states to locations here in Kentucky, there are many options for family fun getaways!

Looking for more travel fun ideas? There are a bunch listed below.