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Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 10, 2023
How long is the drive from Townsend to Chicago?
The direct drive from Townsend to Chicago is 571 mi (918 km), and should have a drive time of 9 hrs 24 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Townsend to Chicago, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Louisville, Indianapolis, Lexington, Knoxville, Frankfort, Bloomington, and Michigan City, as well as top places to visit like Tennessee Smokies Stadium and Great Smokies Flea Market, or the ever-popular Briarwood Ranch Safari Park.
The top cities between Townsend and Chicago are Louisville, Indianapolis, Lexington, Knoxville, Frankfort, Bloomington, and Michigan City. Louisville is the most popular city on the route. It's 4 hours from Townsend and 5 hours from Chicago.
Knoxville is an eastern Tennessee city that sits on the Tennessee River. Its Market Square district boasts 19th-century structures housing various shops and eateries, while the Museum of East Tennessee History offers interactive displays featuring regional artwork, textiles, and relics from the Civil War. Moreover, James White's Fort, constructed by a Revolutionary War captain showcases a reconstructed log cabin built in 1786 - Knoxville's inaugural permanent structure.
25% as popular as Louisville
2 minutes off the main route, 8% of way to Chicago
Lexington, a city in Kentucky, is renowned for its horse farms and racetracks such as Keeneland. The Kentucky Horse Park presents visitors with the International Museum of the Horse and showcases several types of equine breeds. Those interested in history may visit Ashland, the estate of 19th-century politician Henry Clay which features a mansion and formal garden. Additionally, Lexington is an ideal destination for equestrian enthusiasts with attractions such as The Thoroughbred Center located within reach.
28% as popular as Louisville
2 minutes off the main route, 35% of way to Chicago
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Frankfort is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kentucky and the seat of Franklin County. It is a home rule-class city. The population was 28,602 at the 2020 United States census. Wikipedia.
9% as popular as Louisville
3 minutes off the main route, 39% of way to Chicago
The biggest city of Kentucky, Louisville, is located on the bank of the Ohio River and shares its border with Indiana. One of the most iconic horse races in history, known as the Kentucky Derby takes place every May at Churchill Downs racecourse, which is also home to Kentucky Derby Museum. Baseball enthusiasts can visit the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory where Major League baseball bats are manufactured; you can quickly spot it by a giant "slugger" at the entrance.
Most popular city on this route
2 minutes off the main route, 47% of way to Chicago
5
Bloomington
Bloomington, a city in Indiana, is located southwest of Indianapolis and offers a variety of attractions. The WonderLab science museum provides interactive exhibits for children and features displays of insects and reptiles. Visitors can explore the diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from around the world at Indiana University’s Eskenazi Museum of Art. The Wylie House, dating back to 1835, now serves as a museum showcasing period furnishings and an heirloom garden.
5% as popular as Louisville
30 minutes off the main route, 61% of way to Chicago
I'll never travel to Chicago without this trip planner again
Indy, a popular nickname for Indianapolis, is the capital city and largest urban area in Indiana. It serves as the county seat of Marion County. As per the latest data from the US Census Bureau, Indianapolis and Marion County together have a combined population of around 977,642 people.
58% as popular as Louisville
2 minutes off the main route, 66% of way to Chicago
Michigan City is on the south shore of Lake Michigan, in Indiana. The Old Lighthouse Museum has exhibits on local maritime history and shipwrecks, and offers tours of the nearby 1858 Michigan City Lighthouse. Washington Park has a rock garden and gazebo, plus a beach. Washington Park Zoo is home to tigers, wolves, alligators and grizzly bears. The grand Barker Mansion is a 19th-century merchant’s home.
5% as popular as Louisville
26 minutes off the main route, 89% of way to Chicago
Best stops along Townsend to Chicago drive
The top stops along the way from Townsend to Chicago (with short detours) are Louisville Mega Cavern, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and Market Square. Other popular stops include Keeneland Association Inc, Kentucky Horse Park, and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
1
Briarwood Ranch Safari Park
Zoo
Outdoor Activities
Park
Safaris
Briarwood was amazing !!! The owners were so friendly and my gosh never have laughed so hard in my life. The kids an us adults had an emailing time. Well worth it !!!
Jennifer Ford — Google review
Great fun but can get messy. Loved being so close to the animals. All look well taken care of. Very friendly staff. Melody was so sweet with her pet rat. We had great conversations before and after with her. Must see the white Buffalo. Will visit again!
Sophielarue Photo — Google review
Nicest staff you can find. Extremely family friendly, with nice bathrooms and lots of stuff for the kids. Very fun for adults as well, this was our second time and I’m not sure who had more fun, me or my kids.
Rafael Araujo — Google review
This place is awesome! The Buffalo/Bison are so cool! They're my favorite! My 3 year old grandson freaked out when the Buffalo stuck his HUGE head into the car window. It was so funny!!!! They are so gentle to be such big animals. They're tongues are as long as my arm almost. LoL
James L. Hensley III — Google review
My husband & I always look for drive thru animal parks when we travel. This was by far 1 of our favorites! All of the animals were friendly & came right to our car. Everyone would eat food from your hands- Llama, zebra, Buffalo, deer, elk, emu, ostrich, etc. The park was a nice long drive but husband & I had so much fun we had to drive through a 2nd time! Wish we lived closer to the area - we would be here all the time!! Added bonus the manager had the cutest monkey that socialed & played with us too. Overall amazing experience
crissy lee — Google review
This is a must visit don't wait. Kids or no kids this was awesome. Took our grandkids and I think we had more fun then them. Just driving through the park and feeding the animals, seeing them in an open environment not in cages. The owners of this place have done a remarkable job with the grounds and maintaining the roads through the park and the animals didn't look sick or dirty. They are well taken care of and it shows. Definitely go if you haven't it's worth it
dawn beckner — Google review
We love this place. I have brought my grandson for three years for his birthday. He loves it and so do we. We get to take our time and enjoy the animals.
Deb Montgomery — Google review
It was pretty awesome getting so close to buffalo and all the other animals. Being able to touch them was over the top! Everything seemed to be well kept up. The only thing that bothered me was that they had no grass. They had either trampled it all down or eaten it all and there was just dirt as far as I could see. I like to think they get to graze in grassy fields sometimes. But I don't know if they do or not. The man who drove the wagon we were in was very nice and knowledgeable.
L S — Google review
Awesome place to go have fun with the family and get close to animals. If you’re an animal lover definitely recommend buying three buckets of food because you will go through a quick. The trail is awesome and it’s worth the money for the amount of time that you spend there.
Jonathan Rodriguez — Google review
Briarwood Ranch Safari Park is a MUST DO if you're in Eastern Tennessee!! The owners are super-nice and down to earth, and the animals are so fun!! Hold on tight to that bucket - there are some bucket thieves in the animal kingdom!! We had a great time with 3 buckets of feed - worth every penny!!
Alan Droll — Google review
This place was a TON of fun! We went with our one year old, and she sat on my lap as we fed the animals. All the animals were super sweet, and the employee at the front desk was really helpful. It wasn’t busy, and we had an absolute blast. My daughter loved the petting zoo after as well.
Alena Culp — Google review
Awesome experience. Got to see so many animals up close and very personal! Loved feeding the. Animals are well kept.
Suzann Franer — Google review
We had such a good time celebrating my niece's birthday! We rode the wagon and fed the animals. The driver Mike was great. He was very helpful with facts about the various animals and was very pleasant. The white buffalo and pigs were out favorites! We will definitely visit again!
jennifer Vicars — Google review
We really enjoyed this facility. Staff was friendly and helpful. The animals were friendly and abundant. Very clean of waste, too. Great for kids, my 2 year old grandson loved it. Buy extra feed, the animals are aggressively friendly.
Jim OLear — Google review
Fun place! My daughter loved it and so did I! We did the wagon ride and our guide/driver was great! I think his name was JP or something like that and he was very nice and informative about all of the animals. My favorites were definitely the Capybara and Manny the Camel. We loved the Capybara because it reminded us of the one named chispi in the movie, Encanto. They crack me up. They're the cutest! It was a lot of fun feeding all of the animals and they were all very gentle. 10/10 recommend!
Bridget Dowell — Google review
We had an absolutely amazing time here! We loved seeing and interacting with all of the wide range of animals they have here! The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about their animals. It was a fair price for the wonderful experience. This is definitely worth a visit and we will be back again! :)
Jessica A — Google review
We had a great time. Beautiful day with the animals. The zebras 🦓 were my favorite and the 🦬 bisons were so cool and very large. Watch it, they love to put their heads in the window. It can be my surprise!! Being able to pet and feed the animals is a real pleasure.
Michelle Barnhart — Google review
A beautiful little jewel not far from the mountains. The animals are happy and healthy. Feeding them is so much fun! I love being able to get up close and personal!
Megan Eisner — Google review
Briarwood Ranch Safari Park was a great experience! The entire family loved it. The animals love being fed, definitely buy the buckets of food to feed them.
Alex Weaner — Google review
Very fun, especially for kids. For two adults, one kid, and the 3 for $10 buckets we spent a little over $70. You can drive through multiple times and there's more animals out front to see and experience. We had a lot of fun.
Smokies Stadium is a stadium that is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was built in 1992 and has a natural stone exterior with brick accents. The stadium offers modern amenities such as concessions and restrooms, while also having an old-school atmosphere with fans wearing their team's colors. In terms of seating, the stadium has a capacity of 8,500 people.
Lovely stadium, filled with great people. The views of the trees on the mountain behind the outfield are something you won't see anywhere else. Concessions are top notch and the prices were reasonable. I hope I get to come back!
Avg Joe — Google review
A decent enough minor league ballpark but has nothing which makes it unique or memorable. Prices are reasonable - parking is $5 and tickets are $10-12. Concessions are well varied and include a couple of Chicago favorites (Italian beef and Chicago dogs) in homage to the team being a Cubs affiliate. Crowds aren't huge, so the atmosphere is pretty relaxing. While there is nothing wrong with Smokies Stadium, it is not surprising that the team is looking to move back to the city of Knoxville.
Brian Merzbach — Google review
Great game! Any person who truly appreciates the game of baseball would love to attend a game here. A good old school feel, with that minor league twist. Friendly staff and easy access to the players. Would go again!
Marlins Fan — Google review
This was our first visit to the stadium. It was a beautiful day for a ballgame! There is ample parking, and staff to guide you to the specific space. They had spacious seating,and a variety of food and beverages from which to choose. The home team lost that afternoon, but we had a fun time. And we got a certificate (as first time visitors) to boot!
LISA Seymour — Google review
Beautiful ballpark, and a very fun atmosphere. Went on an all you can eat buffet night (GREAT Deal!).
Only downside did not know the direction stadium was turned so our seats in section 104 where in the direct sun for the first 1:30 of the game.
David B — Google review
Great little stadium. Family friendly for all ages. Food and drink prices are reasonable as well as the ticket prices. We had a great time.
Kim Whitley — Google review
It’s really a shame that this is moving back to downtown Knoxville. Smokies stadium is a great place to hang out with family, friends, colleagues. Prices are very reasonable and the food always satisfies. Ticket prices are also reasonable. There is a section for families where no alcohol is allowed. There is a kids play area. Parking is $5 and is close to the stadium. All around great value and fun time.
Avery Sexton — Google review
8.29.23 Our 1st time as we've visiting from CT and wow, what a beautiful venue. Lots of parking, very clean, reasonable food and drink prices. Great entertainment for the little ones. Stadium seats around 8k from what I read. Fun foe all ages to watch. Seats are in the shade and in the sun so choose wisely. 😉
Margaret Honan — Google review
This is a GREAT minor league baseball park. Every member of the staff that we interacted with was fantastic. The facilities were clean. The food was pretty good and the prices were reasonable. My only complaint was that our first row seats were too close to the concrete for my knees and I am not tall. First world problems but tall people should be aware if they want to sit there.
Trey Tompkins — Google review
Great stadium. I felt like things were reasonably priced for a ball field we met several nice folk and everyone we dealt with who worked there was helpful and friendly. Had concession food first game I had the bbq nachos and loved them. We ate at the battery's box restaurant for game 2 and the food was excellent. Sherri had the grilled chicken salad and I had the chicken quesadilla....I highly recommend the chicken quesadilla.
Go Jake Washer #16
Mike Marshall — Google review
I love coming to games here! Clean stadium and fun atmosphere.
Lauren Pluto — Google review
What a fun stadium. They hosted our VHS baseball team. It was clean, field was nice. This is probably a great place to see a game. I can't review much because we were simply there for a small baseball game.
Micki Duff — Google review
Awesome stadium to watch the Smokies play. Easy to get around. Great souvenir shop and plenty of places to get food and drinks. Prices are reasonable and lines are not that bad. Definitely one of the best minor league stadiums around.
Bret Richardson — Google review
So much fun! All the staff was exceptionally nice and helpful. The facility was top notch. I can't believe they're moving in 2 years from such a beautiful stadium. We had a VIP luxury skybox, and it was phenomenal!But please go give the Tennessee Smokies your support this season! Follow me on Instagram @drksidegen to see where I'm going next!
Drksidegen — Google review
We always enjoy the games. The promotions are fun and keep things interesting. Games are always well staffed with friendly, hard workers who appear to love their jobs. However, the parking nightmare that starts with a 30+ minute wait on the parkway to get into the park is criminal. ONE LANE to the stadium, two to get on WI40! FIX IT.
R Hill — Google review
I must admit that we were there for a drifting event so I can't speak to the stadium area as much. Was very easy to find, plenty of parking and nice facilities. Plenty of shaded areas inside the stadium.
This market has a wide variety of vendors with many items at reasonable prices. It is a great place to find unique gifts and souvenirs. The favorite vendor is Ozob Gifts, which offers printing on many different items and even on canvas in museum-style framing.
I found this Market recently and I am very glad I did find it. There are many vendors that have very good pricing on items that I buy, a very broad selection. I would recommend you check this one out.
My favorite vendor is Ozob Gifts; I can get any of my photos printed in a few minutes on many different items and even on canvas. I especially like the museum style canvas framing of my Art and Photography.
Charles Milton
cmilton111
Google Guide
Knoxville, TN
cmilton111 — Google review
VERY large lot. Inside and outside vendors with a wide collection of different things ! We found so many cool toy/collectible spots, pet booths, lots of fun collector booths & even produce from local farmers. I would 100% recommend you go with cash as most of these vendors/people are not credit/debit card compatible. It's not ideal for myself as I never have cash, BUT I understand it from a sales point.
Definitely some cool finds and very friendly people. Everyone was so willing to talk and educate of the products they had. Just a fun afternoon for sure.
adrienne stichberry — Google review
We visited on a Sunday.
A huge indoor and outdoor market. You can find almost anything from salsa, sweets, T-shirts, boots, jewellery, you name it you can probably find it there.
If you can't find what you're looking for indoors there are a plethora of outdoor stalls to choose from, too.
We especially enjoyed Terry's Treasures. We bought some earrings and he made us a charm bracelet while we waited. We chose the charms and the beads and Terry very kindly made it up for us there and then.
If you're in the Sevierville/Pigeon Forge area then you should definitely stop by and grab yourself a bargain.
David Richards — Google review
OZOB GIFTS review. RICK was very busy but took the extra time to explain to my wife and I the process and cost of each print offering his expertise on which size canvas was best. He simply loaded a Pic from my phone and 15 minutes later had a piece of my daughter's work on a 11x14" canvas.
John Z — Google review
Had homemade quilts for sale for an affordable price...
Also an amazing BBQ stand called pappys pig parlor is there...
Aimee Williams — Google review
This flea market is worth the visit. If you can think of it that have it. Tee shirts $10. See Monster Tees when you walk in target have the whole wall and print the t-shirt right there. The ladies are friendly and fun to talk to. I also get a 20oz tumbler custom made. Price $14.99 $5 for custom print. They are located in the middle of the flea market not on the wall. They have all types of cups and tumblers you can’t go wrong. The motor cycle jacket store was also great, friendly and kind. Don’t purchase souvenirs at the local shops you will pay way too much. Take the time and visit the flea market.
Tonita Neblett — Google review
This place on nice summer day is good for the day. They have all kinds of shops plus little food stands. I come here everything I visit. Usually draws big crowd they have plenty of parking spots.
Rustan Porter — Google review
Do you need a taser? What about a new blanket? How about a backpack or some perfume? It doesn't really matter what you are looking for, it's here! But if you walk in to "just browse" it can be overwhelming. The building is played out in an easy to navigate layout and there is plenty of parking. Restrooms are available and there is a snack bar. ATMs are available here as well.
Brian Polley — Google review
My wife loves going to flea markets. We spent the better part of the morning. She found some great bargains. They had just about anything that you wanted from flowers, tools toys for kids clothing. Everyone was so friendly and very helpful. It was a great location. They also had all taps of stuff outside it was raining. We didn’t get to spend much time outside. It is a great place to shop around.
Jerry Corn — Google review
Opens at 8am and we arrived to most vendor spaces being closed. Where I am from, the flea markets get started at 6 am and the vendors get there earlier and have everything ready to go by opening time. Naturally, I didn't find anything to buy because most were not open. Prices of items that were there to buy were only 20-30 percent off retail prices. I can get that much of a discount with a coupon or sale at the retail stores and get the ability to return things. Everything here is no returns, buyer beware. Many, many made in China knock-off pieces of junk to buy here.
Michael Gosnell — Google review
Horses don’t look okay dirty horse water pulling them and black one with gray has something on it’s tail really skinny legs
And little trailer for 4 horses and he drinks alcohol puts on only on paint horse pony
Abby Kerley — Google review
Just don't get food from the grill if you're a diabetic like me. Took 15 minutes and others were getting their hamburgers and fries quicker than my order of corn dogs. Then they only cooked one corn dog and said I would have to wait another 6 minutes of I wanted the other. I was not happy but the food was good.
Anna Malone — Google review
Love this place bought 5 quilts and 2 throw blanket quilts. 1/2 price king quilts $49 & $59 best part about our trip!!!
Kerri DeGonia — Google review
It was an interesting place, more like little vendors. Less like a swap meet. Kind of dirty but oh well. Not a lot of food. Also did not like that they were selling live animals.
Rachael Bailey — Google review
Fun place! They have so much variety here. It can be a little crowded at times and overwhelming because there is so much stuff!! You definitely have to sort through junk here, but you can definitely find some treasure!
This vast park offers 17 hiking trails, 7 miles of horseback riding trails & year-round fishing.
This park is not what I expected. The overlook trail involves climbing up and then down the mountains. The trail is very well marked whuch is helpful since the trail was covered with leaves. Some part of the trail is a little narrow, but still safe. If you have stability issues, I recommend going with someone to provide you with stability, use a hiking stick, and take the trail starting on the right. I took the trail on the left and it required some uphill climbing but when I got to the other side of the trail, going down hill was a bit steep and walking on big rocks can be a bit slippery and dangerous. This might explain why the 3 solo hikers I crossed path with took the trail on the right instead of left. I love the view of the Cherokee Reservoir. Its amazing. Toward the end of the trail, about 2 mile mark, the scenery changed to more green then just brown with leaves on the green. It's nice to experience the change from brown to green as I hike the trail. I also drove to the end of the road where the overlook is without having to hike the trail. There are 2 picnic area with restrooms. If I'm in the area again, I would love to hike this trail in the Spring and Fall. I bet the Fall Foliage is beautiful! My 2 little girls enjoyed their 2.2 mile hike on the overlook trail. One of them looked so happy when she was hiking. When I was leaving the park, I encountered more deer. A group of them cross the street in front of my car. I loved it!! I spotted some on the trail and when I was leaving the park in the park by one of the trails.
Tilly Lo — Google review
What a nice park! We were just stopping over for the night but we will definitely be returning to explore this wonderful place. WI-Fi was non-existent so enjoy the solitude. Be careful in the campsite you choose, some are a bit short. The nose of our truck stuck out into the road just a little bit. We have a 26’Foot trailer with a Chevy Truck with A 6 1/2 foot bed, a little to much for our site. But now that we’ve been there we have mark several sites in the camp map for future reference. The bath house was amazing! Shower and bathroom all in one room with a lock on the door and they were air conditioned! Super nice camp staff and little camp store with most anything you need and I’m certain some amazing trails based on the trail maps. Laundry room, beautiful pavilion with Church services on Sunday morning
Judy Vernon — Google review
Big rocks! It's beautiful, you can see the lake from the top if you hit it in the early spring. Footing can be a little sketchy, lots of rocks. If you are athletic, this is a pretty easy area from what I saw. We only did 3 ish miles as we were on our way home from another trail. There is some incline. Nice park, looks like a great place to camp. I love places with variety in scenery and this place does have that. Met a few of the regulars who were super friendly!
Amanda Langell — Google review
This park is full of interesting trails full of beautiful sights! Cherokee lake is so pretty! We had a peaceful walk along the shoreline which went on & on due to the low level of the lake right now. Its definitely worth checking out!
Dee Brown — Google review
Just riding around and looking for foliage and , this beautiful place did not disappoint . They have a lot going on here from Frisbee golf to walking trails . At the very end is a very nice pavilion that you can reserve for special occasions. It overlooks a beautiful lake . Very quiet from the beginning of the entering point to the end . There is a visitor center just inside on the left up on the hill.
tim lyman — Google review
This is such a beautiful park! I live near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which I love also, and Panther Creek State Park does not disappoint. It is so picturesque, peaceful, and such a great place to explore, go for a hike, or have a picnic.
Eugenia Bednar — Google review
Beautiful doesn’t begin to describe this place. Only some sites have sewer - ours didn’t, but what we got instead was well worth it. You have access to a variety of hiking trails directly outside your camp site - and the washrooms are well kept. Pictures say 1000 words so I’ll let that do the rest of the talking.
Corey Fiasco — Google review
Amazing. It is wonderful place. Just it was cold for today and I couldn’t take more picture. I saw beautiful view from over mountain. I recommend go and see.
Rimma Smailova — Google review
Beautiful park! I had never been there and I'm an East TN native. Was invited to a wedding held at the overlook. Breathtaking!!
Kimberly Hanley — Google review
Beautiful State Park. Campground is clean. Bathrooms are clean. Lots of green space. Staff in Campground was very friendly. This is the first state park we have been in with Frisbee Golf. Boat ramp is close to campground with parking available. We travel in a 36’ 5th wheel and a long bed dually and there was plenty of space in site 12. The site was gravel but level. Lake Cherokee has great fishing.
Jill Duckworth — Google review
So many trails! A cute little park when you first pull in, a couple pavilions for parties, many streams and of course the river. Just a gorgeous place, clean bathrooms and a BEAUTIFUL view from the top
Elizabeth Michaud — Google review
We absolutely love Panther Creek. There are so many trails to hike. It's on the banks of Cherokee Lake and the creek is awesome. We love seeing Oliver the owl when we go. It is dog friendly and there is a Pavillion next to the playground that can give shade for parents while the kiddos play. They also have a campground which stays booked in the summer months. The restrooms at the Visitor center are clean and there is a water bottle filing station there as well. If you have a state park passport you can stamp it at the Visitor center or pick one up there.
Mountain Mama TN — Google review
What a nice place to visit Panther Creek State Park you can do RV camping or tent camping they have a outdoor amphitheater just a small one up in the wood you can hike to the bathroom and showers were spotless, and the park itself was in very good shape and condition we took a couple pics, but we want to go back in the summertime when the weather is a little nicer little warmer and go kayaking
Brian Eichner — Google review
This place has so many trails, resting/picnic areas, and restroom options! Also has picnic areas and a scenic drive if you don't want to hike. There's also a campground, bike trails, and horseback riding trails! Literally has it all! I had such a great time exploring the area.
Brandy Barner — Google review
Wonderful trails and lake access!
Our whole family enjoys this park year round! We love getting outside and enjoying nature. The only thing that would make this place even better is if they re-opened the swimming pool.
Laura okoli Mohler — Google review
There are many hiking trails, play areas, and Frisbee course. They have picnic areas as well as an area for RVs. You can drive up to a viewing area of the Cherokee Reservoir. It is a great area for family outing.
Nancy Yakelewicz — Google review
Gorgeous park with amazing views. Camping areas available as well. The overlook area is breathtaking. Well maintained bathrooms and rest/picnic areas
Christina Hartig — Google review
We visited the park to hike the trails for a couple of hours, and it was beautiful! We ended up switching trails at places where they intersected and felt like we got a fairly good coverage of the all the trail areas. Be advised that the trails in the fall are a little obscured by leaves but as long as you pay attention you can still make out the path. These are actual hiking paths and not paved, so some sections can have difficult terrain and feature loose rocks and tree roots. Dress accordingly!
Cheyanne Bemis — Google review
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4.5
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2010 Panther Creek Park Rd, Morristown, TN 37814, USA
Urban Wilderness is an urban nature preserve located in Knoxville, Tennessee. It spans over 1,000 acres and has a variety of trails that are perfect for running or walking. Ijams Nature Center is a protected area that offers educational programs for all ages, hikes, bike rides, paddling and climbing opportunities.
First time here today and had a great visit with the front desk, she directed me around the trails. An owl was on the arm of a volunteer out front, and I took the Tower Trail to the River trail.
Such a beautiful spot, looking forward to returning, especially for events!
Andy J Kennedy — Google review
I love my visit to this site! There is so much to see and do at this location. There’s no way I think anyone could hike it all in one day. Is you like to hike and be in nature, this is a great place to do it. The only reason I am not giving this place 5 stars is because of how hard it is to navigate around the center and on the hiking trails. All the different trails are not clearly marked, and it can get easy to get turned around. I definitely recommend buying a guide map for $1 in the visitor’s center and keeping it with you, because even the map can be a little confusing. As long as you keep your wits and have a good sense of direction you’ll be fine. It’s well worth the visit!
Amy Justine — Google review
A friend recommended this was a must and they were so right! Such a beautiful place to escape it all. Short drive from downtown and amazing trails and views! This is a must!
Kimberly Kathleen — Google review
Ijams Nature Center: Urban Oasis Awaits!
Ijams Nature Center is a hidden gem in Knoxville, offering a stunning escape for nature enthusiasts of all stripes. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a casual paddler, Ijams has something for you.
Here's what makes Ijams stand out:
**Variety is the Spice of Life:** Hike through serene forests, bike challenging trails, or launch your kayak onto the Tennessee River. The options are plentiful!
**Difficulty Dialed In:** With a range of trails from easy strolls to challenging climbs, Ijams caters to all experience levels.
**More Than Just Trails:** Take a break from the trails and explore the sunflower fields (seasonal) or visit the informative visitor center.
**City Slicker Savior:** Despite its diverse offerings, Ijams is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Knoxville.
**Budget-Friendly Fun:** Parking in the park is only $5 a day, or you can snag a year-long membership for just $50, granting you free parking for your visits throughout the year.
**Insider Tip:** If you're bringing your furry friend, remember to keep them leashed while exploring the trails.
Ijams Nature Center is a must-visit for anyone seeking a dose of nature within the city limits. With its stunning scenery and plethora of activities, Ijams is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Gerard “Uncle Gerry” Rosso — Google review
Ijams nature center has something for everyone. For this review I am discussing Meades Quarry. The park roped off a section for privacy during the wedding I was performing. The only sad thing was the trash floating in the water. Go visit and please respect the space.
Brittney Hernandez — Google review
Very nice place for a nature hike. They have added so much to this place over the years it's amazing. Tons of trails. Amazing play structures. Kayak rental, treetop rope course, and so much more. Beautiful views, if you are a nature lover or looking to teach your kids more about the great outdoors it's a wonderful place to visit. Very helpful staff also and if you are just looking to hike it's free but they do accept donations to help run the place. They also have a nice little gift shop here.
Amber Turner — Google review
Nice place with nature surrounding. The admission is free. There is visitor center located here with gift shop, exhibit and restrooms available. Plenty of parking space available. There are several trails available here some offering lake and River views. There are couple of ponds. One of best hike would be to take storybook trail and then take north cove trail. Continue on north cove trail to river trail or river boardwalk trail. One will get to see some beautiful view of the river from the boardwalk. You can then either return back or continue further to take tower trail to return back to visitor center. Overall a nice nature place to spend few hours around.
Nareshkumar Acharya — Google review
Fun nature center. We only did the riverwalk/tower hike, but there are many more trails to explore. Also you can rent a variety of boats to use on the river. Friendly/helpful staff. Please note: trails are not well marked, so just keep google maps open/active to make sure you are going the right way.
Gita Ramsay — Google review
A wonderful nature center with multiple trails, some paved and others not paved.
We really enjoyed the River Trail.
Main building and paved trails appear to be wheelchair accessible. All other trails do not appear to be wheelchair accessible.
Joshua Spurgeon — Google review
A Knoxville gem!
Ijams is a part of the Knoxville Urban Wilderness and a true gem within city limits. It resides on something like 300 acres off of a narrow, winding road in south Knoxville.
There are a handful of trails and outdoor events for families and individuals and a variety of playgrounds for kids.
The gift shop offers snacks, outdoor necessities, and local products.
While you’re here, check out the indoor exhibit with the turtles, then hit the trail for some fresh air and the secret pond.
Lauren Hunter — Google review
Great place for a day out with the family and kids. Nice walking trails and interpretive centre with hands on activities for kids. Nice escape from the city with plenty of wilderness. Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy the outdoors.
David Webb — Google review
On of the best hikes of my life. Clearly lots of love and care have been continually put into this place. Incredibly clean and well maintained. I wish I lived closer!
Tim Casper — Google review
Gorgeous trails, amazing and incredibly affordable gift shop with unique and pretty items, cool indoor exhibits with restroom and water facilities, dog bowls for pups outside (very dog friendly). Biking, walking, fishing, and kayaking/paddle boarding. Unique events week by week. FREE TO GET IN!!!!!! <3
Zoe — Google review
8.30.23 Parking is free. Exploring the nature center is free. Walking the river boardwalk is free. Renting a SUP paddleboard is $15 and a float/tube is $5 in the Quarry area. This is a beautiful and peaceful place. If you love nature or want a place to relax, this is your spot.
Margaret Honan — Google review
Being new to Knox, this place is beautiful. FIDO friendly, lots to do for all ages. Great hiking or just perfect is you want to walk around and look at all of the beautiful animals, sitting areas or if you want adventure, you can visit the zip line. Beautiful walkway around the water. This is a must see if you are in the Knox area.
Lisa Cannon — Google review
Spending a few days in Knoxville for the first time and ijams was probably one of the most recommended activities. It did not disappoint. SO many trails. Very nice views of the Tennessee River and Mead Quarry Lake. Multiple places to put in boats. Some cool animal exhibits at the visitor center. People were very helpful in advising which trails to take. Definitely check it out if you're looking for an outdoor activity in the Knoxville area.
Brandon Moebes — Google review
All-time favorite hiking location near downtown Knoxville! I’ve been coming here for years, just exploring around, and continue to be amazed each time. I highly recommend going to the Nature Center to pick up a map first, as there’s so much to see. Each trail has an incredibly cool feature on it, and some trails took me years to find. Some are paved or have gravel, while others are full-on hikes. There are two locations to park at - the nature center, which has most of the shorter hikes, most with pavement or gravel, plus high ropes course (the Navitat). Or at the quarry down the road on the opposite side, which has the quarry/water, longer hikes, two hidden quarries behind the main one, mountain biking, natural rock climbing, etc. They just recently started charging for parking, but only a couple of bucks. Very dog and family friendly!
EM — Google review
Went bike riding. Rented bikes from the park and helmets. The trail starts in the middle so you can take one and come back then take the other and come back. Has some nice hills to go down but riding back up is tough. Trails are concrete and shared with walkers. Be sure to yell which side you are coming up on the walker so they can move over. Beautiful ride. Great exercise. Have fun. Went on a Sunday. Get there before lunch and their were maybe 8 bikes for rent. When we got back from our ride, they were all out. You have to pay for parking. It's like $12-$15 for the whole day.
Amy Marano — Google review
Ijams is a wonderful space that's free to visit located right on the border of Knoxville. All I did during my visit was walk the river trail and added a few of the shorter trails on as I wandered around the grounds. There's climbing, a canopy adventure area, kayak rentals, and children's activities. If you're just passing through like I was, this is somewhere I'd highly recommend even if it's just to stretch your legs. The grounds and trails are very well maintained and bathrooms were clean.
Sara O — Google review
What a gem this place is. We finished visiting the Knoxville Botanical gardens quicker than expected. I had this marked on the map and took a chance. This was a highlight of our trip. Definitely take the Riverwalk / board walk. the amount of spring flowers in bloom was amazing, trilliums covered the hillsides. The river walk had a feature we've never seen before, a geologic fold. that was an amazing thing to see first hand. If we lived nearby, we would definitely be checking out all the many trails.
Dale Jr McConnell — Google review
Was looking for a hike near knoxville so we didn't have to drive all the way down to the smokey mountains and this didn't disappoint!
The attendant was superhelpful, the sights were incredible, and the trails we went on were well taken care of.
Joshua Landi — Google review
Definitely worth the visit if you are in Knoxville. For me, the river boardwalk trail is a unique element. You need to hike a trail down hill to get to the boardwalk, and it's worth it. Admission is free, but there is a charge for parking ($5). There are other trails around the main office. For me, the scenery around the quarry was not as appealing, but I hear there are several trails around the quarry (which I did not walk) that are nice. There are also boat activities on the quarry, which were not in operation when I visited (late March).
Paul Damerell — Google review
Beautiful place to visit. Nice walking along the river, seeing the boats and kayaks go buy. The wildlife all around. Love being so connected to nature. Trails are well kept. Peaceful and quiet. Very enjoyable, easy walk.
Faith Leon — Google review
Last visited 2/15/24. Decided to stop in and see what the River Landing Walk was like. Wife and I had a great time just puttering around and enjoying the nice day.
World's Fair Park is a site of the 1982 World's Fair, featuring an amphitheater and various events. The park also boasts the Sunsphere Tower, which has an observation deck providing stunning views. Additionally, there are beautiful works of art throughout the newly opened Tennessean Hotel nearby, with spacious rooms offering park views. Market Square is just a short walk away and visitors can easily explore Knoxville on foot from this location.
We arrived when the grounds were closed. Which was the best, because no one was around, except workers. The Globe thing and mural under the bridge is what I came for and I wasn't disappointed.
D. Rice — Google review
Nice park with a water feature across the street. Great "free" family outing, the kids will definitely enjoy. The water feature is really nice, and it has great seating area.
🚨I think the playground is for ages 5-12. If you have toddlers that visit, just be mindful that the items of park are geared for older children.
I love how the park offer sunscreen dispensers, that's be very thoughtful!
Free parking is a 3-4 minute walk away, and the max time is 4 hours, which is plenty to enjoy.
Overall it's a great place to come to bring kids for a little fun on a hot day.
Ebony Renee — Google review
This is an amazing park commemorating the history of the 1982 World's Fair and some really great architecture.
The admission price is $5.
It is open:
Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 12pm - 4pm
Adventure Queen — Google review
My brother just moved to Knoxville and I helped him drive out from Arizona.
With four small children in tow, we explored this fun park on New Year's Day. There are plenty of fun things to enjoy - including the Sunsphere platform, a reflecting pool, bird mural, various county flags on display, an Ampitheater (where my nieces and nephews, my brother, my dad and I did a little performing - singing and dancing to a song we enjoyed listening to on our drive cross country - the five or so people also enjoying the Ampitheater were kind enough to clap at the end ;)
For the kids, the best part was the playground. We enjoyed playing until it started raining again and we headed back to the car.
Nicole Smith — Google review
This is a beautiful park, there's a water feature. And, the Sunsphere observation deck gives you a 360 view of the city. This is really fun little excursion if you happen to be downtown Knoxville. You will need a reservation to go up to the observation deck. It costs $5 and you purchase tickets online. They have a few souvenirs once you get up there and the tickets are in 30 minutes blocks... although, you do not have to leave at the end of your 30 minutes... just know that another group is coming up and it will be crowded
Regina Osborne — Google review
Super cute little park complete with four slides, a tall tower to climb ladders and ropes. There is a huge silver slide at the top of the tower as well.
A neat addition to the downtown area!
The only downfall was not the playground itself, but near the playground on the sidewalk. Someone had broke a huge mirror and it was shattered into pieces all over the sidewalk.
Krista Asp — Google review
I was excited to visit this historic place, but it turns out everything closed at five. There wasn’t any signage outside to gain historic insight. It would be a sweet concert space. A sweet memorial was worth the visit.
Kayla Krull — Google review
This is the World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. I first came here in 1982 when they were having the World’s Fair. I was 8 years old at the time. They have since turned in into a splash pad and added a play ground. Not to mention many other activities go on year around here. I used to bring my kids here every chance I could when I lived in Knoxville. Now my daughter brings my grandson’s. I love it here!❤️
Carolyn Smith — Google review
Its smaller than I expected, but its still an interesting place to visit. You have to book your time slot in advance and the hour is plenty of time to look out over the views and read the interesting information boards.
Julie Nash — Google review
Nestled against the University of Tennesse the The World's Fair park offers a great place to let the kids run around like someone left the gate open. They can enjoy the massive splash pad with some jets shooting over 10 feet. The playground is super cool with plenty of interesting structures. There is a huge expansive of grass as well.
For Adults there is the Sunsphere tower built for the 1982 World's Fair where the observation deck provides a spectacular 360 degree view of Knoxsville and the Smoky Mountains. Also be sure to catch a performance in the Amphitheater.
Steve Malone — Google review
It's a very nice park and we'll mantained. It's a good place to walk and relax a short walk from downtown.
The Knoxville Zoo is a great place to visit for families with kids, as it offers educational experiences and plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. From camel rides and carousels to splash pads and even a family petting zoo, there's something for everyone at this zoo.
I have been coming here since 2000 with my family. We are proud members! One of our favorite zoos. Not as big as the Nashville zoo, but they just seem to have better Layout /Exhibits / Lot of places to stop and rest with benches, Picnic tables. Not to meet you boo with the zoo but Halloween is our favorite thing every year. I don’t like the fact to expose you have to go through the gift shop to exit the zoo. Now that usually causes a little problem with the kids. That really the only thing I hate about this zoo. Should be an option to exit without going through the gift shop.
Carolyn Smith — Google review
One of the best zoos I've been to. The animals seem happy and active, and not only are the exhibits top notch with multiple view points, some of which are inside (with A/C!), but the walking paths are engaging with thoughtfully placed water misters and shade! So much care for the animals and guests. Plenty of attractions to keep kids happy, the food is actually good and reasonably priced. Definitely worth a trip!! 10/10
Megan Bormuth — Google review
I live about 45 minutes away from Knoxville and yearly we get memberships to the zoo. I highly recommend doing so if you live in the area! The zoo is smaller than many zoos, but still has a lot to do and see for kids of all ages. They’ve recently renovated their habitat for reptiles and it looks great! They host seasonal events and activities (Boo at the Zoo, dinosaur takeover, etc.). The splash pad is great, the petting zoo and play area are cute, and the food at the restaurants are (expectedly) overpriced, but good quality. They do well in their maintenance and cleanliness and it seems like the animals are well cared for.
Megan Fletcher — Google review
Went to the Knoxville zoo today with my kids. We went up to get our tickets and the girl charged me for my two year old who should have been free. After I corrected that she also charged $5.00 for parking. The lot was so full we had to park over by Muse and we still got charged for parking. So for four of us we paid $80.85. That's kind of steep for a zoo this size. Once inside we realized many of the animals were not outside. Many enclosures had nothing to view and several people were commenting on it. Also couldn't help but notice lots of the concessions stands were closed as well. It's spring break and it was very crowded. My kids rode the train and the merry go round and both were an additional $4 per kid per ride. They did however enjoy both. What animals we were able to see my kids enjoyed. They also loved the dinosaur a lot. The petting zoo was a favorite of the kids as well. I gave three stars because my kids did enjoy the experience. My girl and I were somewhat disappointed and probably had a two star experience. They need more animals and more viewing opportunities for the animals they do have. The kids were entertained and I guess that's all that counts. Being forced to exit through the gift shop with kids felt like a final cash grab. Water for $3.50 in the vending machine with all the water fountains off was frustrating. I would reluctantly recommend a visit but not really enthusiastically. We wished we had a better time but we're just being honest.
John Green — Google review
We love Zoo Knoxville! My daughter adores all her animal friends who live at the zoo. She is a big fan of monkeys, red pandas, ghiraffes, otters, and tigers. The zoo is well arranged for ease of visiting. This zoo's trails run in loops and the animals have reasonably large well appropriated paddocks. There is plenty of shade for the animals and humans that are at the zoo. The zoo has sunscreen and hand sanitizer dispensers throughout their facilities for sanitizing and preventing children from getting sun burnt. There is also a splash pad for children and parents to cool down during the hot of the Summer. This zoo is definitely a world class Zoological Park.
Jason Henry — Google review
We love this zoo! The staff is so friendly, and very knowledgeable. We had the opportunity to go to a party hosted privately after hours, and to have the zoo to ourselves was such a wonderful experience. The guided tours, refreshments along the way, feeding the giraffe and a catered dinner, just wow! They pull out all the stops!
Ashley Reese — Google review
For about 10 yrs we have bought yr passes...we have skipped a year here and there before openings of new exhibits...we are such a big fan of knoxville zoo...they have some neat exhibits and fun experiences...till September you can walk the trails and see the dinosaurs and some move...the new outer space is one of our favorites. Being up close to red pandas and a sloth is pretty cool too! Not to mention riding carousel.
Sherri Bridges — Google review
It was a wonderful day with my son, their Uncle Wesley, and 2 & 3 yr old granddaughters. Their parents were on a BD and Anniversary get away. It was miserably hot so the misters were nice to walk through. All the animals were out and we seen them all but the Bears. We actually noticed how Healthy all the animals looked too. We are so very proud of Knoxville Zoo. The moving and roaring Dino's throughout was exciting. I wish we had known more about the Dino Eggs while we were actually there. But my 3 yr old found them anyway. The old Safari Jeep was a perfect idea for kids to play in. It was truly a wonderful day to spend with my grown son and our little ones.
Kim Hatfield — Google review
Have been to many of the zoo's throughout the US and this has become our favorite! At the end of our 1st visit we bought memberships and going back regularly. Love the layout of the animals and allows you to feel like you are up close and personal. The animals all look so healthy and happy with their unique enclosures. Even on a cooler cloudy day, the zoo is a great place to visit and enjoy a walk. A must go for everyone, it won't disappoint.
Lena Mazur — Google review
We love this zoo so much!!! Great reptile exhibit indoors for inclement weather. Love the new otter habitat too! Plenty of good food options and places for kids to play between visiting the animals. Kids got to feed a sloth one time too!
Courtney Cartellieri — Google review
A pretty decent zoo for the price. It's about $25/person to get in, and you can easily spend a few hours here. They have a good amount of things for small kids to keep them busy. There's a nice play area, petting zoo, carousel, and a splash pad. The assortment of animals is pretty standard for a zoo. I did appreciate the turtle and frog section they have set up. The gift shop is very pricey, so get your stuffed animals elsewhere and skip the markups.
Beans and Waffles — Google review
Great experience. Lots of animals and very spacious. This is one of the better zoos that I've been to. I think the directions are a little difficult to follow, But ultimately you will manage I really enjoyed the up close and personal tiger area and then the lion area.
Scott G — Google review
Giving a three stars simply because 3-4 exhibits was empty. We wasn’t able to see the zebras, tiger,otters, rhinos they where no out. I’m unsure what was going on but my little girl was so sad about the zebras. The dinosaur exhibit was truly wonderful. We have a Dino obsessed little boy and he was amazed. They made the whole trip worth it just to see him smile. Over all nice zoo would recommend updating the strollers too they were a little run down. But I do like that they have that option to be able to rent one. Parking was a mess but not the zoos fault it was just a busy time.
Alice Williams — Google review
The Knoxville Zoo is a great place to spend the morning before the day gets too hot. Even when the animals are too hot, you can still see them indoors as these spaces have glassed viewing areas. My daughter and I spent around 2 1/2 hours viewing the animals and reading about the various conservation programs such as the Red Panda Preservation. Surprisingly, the Dinosaurs at Dawn exhibit was also a favorite and we were impressed by their animatronics. Parking was free and easy. The other visitors seemed to be local parents/grandparents with small children.
Lindsay Castano — Google review
Zoo Knoxville was great, however some of the enclosures did not have any of the animals posted that was supposed to be in them (just a few enclosures). We did get to see several animals which did make for the empty enclosures. We stepped into one of the cafes got in line to grab a drink. The cashier was putting souvenir cups together and putting the straws in them with her bare hands (should of been wearing gloves) we saw this and left the Cafe. Our experience was great but could have been better. We will come back to the animals.
Chris Aldridge — Google review
Nice little Zoo. (I'm from San Diego, and our Zoo is very large and more than one park, which is why I said little Zoo.) They do a nice job with the enclosures. Fun outing to take the Grandkids for the day! They're doing a little remodeling, so there were a few interruptions to the flow around the park. They have the natural habitat type of enclosures, which I appreciate. Lovely weather, we had a lot of fun! I also appreciate the fact that they have free admission for Veterans! Good job!!
Sheryl D. — Google review
Great place to take your kids of any age! Yes some days the animals are hiding and you don’t see much but other days they are out and about it’s amazing to see! Some times they even have zoo mascots come out and interact with the kids! I think the food is a bit pricey but overall a great zoo experience!
Marissa Lowery — Google review
Great zoo. Nice place for the family to enjoy an outing. Lots of cool animals. Make sure to visit the Arc building. It has several snakes and neat things.
Nitak Holcomb — Google review
Very clean. They have fun interacting animals And they also have extinct animals like this One that Is mixed with a Tiger bear and has horns on his head. And they're also coming out with a dinosaur Except they have fun interacting. Little rides for the kids like under 4 or 5 or 6. And you can put them on the little scooters that are shaped like animals and you can ride with them around in the park. They also have a petting zoo a playground and the sandbox for them. You should go.
Anthony Toparis — Google review
The Knoxville Zoo is a fantastic place to visit. With a diverse range of animals and well-maintained habitats, it provides an enjoyable and educational experience for all ages. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate about conservation, and they offer informative talks and feeding sessions. The zoo's layout is easy to navigate, and there are plenty of shaded areas to take a break. It's a great destination for families, animal lovers, and anyone looking to support wildlife preservation. Don't miss the red pandas and the reptile exhibits – they are a real highlight!
Matt Hill — Google review
The Knoxville Zoo is always a blast. If you have kids and/or love animals, I highly recommend visiting. Some of these pics are from their temporary Planet Prehistoric exhibit, which is pretty cool.
Tiffany Bonior — Google review
So fun! We thought we were done in 2 hours then quickly realized we missed a whole section of the zoo in the back with elephant and rhino and more! We will definitely be back.
P.s. - $5 for parking unless you're a member!
Jess Payne — Google review
What an amazing zoo! My toddler loved that for many of the animals there were multiple views you could look through to see them! There were many cool activities throughout the zoo which made the experience even better! We will definitely be going back!
Valerie Ladwig — Google review
We love the Zoo! We are season pass holders if you are a family and plan on going more than once get the pass it’s totally worthy it. They have great events (Boo at the Zoo) and you can even get married there! I’ve officiated 3 weddings there. The staff is always friendly and willing to help you. They also have a great kids area with a sand pit, a little water feature (not together) and an aviary that you can going and touch the birds!
Happy Unions Weddings by The Trusty Notary — Google review
Nice selection of animals, it's nice how big the exhibits are. Just a lot of walking. As well as the gift shop was nice just seemed high price but still bought from. .kids enjoyed the zoo.
Museum offering educational & interactive displays exploring energy, with a focus on nuclear power.
Four adults and my grandson went. It was very interesting for all of us. Not too crowded on Monday. Some interactive stuff like programming a mechanical mouse in the lab. Lots of nuke history.
frederick b — Google review
I never had the chance to visit the museum in its previous location, however I can reinforce previous reviews that say this museum is very small. It's also hard to tell what age group this museum is catering to. The front half of the museum is very wordy, mature, and packed with information. The back half features many interactive displays obviously geared towards children. It seems like it would make more sense to have more interactive, kid-friendly displays throughout, rather than packed in the back of the museum.
The staff at the museum seemed very friendly and knowledgeable, with some members being long-term residents and/or employees in Oak Ridge with firsthand experience related to the exhibits in the museum. One staff member approached us multiple times to share anecdotes relating to Oak Ridge, which was nice and unexpected!
Overall, I liked the musuem. However, it was small and didn't have as many artifacts and relics as I had hoped. Unfortunately there were a lot of exhibits that only had paragraphs on the wall to read and didn't include the physical objects that really catch your eye and hold your interest.
If you're looking for a museum exclusively relating to Oak Ridge or the Manhattan Project, I think the K-25 History Center down the road is slightly better, as it's roughly the same size and manages to pack more information and more artifacts into the museum. But if you're in the area and looking for things to do, it can't hurt to visit both as they both have their strengths and weaknesses!
Jacob Boissonnault — Google review
Incredibly small, but the fee for entry isn't terrible at $10.00. You could absolutely see everything they have here in less than one hour. There are not a lot of actual relics, but they have a wide variety of 3D printed replicas of items of interest. Weekdays are full of school field trips so be prepared for a bit of noise if you visit during those times.
Brian Savage — Google review
Super nice and clean little place. The activity areas were nice (although some things were broken). The portions about the history of Oak Ridge and the atom bomb were interesting, but honestly, nowhere near as good as the old museum. My kids missed seeing all of the bombs that used to be there. They would love to go back however.
Amber Hyde — Google review
Enjoyed this place. And a 3D printed Jeep. Come on. Informative.
Manhattan project. I believe the bomb saved 1000s of lives.
Steven Stacey — Google review
The American Museum of Science and Energy is a fantastic place that is just jam packed with information, displays, and interactive features throughout - all related to science and energy contributions that the Oak Ridge National Laboratory were instrumental in making. The amount of information will keep you there for a couple of hours, and there are some games and such in the back that could keep you there longer. It's relatively inexpensive and well worth the admission price. Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. I'd highly recommend this museum.
Jon Monahan — Google review
A neat and fun place to learn about nuclear energy and science. Several good hands on exhibit options.
You won’t be bored and will learn and have fun at the same time. Fascinating and informative video worth viewing. Learn about nuclear submarines and neutron detectors, and have some fun with Archimedes Screws. Learn more about the Secret City and life during WWII.
Exhibits are well laid out, and a lot of time and money was put into this museum and it shows. Gift shop has all sorts of interesting items for sale as well, most reasonably priced. Bring in a few quarters to play the pinball machine. See an entire Army Jeep completely made on a 3D printer (how did they even do that?) as well as a small car and an old robot. Such a unique mix of items that will keep you entertained as you explore the museum. Don’t let the fact that it is at the end of a mall fool you. This place is large and has something for everyone and very reasonably priced to enter. Even if passing through at least put this museum on your list.
J Hytken — Google review
An excellent museum in the heart of Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge has a rich history steeped in science and helping to build the atomic bomb and win WWII
The Oak Ridge Museum of Science and Energy is a captivating destination that offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich history and groundbreaking scientific advancements of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The museum provides an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages. It showcases the remarkable contributions of Oak Ridge to the fields of nuclear science, energy research, and national defense. Through informative exhibits, interactive displays, and engaging multimedia presentations, visitors are taken on a journey through time, exploring the city's pivotal role in the Manhattan Project during World War II and its subsequent impact on science, technology, and society.
One of the highlights of the museum is its comprehensive collection of artifacts, including historical documents, photographs, and equipment used in early nuclear research. These exhibits offer a tangible connection to the past and provide valuable insights into the scientific breakthroughs achieved in Oak Ridge.
The museum offers educational programs, workshops, special events that further enhance the learning experience. There is a bus tour that leaves from here to take some visitors around Oak Ridge on a tour of the various key historical sites. Knowledgeable and friendly staff members are readily available to answer questions and provide additional information, ensuring a fulfilling visit.
Overall, the Oak Ridge Museum of Science and Energy is a must-visit attraction for those interested in the history of science and technology.
Ward Dougherty — Google review
This was inexpensive and informative stop! It's small, but don't let that fool you. There is a lot to look at and try.
We gave the robotic arms our best shot and tried the brain games in the back. I wish I had taken a pic of the periodic table of games. It was such a fun room!
All the examples of 3D printed objects were neat to see too.
Can you imagine keeping an entire city secret in today's connected society?!
Patricia Sawyer — Google review
This museum gives an overview of the history and current role Oak Ridge, TN plays in the nuclear power and technology fields. There are some interactive displays that are entertaining and educational for older elementary aged children up to adults. I spent an hour and a half at the museum and was able to see all of the exhibits. I would recommend a visit!
Amanda Norberg — Google review
This was an awesome BSA Scouting trip with our awesome troop. The museum had many fun and interactive activities. We attended A demonstration of the Van de Graaff generator to learn about electricity. This is the hair raising activity that everyone loves so much! The gift shop was so fun with lots of interesting selections. Staff at the museum were so nice and accommodating.
Smithsonian-affiliated museum featuring pioneer buildings & exhibits of regional history & culture.
The Appalachia Museum is a very beautiful place with many interesting features. I was invited to good to the restaurant without me knowing anything about this gorgeous 64 acre treasure. I was so impressed I went back the next day to try a shampooing of of their lunch. I met the brother of the owner and his wife as well as several people that worked
work there.
You will love this Museum but plan on spending some time there as it is a large place with many things to do and many things to see. Call ahead to check for price of admission or you can go to the restaurant and shop in the store if you prefer. There were a lot of children there from a local school having a great time.
The grounds includes many vintage buildings that are a part of Appalachian Historicity set beautifully in this Tennessee valley. There are Ducks, Geese and Peacocks on these grounds that you can walk right up to (but some food for them in the store if you like.
Enjoy!
cmilton111
Google Guide
11.27.2021
cmilton111 — Google review
This is a great place to visit! Be prepared to have several hours to spend there as there is so much you'll want to see and enjoy. My kids loved the peacocks roaming around! There's a lot of nice things in the shop as well. We definitely want to go back so we can eat in the restaurant and walk the grounds again.
Whitney R — Google review
Look guys, I travel full time and there are a LOT of pioneer museums out in the world and there is a bit of romanticizing the poor aspect to the whole endeavor, BUT the Museum of Appalachia has a particularly good collection of buildings, including Mark Twain's childhood home, a 1800's log cabin used in the filming of a Daniel Boone show, a huge mill, and loads of cabins and barns.
But I think the best part of the collection is in the very first building, the hall of fame. The original director of the museum collected so many great stories - almost too many to read in one visit. It really brings everything to life and makes the museum stand above the rest.
There's also a small cafe that is very popular with the locals (go early!) and a really lovely gift shop with a lot of fun items, including a whole wall of jellies and fruit butters. Everyone there is super nice, and there are a few animals on property - some free-ranging chickens and peacocks, some goats, miniature horses, and sheep. There's a one-way path through the whole thing so you don't miss anything.
My only complaint is that it's all a bit pricey. Lunch in the cafe of chicken and dressing plus two sides, a slice of good cornbread, and a slice of hummingbird cake was almost $18. (It comes out *very* fast, btw.) The museum itself is $20. (I was told by my hosts that museum admission was free with a meal, but if that was ever true, it's not anymore. Everyone seems to come just to eat.)
Sara Beth Wade — Google review
Great place to learn some history of the people of Appalachia. People and the way they lived through visuals displays and descriptions of what you are looking at. And Peacocks!
James Overdorff — Google review
Cannot say enough good things about this place. We attended the July 4th Anvil Shoot. So much fun! Lots of demonstrations by folk artists and historians. Great music; some anvils shot 30+ feet into their air; lots of great historical displays of the area. This was our first visit and will not be our last.
Pam Clifford — Google review
The Independence Day demonstrations and activities were informative and reminiscent of stories from my grandparents,who were born near the Appalachian mountains. It's a living museum, with livestock and gardens and bee's. I went for the Bee keeping demonstration, the folks cancelled, still enjoyed the day with a new neighbor.
Look on the roof...
Tonia FOLVEN — Google review
This place is beautiful and very well taken care of. You could literally spend hours and hours here reading and looking at all the history. I enjoyed our time here and the gift shop is nice and they have a lot to choose from.
Nikki Martin — Google review
I wish we had visited sooner after being locals for the last 8 years but I am so glad we finally made it! This was one of, if not, THE best and most interesting museum in the Knoxville area. Even my 4 and 2 yo were interested for 2+ hours. The stories warmed our hearts, the artifacts were fantastic, and the gift shop/staff were so nice. Loved their shop kitties too. 10/10 for us!
Haley Humphries — Google review
One of the best kept secrets of TN. To tour this venue is to literally step back into a period of time when lanterns provided light and fireplaces were the single source of heat. The innovations of the pioneers are on display as cabins are trimmed with authentic pieces from the days of the settlers and carry an almost palettable sense for the history conveyed inside those walls. The gift shop is full of beautiful crafts and serves good food as well.
Dave Diamond — Google review
Good southern cooking. The exhibits are very interesting of local personages who had national and international impacts on politics, music, religion, business, culture. Not wheelchair accessible in most of the outdoor exhibits (gravel paths). Some paved paths to the first 9 of the 31 outdoor exhibits. Looks like a subdivision is being constructed next door which will diminish its rural character.
Tom Hudspeth — Google review
When I purchased my ticket I thought $18 sounded like a lot for a museum about Appalachia, but boy was I wrong! It was well worth the money. So much to see and do. The exhibits were fascinating, very well done. The walk around the grounds was very relaxing. It felt like I was walking back in time.
The restaurant inside is worth the stop. The food is delicious, homemade served on real dishes. The prices are also very reasonable.
Arthur Hurlburt — Google review
Well worth the admission!
We enjoyed strolling the property and found the building displays filled with what would have been used in their natural habits very interesting.
We visited during Heritage Days, and to our surprise, the grounds were filled with 1200 school kids and parents. At first, we thought, let's pass, then thought, let's go for a little while. Well, three hours later we left completely impressed by the lay of the land, the staff, and the volume of artifacts.
Stacy Klone — Google review
I had no idea this museum and Appalachian village existed. So worth the trip. So much to learn and read I am going to have to come back. Extremely well taken care of..... The grounds and the buildings! They keep the thermostat low in the winter so make sure and wear a good jacket and maybe a hat.
Andrea Lucas — Google review
Such a wonderful place to visit, especially in spring! Great museum, we will definitely come back soon!
Natalia Tverskaia — Google review
We had a great time at this Smithsonian affiliate museum. Come prepared to spend 3+ hours if you want to see everything and especially if you want to grab a bite to eat in the restaurant. The maps given at the welcome center are helpful in getting around the grounds, and the exhibits are in numerical order along the foot paths. A few of the buildings house permanent exhibits, like the Appalachian Hall of Fame, which highlights different aspects of “old” Appalachian culture like daily life, cooking, music, community, and stories about people. The other buildings are historic ones that have been moved to the Museum of Appalachia, like the cabin of Mark Twain’s parents. There is a nice outdoor seating area near the welcome center with picnic tables and rocking chairs. Some chickens or peacocks might come by to say hi. The restaurant offered typical comfort food from the region like chicken and dumplings, pinto beans, etc. Overall the museum was incredibly informative and very well curated. One of the things I appreciated most was the level of detail put into the descriptions for each artifact displayed, which is not something you find at every museum.
Kati Murphy — Google review
My husband and I had an AMAZING time here! We stopped randomly on our way home from Pigeon Forge, and so glad we did! The staff were super friendly, and the grounds were beautiful. So many great animals & picture spots. Also stop by the gift shop for some lotions, soaps and lip balms from The Naked Bee especially the orange scent they are incredible!!! 💕
Gateway to the West with historic structures & ruins, trails, cave tours, waterfalls & more.
This park is beautiful! The overlooks are incredible! Worth the drive if u don't live close by! Eastern Kentucky has beautiful mountains!! There is a huge parking area & bathrooms available.
April Dudgeon — Google review
I was very surprised about this historical park which definitely exceeded all my expectations! There’s lots to see here and you can hike so many trails! I highly recommend going up the Pinnacle overlook as the view is worth the drive or hike! Also, make sure to bring the stamp book as there is lots of stamps at the visitor center!
Daniel Duran — Google review
Beautiful, historic, and lots to see and hike. So many things to see and can bring the family. The welcome center was really cool as well and highly recommend stopping in there to check out. Our family loves it!
Allyson Williams — Google review
Beautiful, serene, pleasant, historic National Park! Presently a Florida resident, I've been visiting the area for nearly twenty years (my partner owns a farm 17 miles east of the park.) I am embarrassed to admit this was my first visit to this area of the park (there are several different areas of the park) I can't believe this Beautiful, historic "hidden gem" has been right " under my nose" for the last twenty years and we just discovered it's peaceful splendor. From my knowledge of the area, this is the western entrance/side of the park. Located near the towns of Cumberland Gap and Middlesboro. The park offers a superb diversion from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It provides a safe, quiet, natural experience perfect for all ages to enjoy an outdoor experience with lots of fresh air. Regardless if visiting alone or with a group, the park offers many opportunities for recreational activities or relaxation naturally. There are trails for hiking and walking, featuring rivers, streams, waterfalls and scenic views. Well maintained and clean picnic shelters. The park welcome center is a great place to start your visit, surrounded by plenty of complimentary parking. The restroom facilities were clean and well managed. Of course, the absolute "highlight " for my partner and I is the abundance of wildlife within the park. Park Rangers maintain a visible presence in the park, making a visit to the park very safe. Whether you plan to visit for a few hours or the entire day, Cumberland Gap National Park is a perfect escape from the "norm". If you're in the area, and can use a breath of fresh air, you should definitely check out this beautiful, peaceful and historic National Park. Oh, I did i mention there is no charge to enjoy this great park?!?!
Alan Harlow — Google review
Beautiful park in the Fall when the leaves are changing. If you like to hike there are several trails to choose from ranging from easy to hard. If you aren't into hiking you can drive up to the Pinnacle and a short, paved, handicap friendly path takes you right to the overlook. From the overlook you can see straight off to the Smoky Mountains in the distance, Joppa Mountain, and, of course, the Cumberland Gap. The visitors center is a great place to stop and get information about the park. Upstairs you can sit in some very comfortable rocking chairs and watch 3 short videos about the history of the park and Cumberland Gap which played a vital park in the countries expansion westward.
Sherry Clay — Google review
Day we went, there was a lady at the visitors' center showing how textiles were made by pioneers. She was very pleasant and informative. Held my girls attention. We drove up to Pinnacle Overlook, spectacular views, and a very curvy road. We hiked to the iron furnace and the Cumberland Gap historical marker from a parking lot in Virginia. Going to the landmarks was all uphill. Rangers in the visitors center were very helpful. Don't forgot you Passport Stamps! (They have a soft pad under the stamping surface,so don't rock stamp around too much or it's unreadable).
Erin Cecil — Google review
Great hiking, so much to take in! We parked at the earthworks and then hiked up to the Pinnacle. The view is amazing! Be sure to stop by the visitors center for some great history, and if you're lucky you might catch some reenactors, too
Rebecca Napier — Google review
Had a great time here. My only regret is that I wasn't able to budget more time this trip. The views were awesome and the park is very well kept. I am trying to line up a trip early fall before the color change crowd rolls in.
Ron Baker — Google review
We went out of way on our trip to visit the Gap. It was well worth it. The only thing I wish is that there was more clarity that there was a hike to the tri state point. We were not prepared time wise or how we were dressed. It was something we were looking forward to but were not able to take the time. Beautiful area!
Anna Zoromski-Linde — Google review
There are picnic tables along the drive to the overlook. Spectacular 180 degree view of 3 states. It's cool also that you get to see both ends of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel from Tennessee to Kentucky while standing on Virginia.
4 miles of switchbacks and hairpin turns to get to the top. Elevation of 2,440 feet.
You can drive or you can hike. Next time we will go back and hike.
Owen Cook — Google review
Beautiful park with breathtaking overlooks. Great walking trails with adequate rest areas. Bathrooms are well maintained and clean. Parking lot is large and plentiful. I would recommend going before or after the summer heat.
Adam H — Google review
Visitor Center is very clean, cool (in summer time), well decorated, and extremely helpful staff that give individual attention and help with maps and drawings if needed. There's a good sized shop inside and 2 10ish minute films to watch. Masks are a requirement for inside as of July 2022 but they provide them if you forget. Restrooms can be accessed outside not from inside Visitor Center. Top hikes and pinnacle are easily accessible from Visitor Center with plenty of parking and markers/signs.
Hannah Thornton — Google review
We had an amazing time exploring this area. What a beautiful National Park. Trails are well maintained and marked. We absolutely will come back again to explore more.
Emily Eldridge — Google review
Hadn't been to the Pinnacle since my son was probably 1 so nearly 15 years later we finally got to come back. It was a beautiful day and not very crowded like some of the other Parks. Great views and also saw some of the wildlife going up. My whole family enjoyed it. We will be back soon.
Tammy Smith — Google review
The fall foliage is in full shift, and the views are breathtaking! Go all the way to the top to the Pinnacle for spectacular panoramas. If you are on a motorcycle, your skills better be up to the task for numerous challenging hairpin switchbacks. It is worth the ride, whether you're in a car/van/truck or on a motorcycle. Don't miss it!!
Mike — Google review
A lovely area good for a quick picnic or a good hike. Absolutely gorgeous view at Pioneer Lookout at the top and the Park Rangers were very polite and helpful. Would love to come back here when I have time to do a long hike.
Magic Fidget — Google review
If you're going into Tennessee and passing by, I highly recommend the quick stop to check out this amazing view. Over 2,500 feet up, you can see three three states in one place. There is a short walk from the parking lot. Restrooms are also located at the parking area.
James — Google review
Trails are good lengths, some flat and some a little challenging. But overall, it's very beautiful for hiking. The road to Pinnacle Point is a very curvy road. But also a beautiful drive.
Lois Ditzer — Google review
Hiked from Civic Park to Sand Cave with an overnight in the camp site. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, but this hike is not for the faint of heart.
Zacque Hitchcock — Google review
Oh my gosh! This is such a beautiful and historic American Icon. How the west was won starts here! There is a great visitors center and so many hiking options. The drive through the Gap Tunnel is so cool.
I saw wildlife and nature’s stunning vistas galore! I love it here!
Round trips through forest & mountains on the former Kentucky & Tennessee miners’ railway line.
This was a fabulous experience from beginning to end. The restaurant was good. The train ride was alot of fun and the scenery was beautiful. The mining camp was both interesting and educational. And the staff were so very friendly. Highly recommended
Brian Horton — Google review
What a great adventure. The tour guide explained everything, was very detailed and had a great sense of humor. Was a perfect day for a train ride. They stressed the warnings of safety. Just wish there was a little more to do once we were at the stop.
Sheila — Google review
We went on the Polar Express train ride, which was wonderful. We paid for 1st class and got a nice mug for a souvenir. The cast did a great job, and all were friendly and fun to be around. Would do it again, especially if I can take my grandson XY! ❤️🧡
Penny Norman — Google review
It was a sweet adventure for the kiddos. The participant characters were genuinely involved with their passengers. I would have liked to have seen the North Pole be more of a presentation, however Santa did board the train and hand out the bells. It was nice that the cocoa was good, the cookies were quality and the bells were of good quality, so all in all, it was a sweet experience.
Kentucky ?Kentucky Girl? Girl — Google review
This is an awesome place. We love it.! Awesome walk back through time! Ride the train down the mountain through senic mountain sides along terrific dropoffs and a tunnel. Make sure you purchase tickets for the coal mine below at the train station. You need to come and visit. I recommend!
Sally Kasper (Sally) — Google review
So, we had a nice time in this little jaunt. The whole thing is a little hokey, but entertaining in its own way. The train ride is short and slow, but the scenery was really pretty. The time at the old mining camp was a bit disappointing. Lots of roped off areas and locked doors. The prices for lunch and the mine tour were a bit high for us, so we skipped it and did our own exploring and brought our own lunch. All the staff were very friendly and nice. I think our favorite was sitting in an old coal car and eating our lunch from the top deck of one of the buildings. It was peaceful, and the view was nice. It was a nice diversion for a sunny fall afternoon. 😎 Even our teen said it was "okay."
Tj Cernetic — Google review
When I was growing up there was a train that ran through our town, but in the late 80's / early 90's the train no longer ran and the tracks were taken out. Watching the train, made me want to ride one and I finally got the chance.
The ride is not a long one but it boasts some beautiful scenery. The end of the line is a two hour layover at a preserved mining camp. They offer tours of the mine and tours of the camp. The camp offers a restaurant and bathroom facilities along with other points of interest.
Obirobkinobi Rob Purvis — Google review
The fall color run is a great experience. The train ride was extremely fun. Lots to see and learn at the coal camp that the train ride goes to. The staff was very informative of all the buildings and history. The train ride back was just as nice. The views are so cool seeing the Cooper Branch Creek part of the way just adds to the beauty. Highly recommend the fall color run.
Greg Ordal — Google review
Nice train ride. The noise on the ride is a bit irritating. Not much to do if you don't do the coal mine tour for the two hour lay over. The mine tour is a additional $20.
Bernice Todd — Google review
This was an amazing experience for families young and old. The actual railroad ride itself was very noisy and you could barely hear the narrator over the train but, it's a train, what can you do. Kids loved the ride and I myself loved the sights and tunnel. It takes you to an old mining town where you can and should take a tour of a coal mine where you can see how people mined it and what could happen while doing so. Along the train tracks after you stop there is a general store with items from that time on display and an old schoolhouse/church. Truly a unforgettable experience!
djdiii 04 — Google review
Very fun ride. The lunch we purchased could have been a little better for the price. But we all had a great time and learned a lot. I recommend getting the mine tour. It was really interesting!
Scott Sanderson — Google review
Many years ago we went on this train ride and it was so enjoyable! It stopped in Blue Heron at an old mining town. The town had many exhibits with recordings of the people who lived there telling stories about what it was like when the mines were active. I remember live Bluegrass music at the depot. It was a really nice experience.
When I asked about the changes, it was explained that the train can no longer access Blue Heron due to fallen rocks. Therefore, the train now stops at a much smaller mining town that, in the past, the train just passed through. This town barely has enough interest to keep you busy for the two hour layover. It isn't really a guided tour. As a matter of fact, our "guide" gathered our group together after stepping off the train; briefly told us what was around us and up ahead on the tracks and then drove away on a golf cart.
To fill the two hour layover, you might want to pay extra for the mine tour. I will say it was interesting, but not to the tune of $20/person.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good train ride, but don't ruin it with a pitstop that has no real value. Maybe my expectations were set too high from my first visit, but in my opinion, it would be worth it to get those tracks cleared to Blue Heron or include the mine tour in the overall price.
BTW, you can still go to Blue Heron Mining Community by car if you're interested.
Carey Morris (GeekPreach) — Google review
Amazing history and a chilling experience to see how our ancestors lived and worked. Beautiful scenery and will be back when the tracks are open all the way to Blue Heron mine again. My mother thoroughly enjoyed as well. Yes the p.a. system on the train could use work, but that will come. Have some patience folks. Highly recommend! Say hello to Beth in the gift shop, Wilma on the train and Richard in the mine.
Adam Wilson
Adam Wilson — Google review
We had a great time on our trip, but couldn't hear the guides words over the train noises.
The mining town trip is alot of walking with hills and steps. It was very kid and pet friendly.
The museum has alot of cool finds like the different coal town coins.
Cheshire Cat — Google review
Fantastic place to visit, very polite people, we had a great time. The staff was friendly. It was a great value. The gift shop was a bit pricey, but everything was hand made and authentic. Worth the extra money if you have it to spend. The minors lunch was delicious and came in a adorable cooler bag. The train was a little scary going backwards but fun. Everybody had a great time. Thank you it was beautiful, we ran out of time to go through the museum which was free with the train tickets but we will definitely be back.
This is a great resort with amazing cabins nestled in the woods. The check-in process is easy and if you arrive after hours, they leave you a small map at the lobby to get to your cabin.
The cabin itself is beautiful and has all the amenities that you will want. They also provide fire wood if you want to lit one just outside the cabin. Overall a real good place for a long weekend getaway.
Prasad Nair — Google review
The Staff was very accommodating and friendly. Since we were there during the off season it was very very quiet. Our site was very near the bathhouse and lots of green space for the doggies. We only reserved for 1 night but liked it so much we asked to stay a second night. Our site had been reserved for that night but they called the other campers and asked if they wouldn't mind moving to the next site over so we wouldn't have to move. Like I said, very accommodating. We came here to see Cumberland Falls and it was fantastic.
Sheree Tischler — Google review
Amazing place to stay and a staff that makes you feel like part of the family. They all love what they do and take pride in it. Will always choose here for our Cumberland stays. Highly recommend the rainbow fire after the smores
L Kalmar — Google review
We did the 3 mile kayaking adventure and had a blast! The staff took to the take out ppint and unloaded out rented kayak and picked us up at the ended and loaded the back up. Very easy, inexpensive, and fun! No complaints at all
Jessica Smith — Google review
Awesome luxury cabin.4 ceiling fan/lights with a fan on front porch, rear porch, living room & bedroom.full kitchen, refrigerator. Fire pit & charcoal grill with a bundle of firewood on porch. Large sofa, bid LED tv. Wifi.grreay roomy bathroom with shower that has a seat. 20 minutes from civilization but put in the woods & close to Cumberland Falls Park Forest, Falls, river boat rides, "Moonbow" falls thing. Kayaking, canoeing, primitive camping...and much more. Helpful professional staff.well worth the $'s. This is why we came back in 2023 for a 3day outing with friends from Georgia!
Bradley “Hoodly” Hood — Google review
The most beautiful place, and each time I have went I get such an uplifting feelings from the vibe and the feel the place. Then you meet the people there and you'll realize why you get such an uplifting feelings. The people there are the kindest people you will ever meet. When you get there you are surrounded by so much beauty and the most genuinely good and kind people. You will definitely want to come back.
Stephanie Lawson — Google review
My daughter and I journeyed the 8 mile Cumberland River kayak trip in late August, and we loved it. We were taken to the put in location by the very friendly Drew. He made sure we knew where to end our trip and get to our car. This is a great company and the people I met felt like people from my small home town. It was a great day on the river. We had the entire river to ourselves without another soul in sight but conditions were perfect and relaxing. I highly recommend booking whatever it is you want to do in the area through this professional company. Good memories!
Claire McNally — Google review
We stayed here on a pavilion site. The sites are way to close together. Our campfire was about 12 feet from their picnic table. and the fire was pointed in their direction. all the fires are in weird spots and people are all pointing their chairs towards each other instead of seeing the woods. Also our site was right near a road. Like 15 feet of woods and then road. It was really lame there were no real woods around the site. the bathhouse was okay, could be cleaner. Your can arrange for them to deliver ice and firewood to your site. We used the e-bikes which we had a blast on. I really recommend. we had them for 4 hours, we went down the road that has trails and got to see school house arch. the next day we went hiking on those trails. I recommend packing lunch and having a nice picnic. The dog slaughter falls were incredible. one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been. the hike was a bit rough at times, I would not take small children there. but we had the falls all to ourselves for a while on a slightly wet weekend day. we went tubing also. That was disappointing. The river is in town so there is the sound of the highway next to the river, there was a lot of debris like old tires on the bank. And the water was slow and a bit boring for most of it. we stayed pretty dry and we’re fully clothes as it wasn’t a hot day. But I’m sure on a hot day you could get more wet. also Cumberland falls was amazing and close by. All in all they offer alot of different experiences and have alot of options for lodging. I’d try a primitive site in the woods if you don’t like to stair and other people and their tents for your trip.
Cora N — Google review
We camped here for a week over a Moonbow weekend. Our campsite (201) was awesome and had the best view in the campground, IMO. The grounds are well kept, the amenities are great, including a well stocked camp store, large, clean showers and even a nice laundry facility. There are even a few short hiking/walking paths. The staff is incredibly helpful, and answered all our questions. We rented e-bikes and that was amazing. We had an issue with one bike and they drove out to where we were and resolved it immediately, and our rental was unaffected. The e-bike rental was a highlight of our trip. We took them on the route they recommended and explored all over the Daniel Boone National Forest area off the Forest Service Road. If you go out there, definitely go as far as the Bark Camp Trail, it was gorgeous. We also did a tubing trip, and the staff was super friendly and helpful, even when we were delayed because of road construction. The river itself where the tubing was located was not exactly the kind of river I’d want to tube on, it was SUPER slow, and there was a lot of trash in and around the river, plus it ran along a road the whole time. But that isn’t any fault of the resort, just something to be aware of. And while we didn’t stay in them, they have really cabins and even covered wagons! They all look really well kept from the outside. Can’t recommend this place enough!
Jenny Hobbs — Google review
Beautiful trails. Clean cabin with comfortable beds. Dishwasher station, laundromat. Restaurant. Nice people that worked there. I recommend this place. It's very rustic. But it has everything. Cabins, RV parking and primitive camping in some beautiful areas. The hiking areas are stunning.
babette portillo — Google review
Great campground. GREAT location. The way the campground is set up is really neat. Even the "primitive" sites are so well located that they give you the privacy and feel of being out in the woods but they are so close to the main area that they also have the convenience of restrooms and all the campground activities and the Camp Store. We stayed on one of the electric/water tent sites and LOVED it. We had plenty of room and we were close to the playground which was great because I could watch our little girl and cook, read my book, or rest. We will definitely come back here again. Posting pictured of Cumberland Falls (picture of raft ride can be booked through campground), Dog Slaughter Falls a nearby trail, and the Riverboat ride (also booked through campground).
Sherry Clay — Google review
I’ve got mixed reviews on this one. My husband and I did a tubing adventure down the Cumberland River in the morning. We enjoyed that. Please be aware though, that they hand you a tube and put you in the water and come back for you at the stopping point. No guide or supervision. In the evening, we did the moonbow mist ride at Cumberland Falls. I would suggest changing the name of that booking because I it’s a little misleading. I thought we were going to see the moonbow on a boat ride. I think it’s called moonbow mist ride because it’s only done on moonbow weekends. Also, when you book, it’s not stated anywhere that you are going to get wet. We ruined 2 pairs of shoes by walking through mud and dirty water to climb into an inflatable boat. Would not recommend this.
Elizabeth Dawes — Google review
We stayed in mid March and were nearly the only ones here. It was quiet and beautiful. Only 10-15 minutes from Cumberland falls. Definitely kid friendly. Dog owners please be respectful.
Park within a state forest features a 12-acre lake, hiking trails & varied lodging options.
We had a great time camping last weekend! Awesome hiking trails and kayaking lake. Participated in two ranger led events. The sky didn’t cooperate for our night sky viewing, but the night hike down to the cave was excellent. I like the rustic campground, but I do wish the sites were more level. Overall, we had a wonderful experience!
Shana Durdin — Google review
My family and I love to go to Pickett State Park. Normally we run off to the trails, but this time we came to the visitor center and then the small island loop. It was a beautiful day. This hike was relatively easy. There were some honey bees on the trail. Crossing slowly got us through without a sting!
Kory Haas — Google review
I love this park! The hiking trails have breathtaking scenery and are fairly easy hikes to the waterfalls and rock houses. The cabins are comfy and a nice break from cell phones, etc. A short drive to Big South Fork, which has more beautiful trails. If you like to hike, this is the place!
Lisa Crawford — Google review
My family and I decided to finally make the drive here today to do some hiking. It’s been on our list for about a year. It was way more than expected, and we only did the trail from the natural bridge to Hazard cave. There’s much more to explore! The trail was managed by my wife and I and our 3 kids ages 10,7,4 with no real issues. The trail can definitely be narrow at times, and there’s some drop offs. But we were blown away when we got to the cave. I didn’t picture in my head out vast and big it was. It was so cool and quiet, we had it all to ourselves today for a while. We are definitely gonna be back to have a picnic inside the cave, and to explore the rest that the park has in store!
Ptguy0618 — Google review
Great park. Beautiful setting. Hiking for all ages, awesome geo structures to discover. Water. Fishing & the cabins have lovely views. I especially love the old stone cabins, they are beautiful.
The hikes ate doable & not strenuous, but the features are also quite accessible from roadside for the less adventurous or those less inclined to.hike but love seeing that pot at then end of the rainbow.
I recommend s stop in the visitor office for advice & some great merch at reasonable prices too
Karen Johnson — Google review
We only did the Natural Bridge and the cave...it was a bit cold that day. There was icicles on the trees near the cave, was really cool. We'll be going back to do more exploring. I really liked it there. Easy to walk, lots of good stairs to go up and down.
Ann Willard — Google review
I really enjoyed our short visit. Beautiful trails, swim area, kayaking area, swing bridge, natural bridge, cabins, and camping. We car camped. Bathrooms very clean.
The night sky is amazing!!
Jeannie — Google review
Looking for a great trail that rewards you for the hike? Then come visit Pickett CCC Memorial State Park. There are a number of trails to select. The Hazard Cave route is highly recommended. As you approach closer, you can hear water running through the cave. One note is that the Hazard Trail leads to a gap in the trail. Cross over and use the tree roots on the other side for a set of stairs. After this point, take heed for the trail narrows and twists. There's a small bridge towards the end of the loop that leads to separate trail.
Overall, the trail is marked though some places should have a new tag- for instance, by the gap mentioned before. Otherwise, the beaten path is easy to navigate. Be sure to have you GPS preset to go home before coming to Pickett if you're unfamiliar with the area.
*There is no cell service in the State Park.
With that said, enjoy the taste of nature!
Khala Grace — Google review
Beautiful park, so many great trails and gorgeous scenery! Our cabin was fantastic too.
Tonya Lee — Google review
This was an AMAZING campground! The staff was exceptional, especially Ranger Martin who led the glow worm hike. The trails were beautiful and the campground was kept clean! It was quiet and felt safe. We stayed in A19 right by the bath house.
The only complaints I had was the lack of directional signs to get from place to place because I’m bad at reading maps, and the shower was clogged so it was overflowing a lot but those aren’t huge issues!
We fell asleep to the sound of a whippoorwill and woke up to even more bird songs and a serene environment. We drove 4 hours to stay for two nights and I didn’t want to leave when the time came. I highly recommend staying here and I will absolutely be back!
P.s. make sure you check the size of your tent when reserving a site! Our tent area was a little too small but we made it work!
Haley Clayton — Google review
This park was very pretty, and surprisingly uncrowded. I was there on a holiday weekend, doing some of the more popular trails, and saw very few other hikers.
Chris Bauer — Google review
Beautiful state park with great trails, lots of activities, and super dark skies! -Update- We visited again June 4th with our 15 and 17-year-old sons and threeif their 17-year-old friends. We also brought our kayak. They had lots of fun swimming, although the water is cold. The lake is absolutely incredible for kayaking/canoeing, though! There's an easy route with a natural bridge to paddle under, and lots of rockhouses/rock shelters and small caves to see. The scenery is amazing!
Chris Atkins — Google review
This is a great park. Very quiet and peaceful. Nice hiking trails that have a lot to see. The Natural Bridge, Hazard Cave, and Island hikes are hidden treasures that are easy to medium hikes. The trails are well maintained with new stairways and boardwalks. You can do a lot of star gazing at the nearby Astronomy Field. The campsites are well maintained, with many having electric and water. Nice clean bathrooms with showers. It's a great memorial for the CCC that helped the economy during the great depression.
Gary Flynn — Google review
It was my 1st time here & 1st time solo tent camping. I was 3 hrs away from anyone I knew. There was a terrible thunderstorm with non-stop lightning from sunset to sunrise my 1st night. The rangers kept an eye on me while I was there. They are very friendly, funny, helpful. I almost stayed at one of the surrounding parks. The other parks did not have electrical or water at the sites. Plus, it was hour drive to the twin arches. Pickett Park was 30 min drive to the twin arches. It had a lot of trails I wanted to see. Plus, every campsite has water, most has electricity. Theres also indoor bathrooms with nice showers & small laundry room. It's same price as the neighboring parks. It's one of the nicer parks Ive been too.
Scenic park with a waterfall, hiking & gem mining, plus lodging, horseback riding & a fire tower.
Such a beautiful park with amazing views! There is a trail to follow that leads to different angles to see the waterfall. Trail is not difficult at all. Not crowded when we visited during the week. Parking is close to the entrance where the gift shop is. This is definitely on my list to visit again.
Cornedius Taylor — Google review
This is our 2nd time coming here. We really love this place. It is very handicap accessible. The fall is absolutely beautiful. They have restrooms and a visitor center a snack bar and funnel cake food truck. Lots of parking too. We stayed at a nearby campground so it was really easy to drive the 5 miles to get there and have a great time.
Sherry Clay — Google review
My fiance and I have camped here in a tent twice now and we see new stuff every time. This place is BEAUTIFUL and enjoyable. Staff is super friendly. Excellent place to camp and see beautiful places. Most people don't realize a place like this exists in Kentucky. We always have fun here.
Chasity Miller — Google review
Beautiful view from the top of the falls is an easy walk from the parking lot. Some stairs to get to the better viewing areas. Park is well-maintained. Clean bathrooms. Snacks and treats are available at a reasonable price. Great family destination.
We did not stay on the grounds. Just drove through and hiked the falls for an hour or so.
Erynn Newman — Google review
First the good. Such a beautiful place and love the trails and views. Highly recommend if you haven't been. The not so good. The cottage rooms were not very clean and the mattress was horrendous. The breakfast at the lodge was all overcooked on the buffet.
The other most confusing/aggravating thing is you can't even wade in the shallow river water. $1000 fine and 10 days jail? So generic. Thanks KY.
David White — Google review
Wonderful Lodge! The room was clean, and the furnishings were fine. Towels were soft and fluffy. The only issue was that the door stuck a bit when trying to get into the room. I love old buildings and a sticky door didn't put me off. The park was fabulous! Hiked over 10 miles the first day.
Wendy Schrodt — Google review
Handicap accessible! A friend was complaining about the lack of availability of handicap accessible accommodations, pretty much everywhere. I showed her pictures of our cabin, and she was excited. Not perfect, but doorways wide enough, sinks you can roll up to in a wheelchair, and a bathroom large enough to turn around in.
The hike to the falls from the cabin area is challenging but fun. Several other trails around that area were also pleasant. For the physically challenged, we were able to park near the falls, and it's an easy walk/wheelchair trip on paved roads to several nice overlooks.
Breakfast was about what you get at nicer hotels, not perfect but adequate . The view from the dining room more than makes up for any disappointment.
We've been twice, stayed in a cabin both times, found the staff and cabins quite nice. Much better than a hotel, in my opinion.
Do some research and you'll find plenty to do nearby if the park isn't enough to entertain you. We've kayaked with Sheltowee Trace Adventures, ridden the South Big Fork Railroad, hiked at the Natural Bridge and several waterfalls much smaller than Cumberland, and found local shops and diners to round out the fun.
Mary Kirkland — Google review
We got married in the grassy area adjacent to the Great waterfall 10 years ago. The park is pretty. I am told if you go during a full moon, you might see a moon- rainbow originating from the tiny droplets scattered by the falls. The restaurant is very nice. Pay attention to the location of boulders, they are in specific places below the waterfall only, due to erosion.
Maxime Cuypers, Ph.D. — Google review
Beautiful state park. The waterfall is gorgeous. This is one of the only places in the world where “moon bows” can be viewed. Plenty of hiking trails. The main area to the falls is an easy walk and ADA accessible. The have a gift shop, snack shop and bathrooms.
Danielle — Google review
Not to be confused with Cumberland Falls State Park, the resort park is where there is a lodge, cabins, cottages, RV sites, and camping spots available to stay at overnight. We were in a Woodland Cottage for two nights. The cottages are old and need some updating. The beds are comfortable but are covered with plastic mattress pad covers. A little too crinkly for me. There’s a small fridge, microwave, and coffee pot. Not enough hot water for more than one shower. You’ll have to wait an hour for the water to heat up again. The Woodland Cottages are directly to the left of the lodge parking lot when you enter off the road. You sign in and get your room keys at the lodge. (This is down the road from the entrance to the falls and visitor center.) Make sure to go to the balcony at the lodge that overlooks the river. The fall colors are magnificent! A great photo spot. For fall foliage reference, we were there Oct. 18-20, 2022. The desk staff and housekeeping were very nice.
Gigi B — Google review
The falls were beautiful. The trails were well kept and enjoyable. Booked a stay in one of the cottages, but when we got there, they said none were available, but that they had available rooms in the lodge, so we took one of those instead. The room itself was ok, however it's not very soundproof. The ceiling creaked whenever someone moved in the room upstairs and we could hear all of conversations in the hall outside.
Will Walkup — Google review
The park is a convenient location near interstate 75, We did not stay at the Inn or eat there. The campgrounds are very small, so pay attention to the size of your RV since two that we drove through were dead end streets, where you can't circle around and look at all the sites if you're trying to pick the best one for your rig and the time of the year.
The hike from our camp site was really enjoyable, ending up at the falls, which are spectacular. We visited the park in early June, so the falls were really rolling. Likely if it's a dry summer, they say the falls will not be very pretty.
Kenneth Kaiser — Google review
I am dad. And stayed with my two daughters. One is 9 and the other is 4. They loved the hotel, the views, the pool. I liked the clean bathrooms, towels provided at the pool, all the hikes in the park. Is an older lodge. But it appears to be maintained very well. I loved!!!! The attention. The staff was very top notch with me and my girls
Emerson Diaz — Google review
This is our third time visiting the park. We drive up from Florida on our way to visit my son in Southern Indiana. I love this park . It's so laid back and has lots of activities. They have a lodge and cabins along with camping. We stayed in the cabins . The area is quiet and so relaxing. We like to hike so there is plenty of trails that offer beautiful scenery. I will definitely be back again .
Lisa Cheney — Google review
Stayed in 1 bedroom cabin, steps away from 2 trails. The falls are spectacular no matter the weather or time of year. It was cool and a bit rainy, but the hikes were wonderful. The Parks Naturalist, G, was a great guide on our trip to the fire tower. Kudos to her lessons and knowledge on how to protect wildlife and the sustainability of nature itself.
Ruth Wild Hare — Google review
Stayed in one of the single queen cottages. We have stayed here multiple times before and we love it. Lodge restaurant is open and the food and service was great. There are multiple trails around the park and you can make an entire day out of hitting the trails.
The campground is not really designed for large campers. I would say any camper over 25' will have issues in most sites.
Overall, great State park and highly recommended.
Brian Baker — Google review
My family has so many good memories here at the Falls going back to the 70s when my grandparents would bring us here. Now to bring my own family down over the recent years is a great continuation of a family tradition! We will always love it and the sites and places we visit along the way!!
David Pence — Google review
Wonderful trail to different levels of the Falls. You can see a little or a lot. There is an upper trail, but you have to go down steps at end to really see the Falls. The store there is Great!! Lots of samples of area crafts & lotions & food.
Jo Nell Mallay — Google review
I can see why this place doesn't get much business it is way out and no swimming is allowed price per room is pretty high for just a small No-Frills room. The breakfast was awesome although coffee had grounds in it and they did not refill the fruit basket at all once it was gone it was gone first come first serve. The falls were really muddy the day that we visited
Anita Musick — Google review
We took a detour on our way to northern Kentucky to visit the Falls. It was a very we'll laid out place and there were plenty of places to stand and see the Falls. We parked right at the Falls and didn't have to hike any long trails to get to the Falls. We like to go to see waterfalls and this was one of the best ones that we have seen. It's definitely worth the time and effort to visit.
David Moyd — Google review
Like always .loved it never realized why my dad always wanted to come down here. Once I got here I realized why .the beauty alone is breath taking just sitting by the falls or walking the trails. Your at one with nature not trying to sound corny. But yeah oneof the most beautiful places I've ever been in my 44yrs on earth. And the lords will I'll be heading back down often.
Bryan C — Google review
We used campsite 28. It is 150 ft away from the showers. The showers are the best we have ever used in any campsite in any state we have been in. It is in a heated building. There are pegs to hang up close. There is a seat. Separate curtains for the shower and for the dressing area. The hot water and cold water valve are separate The large shower head has a shut off. I did not get soaked while waiting for the hot water to start. There are two family bathrooms complete with showers. Fabulous experience.
Rick Gellert — Google review
Stayed in a cabin this past weekend and had a great time. The cabin was very nice and clean, everything needed provided. We ate breakfast and dinner at the resort. We got the buffet both times and had no regrets, great food. I’ve wanted to stay in one of these cabins since I was a child, finally did and will be back to do it again!
S Hodge — Google review
We stayed in the resort. The room was spacious and overlooked the river. It was a little dated but not for the price. I loved the history and the huge fireplace. But my favorite was the patio that gave an amazing view of the river below.
April Fisher — Google review
We stayed at the lodge and hiked the falls, what a gorgeous place! Seems like a hidden gem (though we were there off-season). Parking is plentiful, at the picnic area and the falls. Gift shop offers thousands of options in a range of budgets, and the employees were very knowledgeable of the area.
Make it a day trip or a family vacation, there's plenty to do!
Kelly Malter-Hoffman — Google review
First of all, Cumberland Falls is gorgeous and well worth a road trip.
I'm not sold on the resort, but it was nice to bring our doggie companion. It's $30 to bring pets to stay in the lodge and $50 in the cabins.
My friend and I got a double queen room in the lodge "with a view". The view, unfortunately, was of their patio.
It is a nice patio, and you can see plenty of sky, but if you're on the first level, people can definitely just look into your room, so keep those shades drawn. The view from the actual patio is very beautiful.
The bathroom was large and accommodating. They had dispensers for body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. They also provide a safety bar on the interior wall. It is quite a large tub, with high walls. There was also a hair dryer in our bathroom, though we never used it.
There was a small but reasonable area to hang and store items. They also provided a iron and ironing board.
You can hear people walking around on the floor above you. Bring some ear plugs if you're a light sleeper.
The room was very cramped, the set up seemed illogical. The dresser was impossible to use. I would not call this a wheel chair accessible resort. There are lots of stairs, everywhere.
The laundry seemed very clean and fresh.
The worst issue we had was there was someone else's food left in the room. And the ice bucket was greasy and dusty. The lights also flicker a lot upon entrance, so if you have any issues with blinking lights, you may want to turn on the lights and wait outside of your room for a moment.
Also if you have any dietary restrictions you better tell them well in advance. The complimentary breakfast doesn't necessarily include food you can eat. We were there on a slow day, so no buffet. They were out of waffles and fruit. Their juice machine had a funky taste about it.
Lew Fox — Google review
Do not rent cabin 502. Smoke damage from the fire place. Tried to air the small out, all the windows latches and cranks broken. Missing grout in both bathrooms with black mold growing in the cracks. Would not give state workers a break. No electric for a day and a half. Bachup generator did not work.
george schemenauer — Google review
I just visited the falls, I didn't rent a room. The area where your allowed to view the falls from is pretty close to the parking lot. Very easy to walk to. They have several places for you to view the falls from with slightly different views of it. I wish you were allowed to walk up the falls like you can some other parks, but your not allowed. They have hiking trails that are fairly easy to enjoy. They have a little sand place. The restrooms are very clean. It's a really nice place to take your family to.
Stephenie Fritts — Google review
It is an old hotel which could use some updating of the bathrooms. The mattresses were so comfortable so I am happy with their decision to improve those. It's a state park hotel and we love to support our state parks. The free breakfast was great. We were here for a honeymoon and to see the moon bow. The hiking around the park was great. We rode horses and saw the moonbow!!! It was a great trip. Food was good. I would only work to update the bathrooms. Oh and the Internet was out the entire time we were there which made it hard to get in touch with our kids.:)
Kim Laun — Google review
So beautiful to visit. And lots to do! We saw 🦌 deer all around. Great hiking around the lake. Disc ⛳️ golf can be fun, I however was not good at it. The Lake is beautiful. The Lodge has great food, just check for hours and food options, the Buffett is very good.
Gallery selling made-in-Kentucky arts, crafts & specialty foods, plus a cafe & rest stop services.
I adore local artisans and this place does not disappoint! I bought the loveliest pottery teapot I’ve ever seen, an adorable drawing, fantastic hand forged metalwork and a ugly and cute pottery fish head to hang on my wall not to mention local flavors of coffee and local smells of hand lotion and candles. Gifts galore for loved ones or for that special place in your own house!
Slaterson — Google review
Tons of adorable arts and crafts to look at. Something for everyone, from jewelry, pottery, baskets and journals to paintings, metal art, food and ornaments. Really anything you're into.
RV parking available! Also, we had the most delicious fried bologna sandwich and derby pie in the food court! Nice place to stretch my legs, mind and belly during a Roadtrip!
Roxy Beaudet — Google review
Absolutely beautiful hand crafted items for sale. Something for everyone. Bathrooms are always clean
heidi diener — Google review
What a great place to see so much beautiful art! Beautiful entrance with seating and art all around before you enter. As you enter there is a very helpful staff person who can answer lots of Berea questions and tourist guides. Then the art, they have everything from metal to silk to food to books. I loved the fiber arts section, beautiful silk scarves and wraps and toys. Paintings and wall sculptures made of everything. So much local KY art it was amazing!
I highly recommend visiting. If you want to buy something take a chunk of change! Honoring the artist is on the agenda here.
They also have a coffee and lunch bar in the back.
A HInes — Google review
Excellent craftsmanship and unique artistry on display and for sale! A must see in person! Beautiful and massive glass work! Quilt work is awesome!
Mom Chesney — Google review
Great place to restroom, get something to eat, look @ Kentucky artisan crafts.Pearl & Braden are awesome staff!
Bradley “Hoodly” Hood — Google review
Very nice place. Most creations are made by local artists. They have a Cafe but it's been closed when we are there . I think it closes at 3pm. First timers could easily spend 2 to 3 hours there. They sell various jams, jellies, and chocolates.
Tim Tuohey — Google review
Truly a unique place! Tons of handcrafted items/artwork from around Kentucky at very reasonable prices! Great place to pick up gifts for your loved ones that will spark conversations for years to come.
Austin Rohrer — Google review
A well kept secret, right out of sight of highway. Clean bathrooms and nice folks running this place.
Guyla Marie — Google review
Perfect location for a pit stop when you're on a road trip. It's next to the freeway with toilets and café on site. Beautiful arts and crafts of large selection. Quiet, relaxing atmosphere. Not suitable for young kids.
Elsabe Kruger (Ouma Elsabe) — Google review
Great change from a roadside rest area. Clean bathrooms, decent Cafe with reasonable prices, and more tourist items for sale than many shopping areas. From t desk attendant has massive information for anyone. Biggest drawback is getting to the bathroom through the shopping area.
Bob Altman — Google review
Fun stop just off of I-75. It’s an interesting art museum/ store with a cafe and public restrooms. All of the art is interesting and for sale, we enjoyed looking at the pieces and even bought a couple. There’s also a dog-walk area outside, and outside picnic seating. All around, it was a great stop. I’ll probably return next time I’m passing through.
Logan Porter — Google review
Awesome selection of arts and crafts from local artists/artisans. Great place to shop for gifts. They have cards, art prints, jams and sauces, soap, jewelry, candles, knick-knacks..they also sell drinks and some candies and have an in-house cafe with a small menu of food offerings. I like stopping here when I'm driving past because they also have clean bathrooms!
Rebecca M. — Google review
What a beautiful place to visit and look for the one of a kind piece of art. All kinds of mediums are used to create some of the most unusual art. We also ordered a huge sausage biscuit and cheese breakfast sandwich that weighed over a pound ...it was delicious. We also ordered the grilled chicken BLT wrap which has a complete salad including cucumbers! OMG! What a delicious wrap!
Barbara Deckard — Google review
A great stop if you're interested in fine arts and crafts! It's also a nice alternative to the typical rest stop – you'll find clean bathrooms, a café, a visitor information center and a remarkable, large gift shop featuring art, books and crafts from throughout Kentucky.
Sarah Stierch — Google review
Definitely worth stopping at! So many nice artisan items for sale. Wide range of prices. The bathrooms were all the way at the back, but they were nice and clean. The cafe didn't have anything special so we didn't buy anything from it. I loved everything was Kentucky artists. We bought several nice items. Great place to pick up gifts!
A Shank — Google review
I stopped for a rest stop for myself and my pet. I'm so glad I did. The place is amazing. There is so much to look at there from various artists. If you're into gardening, birds, cooking or anything outdoors and home decorating this is definitely worth the stop.
Michael J — Google review
I love this store! One of the only places I bought souvenirs while on a college choir tour. I also left my wallet there and they graciously shipped it back to me. Thanks for going above and beyond!
Ava Charpentier — Google review
Kentucky resident artists display their art and crafts here. Similar to a museum, but the pieces are for sale. Most of it is quite decent, and some is rather excellent. Very welcoming atmosphere, and the gallery is larger than just the front entry. There are also some steel sculptures outside off of the outside veranda.
Derrick McCurdy — Google review
This is always a 'stop along the way' but really is more like an experience we remember and look forward to repeating. They sell the most interesting, unique, great quality, beautiful artistic things. The facility is well staffed and has a good cafe offering a good variety of food and drink.
Quaint dollhouse museum featuring reconstructions of American social history in miniature.
Amazing miniature dollhouse museum! Every display was beautifully detailed, and their dollhouse shop had an amazing selection. This is a nice and quiet place to visit with your friends or family!
Karla Arreola — Google review
This place blew my mind. Initially i thought, what am I DOING at a dollhouse museum - but this is so much more than that. Once you walk into the exhibit there is a HUGE room with so many different styles of miniature exhibits. Some are fantasy based, some are full mainstreets reconstructed. Highly recommend for any age.
Karrie B. Muse Marketing KY — Google review
A great place to spend the day so much to see. I loved it. I would have spent more time on the premises if I did not have to leave to to feed my family.
Freddie Murphy — Google review
My mom surprised me with a trip here for my birthday. We drove four hours to get there, but it was completely worth it! I loved every second of seeing American history's timeline in miniatures. Especially because I am a history teacher. Love, Love, Love!!!
Julie Trent — Google review
I'm not a dollhouse guy. My wife is, so we went. It's one of those boutique museums that could be fascinating for young girls I suppose, or those still young at heart with fond memories of playing with their own dollhouses. My wife truly enjoyed our 60 minutes there, so let her experience dictate the 4-star rating. Of course, my own macho opinion in no way takes away from the intricacies and realism of the displays. Like it or not, they are exceptional.
Ari Eliefja — Google review
My wife loves doll houses so much, we bought one of our real homes soley because it looked exactly like her doll house. She was really looking forward to visiting the Great American Dollhouse Museum and it did not disappoint! She purchased many miniature furniture peices in the gift shop and spent over an hour browsing the museum. I was also very impressed with the level of detail and craftsmanship that went into construction of all the various types of displays. It was a walk through time viewing the different cultures and eras depicted in the doll house museum. Very cool and recommended top attraction when visiting Danville KY
Garage Detailer — Google review
Fun visit! The work done on the many displays is amazing! The food on the miniature tables looks good enough to eat. The admission prices are reasonable, and the prices in the gift shop are more than reasonable.
Diane L — Google review
My husband and I have always been interested in miniature model making and RR exhibits, so decided to stop here to see what they had. It’s a really cool museum. The exhibits are set up very well, making both sides of each house visible. Most of the doll houses were very done well with a lot of attention to detail. Many were themed.
Our favorite part was the fantasy area with trolls and a dragon cave. Wish they had more of that kind of thing! We spent our driving time over the next couple days of our road trip talking about the fantasy scene (including a miniature castle, medieval village, and dragon cave) that we’d like to design and make some day.
The attendant (the owner?) was friendly.
Tamara Hopkins — Google review
10/10 Recommend! $12(adult) all day pass sp you could leave and come back. The dollhouse shop @ the entrance was lovely. Vintage items, Everything you need to create your own doll house. Fair priced. The owner was very kind and welcoming.
The museum was absolutely beautiful. Each dollhouse haf amazing detail and you truly became immersed in history.
Not overly crowded while we're there but there were other spectators. However, it was a nice trip for families or friends to enjoy together. Definitely will go again.
Rebecca Coulter — Google review
I've never been anywhere like this. It doesn't matter if you have an interest in dollhouses or not, this place will blow your mind. What a collection.
I would add that the owner was very friendly. We arrived 15 minutes before closing, but she encouraged us to go ahead and take our time.
Wesley Miller — Google review
Absolutely amazing and history filled. When you walk in it's a store where you can buy dollhouse supply's and other neat things. The museum is to the back of the store. You pay at the store counter to enter the museum. Well worth 12 dollars.
MaryJo Stewart — Google review
Wow, wow, wow! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I wasn't disappointed. There are so many different dollhouses in a variety or styles. In addition to the dollhouses, they have vintage clothing and history displays. We spent about an hour here, as we had our toddler with us, but you could spend much longer looking at all of the dollhouses in detail!
Cynthia K — Google review
Delightful! Charming! Intricate! Amazing!
This museum is a gem! I was pleasantly surprised, had no idea this even existed in Danville. I can highly recommend it, and if you are interested in creating your own - they have thousands of miniatures to pick from at very reasonable prices, no kidding. It took the owners many years to just break even, they really just know have begun to actually make a bit of money from it. Great experience, bring your kids!
Support your local businesses!
Astrid Wenke-Sebastian — Google review
Absolutely bonkers!! So many beautifully displayed, intricate houses and entire villages brought to life. Each display tells a story and has historical tidbits. Much, much better than expected!
Raven Run Nature Sanctuary is a vast woodland preserve spanning 734 acres on the outskirts of Lexington. It offers visitors 10 miles of marked hiking trails, as well as streams and abundant wildlife. Located near the meandering Kentucky River, this sanctuary showcases the beauty of American wilderness. With its own visitors center and diverse array of flora and fauna, Raven Run provides an opportunity to see various species of ferns, flowers, birds, and woodland creatures.
This is a very awesome place to escape to after working all week. There is nothing better than being around nature and this is the perfect local place to do it. Great hiking trails and beautiful sites
brandon sorrell — Google review
This is one of my favorite hiking spots I've seen in this area! Very well marked trails with lettered intersections of the trails that all connect at some point. Great mix of easy and moderate trails. Some waterfalls and creeks along the way. Very impressed with this place. I did the red, orange, and white trails and I really loved the red trail.
Heather Brushwood — Google review
Beautiful hike! We went on a weekend and did the outer loop, it took about an hour and a half and was totally worth it! The trail is moderate and may be a bit challenging for those who aren't avid hikers, there are shorter and easier trails if you dont want to spend an hour or more on a hike , but the views are very rewarding . Definitely worth a day trip.
Sarah Olmedo — Google review
It was glorious! I just wanted to get a cabin and hide here without any electronics for like a week. Beautiful, refreshing, and healing. The scenery on the drive there, is a pleasure of its own.
Chiz-Wil — Google review
This is one of my favorite nature trails in the area. The sanctuary is secluded and peaceful with plenty of tree canopy to keep you cool. I always see plenty of wildlife and beautiful plants. The trails are well defined and the map offers some options for your hiking route depending on your level. Highly recommend!
Alex Floyd — Google review
Beautiful little place, the paved trails are pretty short and I think they all end up to the same place but makes it good for children, I think they have longer hiking(?) trails but when we went it was kinda muddy from the big storm the night before, so we didn't walk those trails. The guy inside the nature center was super nice too.
Katie Merson — Google review
Visited 3/5/23. They have a lot of different trails from easy to moderate. Some are paved & wheelchair accessible. We did the Freedom trail beside the parking lot that was paved. They were closing, so make sure to check the times they are open before going. Hours vary depending on the time of year. Lots of parking. They have a picnic area. They have trail maps posted in the parking lot with the level of difficulty. It's a very beautiful area. The drive is very scenic & in the countryside. Roads can be narrow at times, so be careful. Since they closed at 5:30pm we decided to go on down the road to take in the beauty of the area. It was well worth it. The sunsets are absolutely stunning.
True Blue — Google review
Raven Run is a must-see trail during the spring and summer. The sanctuary has so much to offer in terms of sights and fauna. Make sure you check out the Kentucky River during your hike there!
BirdPresident — Google review
I love hiking here. Great views, lots of wildlife and super friendly and helpful staff. They have a little exhibit that's great for kids and they will show you which trail is best for you depending on what you would like to do. I will keep coming back to get in some exercise and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. I definitely recommend the cliff that has the beautiful view of the river. I don't take my younger children to that one because it could be dangerous but the view is breathtaking.
Alisha Trader — Google review
Such a beautiful amazing walk and hike, there are different levels of hikes but you will see some beautiful sites regardless which trail you take, i did red and white and its a pretty good workout out, the 2 was almost 4 miles around. There is a nature center where kids can do a lot of hands activities, explore and learn about animals and things that can be found on the trails and doesnt cost a penny to go
amy lynne — Google review
My family and I hiked this place mid summer. This is a beautiful area. We had a wonderful time. The trail map wasn't the best I've seen, but we made it back to the start eventually.
Michael Aldridge — Google review
We always bring our kids here, it's so quiet and peaceful. Always a wonderful experience for our family.
Aaliyah Goodine — Google review
The Raven Run Nature Sanctuary is a beautiful location to visit. The nature center is well taken care of and there's a decent bathroom to use. Pro Tip: Bring a Map! Even with a map, the trail is tricky. There are multiple paths that converge and the markers are convoluted. Perhaps they should amend the map and trail markings to make it less confusing. After all, what is noted as a 2 hour hike becomes a 4 hour trail. We were not as prepared in regards to water.
Yet, despite these details the views are incredible and relaxing. My suggestion is to go on a weekday because today was quite busy. Being with nature is what a hike is all about. Though it is good to know that there's some cell service in case of an emergency- can imagine how busy snakes must be in the summer!
On another note, the trail is narrow and steep along most paths. Be mindful when deciding to bring children- it would be better to use the paved trail rather than the ones in the woods.
Overall, we made it back and enjoyed the exercise.
Khala Grace — Google review
It's the season when beautiful wildflowers bloom. I feel happy to be able to see this scenery. 4.9.2024
C Susie — Google review
This place is absolutely amazing! It's a great place for family outdoor experiences. There are several different routes or paths you can choose to take with your family based on the experience you're looking for. This time we took the route that goes to the Overlook and we were not disappointed it was absolutely gorgeous! There were a few folks already picnicking there but it would be a perfect spot to hike up to sit down take a break and just take in all of God's glory! Nature abounds and we even ran into a skink while they were there!
The Mary Todd Lincoln House, a charming Georgian brick structure located on West Main Street, holds significant historical value as the childhood home of the First Lady of the United States from 1861-1865. Originally serving as a tavern for early settlers in Lexington, Kentucky, it later became the residence of Mary Todd Lincoln. Today, this protected historical site showcases its well-preserved interior rooms adorned with period furnishings and photographs. The museum offers tours and hosts various events to honor its rich heritage.
This is a piece of our country's history. It's so interesting to see the actual home with period furniture. I was glad to talk to the dedicated guides who shared so many facts about Mary Todd and her family. There is a nice little gift shop in back with lots of books for people interested in the Todd family history.
Kathleen McCoy — Google review
Definitely worth a visit. Only takes about an hour at most to do the tour. They have note cards in each room to tell you the significance of certain items in that room. There are also pieces furniture and other items that belong to Mary's Niece Katherine Helm. Small little gift shop on site, it was a little pricey or at least in my opinion it was, 6.99 for a small magnet was a bit much.
Ashley Howerton — Google review
I have been to several history houses and this place could have done so much better. We made reservations in the morning. Once we got in there, I believe Elizabeth, gave us a quick introduction of the house. She was very knowledgeable but then she finished and told us we could walk through the house with the self-guided tour. It would have been so much nicer if she could have walked around and explained things. I also never understand why every "history house" will not let you on the 3rd floor. They always seem to be storage or office space. Office space for what? They had 3 people in the house that wouldn't answer questions. I was also surprised that they had converted many rooms into a gift shop or bathroom or office space. Many of those rooms could have contained more displays. I do realize they need to make money but give me an awesome tour and you will probably get a tip.
Jason Clise — Google review
Visited this place during my trip to Lexington, KY. Definitely a must go. I put this place in my itinerary simply because I love history and vintage houses. So here you go, enjoy these pictures:)
Novi Beerens — Google review
Provided a good history of the Todd family. $15.00 for adults. History buffs will find it very educational and interesting. Not recommended for young children. Stairs to the second floor.
Sharon Mcfarland — Google review
I enjoyed the tour. I think the guy I talked to was Jacob, he was very knowledgeable about the place. There was a couple of areas that were not the tour, like the attic, but there was a sign there to tell you about it. The back yard garden was pretty neat too.
And there is a gift shop around back as well. I got some t shirts for the kids and magnet for the fridge. I wish in retrospect I would have gotten an pair of the Abe Lincoln socks they sold.
C Hudson — Google review
Really neat to see one of our 1st ladies homes. We need more women in history spots like this in America! Very informative, great overview by the greeters, self guided at your own pace which I loved. Beautiful garden out back.
Jules Orme — Google review
We loved our tour today with Durbin. I am seeing Mary Todd Lincoln for more than just the wife of Abraham Lincoln. Durbin was so knowledgeable and we appreciate him answering all our extra questions!!!
South Glen Farm — Google review
We spent an hour here on a self-guided tour, exploring the rooms and reading the information provided. This was an important place for me to visit, as I have been fascinated by Mary Todd Lincoln since I was little.
I found the information on her formative years interesting, as well as the more current view of the contribution that enslaved Americans made during that time period.
I realize that it was her childhood home, but wish there had been more information about her later years, which are so interesting.
The staff were kind and happy to answer any questions.
Jackie Adler — Google review
Not a big place. But it gives a very good picture of the life Mary Todd had. Do note - there is some parking around the back side of the house. The signs are easy to miss.
K A — Google review
My wife and I are both history nuts, so we both really enjoyed our visit. I liked that their is a tour guide but you can also explore the house on your own, beautiful house, very historic.
Kevin west — Google review
Well, it cost $15 bucks per person, and i went with my wife, daughter, and son in law . it is a self guided tour. It wasn't that fascinating to tell the truth. it was jaw-dropping. History in that era wasn't the best, but I like history, so we went . But in my opinion it was not worth the money at all. Note the people running it were very knowledgeable and kind. the man working the second floor was so funny. I'm sorry I forgot your name if you are reading this.
Ricardo hernandez — Google review
Easy to go by because I was expecting a small house. Mary's father bought a tavern in a foreclosure sale, and it has five bedrooms.
Well, it was preserved with many original artifacts from the Todd family.
First home preserved to honor a First Lady in the US.
Kathy Condon — Google review
interesting to see this. alot of information about different things from the era included in the tour. gift shop in the back in case you want a souvenir.
M — Google review
This is the house Mary Todd lived in as a teenager. They have done a nice job of trying to recreate the space she lived in. While it is a self guided tour there was a docent on both floors to answer questions. Very pleasant stop while traveling.
Anna Zucker — Google review
Learned something new today about Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. Great little piece of history to discover here. Kind of over kill on the attention given to slave labor though. I think we all know by now it was a part of our dirty past. Sad, but a fact of life then.
Laureen Johnson — Google review
Nice visit to the Mary Todd Lincoln House. Good historical facts and artifacts about and from the time period. Place was restored starting in 1976 and has the intent of the time when the Todd family lived there. Gardens outside with bathrooms. It's self guided but has experts onsite to answer questions. Two floors of fun. I appreciate the factual tributes and mention of the enslaved persons' contributions throughout the home. It was 1800s Kentucky....
The K Green Show — Google review
You have admission but your self guided tour is very informative and they do answer questions asked and we enjoyed the garden afterwards to relax in on the way out. Worth the money. Another part of Lincoln's life to learn.
Alltech's Brewing & Distilling Co. can be found in central Lexington and specializes in bourbon-barrel ale, offering on-site tours & tastings. It's perfect for those a little tired of potent tipples of whiskey, with many Kentucky Kolsch and IPAs on the menu. The trademark brew is the flagship Kentucky Ale, which has a glowing amber hue and smooth finish.
We came here with some of our agents from our local real estate company The Agency. Our guide Boyd was wonderful, very knowledgeable, and he didn’t mind answering our broker’s many questions. We enjoyed our tour and were happy to learn more about the brewing and distillery process, plus of course we enjoyed the tastings!
Sandy Allnutt — Google review
We finally got back to Lexington and the brewery and distillery were open for touring. Our tour guide was informative, entertaining and engaging. We arrived early to gift shop and purchased a sample flight of the beers before the tour. This allowed us to use our samples on the spirits. Everything was good and we enjoyed the variety. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Good tour, beautiful buildings.
Matthew Milner — Google review
Had a wonderful experience here and ended up with a private tour. Our tour guide was GREAT! The tastings were fun and educational. The tour was full of information and our tour guide made it fun. I recommend doing a tour here and definitely buy a bottle of the coffee bourbon! It's absolutely amazing!
Kiba W — Google review
I came here on a private tour and had such a great time! Our tour guide, Boyd, was fantastic. He was both personable and knowledgeable, and didn’t mind answering my endless questions. We had so much fun that our whole group wanted to be his friend. The facility was beautiful, and I highly recommend the later tours for the gorgeous view of the sunset.
Rose — Google review
Beautiful facility, easy to find and the tour was an hour which felt like the right amount of time. Also an opportunity to taste their offers from the brewery and the distillery. Great little shop too! Definitely worth a stop in whether you’re bourbon lover or not.
Mike Schofield — Google review
Nice tour and tasting during our visit to Lexington. Great tour guide who explained all of the different distilling processes. Beautiful facility with lots of history and interesting architecture.
Beth Hallauer — Google review
Great tour with amazing connection to Irish whiskey and specifically the Pierce Lyons Distillery in Dublin. The tasting is nice with options for those who prefer beer over bourbon and even have a very nice selection of gin. This is the place to buy Pierce Lyons in the US and the 12yr is especially good!
Benjamin Hyink — Google review
Stopping by for the only brewery/distillery on bourbon trail. Their flagship Kentucky bourbon ale is awesome. The townbranch single barrel never disappoints. This time we got to try their maple syrup cask beer and bourbon, it’s heavenly awesome. Currently is slow season, so getting in wouldn’t be a problem. Tour guide was fun and educational. The place is very clean and inviting.
Wind Napol — Google review
We had a great a tour and tasting at Lexington Brewery and Distillery. Maria, our tour guide, was fantastic. The tour consisted of a tour of the brewery and then the option to taste beer followed by a tour of the distillery and then the option to taste bourbon. Everyone is given four tokens for tastings and it is up to you how you want to turn them them - either beer or bourbon. The tour group size was small and felt very personal. It isn’t a 21+ distillery only, but I would suggest if you don’t have too - then don’t. There was a small parking lot. Restrooms where available in the gift shop only.
Jessica Panicucci — Google review
Came in for the evening tour and tasting. Small group so very intimate and personal. Guide/bartender was great. Good selections to pick from (choice of 2) plus a cocktail and special sample. Highly recommend.
Rich Basher — Google review
My husband and I stopped here while we were passing through town and I am so glad we did! We posted up at the bar and split one flight of beers and one flight of the harder stuff. Our bartender was incredibly friendly and attentive, and we all shared quite a few laughs. The beers were all delicious, and I especially recommend the vanilla and orange ones. I was very excited to try the rhubarb gin, but am sad to report that it didn't taste as wonderful as it looked.
I love that they drew from their Dublin location for the decor and ambience. It definitely kept this spot unique and I'll be back anytime I'm in Lexington!
Emily McCloskey — Google review
The tour was so engaging and informative! This was my third distillery tour but I still learned something new. The inside of the building is beautiful! I definitely recommend taking a tour (especially since you get 4 tokens to use for samples!), but there's also a nice sitting area outside that anyone can use.
Daniela Sanchez — Google review
Loved this experience at a smaller distillery. Smaller and also better! Tour guide Steven was superb. Tastings of the brews and the spirits were informative and fun. Loved the unexpected Bluegrass Sundown tasting...bought a bottle AND the awesome glasses to serve it in. So great to have a bottle of the Town Branch True Cast Bourbon too!
Chris Butterworth — Google review
Family came in from Seattle and of course a distillery tour was a must. I've been to some of the other distillerys in the past, but let me tell you we enjoyed this tour way more than the bigger places. Beer, Bourbon, and Gin.. so something for everyone. Our tour guide (Adam) was so fun, and engaging, we were laughing and smiling the whole time. I would highly recommend recommend making this a "must stop" for anyone visiting!!
Brandi Kelley — Google review
Fantastic tour of a legendary brewery and a distillery with rich heritage. Tasting tour included four samples of any of their beers or spirits, including an incredible 12 year Irish whiskey.
Tour guide, John, was very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. The facilities were fascinating, especially how they actually explained the similarities and differences between spirits and beer.
A must see on the bourbon trail.
Hunter Garrison — Google review
Great brewery and bourbon tour, Augustus was great and all the spirit’s had a wonderful blend of flavor. Bought the Bluegrass
Sundown!
Melissa Smithson — Google review
There's definitely a clear difference in customer service at all the distilleries. I think the attentiveness of the gift shop personnel can be worked on. Steven was a great tour guide enthusiastic and a great brand ambassador. However, I wasn't prepared to see fruit flies in a lot of the bottles at the tasting. On the tour we were told the bluegrass sundown was a visitor center exclusive and only able to be purchased there. I was just in my local liquor store and I see the bottle.
Michael Cutali — Google review
Tom, our tour/tasting guide was incredibly knowledgeable and informative! Enjoyed every minute! We could tell he really enjoyed sharing his knowledge, and interacting with his guests. Being given the opportunity to sample their brewed products, in addition to their distilled products, puts a delightfully different spin on this tour. THANKS AGAIN TOM!!! Your tour was awesome! - Much Love from Birmingham, Alabama
The Keeneland Race Course is a prestigious racetrack located in Lexington, Kentucky. It hosts various horse racing events throughout the year, including the prestigious Breeders' Cup World Championships. The track is also home to an impressive collection of equestrian-themed gifts and souvenirs.
Absolutely recommend this experience. What a gorgeous race track. We had so much fun. Highly encourage you to buy tickets well in advance. This place sells out quickly. Parking was great, no issues getting in or out however, we did stay until all races were done. Many people left before hand.
Get your race brochure when you walk in so you are prepared. So many windows open for betting and the people helped you if you are new to placing your first bet. After that, you'll be a pro.
Above all, we found the horse betting is a lot like March Madness, there is no crystal ball on who will win so picking your favorite name or cool color is definitely a strategy 😉
Sandi R — Google review
Enjoyed the park, beauty, hospitality - even in the off season they are open, let you walk and tour facilities on your own, see the track, box houses, go to stadium, tour beautiful grounds, see horses ( early in morn), see gift shop etc. It's all very clean, well maintained, quality painted, seems like nothing but the best everywhere. But the landscape, seems like thousands of acres of beautifully maintained grounds. I can't even keep my little yard half as good as they keep there's! Now the gift shop is exquisite too both that's both in quality too and the related prices.
Rich Guldin — Google review
Spectacular track! We were able to catch an early morning practice - which is free and open to the public. It was 29 degrees and sunny - which made for a magnificent experience.
We parked and walked track side and wee so close we could see, hear and smell the entire experience.
I definitely recommend calling ahead for hours and training location, this changes depending upon time of year.
Of note is the Track Kitchen restaurant which has an amazing breakfast special and is worth checking out after you watch the horses run!!
kelli k — Google review
What a blast! I haven't been here for 30 years , it was amazing how it changed, I remember pulling up in the lot next to the Grand Stand. I was VERY happy to see the spittoons were gone! Also that people dont throw their tickets on the ground anymore.
The dress is a lot more casual than I remember. There were several people who took benches and moved them in a U shape to reserve them. The people behind us did that and never filled all the seats and also blocked the aisles making it difficult to get to and from our seat.
All in all it was a great day and we had a great time. Its a beautiful track.
Kari Bandle — Google review
Great time in the STAKES Room. Very nice atmosphere on 4th floor. Bar and food all included, and a betting assistance. Outside there is the balcony for great views and pictures. Food was excellent. Staff was superb. I asked about finding cheesecake and was told in the Phoenix Room and was going to get a slice after the current race, since the Phoenix Room faced the paddock. Within ten minutes some walked up with a slice of cheesecake and asked if i was looking for cheesecake... now that is service.
Bentley Early — Google review
Most fun you can have in Lexington for $7. Parking is easy. Shuttles take you to the track. Each day has multiple races. $2 minimum bet. Get the program and pen for $5 They even have experts there to advise you if like most folks you have no idea about what is going on. See the horses in the paddock and then watch the race from the general admission area the view is excellent. You can bring in some small camp chairs if you need to sit. For food absolutely get the Ruben and for dessert the bread pudding is an unbeatable classic. Have a great day doing some People watching and enjoy all the outfits, dresses, hats, and fanciers. Once you put $2 on a horse to place another $2 on one to win and final $2 on a couple to show your invested and will find yourself yelling "come on 3 let's go!!!" And high fiveing strangers over your win. Or commiserating a loss. Really, if you have a free Wednesday to Sunday in this area in April or October you must visit for the culture the fun and just general pleasant vibes.
Trey Tollison — Google review
We visited the track early on a beautiful summer morning. No meets at this time of year, but we grabbed breakfast from the Track Kitchen and enjoyed it while waiting for the horses. Very fortunate to see training at the main track; watching them run is a sight to see.
Also drove around the grounds - gorgeous! - and really enjoyed our time here.
Definitely worth a stop even in the off-season.
Jackie Adler — Google review
This review is for the tours only. I’ve never seen the races so I cannot comment on those. However, I’m sure it’s exhilarating.
Our tour guide was Diane and she was absolutely fabulous. Keeneland is rich in history, beauty, and experiences. I would definitely recommend doing the tours if you are not familiar with horse racing. They have several different tours so pick which one suits you best. I believe tours are seasonal; call or look at their site to make sure. They also have so many events throughout the year so make sure to stay up to date on those!
Overall, just a great central bluegrass Kentucky experience. Definitely a must-do if you’re here during Oct and April. Thank you Keeneland for your hospitality, we can’t wait to visit again.
Ash Ley — Google review
Iconic racetrack known for quality horse racing. Great atmosphere, good food and overall fun experience. Had a person in our group in a wheelchair and they provided a free shuttle from the parking lot to the gate.
Todd Oney — Google review
We love this racecourse. When I think racing, I think Keeneland. They have a wonderful old tradition feel with a wonderful staff. This place is a well oiled machine. Multiple Stakes races and the Bluegrass Derby Prep is a must see. Top quality place.
steve durham — Google review
One of my favorite places! I love dressing up and attending either the spring or the fall meet. Definitely a smaller, more intimate, and a more beautiful venue. I love how the horses are walked in the paddock before each race! The staff are always very friendly and helpful. You can't go wrong with buying tickets for the dining rooms - absolutely no lines for betting or drinks. General admission tickets are fun too
Tina — Google review
My favorite & most beautiful horse tracks in the US. Everyone is so fun & happy during the spring & fall meets. Get to see some of the best thoroughbreds in the world, with the most beautiful scenery in the background. It’s a bucket list item for any horse racing aficionado.
K W — Google review
We were here today for an employee tour only. The day was rainy, but it was so incredibly beautiful. I learned so much from Paul, our tour guide! He was knowledgeable obove and beyond mere Keeneland history. You could tell he was a lifelong lover of the sport!
One of the points he continuously reminded us of was the desire for Keeneland to remain historically beautiful and maintain a glorious green space. They have done that so well. It was a highly wducational experience and I enjoyed every minute!
Races begin next Friday and I would love to go back!!
Cassie Bittinger — Google review
The Masters of Horse Racing! Gorgeous racetrack and immaculate. We went on a drive two months before Derby Day! The staff is hard at work and preparing for open season! So much parking and horse stables every where. Library on premise and a restaurant. More info to come when season starts.
Sandraella Call — Google review
First time at a track. Had a blast. A gorgeous park. Most friendly staff ever. And 2bof our horses won. Just an exciting morning!!
Ron English — Google review
Great traditional horse racing track situated in beautiful Lexington Kentucky. Amazing grounds and pastures that seem to go on forever. Reasonably priced food and beverages.
Daniel Archer — Google review
The weather for the opening of the 2024 Spring Meet season was less than ideal for our trip to Keeneland, but it did not disappoint in any other way. Keeneland is a beautiful facility, that is impeccably clean with staff at every turn to help make your visit a memorable one. There is nothing like feeling the rumble of the horses in your chest as you stand next to the track for the final stretch. We are from Illinois and have traveled to Lexington many times as we visited three of our children who have lived there while attending the University of Kentucky. We have taken friends with us on our last two visits and they too have fallen in love with Keeneland.
Diane Mounce — Google review
One of the nicest race tracks around! Beautiful grounds, well-run, clean and wonderful staff! Prices are reasonable at the vendor stands and plenty of choices for food and drinks.
Must buy tickets in advance to ensure you get in; races were sold out when we visited. General admission is $15 and get there early to get a bench. Good idea to bring a bag chair; no backyard to sit, no coolers, no backpacks.
Great experience!!
Nkellz 3018 — Google review
I was advised to go before 10:00 a.m. so I could see the thoroughbreds work out. It worked, delightful to watch.
Then was able to see November Breeders auction. Beautiful horses brought on the stage and bid on--most bidding done within 90 seconds.
Grounds are beautiful and relaxing. No costs to walk the grounds.
Kathy Condon — Google review
This is a race track, but also seems much more. Pageantry when the races are going is interesting, diverse and elegant. The mood of the place is festive, somewhat relax for the uninterested aficionado and exciting. Food and drinks seem to be in abundance. Staff is helpful and gentle. The place cater to all members of the family. Facilities seem impeccable. Definitely a good activity to do, if in the area and especially during the main race seasons (spring and fall).
The Kentucky Horse Park is a sprawling 1,032-acre destination that showcases the historic relationship between humans and horses. It boasts the renowned Smithsonian International Museum of the Horse, which traces the evolution of horse breeding and their diverse roles in society throughout history. Visitors can explore various exhibits, including those dedicated to iconic horses like Man o War. The park also offers captivating equine presentations and horse-drawn tours.
Even if you don't know anything about horses this place is great. It's a beautiful facility with many things to see and do. Learning about the history of man and horse was very interesting. You will learn much more than just the history of race horse's but that was great too.
Emil Wolfe — Google review
Interesting to see the horses and the barns. Good amount of walking to get to it all. We went in fall which just was beautiful . The different buildings to see the history of different things was cool to see and read about.
We watched some of the shows withthe horses and that was worth seeing so pay attention to the time. My granddaughter enjoyed going on a horseback ride which is an extra cost for that but she loved. Worth going to and experience it.
Dan Kerr — Google review
Magnificent horses! The museum was awesome. The horse show was short, but sweet. You can get up close and personal with the horses after the show. Wear your walking shoes! It is very spread out. Unfortunately the trolley was not working. Also some of the other shops were not open. Make sure you take the survey and get your free gift from the gift shop! $6 parking. $20 admission
Bekah C. — Google review
We stopped at the Saddlebred Museum first, which I would recommend. You can buy tickets there for the rest of the park, and it's less busy. The staff was all very friendly, some with golf carts offering to help shuttle people from barn to barn. We missed the meet and greets, but still met a police horse and a draft horse named Gus (we were told he's a fan favorite and understand why). I was excited that there was a restart on site, but the food could've been better. Overall, we had a great time, and our kids (all ages) had a great time, too.
Lindsey White — Google review
Absolutely a must-see! We stayed at the campground next-door for three days which was nice. We went to the horse park not knowing exactly what it was. It was amazing! So many horses to see and pet. So many helpful people to talk to. I would give it 10 stars!
Jim Cristea — Google review
Great park to see former champions and maybe learn a little more. They have a nice set up for kids, but this park is for all ages. Former Derby winner Funny Cide steaks the show. Paul, who you'll find very near to Funny makes the experience exponentially better. He is very knowledgeable and gives the park and Funny a voice worth hearing. Highly recommend.
steve durham — Google review
First time here at the horse park. What a lovely day to visit such a lovely place. We enjoyed a carriage ride by the two draft horses as the lovely tour guide explained the park.
This place is amazing. This park is so large it would take a whole day to see it all. We enjoyed the museum. It showed the history of horses, the racing trophies and the Derby clothes that people wore throughout the years.
We took pictures with Funny Cide the 2003 derby winner. Thank you to the officer who introduced us to her horse.
Eric Carlin — Google review
Lovely place to walk and enjoy the many horse breeds that are represented there. It is a beautiful park with pony and horseback riding available. There are museums and many barns to get up close and personal with the horses. I went there for an event that brings horses and riders from all over the world.
Sue ODaniel — Google review
Wonderful place to visit if you are in the least interested in horses. I visited for BreyerFest, an event for model horse collectors like me. Visited with husband and another couple who are collectors. I will say that in July you will likely be subjected to some pretty miserably hot conditions for most of the park, but the visitor center & other buildings are well climate controlled, including the Alltech Arena where many large events take place. Visitor Center has nice gift shop with something for everyone, including cold drinks & snacks. It also has nice clean restrooms. Leashed dogs are welcome nearly everywhere in the park, but be aware of your pet’s needs for cooling down in the Summer. There are fun things for kids to do, such as pony rides, opportunities to pet animals and a playground. I plan to return in nicer weather to experience some things that I missed, such as the museum & trail rides. There is a large campground with water & electric and also primitive tent camping. We tried to stay there, but waited too long to book, so RV sites were full. Next time I will book far in advance & go in Fall or Spring!
Lois Petersen — Google review
So glad we decided to go here! We had a great day. The gentleman in the Champion Barn shared some of his knowledge and brought one of the horses out for us to see. We went horseback riding around the park. The gift shop has a lot of cute stuff. We did the scavenger hunt in the museum and got a blue ribbon for finding everything. I would recommend stopping by!
Stacey Hilton — Google review
Beautiful place, full of history with race horse and show horse. I love the Big Barn because I love the draft horses since they are so gentle. I would definitely love to Come back.
Catherine — Google review
I'm not a horse guy, but I still enjoyed my visit. It's like a living museum of horses. They have retired champions, rare breeds, draft horses, police horses, a great museum dedicated to the history of the Arabian breed. My favorite part was the breed barn. They have breeds from the US and from around the world.
Dan Dieterich — Google review
It's a nice place. Giant museum. Tons of cute horses but this pretty lady was a pleasure to meet. Her name is lovely and she's 15yr old supervisor of the park if you see her, feel free to pet her.
Sumaya Sanam — Google review
I unfortunately called this place after hours right before the sun was completely down. I don’t think I got the traditional experience, however I did walk around the property. I got to see some of the Hall of Fame horses relatively close, got to see the stables up close where they held some of the horses and learn some history about the sport.
This property was massive and seemed to be very well-kept. I don’t know too much about it, but it was pretty fascinating and I would absolutely love to come back another time during the day and get more of the traditional experience.
If you’re looking for a unique experience I think this is definitely a good place to go if you’re not from Kentucky. It seems there’s a lot of local heart poured into this sport and facility.
Anthony Messina — Google review
We enjoyed our visit. There is a lot to see. It was neat going in the different barns and looking at all of the horses. The shows through our the day are a must see so you get a glimpse of the horses in action and learn a lot more. The museums are very detailed and informative. They have a ton of reading. Be prepared to walk. It takes a bit to get from A to B.
Overall we enjoyed our time and it was well worth the stop. Overall we did expect to see more horses. With name we expected every paddock to have a horse. Horses were only in barns and there were some empty stalls. It was a cooler day when we visited.
Ashley Gutowski — Google review
Very cool experience! Tickets are for a two-day admission and you definitely could spend two days here. Events are held about every 45 minutes.
Jacob Alexander — Google review
We had the BEST time. I think the Big Barn was the overall favorite but all stops were fantastic. I do wish they showcased a few more breeds during the breed show- we were enjoying it so much! If planning a trip, check the events calendar and you may be able to catch a competitive horse show while visiting- which we loved. Highly recommend!
Kali Cavner — Google review
The trail riding area was HORRIFIC. Over 20 horses left in a tiny pen with tack on for hours at a time. They were sad, looked sickly, some were clearly lame and one especially was so under muscled that you could clearly see its spine. Then they put a saddle on it that was way too far up the neck. Tack was dirty, saddle pads were ripping to shreds, and tack was ill-fitting. They loaded up the beginner trail riders and sent them into this packed pen full of angry horses kicking and biting horses with riders on them. They also physically tied a draft horse foal to its mothers halter, both were freaking out and stressed, posing a huge risk for mom and foal. The staff we met here (so far) have no idea what they are doing. The landscaping was not kept nearly as well as other farms we visited. Very disappointed. The stables were almost completely empty at 3:30 even though they said they close at 5:00. Absolutely ridiculous.
Ezra — Google review
I recently visited the Kentucky Horse and had a really good time. The museum tour was very informative. I have never seen such beautiful horses. The staff is very warm and welcoming. I highly recommend anyone visiting Lexington to go to the Kentucky horse park
mustafees khan — Google review
We have been going here for Southern Lights for years. It has become a traditional between me and my brother. The lights are very good, but I do have to say there aren’t many new additions. It appears to be the same scenes over and over. The walk through the park is nice and they seem to offer new vendors and attractions along with some of the traditional events. The food and drinks in the cafe are pretty pricey. You kind of have to pick and choose what you want to spend on without paying an arm and leg.
Lane Hall — Google review
My fiancé took me here for my first Southern Lights experience, and it was absolutely magical!
They had so many different displays, a lot of which were seemingly animated (had lights flashing on and off to depict movement)! My fiancé said it is usually very busy though, especially around Christmas time, so it may be wise to buy tickets in advance.
Once we got to the park, it was really cool! There was caramel corn, cotton candy, and a free petting zoo. We got to go around the park itself, and see where the horse races happen. We also went to their gift shop to purchase a classic Blue Monday Chocolate, and some souvenirs for some friends. I definitely recommend this place for a winter festivity!
Georgia — Google review
Coming from out of town, I was only vaguely aware of the importance of horses to Kentucky and Lexington in general, but learned quite a bit about equines and their history.
The negative I think of this is there is A LOT of reading in the museums, to the point where it becomes very hard to pay attention and retain everything.
Seeing the old horses in person and talking with their caretakers was very interesting.
A good time overall!
Tristan Haney — Google review
Wow!! This place is amazing. I imagine in the spring and summer it's rather busy. We went in late fall early winter, and it wasn't very crowded, which made for an excellent visit. We got to learn all about horses, see amazing pieces, and even pet real winners. Check out this sculpture of secretariat, zoom in on it, and all the metal is horse related shapes!! It's such a wonderful place with amazing staff!
Chris D — Google review
A beautiful place, full of equine history! We went here for the Liberty Festival but made time to drive around the grounds to see the beautiful views. You must stop in and take the tour of the museums and barns. Lastly, we visited the final resting place of the great Man O' War and War Admiral.
The Parklands of Floyds Fork is a large park system that spans along the Floyds Fork river in eastern Louisville. The Parklands offers beautiful views and relaxation, as well as facilities such as a playground, canoeing and hiking trails.
Paved roads and dirt/gravel trails that have great views. Clean restrooms. Plenty of places to stop and take a moment.
Ryan Hibbs — Google review
This is a great place to take your kiddos, my girls loved the water spouts. A must go to recreational park.
Christopher Stone — Google review
We got married at the Gheens Foundation Lodge, and it was amazing. Toni and her team were pleasant and helpful, and the venue was so beautiful. We had plenty of space, their vendor team is strong, and they did a wonderful job of setting the space up perfectly for us. We couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else, and we would do it again in a heartbeat!
Sinclair Guenther — Google review
Quiet, peaceful place surrounded by nature. Loved taking my walk there.
Patricia Olsen — Google review
The Parklands of Floyd's Fork is a treasure to have on the outskirts of Jefferson County. We have visited each of the five parks that make up the The Parklands. It's a beautiful park just a few minutes drive from much of Jefferson County. Hiking, kayaking, nature watching, water parks, water fountains, PNC Education Center, & so much more. They have numerous field trip opportunities for our local schools, going above & beyond to ensure all children can experience a unique park system. It'll be well worth a visit to their website to check out everything The Parklands offer. The park rangers, staff educators, & maintenance staff are awesome. Plan a visit as soon as possible, you'll love it.
Robert Gaskins — Google review
I call it pesticide park. Smells 2-3 days a week and they don’t mind spraying next to the kiddos soccer practice. Disgusted at the park management decisions. Quit polluting Floyd’s fork with toxic chemicals.
Matt Thompson — Google review
Love the park...but had an issue with Ranger buddy tonight. The first time he passed us at an inappropriate speed in his truck was on the trail between the soccer field lot and the snack stand. Yes i had a 9year old on a bike that i had to get into the grass because a ford ranger doesn't belong on those trails especially not at his rate of speed. The second time he passed was on the small road between the parking lots with him going about double the speed limit.
So when I saw him chatting it up in the parking lot I walked up and as politely as I had available told him "work here or not you need to chill out with your speed" and instead of any regrets or apologies he ran his mouth. Apparently he was the first responder to someone who left a bookbag at a bathroom. He fancies himself police/fire (his words) gave me his name and told me to call who ever I would like.
I hope you have great insurance for when this guy takes out a kid. I take mine to the parklands to avoid the idiots in trucks...
Jonathan Minucci — Google review
Would like to give a big SHOUT OUT to the Parkland folks who worked hard to put on a fun and educational EARTH DAY event. The combination of food vendors, a beer vendor, a tree give-away, live music at the Pavilion, music throughout the Moss Gibbs Woodland area with violin, dulcimer and flute, trivia game and multiple other vendors, made for a Special Event. Thank you
Beth Tomlinson — Google review
What a beautiful park! There are great open spaces, access to trails and natural areas, and a dog park. There are parking lots spaced throughout, making it convenient to get in and get to relaxing quickly.
There is a HUGE open lawn with a trail around it. It's perfect for just about anything from laying out, playing catch, flying kites, having a picnic, and so much more. There's sooooooo much room.
If you like having wife open spaces and access to some other park amenities, the Parklands is perfect.
J.T. Crawford — Google review
While Beckley Creek and Pope Lick Parks are beautiful, Turkey Run Park and especially Broad Run arem more of what many of us go to a park for. Peace and tranquility. They all have great hiking and biking trails but those two are the best. BC and BR both have spraygrounds and playgrounds so that is sure to please the little visitors. They all open at sunrise and close at sundown. The Parklands website is a fountain of info on what they have to offer. As well as the few rules they have.
Murrell Kinkade — Google review
“The Parklands” is a 4,000-acre park system made up of four individual parks and a connector park along the Floyds Fork Tributary. With 100 miles of hike-bike trails, there was no shortage of nature and hiking options.
“The Parklands” in the Louisville area indirectly owes its existence to who is considered the father of landscape architecture in the United States. Early in the 1800s Frederick Law Olmsted, the first U.S. landscape architect, developed a series of parks around the city of Louisville, KY. It is these 200-year-old legacy parks that are the basis and inspiration for the development of “The Parklands.”
Berkley Creek Park, one of the four parks in “The Parklands,” is not just a place for hiking and biking. When visiting this green space, you might also see people lounging on blankets while watching others pass frisbees or kick a soccer ball. With a large playground, a pavilion and walking paths, there literally is something for everyone at this area of the park known as “Egg Lawn”. Even though this is a newly developed green space, it is a rather popular place for the public on the weekends.
As the trees and fields mature, I can only imagine what this open space place will look like in the future. “The Parkands” impact on the Louisville area is just getting started. Today, the young trees and flowers dot the open fields. Who knows how different the fields pictured above will look in 20-30 years. If you happen to be in the area and enjoy nature, make sure you stop by.
CJ — Google review
This park has a great bicycle and mountain bike trail system. Also good for just about anything else recreational Outdoors. Floyds Fork is a beautiful Creek that can be paddled in the spring and after heavy rains in the summer. This park is an absolute gem in Louisville Kentucky. I truly would like to thank city of Louisville for putting these 5 parks together.
Overland Generation — Google review
Huge, beautiful park with miles of paved and unpaved trails. Great place for social distancing with numerous creek access points, bike riding, walking, jogging, canoeing/kayacking, fishing ... Take your fur baby for a walk then have a picnic!
Louisville Mega Cavern is a subterranean recreation center that offers activities such as zip lines, ropes courses, and underground bike park. It's one of the most popular attractions in Louisville due to its various adventure-focused activities.
This adventure was the best idea, something different, and it did not disappoint.
I registered, purchased tickets, and signed wavers all online and via digital delivery. It was so easy. I pulled up and drove around and found the location. There was not anyone else really around and even though there were signs I didn’t know what to do. I think those main tour doors needed to be construction orange or green with a big clear enter sign enter sign . There are lots of signs and info but needed to be a little more clear and simple..
After entering through the side and walking down a creepy hall, I walk into this massive room and there was the tram, and across the giant room was a town façade and waiting area. I made my way over and when walking into the underground welcome center was warmly greeting by seven or so staff. There was a gift shop, snack area, very nice restrooms, and an open indoor ropes course to the side.
My tour was the first of the day of a Thursday so that was probably why there was no crowd to follow but it added to the adventure for me! The price was $21.94 and the tour lasted a little over an hour. It was awesome to see the inside and understanding the history and purpose of the cavern and it’s evolution.
Shout out my tour guide Skeeter! He was the best! Great guide, extremely funny, and delivering an up beat, educational tour with a side of humor.
I won’t give away all the history and stories so there will not be any real spoilers from the tour but I will say this was a great experience and so glad a booked the tram tour. It was definitely something different and fun to do.
Wm. Les Roberts — Google review
Super cool place! I have never taken a tram car thru a cavern before. Our guide was great, too. He explained everything in the cavern and how it was created. It was interesting enough down there to keep my 11 month old grandson occupied. I definitely will be back!
FYI, I have night vision on my phone. It is a lot darker than it looks...
Bob Houghtelin — Google review
We had a great time here. We decided on the walking tour, and it was pretty fun. The guide Olivia did a great job. It is a little pricey for what it is, but we are glad we did it. It is so neat down there. It is amazing how large it actually is in person. The entrance is a little weird, and we weren't sure we were in the right place. It is a long hallway that looks abandoned, but eventually opens up to the cave.
Myles Away — Google review
According to the owners quote, they "transform it into a holiday light spectacular for the Christmas season. "
If you consider displays of Marvel's avengers, Mario brothers, minions, and tanks to be part of the Christmas season, then I guess the quote is right.
Only about half of the 15 minute drive through was holiday-themed. It seems like the rest of it was put into place just as a filler.
Not to say it wasn't neat, but it's not as neat as they make it.
Brokk — Google review
The Louisville Mega Cavern tour proved to be a regrettable experience, particularly disappointing for several reasons. First and foremost, my visit did not coincide with the Christmas season, meaning that all the festive lights were packed away except for a few stray decorations lingering visibly, adding to the overall dreariness.
Furthermore, the cavern itself is not a natural formation, which diminished the excitement right from the start. The tour primarily focused on the cavern's history as a fallout shelter and a storage site for salt, interspersed with some rather dull videos. This narrative did little to enhance the experience, leaving me questioning the value of the tour.
The worst part, however, was the environment within the cavern. The air was thick with a dust reminiscent of a construction site, making it uncomfortable and raising concerns about its quality. Throughout the tour, the main sights were abandoned vehicles, sealed-off doors, and a collection of low-quality props—hardly the engaging or educational content one might expect.
Spending $20 and an hour of my time in an artificially excavated, dusty cavern observing these lackluster displays was frustrating. With the money and time at hand, almost any other destination would have provided a better experience. This was the first time I truly felt someone dared to charge $20 for a tour of what felt like a vast, polluted parking garage. The disappointment was profound, and I would strongly advise against this tour for anyone looking for a meaningful or enjoyable outing.
Si Chen — Google review
The zip line tour is so cool, we’re big zip line fans and doing everything in the dark with bright lights was something new and we had a really good time. The tour guides make you feel confident and safe about the whole experience. We really enjoyed ourselves!
LP — Google review
Excellent tour with our tour guide Skeeter. Skeeter did a good job of providing us with laughs while also giving us the history of the caverns.
My family and I chose the Tram tour since we have a small child. It is cool in the cavern but not cold. We were fine with a light jacket.
It's not really a lot to see if you don't Zipline or do more of the exciting attractions. Kids might get a little bored on the tram.
It is a huge place, I think about 17 miles and the tram is about 2 miles long. It's a unique experience and one I'd definitely say to give a try.
E Blount — Google review
We came here to do the Mega Quest aerial adventure course! The guides explained everything well and were friendly and helpful. We felt completely safe and confident in using our gear, the belays are easy and intuitive to use. I liked that it wasn’t a linear course, and you could go through it at your own pace and choose which routes to take. The short zip lines in it were our favorite! You’re also allowed to leave the course at any time to take a break and remove your helmet and gloves, just don’t take off your harness because then you are done. You get two hours on the course which was more than enough time, we even ended up finishing a little early because we were so sore!
I recommend short sleeves because you get really sweaty, however personally I’d recommend long pants because with all the ropes on the course, I did get a couple small rope scrapes. Nothing terrible, just keep that in mind!
There are lockers to store anything you don’t want to take/wear on the course, but it takes quarters so make sure you bring cash or prepare to use the on site ATM that charges a fee. Make sure to have cash to tip your guides too! They’re working hard for you!
We live in Ohio but I’d love to come back some day to try the full zip line course or the tram tour!
Em Horvath — Google review
I purchased the Mega Tram ticket since I was already doing so much walking on my vacation. I called before hand and was told that the Mega Tram and the Mega Walking tours covered the same route. Our tour guide was great and made jokes along the way. The cavern was a pleasant temperature since I visited on the hottest day of the year. Definitely worth seeing if you want a break from the heat of summer but not what I would consider over the top exciting or a must-see. I like caves and caverns so I enjyed it.
Carol Tarcza — Google review
We had a walking tour with Sophia. The tour was informative and interesting. There are a lot of cool facts and funny jokes as you go along.
Some cool lights to see as well in the dark.
The space could have more cool displays added with time. The adventure gym seems cool and the zip liners seemed to have fun.
Mark Tea — Google review
Much cooler than I expected! Mega Cavern is an old limestone mine that is massive. It has some interesting history as well once being a fallout shelter. Now it is a driving tour, adventure area, zip line tour, light show and even commercial storage. Worth the visit!
Kevin M — Google review
This was an absolutely amazing experience for the whole family. There's a display for everyone. Dinosaurs, Christmas scenes, marvel comics characters, heavy machinery, veterans, Disney and other characters, America/USA, and amazing light shows at several places. Very entertaining and we will definitely be back again. We'll probably take the guided wagon ride through next time just for the better view!
KY CBD Farmacy — Google review
Well worth the cost. Lots to do while waiting. I was disappointed in the gift shop. They seem to have cut back after Covid. Our tour guide was very informative. In the picture of the original caverns look close and see a man standing in the original 60 foot high cavern. They hauled in 40 feet of fill.
David Givan — Google review
So much fun! Everything started on time and we were with a great group. The guides Abby and Bambie so sweet, clear about what was needed for the zip parts and had fun comments to add in. We had a blast.
Jessica Parkinson — Google review
We did the walking tour and it was pretty cool - the lights make it fun and it’s interesting to hear the history of the cavern. Our guide talked a LOT - could be good for people who enjoy awkward jokes and hearing the same voice non-stop, but it wasn’t for us. Might have been better with a different guide. Entrance is through a long hallway, just keep going even if it feels like you’re not at the right place.
Bankura M — Google review
Aaron and Jordan were awesome guides for the zip lining!! We felt safe and had a lot of fun!
Best drive thru light show we've ever seen!
Highly recommend going and doing these activities. Great family fun!
Donna Gibson — Google review
Awesome must-do adventure!! Very kid friendly! The staff is very attentive and nice, very knowledgeable as well!!! I encourage all ages to try it out. Even if you are afraid of heights they have a low level course. Super fun time and you will definitely get a good workout in
Adrian Gonzalez — Google review
Highly recommend. Zip liner looked awesome!!!
Highly Recommend...having people with disabilities board 1st!
Michaelin “Mickey” Weber — Google review
We visited, and went on the walking tour through the Cavern, which is very much worth adding to your list of things to see/do while visiting Louisville. We explored the Cavern with a guide named Sophia, who was very friendly, knowledgeable, and funny. At the end of the tour I asked how many times she had walked the cavern/given the tour. Expecting her answer to be in the hundreds, I was amazed to hear that it was her very first solo tour through the Cavern. She did an absolutely incredible job, and we left with a great bit of interesting information regarding the history of the Cavern, and would absolutely visit again.
Trevor Beardsley — Google review
More then worth the drive. The kids loved it and it was just enough time spent driving thru before it became too much. Xmas Eve was the right time to go and the price wasn't overpriced by any means. Music and lights were fabulous
Nicole Lynn — Google review
A very unique display of lights, nothing compares. If you have your tickets on your phone, there's no reception in the cave at the attendant, so maybe take a picture of it, they do have your name so not a problem
Lonnie Borseth — Google review
10/10 recommend for families. Eat before you arrive (Wendy’s, coffee shop, and Kroger near entrance). No outside food at cave. No good food options in cave. Bring cash to tip. Buy tickets in advance. Lockers available for $1.
Josh Orendi — Google review
Absolutely loved it. We went on a weekday and got there around 10:30 to 11:00. There was no wait and we drove right in. The beginning was good and it just kept getting better and better as we went through. The finale at the end was the best experience. I highly recommend it for both kids and adults as there's plenty to see for both.
The Louisville Zoo is a small but unique zoo that offers wedding ceremonies and receptions with animal habitats. Guests can mingle during the cocktail hour around one of many different exhibits, such as Africa or South America.
We went for the Wild Lights night walk and it was amazing! It lasted about 2 hours, and we were able to get in a little ahead of our scheduled time and there was no feeling of being rushed or pushed along. A very go with the glow kind of walk.
Every turn you take is a new light up display you weren't expecting! There are so many animals, plants, and fun facts about each section! It's also got several interactive installments that make the experience even more fun. And there is relaxing music playing throughout the Zoo as well.
A great experience for kids, adults, and the whole family! It is a bit of a trek, but Louisville Zoo has restrooms, benches, and concessions throughout the campus to allow for any needed breaks.
I've posted just a few pictures because I don't want to spoil the experience, but these are a couple of my favorites from the night. We are going back to the zoo in the day because this is our first visit to this one!
Edit: added a few pictures from our trip the next day, and it was still so fun, even got to see baby Fitz! Would recommend sunscreen and water bottles for sure!
brittny92 — Google review
We had a great time with the kids, most of the big cats were hiding or sleeping and that's the only disappointment. Quick and easy to enter the park but food is really pricey so I'd suggest eating before or after you leave the park or leave to eat and re-ennter. Fun day overall.
Andrew Lucas — Google review
I have been going to this zoo for As long as I can remember. It's always been a very clean and friendly zoo. And just a great experience that even now my own kids love. I will say summer months are the best time to go more of the animals are active enduring the winter months a lot of the attractions are closed. But nevertheless, the food is always good in the park is always clean. Can't wait to see what they have in store next
Zachary Casey — Google review
My daughters first trip to the Zoo for her 3rd birthday. We had a blast! I will say there were quite a few exhibits that were closed or looked rough, and we honestly didn't really see all that many animals. Idk if it was the time if day (late afternoon) or just an off weekend but I definitely expected more to be going on with the animals. But they can't be up and out constantly so I think we just caught them at nap time 😊
Ashley Dobbs — Google review
There were very few people there, so a lot of things were closed. But we had a great time, everything was well maintained, and the staff we saw were very friendly and informative. We were able to walk through an exhibit with loose wallabies, three of which had babies. The giraffes were so beautiful. We saw a baby zebra, a baby elephant, among others. The zoo is working to save endangered species. The lorakeet exhibit was amazing. I had two land on me to drink nectar from my cup. Most animals that were inside to get out of the drizzling rain, we could still see or get glimpses of through the clever viewing angles and variety of viewing spots. I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt with the five stars, because I feel that if everything was open the experience would have been even better! We sit at the African Outpost. The food wasn’t amazing, but was much better than I’d expect from a tourist site. They actually had gluten-free buns. We had a burger and fries, and it was certainly better than fast food.
Deborah ?Debbie? Schultz — Google review
We arrived at opening and enjoyed two hours of exploring with no crowds. This is a fun zoo with lots of interesting animals and creative enclosures. The walk includes inclines and declines but all are easily conquered. There are plenty of food and drink options well dispersed throughout the park. The staff is friendly and helpful.
Denise Luellen — Google review
PARKING: I bought a parking ticket online, and it was easy to find a spot. We didn't have to walk far. They have a parking lot.
ADMISSION: I bought the tickets online. I paid around $20 per person (adult). I thought the price was decent. We went on a Friday afternoon, and there was no line to buy tickets. I could've bought the tickets in person.
CLEANLINESS: I used the restrooms, and it was clean and had soap and papertowels. toilet paper and dryer. Also, each enclosure and section of the zoo are kept clean.
FOOD/DRINKS: They had water stations by the bathroom where you can get filtered water. The alcoholic drinks are priced super high. We got a pink cone with dole ice cream. It was good and pretty for pictures.
SHADE: It was hot. Some parts had shade but mostly expect to bring sunscreen, especially if you burn easily. They had buildings with air-conditioning.
ANIMALS: I've been to plenty of zoos, and this zoo is the first zoo that I can tell animals are happy. They were active. Their enclosures are very clean. You can tell that they are healthy. I didn't smell any foul smell. Usually, the zoo stinks, but not this one. One orangutan even interacting with us! She was very curious and gave everyone that comes in signal to look inside their bags. Some animals were sleeping, and some were playing. They had things in their enclosure that kept them entertained. We got there around 2 or 3 p.m., and they don't close until 6 pm. But they stop serving food and drinks around 5 pm. I wished we got there in the morning. We didn't get to see everything.
TL;DR Admission is decently priced. Animals are active. Plenty of parking. Food and drinks are priced high. They have water stations and the place is clean.
Sofia Dumlao — Google review
I had a great time at the Louisville Zoo. They have a great variety of animals that they take great care of. I found the Zoo to be very easy to navigate, clean, and packed!
It is a great spot to bring children during the summer. There were a decent amount of seating options and benches around the park which I certainly enjoyed on the hot June day I went. Definitely bring a bottle of water and sunscreen if you are going during the hot summer months!
Jack Furlong — Google review
Visited with my daughter and grandsons and it was wonderful! The staff was informative, knowledgeable and friendly. The zoo is laid out well making it possible to visit every exhibit without it being exhausting. Lots of places to sit in the shade and refresh. Kids enjoyed the water park. I will definitely e going back.
Melissa Horn — Google review
I have visited several times and recommended the winter months. Some animals are not on exhibit, but those that are out are more active, and there are fewer crowds at the exhibits.
Tips: Take a stroller or wheelchair if anyone in your party has difficulty walking.
Free water bottle re-fill stations around the park. There are 2 playgrounds and several places for photos.
A Richmond — Google review
The zoo was fun. I think they could have spent less on the decorations and put more money in exhibits. There was a lot of spaces with no animals to look at. Although it was crowded, everyone was kind and courteous. Love that they had scooters for people with mobility issues. I wish they stayed open later.
SheriKay Davis — Google review
We often pick random things to do in our city or surrounding area. Making memories for our son to remember forever is so important. We hadn't been to the zoo in a while and wanted to check it out before we decided on getting a pass this summer. Despite it being snowy and dead and almost everything closed and many animals put indoors, it was still fun! We can't wait to come back in the summer. You could easily spend an entire day here, and it's great exercise!
Elizabeth Calloway — Google review
To start, this is not Sea World or some other huge corporate entertainment facility. I did not go during peak season and it shows. Many food options were closed, not that I needed them. The good news is that there was no wait to see any of the animals!
The educators we spoke to were nice and helpful. Overall, pleased with our experience and look forward to some additional activities they host, like brew at the zoo.
adam bachmann — Google review
We went to see the lights. The lights were really nice and fun. Definitely need to wait till it's fully dark to enjoy. The only disappointment was that they put away/blocked off the animal exhibits. We thought we would be getting to see the animals while looking at the lights. $20 per person feels like a but much when we couldn't see the animals as well. It was a nice walk though through the lights.
Elizabeth Young — Google review
We enjoyed our visit, even though the weather wasn't the best! Most of the animals were out, the walking wasn't too bad, but usually zoos keep some things open when the weather is a little less than, but everything was closed. Everything. We've never seen a zoo so closed off, but this is only our fifth one so maybe it's always that way. We also didn't see a single employee the whole time, except for when we were at the gift shop at the very end, which was surprising, especially given the amount of people we saw and some of the behavior of some. We're going to try to come back on a nicer day to see if maybe our first impression wasn't totally accurate. Worth a visit!
Lizzy Siedenberg — Google review
Amazing!! I was surprised to see that many animals in Louisville zoo. Be prepared to walk, walk and walk. They do have a shuttle golf cart and the trail is wheel chair accessible. It’s worth the money and I would visit again. It’s a must see if you have limited time.
Yinka A — Google review
The zoo was very well maintained and not too crowded. It was hot, the random misters on the path were a welcomed surprise. My son was thrilled to see both an African Elephant and an Asian Elephant. We went on a Sunday. The zoo had a nice variety of animals to see. Parking was easy once my husband stopped following Google maps instructions that told him to loop the circle a few times.
Jennifer LaPenta — Google review
It was educational as there were staff through the park to talk about certain animals as well as displays.We enjoyed seeing the animals, of course. I didn't like seeing some of the animals without a companion, but that happens sometimes. They are set up for the evening Halloween event, so getting to see the decorations throughout the zoo was nice. Parking was cheaper than I thought it would be. My family had fun visiting.
Kelly Hall — Google review
This zoo has a very good spread of animals that were all very well cared for and easy to see. My family went on an overcast Saturday and got into the zoo with no wait and saw almost all of the animals, save ones not at the zoo entirely.
With that being said, this is obviously an old zoo and some parts of the facilities are clearly in need of updates. This does not affect the animals, but the consumer experience. They are clearly aware of these as some parts of the zoo were under renovation.
If you do plan to go to the zoo, plan on bringing your own snacks and food. There were places to stop regularly throughout the zoo, but the prices were fairly steep for the items, as to be expected.
I recommend ending your visit with a stop at the gift shop. These facilities are incredibly nice and have a wide range of items and prices to offer.
All and all a great family or couple experience!
Megan L — Google review
I love it. I had to rent a wheel chair, but i got to sell it all they have an amazing dusk light show.it really must be so spectacular at night time . We were not able to stay.
Sarah Rivera — Google review
It's always an amazing time. Louisville Zoo is one of the most beautiful zoos in the country. The membership is awesome! The enclosures are beautiful. Our family loves the zoo!!!!
Christy Jackman — Google review
Very busy zoo. Get your tickets in advance if you don't want to spend an hour in line. The exhibits were very nice, and the animals were very active. We caught feeding time for the elephants, which even did tricks!
Marcy Kyser — Google review
I took my family over to enjoy the festivities and see all of the wonderful artwork. It was quite chilly that day, but the animals were very active, brilliant . It was the last time we got to see the male orangutan who sadly passed and will be missed dearly.
Katt Winchester — Google review
I have been coming to this zoo since I was a small child and now bringing my kids back brings me such joy!! We have moved away and I live in the DC area and am near to •many• zoos.
I will say this- the pricing-the parking-the lay out and the enclosures of the Louisville have kept it in the top 5 zoos for me!!
They have continued to update enclosures, animal areas, and buildings.
The silver back gorillas enclosure is one of a kind!! My kids absolutely love being that close to these animals!
The goat petting area is always a hit! M
The elephant area is very neat to visit- the openness of the outside enclose for visitors to see is always a treat!
One of my favorite things about this zoo is the seasonal decorations it will have! Such as Chinese new year, Christmas.. etc
And when they are in season the camel riding is always a treat! (The camel riding is an extra fee)
My kids LOVE the carousel at the end!!
The splash pad is great during the summer!! (This is free to use!)
The educational “shows” are excellent- and while every animal isn’t out all the time that is VERY normal for a zoo! My kids LOVE coming to KY to visit family and go to the zoo!!
The gift shop prices are average for animal gift shops- the food prices are average for canteens and restaurants in zoos and aquariums.
Because it is Kentucky the layout of the zoo lends itself to the hilly terrain- which is unavoidable. I have walked this zoo pregnant, I’ve also walked it pushing a double stroller while carrying an infant. I have walked it with my grandparents who have both been in wheelchairs- though hilly it is still an easy zoo to walk.
We love this zoo and won’t be told otherwise!
Sarah O — Google review
We went to zoo to see the Lights in Fall 2023. They were awesome and we were still able to see a fee animals too. This exhibit is great for kids of all ages and our college kid loved it too.
Alana Cassity — Google review
The sculptures were so interesting and pretty. This was the first time I visited this zoo. It appears they are updating some of the enclosures to be more realistic to the natural habitats of the animals. I hope they continue this.
Melissa Smith — Google review
We decided to take the day off and drive to the zoo. They have a special for $7.95 on Monday. We had a blast. The facility is clean, the kids were happy, there are a ton of shady areas and places to sit and rest. They have free water stations throughout the park which is probably my favorite part.
Rachel Rice — Google review
Their enclosures need to be reviewed by an inspector because some of them are pretty unsafe for the public. The warthog enclosure is one good push away from having a child inside the enclosure. They have a wonderful bird exhibit. They charge for parking which is absolutely ridiculous considering people are coming to pay for the zoo. So on top of your admission you also have to pay for parking! They find every way to nickle and dime you. If they have a problem with people parking there and then leaving the property, then a quick tow truck call can fix that right up! We are active duty military and we had to pay 48 for a family of 3. Their price online says admission is $10 a person, but we very quickly found out that was a lie. We were told military get in free but that didn't happen for us. This is a big zoo and none of the outdoor vendor spots were open to sell hot cocoa or any food. The gift shop was highly overpriced. I just don't feel like this zoo really invests their money into their animals. It is clear the donors are the ones really paying for the upkeep of these animals.
Churchill Downs is a horse racing track located in Louisville, Kentucky. It has hosted the Kentucky Derby since 1875 and is also a National Historic Landmark. The track usually seats up to 50,000 people, but on Derby Day it can hold up to 150,000 spectators.
We paid $17 each for a 30 minute tour of the grounds as well as entrance to the museum. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and encouraged us often to ask questions. As a childhood fan with very little knowledge of the history race, I was amazed with the history our tour guide was able to share in just the 30 minutes we were there. If you know more than me, you might ask questions and be pleasantly surprised to hear her explain Churchill Downs trivia. Since it was only a 30 minute tour, we didn't go far from the museum, but we did get to see the track and the winners circle under the twin towers! The museum is quite large and holds of a lot of interesting facts as well as interactive and informative games for some of the younger (or young at heart) crowd. 10/10, must visit!
Anna H. H. — Google review
This is where it goes down. The place to be. It’s remarkable how beautiful this place is. We took a short shelf guided tour. It was a lot of information. I believe the longer tour would offer behind the scene type thing. Nevertheless we enjoyed the history of the iconic place. The gift shop is nice. Parking is plentiful and the staff is friendly and energetic.
Wind Napol — Google review
SO impressed ! Amazing facility. Must see the museum & movie. Incredibly well done. Go for one of the tours, very informative. I don't do things twice, but I would just to see the 360° movie again. Beautiful
Jeannine Uehling — Google review
This where all the action happens for The Kentucky Derby. Lots of interesting historical trivia about the horses that ran in past races. Beautifully kept grounds and stalls..a great tour and we stopped for a Mint Julep at the end our tour (this was on our own). Off Season they are reasonably priced at their bar/cafe. It was a very tasty cocktail. They have a gift shop on site next to the cafe with all types of Churchill Downs Memorabilia.
Luann LaPointe — Google review
One of the coolest things I've ever done! If you have the chance, visit Churchill Downs. It's an experience you'll never forget! When we visited, they had a bunch of food trucks in the vicinity. It was neat because you could walk around to a couple of food trucks, purchase some drinks, dance to the live music, and then go watch the horse races. We just sat in a general admission area which worked out perfect because we were there during the week when it wasn't crazy busy. Overall, we had an absolute blast!
Mackenzie Feeley — Google review
This place was so Beautiful!
Just traveling thur, knee problem. Enjoyed taking pics of statue of Secretaries!
I seen the movie a long time ago. The place was so awesome to see! I know the museum was open.
But I remember hearing on news horses were moved because a horse died. It was under evistgation.
What I seen was still a very beautiful place! Enjoy it!
Lea Tillman — Google review
First time visitor. Took the DOWNS/HERMITAGE FARMS tour which is a full day tour. Highly recommend! At Hermitage Farms our guide was a very knowledgeable young man Jacob who was filled with all the details of the operations of the Farm, including the horse stables, barn turned kitchen and event venue and the different gardens of mostly edibles that sustain their kitchen and uoscale restaurant on site.
Karen Coglianese — Google review
Great way to spend the afternoon while in Louisville. Bring cash to bet . The food is just okay. Eat elsewhere if possible before or after. The drinks are actually pretty good. They make a pretty decent old-fashioned.
William Berdine — Google review
Never been to a race before, was a great thrill. Everyone had. Fun watching and cheering for the Horses. Love the history and the stadium food. Good day with friends, will definitely do this again.
Alan Flanagan — Google review
Very interesting museum visit and short tour. The entry fee includes an immersive 18-minute video on a 360-degree screen with surround sound, all museum exhibits, and a 30-minute tour. There are rotating stools for viewing the video so you can easily spin and see everything. Our tour guide, Steve, was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Videos are shown at ten minutes past every hour with a ten minute intro on the hour. Tours begin on the half hour, and the guide picks you up in the theater, which is called The Great Hall. There is a nice gift shop with loads of merchandise and a cafe that can both be visited for free. The only issue we observed is that the parking lot is quite small, so leave extra time for arrival, as your reserved video and tour times are set.
Alan Lewis — Google review
Went to see horse races. Was a phenomenal experience. We got our tickets when we arrived which ended up costing us a third of the price. Has a parking lot concession stand for food drinks and a gift shop. You can smoke inside while watching the horse races. Once you enter you can't return. Races take place all day. Minimum bet for a horse race when we went was $50.
kali — Google review
Great experience! This was my first visit. We took a tour of the city and this was one of our stops. Enjoyed seeing the horses race and exploring the grounds, which are very beautiful. The gift shop has a good variety of items, such as derby hats, shirts, magnets, and derby collector items.
Kristi U — Google review
If you get the chance take the Superstars and Spires tour. At ninety minutes it covers a lot. Our guide, Bob, was really good about sharing stories and historical insights about this great track. The tour takes you through all the grandstands and high end seating where the stars and celebrities enjoy the Derby. There is a museum to visit as well as a theatre to watch a movie about The Race, which is a must see. Visit the store for some swag and the cafe for a mint julip.
johnsko Johns — Google review
We went to the November live races and I would rate that a 5. We bought tickets to the millionaire’s row section which was great and included a buffet and all you can drink soda. The buffet was very disappointing. It went from 1 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. We got our food at 1:15 P.M. after the first race was done. The pasta was warm to cool in temperature, the chicken was dry. The dessert selection was very messy in presentation. That lowered our rating. Is that really how it is for the Kentucky Derby when people are paying $10,000 or more for tickets? Thank goodness ours were $61 each (includes entry to Churchill Downs).
Brian Bezanson — Google review
I had such a wonderful, enjoyable day/experience here yesterday(Sunday, November 5th, 2023).
I came with dear friends who are parents of a deceased army son.
We attended the Military remembrance day for surviving families.
11 stares were represented.
Such good food, a band, face painting, activities fir the children and so much more was provided at No cost to the families and their guests.
The staff I talked to and got to know we're absolutely so friendly, caring and a joy to meet
We had such a wonderful time.
Thank you to your staff throughout the building and grounds.
I will definitely come back!
Sharon Howard — Google review
Definitely recommend purchasing tickets for tour ahead of time and including the video and track tour. We had our tour at the end of the day so we didn’t get to enjoy the museum before the tour. Plan for more time on the front or backend to be able to wander through the museum.
Kate Carlson — Google review
We went to Opening Night 2024 at Churchill Downs. It was a great night. I enjoyed the night racing. However,they need to improve on their food concessions. We spent $65 for 2 burgers,bratwurst, and sprite. There was no lettuce,tomatoes on burgers. We couldn't get mustard or ketchup either,and fries were cold. For the price you pay,they should have a condiment station at least.
Milling Chablal — Google review
There are few greater places in the entire world than the Legendary Churchill Downs.
Fortunes have been won, and fortunes have been lost.
At times, the rush of nostalgia will rush over you, coupled with the roar of the crowd, and the thunderous stampede of the thoroughbreds down the back stretch.
Memories are made here that last a lifetime.
The sun always shines bright at this Ole Kentucky home.
And you ain't never been anywhere, or seen anything, until you've witnessed a Kentucky Derby in person.
Tyler Wilson — Google review
My wife and I toured this well-known site in late February and unfortunately, it was cold and windy. But we were still able to walk through the stands to the finish line and the guide braved the nasty weather to give us some interesting tidbits and insider info. The museum is also a must-see, especially if you are a horse racing enthusiast. The museum offers a well-rounded history of Churchill Downs, the horses that have run there as well as the jockeys, trainers, and other workers who made the Kentucky Derby world famous. I’d love to see a race here!
David Pelowski — Google review
The museum was actually much bigger than I thought it would be and much more interesting that I thought it would be so I ended up thinking it was worth the money to get in. It also included a tour down to the stands which was pretty cool to see and able to see the track up close as just part of the basic tour is a very cool place to go with a lot of history.
Audrey Hart — Google review
Very beautiful historical racetrack to visit. It was great taking the tour that is offered at the museum.
I would love to experience a race event in person some day.
Jamie Steeno — Google review
Home of the most famous race in the world the Kentucky Derby. I would have loved to go to one of the races but I came here in the off season when there were no races running at all. There are a lot of different tours to go on: Backstretch Workout Tour, Barn and Backside Tour, Black Heritage in Racing Tour, Bourbon and Bridles Experience, Race Day Experience, Hermitage Farm and Derby Museum Tour, Ultimate Churchill Downs Tour, Throughbred Workout Tour, Superstars and Spires tour (I really wanted to go to this one but it was sold out), Guided Track Visit. I went to this last one, you got to see the track as well as the grandstand. Nice quick tour if you aren't a big fan or in a pinch for time but I definitely recommend the other tours if you are a big fan.
Josh Baltazar — Google review
An amazing experience to watch a live Horse race. You can't imagine how good a vibe is created during the horse race. We bought tickets in advance. We watched almost all the races that day. Very good experience. There were plenty of food courts inside. Next year, we are planning to go there to experience the Kentucky Derby that has almost 170,000 viewers. In Louisville, this place is a must visit.
Md Muntasir Alam — Google review
Went here for Kentucky derby 2023 and it was a great time! Highly recommend a box seat and near the finish line. Drinks and food were basic but all inclusive. Cigars cost extra. Definitely a great once in a lifetime experience.
Jim Alford — Google review
Excellent tour and was amazing to see this historic place in person. A shame I wasn't born when Secretariat run the Derby in 1973. His record still stands. There is a beautiful display about him on the second floor of the museum adjacent to Churchill Downs.
R B — Google review
2024 opening day at Churchill downs. Very organized this year. Signs on Taylor boulevard navigated me to the Blue parking pot were my ticket was valid to park. There was plenty of parking still available as well as handicap. I was close to the entrance but still had a goal cart rode for free to the door. I went to a gala in the Trophy room on the 6th floor. The attendants are not very knowledgeable about navigating to the right places. But overall I jad a blast and Churchill downs gets better and better every year.
The Kentucky Derby Museum is a heritage museum located in Louisville, Kentucky that preserves the history of the famed horse race. The museum features exhibits on the race and its participants, as well as an event space that can be rented out for weddings or other private parties.
I haven’t bet or even watched any Derby before, but after my visit, I am definitely trapped by its charisma.
The introductory movie is nice. It gives you all the details about the game. But what’s really amazing about this visit, is the tour after the movie.
We went to the field where Kentucky Derby has taken place for more than 140 years. I learned a lot about the horse, the Jockey, the game, the price of seats and how the field is maintained.
The visit really opens my eyes to a whole new world that I have not touched before. It’s a wonderful visit!!!
Even you are not a Derby fan, you should check this museum out. It’s worthy!!!
Gu Lin — Google review
We showed up and did the Barns and Backside tour, which is an hour, then did the walking tour an hour after that concluded. Really great tours. We went to the museum in between the tours and saw the greatest race movie. Currently a lot of construction but it'll be great once it's done. Highly recommend the tours. The barns and backside gets you to the other side of the track, which is nice, but I wish we could have walked into the barn area, although I understand why we couldn't. Great experience.
Brandon Eddy — Google review
A very affordable and informative tour. I was able to ask questions of the guide both during and after the tour. The amount of knowledge he had was incredible. We got to walk out to the track and see where it is that the horses run. Hard to believe more than 150k people can fit!
Outside of the tour, the museum has so much available information for you to read and go through. There are incredible artifacts and interactive features to engage with. We really enjoyed the 360° video experience as well.
John Arnold — Google review
Lots of history and a great location to visit even if you are not totally an avid fan and follower of horse racing. The tour and museum will give you a solid understanding of the sport, both past and present. I recommend anyone coming to do one of the two tours available to get the most of your trip here. Just simply walking around the museum is not enough. The tours are between 1-1hr 30 min and you can either tour the grandstand and spectator areas or the stalls for the horses.
Rocky Blanco — Google review
Very interesting place about Derby History, you have to take the tour to the barns to see the horses but you have to be older than 8 years old. The history tour is very interesting and it was so cool to hear about the history and care they give to the horses definitely a must seen spot of Louisville 😉
P?a Ponce — Google review
Worth stopping to see even if passing through. The 18 minutes video plays every hour. You can watch it from the second floor or inside the room. I recommend getting to museum at top of the hour to watch The Greatest Race for better appreciation of the museum if you know little to none on this American tradition.
The walking tour is great. Tour guide was high in spirits, knowledgeable, and respectful to keep guest in shade on a hot day.
GRAMS — Google review
Book in advance!!! We woke up Saturday morning and decided we would add this to our list for the day. The website showed all times for the tour were still available, so I decided to wait until we got there, since I wasn't sure when we'd arrive. We got there about 2pm and all the tours were full. We still paid full price to see the museum. Plenty of free parking was available! There is a lot to see and do in this small museum. Very informative! My daughter loved the exhibits and being hands on with racing equipment. Secretariat’s exhibit was amazing! The employees were very friendly! The store was a bit over priced and very small. The café closed at 3pm which seemed kind of early too for me.
Tony Krause — Google review
Visited Churchill Downs at Louisville, Kentucky. Loved the museum and watched the history of Churchill Downs too in a 360 degree auditorium screen. Had taken the tour too to see where the most attended and most watched horse race takes place in the United States. Would love to come back to Churchill Downs in May to watch the Derby in person. One can buy different memorabilia from the gift shop too.
Soumyodipta Mukerjee — Google review
A must see for everyone! A fantastic way to explore the rich beauty of the Thoroughbred racehorse and the splendor of the Kentucky Derby. This is a wonderful attraction for all ages. Even if you don't follow the sport, I would recommend a visit. If you love horse racing, you will be in heaven!
The short film, " The Greatest Race" is stunning! I might be addicted because I kept going back to watch it. Warning, it may give you goosebumps and a sudden urge to buy a racehorse!
Let's not forget, there is a gift shop. I absolutely loved the displays. The products are quality and the prices are reasonable.
Oh, and I must mention one of the most important parts... The customer service is excellent! The staff is friendly, fun and knowledgeable. They will make you feel right at home.
Take my advice, just go and enjoy yourself!
Jackie Raczka — Google review
I visited the museum as part of its annual Horses and Haunts Tour during October. Our guides Heather and Molly were excellent guides, providing a lot of history to this native and Derby attendee (for 45+ years)! It was super cool to see the track at night and hear these stories under the hallowed spires. Highly recommend visiting the museum and taking advantage of this tour every October!
Nancy Graham — Google review
Great museum with helpful staff. Be sure to sign up for the track tour, it's included in your ticket. If you love horse racing I would plan to spend a few hours here. Staff was helpful and gave great suggestions of exciting past Derby races to watch. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. Highly recommend visiting for horse racing fans. Girl Scouts have an opportunity to earn a patch here as well.
Tonja Suttles — Google review
This is a must if you are in Louisville and are interested in the history of horse racing. Our tour guide Max was wonderful- we took a chance on the day that we went and were blessed to have seen an actual horse race which was for selling of the horses. There is a lot of history- we highly recommend that when you take the tour you ask as many questions as you possibly can as it makes it more interesting for both you as a spectator and for the tour guides as well. The museum has a lot of information so plan to spend a good amount of time there. It is also interesting for kids of all ages - there are video horse races that you can choose your own horse and ride and control the horse, there are life-size mannequins and horses of great history and there is even a mock starting gate for you to climb onto a horse for a great photo opportunity. Should you get a bit hungry there is the Derby Cafe where you can get a quick bite to eat however check for when it is open as it was closed on Sunday which we were aware of and plan for accordingly. Highly recommend
linda gibson — Google review
Loved it! Did one of the tours, so worth it. Make sure to book a tour ahead of time. Would love to go back to do one of the other tours that were already sold out on our only day there. The museum was neat to walk around. Also, I loved the movie, got me a little emotional.
Jason Korey Wallendal — Google review
Really awesome displays! The 360° film was a must see, very nicely done! I have never been to the Kentucky Derby, but after visiting the museum, I'm seriously considering attending!
Tommy Daniel — Google review
Really cool to be on the grounds of something that you've only seen on TV completely packed with people. The museum gave a great history of the race, the grounds, the horses and the jockeys. The 360 degree movie was super heartwarming and a great addition to the museum. The track tour was cool. The facts about the grounds were very interesting. There is a lot of construction going on right now so the cranes and such were in a lot of my photos. The staff helping in the front were not super friendly or helpful with providing what was available that day. The entire thing was definitely something to see, not sure if I'll be back again.
Teresa Zorzi-Kowalczyk — Google review
The behind the scenes tour was phenomenal- Barry, the guide was extremely passionate, patient and knowledgeable. His passion for the Derby was infectious! The actual museum was interesting but nothing compared to being able to drive past the stables , talk to the hands and hear all of the interesting rid bits. The gift shop was reasonably priced and offered a wide variety of souvenirs to satisfy a passionate enthusiast and casual stroller
Kelly Barger — Google review
What a great find! The KY Derby Museum was better than I expected. They have an excellent film and a beautiful museum that covers all parts of horse racing - horses, jockeys, trainers, owners, and Churchill Downs, and more. The trackside tour is informative and engaging. We saw a few horses and riders on the course, too.
We also purchased the Barn & Backside Tour. It was cool to see some of the Derby horses already housed here. We saw a few horses arriving in preparation for the Derby.
Cindy Clough — Google review
Fantastic museum. The movie at the beginning of the tour is wonderful. Would have loved to see more of Churchill Downs. The regular tour just takes you to one spot in the stands and that's all.
Laura R — Google review
Came to the Kentucky Derby Museum on a whim, ended up having an amazing time! Johnny Bourbon behind the bar was a real gem! He made the made the museum experience exceptional for both the kids and big kids alike. Everyone working at the museum was awesome. Highly recommend the museum and the bourbon bar, ask for Johnny Bourbon!
Jill P. — Google review
We were visiting from out of state and specifically stopped in this area to visit Churchill Downs. There were not races at the time, but we did visit the museum and I will say it was amazing, even my non-horsey family enjoyed this experience. If you plan to visit, I would recommend purchasing tickets prior to arrival, this will ensure you are not spending a long amount of time in line, it will also preserve your space to see the track tour which is awesome. The docents that walk you into the track have years of Churchill Downs track experience and love sharing their experiences and track history with you. The visual inside the track is beautiful and a great picture opportunity. If you get an early enough walk through you may get to see horses working out on the track. Also, while there be sure to watch the track movie. It is extremely well done and touching if you are at all interested in horses, horse racing, or are just the idea.
The museum is two floors with the first floor dedicated to track and track racing history. The second floor is dedicated to exhibits about Secretariat (racehorse), D. Wayne Lukas (trainer), and Bill Shoemaker (jockey), they are all very well done.
I would also recommend, at the end of your visit, taking a stop into their cafe and try out a Mint Julip and one of their sandwiches.
Overall, this was a great experience at $20/person, I would definitely recommend visiting this gorgeous museum.
Melissa Bollschweiler — Google review
If your a horse person this is a must stop. We stopped here on our way up to Indianapolis and I am glad we did. We really enjoyed all the history there as well as seeing where secretariat raced at as well as other famous horses. We for sure be back soon
Curtis Kooienga — Google review
An amazing place to visit. We went there this mid-week in a large group and bought tickets in advance. The experience was very good. We learned many things about the Kentucky Derby and all of its history. All the guides were super friendly and cordial. We had the guided tour which was a very unique experience to learn and visit this museum. There was a 360 degree movie called "The Greatest Race" included in the tour. That was a unique experience to have. There was a gift shop there that has a large variety of souvenirs and hats. Overall, this museum is very good to explore. If you get the chance to explore Louisville in Kentucky, I would definitely suggest having this in your list.
Md Muntasir Alam — Google review
We had a wonderful time. We were there 4 days prior to the dirby so it was a little busy. Our tour was very educational and worth the cost.
Goosehunter82 — Google review
As people who aren't into horse racing we weren't sure if we would like this museum. Definitely glad we went. It was far more enjoyable than I ever expected. Made me want to go see a horse race the next time we are in town.
Mike J — Google review
Dee was an amazing tour guide. Her love and passion for horses was evident. She was a wealth of knowledge. She made the tour so much fun.
Historic site with a museum housing fossilized bones, plus a campground, trails, mini-golf & more.
We had a great time at Big Bone Lick. The kids couldn't have had a better time. Very educational and fun games (scenic bingo) for us to play while on the trails. A lot of fun and at a very good price.
Erik Nothanks — Google review
Tent camping in Kentucky during an intense summer heat wave had it’s challenges, but the lovely campground made the best of a very sweaty situation!
We had a lot of kids in our party and the campground pool was an absolute life saver for adults and children alike. The pool was right next to a small playground, bathrooms and laundry. All simple and small, but well kept.
The campground was very family friendly with lots of kids but very quiet once it got dark.
We stayed in site 19 and it was perfect. We had room for larger tent and a couple small tents tucked back near the woods under a canopy of mature trees. We had easy access to the trails and the kids enjoyed playing in the woods near our site.
There were bugs as to be expected but the elevation is high enough that there are hardly any mosquitos which made sitting outside much more pleasant!
The camp store has your basic things like wood and ice and some supplies, but not much. We did have to do a run to town to get a couple things that weren’t available on site.
One warning: There is an absolutely lawless band of trash pandas (raccoons) that run this park at night! The are bold and relentless. Anything left out will be dragged into the woods for their enjoyment never to be seen again! Plan on putting everything in your car when you leave or cleaning up a big mess.
Laura Henry — Google review
Nice State Park Campground designed for children. Took our granddaughter for a two day trip for the purpose of going to see the Ark Encounter. This park is one of very few that has a pool. Nice playground and miniature golf course. We could not play because they closed the store at 5:00. We wanted to play in the evening. They also have a small Bison heard. You have to take a trail to go see them. You will need to bring an extra long hose for water. Shared in-between camp sites. Some sites are not level so you may need extra blocking. Not the best place for retirees but great if you have children.
Don Ellesin — Google review
Beautiful park! The park staff was extremely friendly and helpful. We were even able to view the sun from their telescope! The museum has some great things to view as well. Definitely recommend!
Kris Tierney — Google review
So interesting. Great artillery demonstration with people in character. Lots of artifacts and picture boards explaining the history. Easy walk. Mostly outdoors. We had a great day for it. History buffs need to visit. Small museum with more in depth history of the different occupations of the native Indians, the French, British and Americans.
Fiona Vaughan — Google review
A beautiful and serene place to come and visit, there's a nice playground with updated equipment for the kids. And an even a basketball court further down the play area. The museum is small, but the gift shop has a lot of items to remember your visit by. Seeing the bison is always an experience, especially if you've never seen these magnificent beasts in the wild.
Jurgis Garbenis — Google review
Our Grandsons still talk about our stay here. It was so fun. The playgrounds were really nice. Had a blast at the pool and walking to see the Bison 🦬 was a really nice walk threw the woods on nice wide gravel paths.
Debbie Rowekamp — Google review
Love to visit this park and explore. They have nice trails along with 2 playgrounds, plenty of parking, and picnic areas. Can't wait to go back.
Shannon Baldwin — Google review
A great place for visitors of all ages!
The museum is small but very informative.
The loop trail to the salt spring is paved and easy accessible even for strollers or wheelchairs, mostly shaded too. Be warned, the salt spring itself smells like sulphur but that is normal.
The trail to the bison (about 10 of them) is gravel and one way in and back out (uphill on your way back out). There is not much shade on this trail but you work your way around the encloser so you can get a great view of the bison wherever they are. They were all right near the fence as you can see!
There was very friendly ranger setup right near the bison that was very informative and answered any questions that anyone had.
LeeAnn Hull — Google review
We stayed at the campground. It was really nice. The park and museum were beautiful. We did find a raccoon when we threw our trash in the dumpster lol.
Misty W — Google review
Great park! Took a day trip specifically to see the Bison and it was well worth the trip. Spent almost a hour just enjoying these magnificent animals!
Andy Edwards — Google review
We stayed at the campground and also checked out the visitor center; and bison area.
CAMPGROUND: we were in site 9. We have a 38ft camper. Had to wheel all they way back to the concrete bumper to fit. You must disconnect to fit your tow vehicle. We parked next to our camper. Nice picnic & fire ring. Sites are a bit close together and we could hear kids in a tent next to us easily. NOT REALLY BIG RIG FRIENDLY given the cozy spots and the huge inclined hill with curve coming into the campgrounds itself. Bath house dated. Pool was out of season. Nice it had a laundry facility. No sewer but has dump station. Water hookup was oddly on the opposite side as electric and near the neighboring campsite.
VISITOR CENTER: a nice collection to look thru but very small. You’d only need an hour or less to take in everything. The diorama looks like it needs some sprucing up. We walked down to see the bison but they were surveying the paddock and had moved the bison away. Bummer. Trails were maintained.
Cyndi Huffman — Google review
We stayed at the campground for two days. The campground is not that big but clean and well laid out. The washrooms and showers were clean but need updating. The water hookup at some sites is quite far so make sure to have enough hose. The sites are reserved but there are some walk ins available if you come during the week or off season. I do have to say that the woman in the office must have been having a couple of bad days- I'll leave it at that.
Seeing the bison and visiting the museum and gift shop was a nice bonus.
John Espinosa — Google review
Very nice camp ground! Very clean and all staff were really nice! We had Easter here and the activities for kids were so fun!
Tiffany McGuffin — Google review
Big Bone Lick was a trip that we decided to make three hours away because of the fossil beds, bison, and camping. While the park is kept up, along with the campsite, the base offering is actually pretty limited. I think my expectations were a bit more considering there were supposed dig sites on the grounds. The visitors center is nice, but very small. The diorama behind it was faded and in need of update. The bison were very neat though we didn’t get to see them up close. Trails could use some improvement. Overall a good but not great place, potentially much better if it gets an overhaul.
Brett McAfee — Google review
The family stopped by today to check out the Bison and the museum. We lucked out on this hot day that the Bison were all out eating grass. They were eating along the fence line, which made it a great experience. Standing a couple feet away from such magnificent and powerful creatures was a treat. Lastly, we stopped at the small museum they have near the Bison. It was way more than I expected, lots on display. Behind the building, they have another display with fiberglass animals from the Ice age. Everyone had a fantastic time.
Paul Fenrich — Google review
Big Bone is a great park always clean, great camping areas,trails and if course the Bison trail
Chrissy Helton — Google review
A very nice Kentucky State Park that doesn't require a full day commitment. We were able spend a couple hours the view the visitor center, walk a couple of trails and see the local bison herd. The trails are well marked. The loop trail at the Visitor Center is an easy walk. Going back on a couple of the other trails past the bison can get you some elevation changes, but I consider moderate in difficulty. Overall we hiked about 3 1/2 miles in less than 2 hours. Plenty for what we wanted to do. The visitor center has a lot of information about the history of the site. Well worth a stop in visit. It's not big so 15 to 30 minutes is more than enough time. The staff and rangers were helpful.
This museum in Louisville, Kentucky is a must-see for fans of baseball bats. The museum has a factory tour that charts the journey of a bat from a humble piece of wood to an expertly made professional baseball bat. Other noteworthy exhibits include the world's largest bat, Buds Batting Cage, and interactive displays like Babe Ruth's batting helmet. The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is easily recognizable by its towering 120-ft steel baseball bat, the Worlds Biggest Bat.
A fascinating place for baseball fans as well as those with just a passing knowledge of the game. Watch bats being created out of blocks of wood. When we were there, they were making bats for opening day. You can also get a personalized bat. There are displays highlighting baseball greats and other unique facets of the sport. A great attraction and an easy walk from downtown.
David Nershi — Google review
Totally awesome tour and definitely worth it. All of my kids enjoyed it. The free mini bat is a nice touch either. Keeping four boys from poking each other with them is a different story. After the tour you get to see the museum which has some nice extra items in it. We came on a holiday on the fourth of July weekend and only had to wait 10 minutes for a tour to start.
Zach Garia — Google review
If you like baseball history you will luv this place. They give you a great tour of the factory where they make 4000 bats per day. They also have lots of pro baseball items you can buy that are signed. At the end of the tour you get a free souvenir bat. You can use the batting cages or check out the bat cave and gift shop. Ez parking.
J P — Google review
As a former baseball player, it was a really cool experience to see where these bats are made. Also, the amount of time and dedication they take to craft each one. It was also cool to bat in the cages to test out different players' bats. I would definitely recommend it to someone who played baseball before or someone who appreciates woodworking!
jonathan ikemoto — Google review
Had a great time. I'm not a huge baseball fan, but this was an awesome tour. They have a bat vault that is really cool. Bats that past famous MLB players used. The tour is worth the money, really learn a lot about the bat and the wood. Also a good place to purchase a bat
Brad Hayes — Google review
If you you baseball and its history, this is a place you must visit! The visit includes a tour inside the factory where you can see how bats are made. The exhibitions are simply amazing! You can hold a bat that belonged to Babe Ruth in 1933, you can see bats from Joe Di Magio, Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson, Roger Maris, Tyler Cobb, and some other legends. You can buy nice souvenirs at the gift store and even get a customized bat. I highly recommend this museum.
Francisco Cappai — Google review
This was a pretty cool tour as it was in a real production facility where they are not afraid to show off the pride of their product. Overall, it is always cool to support a family business even if it is a big one. Pro tip: they give everyone who takes the tour a mini bat which saves on souvenirs for large family groups. Pro tip #2: they laser print all types of bats for gifts and it is pretty quick.
Chris Manning — Google review
Fantastic place if you even have a remote interest in baseball. I would say if you enjoy watching stuff get made or are into woodworking you would enjoy the place. The tour guide did a great job explaining what was on the factory floor. The museum had great exhibits and you can even hold bats used by the greats of the game.
Bryan Monaco — Google review
Great tour, even for those that are not baseball fans. Understanding the entire process and watching them mill the bats and varnish them by hand was fun. Highly recommend for all ages.
J. D. — Google review
Unique museum. If you are a baseball fan this is a must see. We were just passing through and have been wanting to stop.
Tour was interesting and museum was nicely done. Different areas to explore. We spent about an hour here. Our seven year old enjoyed it as well!
Anna Zoromski-Linde — Google review
Nice space with some free exhibits, but if you want to enter the museum portion and/or do the tour, there is a fee.
I think the tour is a must try for fans. It was interesting to hear about and see the process. AND they give you a mini bat of your own at the end of the tour. When we went early in the morning, there was no wait for the tour, BUT when my friend wanted to do the tour later in the day, she would have had to wait about 1.5 hour for her tour group. So, buy the tour ticket early if you plan to attend around the noon time.
Jennifer Lau — Google review
We needed a stop on our road-trip from MN to Panama City Beach to break it up and stretch our legs and let me tell you this didn’t Disappoint!! Our teenage kids Loved stopping here and doing the tour! They were all very happy that we decided to do it! As parents that was a success! Best part is, Each person got a Mini Bat as keepsake with Tour Ticket Cost! No need to spend anymore in gift shop! 2-4-1 ⚾️
Jen&Odie Fogleson — Google review
We really enjoyed this place! Great tour and I learned so much! I'm not a baseball fan, yet the rich history of the game, the process of making the bats, and learning about the players was incredibly interesting. I definitely recommend visiting, you will not be disappointed. We also got customized bats made. Very reasonably priced and it was only about a 15-20 minute wait.
Kristi U — Google review
I think this is a must see quick trip to see a working piece of history. Tour lasts about 30 minutes and you have to be assigned to a tour time. Awesome to see the inner workings of how the Louisville Slugger bat is created. There are other things to look at and learn including a batting cage. I was in and out in an hour and felt good about my time spent. Check it out while in Louisville.
The K Green Show — Google review
This was worth the whole trip! We bought tickets the night before for the first tour on a Friday. So much cool stuff! The tour was cool because you were right inside the factory where they make the bats! They let you take all the pictures you wanted and hold all types of bats! And at the end of the tour they give you a miniature slugger bag to take home! Big souvenir shop! I would go again!
logan white — Google review
Really fun for families and baseball fans. The tour is easy and is with a guide. You walk through different setups in the factory and they play short videos with more information. At the end you get a mini slugger, watch out for everyone who gets super lit to get them - they start swinging.
There are other parts to visit including a history area with mannequin/statues of famous players. They also have a bat room. And the batting cage is fun if you have the time.
D J — Google review
This place is beyond AWESOME! Where else in the world can you get a picture of yourself holding Babe Ruth's actual bat? A must see if you visit Louisville and you get a free mini bat at the end of the tour!
Matthewseven13 — Google review
My wife has talked about Louisville Slugger Museum for as long as I've known her. It has an extremely strong anchor to baseball, especially professional baseball. All the majors, leagues and players, get their bats from here. It is where their bats are made. At this museum, you can see how bats are made, from the selection of the tree to the cut and shape of the bats. It features a tour of the factory itself and ends with its own museum of baseball history. It is a fascinating tour for anyone, whether you are interested in baseball or not. It is a highly recommended tour of Americana.
Larry Henry — Google review
Super fun experience! There's an area that's free to go in, along with the gift shop, but a paid tour is available, as well! The whole museum is well worth the visit! Tours are reasonably priced and done in small groups. Will definitely be back again.
Amanda Scudder — Google review
This is fun place for baseball fan especially for a hitter. You can watch how a baseball bat was made from a log to a famous product. You truly walked into the factory to see it. The museum part also exhibits lots of MLB famous batters! At the end of the factory tour, you'll receive a mini hand bat as a souvenir. A Place for all ages and family fun!! Recommended!!
Peng Hsu — Google review
This is a great American Historical site. The Great American Ball Game, was "shaped" and influenced by the production of these bats. We loved learning the history, and seeing how these bats were made.
Curtis DeJong — Google review
Tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. Friendly and tickets were reasonably priced.
Gift shop is a bit expensive for the products that they have available to buy. Guess that’s to be expected. Can find similar items online for half the price.
Other than that, overall good experience.
mike mayville — Google review
Greeted by the World's Largest Baseball Bat right out of the museum. I ended up taking the tour here and they show you beginning to end, the production of the bat. Starting from the piece of wood, how it was cut back in the day. Nowadays with machinery, you see how quick production can be. You get to see every step of the way from the carving of the machine, to a slope test, to the sanding machine and then they are finished in with some paint. Lastly some are branded and then ready to go for use! Overall nice tour and you get a small souvenir bat out of it. Very nice!
Josh Baltazar — Google review
Awesome museum! Great to learn about the history and how they used to make the bats and to now walk through the factory and see bats being made. Highly recommend you visit if your into baseball at all. I'm not a baseball fan but enjoyed it. They also have a batting cage and small 20min movie about the bats.
Kevin Bittner — Google review
Great museum and if you're a lover of baseball, then this is a must do! The tour includes walking through the actual factory while the bats are being made, which I found to be the best part of the tour. The tour guide also went into the science of how they're put together. You also get to take home a nice token... you guess it, a miniature Louisville slugger bat.
Heidi Morales-Hake — Google review
I’m a big baseball fan and I really enjoyed the tour! Learning about where the wood is sourced and seeing a bat being made was very special. After the tour you can go to the batting cage and try out bats that are replicas of the pros both current and historic. My favorite bat is Hank Aaron’s, I had to try Babe Ruth’s bat too, it’s HUGE and hard to swing.
If you don’t have time for the whole tour you can just go to the batting cage and gift shop. There also a movie that talks about the history of the game and Louisville Sluggers roll. I’ll be back again!
Gabe Martin — Google review
An essential part of the Louisville visitor experience! While I enjoy the sport, I confess I'm not that into baseball - but this was such a fascinating experience and should not be missed. Heads up for my fellow air travelers: the museum will ship your souvenir mini bats for just $10 (bundle them together to save!).