Top 5 Zoos & Aquariums in Kentucky, United States

December 28, 2021 Flossie Demartino

Famous for Bourbon Country and horse farms, civil war battlefields and beautiful natural parks, Kentucky offers a delightful mix of experiences. You might begin in Lexington, where the 1200-acre Kentucky Horse Park is a popular attraction. The university adds exciting sports, impressive art and a vibrant student/professor population to the city. Louisville is similar, where renowned Churchill Downs hosts the annual Kentucky Derby and the Belle of Louisville, the nation’s oldest steam-driven river paddlewheeler, hosts enchanting lunch and dinner cruises along the beautiful Ohio River. Next, head south to visit Mammoth Cave National Park for a day of touring the cave (the world’s longest known cave), hiking and canoeing on the Green River. Paducah, Berea, Bowling Green – so many places to explore and enjoy!
Restaurants in Kentucky

1. Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo

3700 L and N Turnpike Rd I-65 at Exit 58, Horse Cave, Horse Cave, KY 42749-7100 +1 270-786-1010 [email protected] http://www.kentuckydownunder.com
Excellent
59%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 730 reviews

Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo

Fun and interactive animal park. Many Australian animals including kangaroos, as well as other North American Animals. Cave on site, included with admission price. Fun for the whole family.

Reviewed By 978jbs

We have been here several times and have always enjoyed out stay. There is something that is very relaxing about hanging out with kangaroos - you can actually go in their enclosure and they are very friendly too! Their are also an assortment of birds on the property and a lorie enclosure for interaction with them. There are also dingos, horses and lemurs. They have sheep on the property and offer a presentation in which they use a dog to round up the sheep. A cave tour is also available on site. The guide provides fun facts and don't worry if you are claustrophobic as you can get in and out pretty quick. There is a snack bar/food canteen in which you can get sandwiches or treats. They also allow you to leave and re-enter if you desire to. You can easily spend the entire day here but I would suggest planning on around 4 hours at least. There is a lot of walking here and the entire farm is on a hillside. They now offer golf cart rentals which I highly recommend for getting around and for going onto the back loop of the property.

2. Newport Aquarium

1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY 41071-1679 +1 800-406-3474 [email protected] http://www.NewportAquarium.com
Excellent
49%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2,144 reviews

Newport Aquarium

Rated #1 U.S. Aquarium by Readers’ Choice Travel Awards and #1 Aquarium in the Midwest by Zagat Survey. Home to thousands of aquatic animals in scores of exhibits, the Newport Aquarium will amaze you with all there is to see and do. You can touch a penguin, pet a shark, hear divers talk to the audience during feeding time, play games in Frog Bog, eat lunch in Sharkey's Cafe and a much, much more!

Reviewed By JourneyAwaits - Anderson, United States

All areas of this aquarium are very well done. Our ticket time was 9 am and we had reservations for the penguin experience at noon so we had plenty of time to explore. We really took our time and enjoyed the exhibits. It was nice being able to get in early before the crowds got heavier. I highly recommend doing the penguin experience. It was informative and fun to see/interact with the penguins in a small group. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The aquarium had some new projects underway, I am anxious to return soon.

3. Kentucky Reptile Zoo

200 L and E Railroad Pl, Slade, KY 40376-9040 +1 606-663-9160 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/kentuckyreptilezoo/
Excellent
45%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
7%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 71 reviews

Kentucky Reptile Zoo

There are few reptile collections that can compare to the diversity of animals on display at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo. Animals on exhibit range from an 18 foot reticulated python, our largest resident, to many types of venomous snakes such as cobras, mambas, cottonmouth, copperheads, taipans and rattlesnakes, to an American Alligator. One of the favorite areas for kids is our Turtle Tracks Area, where both tortoises and aquatic turtles can be seen. Live reptile shows at 1, 3 and 5pm.

Reviewed By angelabL7340CU - Campbellsburg, United States

The exhibit was well organized. The guides were very knowledgeable. The reptiles were all identified by the area where they live and information about the lengths they can grow to were posted on each aquarium. Some of the reptiles were very active. I would go again!

4. Louisville Zoo

1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213-1559 +1 502-459-2181 [email protected] http://www.louisvillezoo.org
Excellent
48%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,481 reviews

Louisville Zoo

Reviewed By mmmarie1961 - Louisville, United States

We love going to the zoo all year long, but especially in the winter. Although some of the outdoor exhibits aren't open, the zoo has plenty of exhibits inside and there aren't too many folks around. Sometimes it feels like our own private zoo. The gorilla exhibit is wonderful, and right now with the baby gorilla out most days it is an amazing place to spend time. Go visit the zoo in winter, you won't be disappointed!

5. Wolf Run Wildlife Reserve

7376 Old Danville Rd, Nicholasville, KY 40356-9572 http://wolfrun.org/
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

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