Fun Places to Take Kids in Kentucky

World's Longest Known Cave System

• Mammoth Cave, which stretches through the Green River valley and hill country of south central Kentucky, is recognized as the most extensive cave system in the world. More than 400 miles have been explored, according to the website of Mammoth Cave National Park. Operating hours change by the season, but they roughly coincide with daylight hours. Special features for children include a "Trog Tour" (no parents allowed); a "Nature Track" of fun-centered discovery; and the Junior Ranger Program. The physical address is 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky 42259

Kentucky Zoos

• The Zoo Louisville, along the north central border of Kentucky, sits on 134 acres of land and features more than 1,500 animals. Exhibits include Gorilla Forest, Islands, Lorikeet Landing and Glacier Run. Attractions include zoo trains, the Conservation Carousel, a splash park, a petting zoo, a playground and ropes adventure courses. The Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, 80 miles south of Louisville in Horse Cave, is home to miniature horses, kangaroos, draft horses, bison, fallow deer and dingoes. While there, take a self-guided bird tour, feed some lorikeets and go mining for gems. At the Kentucky Reptile Zoo in Slade, 54 miles southeast of Lexington, you'll see rattlesnakes, vipers, cobras and an 18-foot python. Twice each day, guests have an opportunity to get an up-close look at alligators and snakes while learning more about them during a live reptile show.

Kentucky Museums and Science Centers

• At the Explorium of Lexington, children can participate in hands-on workshops on the weekends, with activities that change from week to week, such as sports, fitness, art, music and culture. Exhibits include "Let's Move," "Hold Your Horses," "The Bubble Zone," "Wonder Woods" and "Homes Around the World." At the Kentucky Science Center in Louisville, your kids will get the chance to play and learn with interactive exhibits, such as "World We Create," "The World Around Us" and "Science in Play." Programs include playdates, youth camps, family workshops and overnight adventures. The East Kentucky Science Center is located on the campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonburg, 117 miles southeast of Lexington. This facility features a planetarium, laser light shows and an exhibit hall with children's learning activities.

Kentucky Water Activities

• During the summer, take your kids to the Kentucky Splash Water Park, 103 miles south of Lexington in Williamsburg. Water attractions include a lazy river, multiple slides, a wave pool and a 6,000-square-foot children's water play area, with slides, water cannons, a dump bucket and interactive spray features. Additional activities include miniature golf, a driving range and go karts. Venture River Family Water Park, 180 miles southwest of Louisville in Eddyville, is also open during the summer months. At this water park, your kids can enjoy a wave pool, sand volleyball, speed slides, a water ropes course and a children's play area. The Clear Creek Family Activity Center Aquatic Center, in Shelbyville, is open year round. This indoor water park features a children's pool, frog slide and water basketball. An outdoor water park is open in the summer.

Kentucky Parks and Nature Preserves

• Kentucky is home to a large number of nature preserves and state parks. Just 40 miles south of Lexington, near Berea, is the John B. Stephenson Memorial Forest State Nature Preserve, which covers 123 acres. You can hike the trails, visit a waterfall and do some bird watching. The Vernon-Douglas State Nature Preserve sits on 730 acres, 45 miles south of Louisville near Elizabethtown, and features wildflowers in the spring, bird watching opportunities and over 4 miles of hiking trails. At Carter Caves Trails, a state park 84 miles east of Lexington, you can mine for gems, go canoeing, enjoy a horseback ride or camp.