There are family fun events and things to do for all ages in Lexington and Central KY. Here’s a list of 75 great activities in Central KY that every kid should do before they grow up!
- Visit McConnell Springs, the Birthplace of Lexington. Founders’ Day in May is a great way to see history up close.
- Take in the sights and sounds of Keeneland during a meet or for a special event.
- Enjoy the beauty of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
- Cheer on the University of Kentucky Wildcats at a sporting event.
- Volunteer in your community. Check out the Lex Fun list of Ways to Give Back with Kids in Central KY
- Enjoy a show at the Lexington Children’s Theatre.
- Taste local foods at the Lexington Farmer’s Market.
- Go to the Kentucky Horse Park and see the Derby trophies, go on a horse drawn carriage ride, and see famous racehorses. Hats Off Day is FREE each year.
- Enjoy a spring festival or parade for St. Patrick’s Day, KiteFest, MayFest or Founders’ Day.
- Celebrate summer at the 4th of July Festival downtown
- Get spooked at Little Goblins Galore, a local pumpkin patch, or the Thriller Parade.
- Take in the lights at Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park for the holidays.
- Learn about the “Paul Revere of the South” at the Jack Jouett House – many events are free.
- Learn something new at the Living Arts and Science Center. Discovery Nights are held monthly and are just $2 (suggested donation).
- Explore the Kentucky Children’s Garden. Get FREE admission during some special events each year.
- Step back in time with a visit to Fort Boonesborough.
- Walk the path at the Arboretum and stop by their fish pond and garden.
- Cheer on the local minor league baseball team, the Lexington Legends. Join their Kids Club and kids get FREE admission on Sundays.
- Support the arts and enjoy Gallery Hop held throughout the year.
- Appreciate some jazz at Ecton Park or Moondance Amphitheater.
- See the stars at the Hummel Planetarium or go Stargazing at Raven Run.
- Get up close with native animals at Salato Wildlife Eduation Center. (March – November)
- Tour the Toyota Plant in Georgetown – it’s FREE!
- Experience a reenactment with the Settlement and Raid event at Fort Harrod or Fort Boonesborough.
- Take a pedal boat ride at Jacobson Park.
- Visit the University of Kentucky Art Museum – it’s FREE and they offer Family Fun Sunday events.
- Taste Old Kentucky Chocolates – the tour is FREE!
- Go to Cumberland Falls, plan a visit to see a Moonbow.
- Enjoy a cold Ale – 8 – 1 – tour the plant for free in Winchester and get one FREE after your visit.
- Enjoy a Free Friday Flick at Jacobson Park in the summer or a Fountain Film at Triangle Park. Summer Movie Events are held each year.
- Bike the Legacy Trail or enjoy Bike Lexington this May.
- Listen to some Bluegrass music at the Festival of the Bluegrass.
- Take a train ride through the bluegrass on the Bluegrass Railway Museum.
- Try a ropes course at the Life Adventure Center.
- Zipline the Red River Gorge.
- Taste a Kentucky favorite – Beer Cheese! The Beer Cheese Festival is held each June in Winchester.
- Raise money for homeless kids in Central KY through LemonAiD Days from the Salvation Army.
- Visit a County Fair in your community.
- Canoe through our local waterways with Canoe KY.
- Enjoy local music at Thursday Night Live.
- Play at local parks, try visiting lots of different ones!
- Get wet at a local Aquatic Center.
- Learn more about Mary Todd Lincoln with a visit to her former home – right in downtown Lexington! Free for kids K – 12th grade each Presidents’ Day.
- Try a new restaurant and enjoy a great deal with a local Kids Eat Free (or cheap) Night!
- See locally made arts and crafts at the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea.
- Go underground at the Louisville MEGA Cavern
- Visit the State Capitol building – they offer FREE tours.
- Listen to the Lexington Philharmonic – they offer hands on Instrument Petting Zoos and kids programming all year long.
- Meet a retired racehorse at Old Friends Farm.
- Stop by the Aviation Museum of Kentucky.
- See a show at the Lexington Opera House. The Lexington Children’s Theatre, Broadway Live!, local dance groups, and many others offer performances year round.
- Learn about bison and how they roamed our area years ago at Blackfish Bison Ranch in Winchester.
- Read with your family at a local public library. Summer reading programs offer special programming and prizes.
- See Santa and the Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Lexington.
- Have tea, see the tree lighting, or take a tour of Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate.
- Spend the night at a local zoo or museum.
- See how Louisville Sluggers are made at the Slugger Museum in Louisville.
- Hike our beautiful region.
- Strike up the band at the Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville.
- Ride the Dixie Belle Riverboat.
- Shop the 127 Yard Sale in August.
- Go sledding at one of the best hills in town.
- Help Reforest the Bluegrass and plant a tree.
- Lace up your skates and try the outdoor ice rink in Triangle Park in the winter or the Lexington Ice Center.
- Enjoy a national festival, Breyerfest, that is held at the KY Horse Park each summer.
- Do something unique and visit the Dollhouse Museum in Danville.
- Attend a family friendly show at the EKU Center for the Arts.
- Zip line across Rupp Arena at the annual Kentucky Sport, Boat and Recreation Show.
- See a movie at the Kentucky Theatre, a beautifully decorated theatre in downtown Lexington that opened in 1922.
- Visit a locally owned bookstore for storytime.
- Enjoy a Woodsongs Radio Hour live performance.
- See a movie at the Judy Drive In.
- Visit Parkette Drive In for a Poor Boy or Chicken Box.
- Try geocaching at a Ky State Park.
- Go see the Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown.
