5 last-minute road trips recommended by the editor
I am all about making memories with my kids. Less stuff, more adventures. Each summer, the kids and I hit the road. I have never traveled too far with them since it has been just us — maybe just a few hours from home. We have some favorite spots we go to each year, usually centered around visiting my best friends from high school that are more like aunts to Avery and Reed. But we also like to visit new places or spots that I remember from my childhood, which they, for some reason, think is really cool. (I think it’s because it’s hard for them to believe anything that I visited as a child would still be around.)
Here are five Avery and Reed recommended trips that we have taken recently. I have included tips from me, the checklist-loving mom, and tips from my kids, who are happy to give you their opinions on anything.
The new school year is quickly approaching. Get out and make some last-minute memories with your kids before you settle back into your daily routines. And while these are all road trips within a few hours of Owensboro, there are also some great opportunities for local family fun. Check out our list of quick, local outings your kids will love just as much. After all, it’s about being together as a family, right?!
Newport Aquarium
Just over three hours away in Newport, KY
Whether it’s the most interactive seahorse exhibit in the country, the all-new Ring of Fire: World of the Octopus or the incredible Shark Bridge, you’ll find an experience to remember. Newport Aquarium features thousands of creatures from all around the world. You can play with penguins, walk inches above sharks and see animals and fish being fed.
Mom tip: The aquarium is at Newport on the Levee, where there are lots of activities going on. We also visited Krohn Conservatory while we were there, which is in nearby Cincinnati. Avery loved the butterfly house!
Kid tip: There is a huge playhouse in the aquarium that we spent a lot of time in. Be sure to tell your mom and dad you need some extra time to play! And bring some hand sanitizer. You get to touch a lot of sea creatures!
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forrest
Under two hour drive in Clermont, KY
With 16,137 acres of land, there is an adventure waiting for everyone at Bernheim. Guided hikes, nature programs and eco discovery days are all family-friendly events. But one particular exhibit is surely worth the drive from Owensboro. In conjunction with their 90th anniversary, Bernheim welcomed Danish artist, Thomas Dambo, to construct three giant sculptures throughout the arboretum using recycled wood from the region. The exhibit, Forest Giants in a Giant Forest, is free. A $10 donation is suggested per car for non-members. The Giants are within walking distance of each other; it’s an approximately 2-mile loop to see all three. Parking is available near each Giant as well. The Visitor Center will have specific information. Bernheim encourages you to visit in off-peak times – before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to have more one-on-one time with their special visitors.
Mom tip: We haven’t been to Bernheim yet, but it’s on our summer bucket list. I have heard it’s a lot of walking, so be aware if you have little kids. I also heard that a membership pass to the Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens will also get you into this arboretum. Double win!
Kid tip: Have a picnic is on our bucket list, so we plan to pack our lunch when we go see the giants! Mom said that Louisville isn’t far away either. We want to visit our family that lives there and go to the science museum and walk across the Big Four Bridge.
St. Louis , MO
Just over three hours away
A quick family getaway, St. Louis offers a lot of fun for a long weekend. Try the St. Louis Zoo, which has free admission all year long, catch a Cardinals baseball game, visit the City Museum or the Magic House and of course, you have to visit the St. Louis Arch. You can even fly from the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport for as low as $29 each way.
Mom tip: This was our first big trip on our own. We got a hotel downtown and walked to a Cardinals game and the arch, but we drove to the Magic House and the St. Louis Zoo. We had a blast! I felt like this was a manageable trip for a single mom. We packed a lot of fun into that long weekend!
Kid tip: Don’t be scared to go up in the arch. It’s really high and the elevator thing you take to the top is a little scary, but it was fun to be in something so tall!
Kentucky Down Under
Under two hours away in Horse Cave, KY
Hailed as an adventure zoo, Kentucky Down Under offers a unique twist for kids to learn about animals. Visitors can stroll through an open field where kangaroos and emus roam freely or go into a cage filled with Lorries, that fly right on you at anytime. The zoo is even home to Mammoth Onyx Cave, an active cave where guides interpret the geology of karst areas and the importance of protecting caves and groundwater. Admission for adults (ages 15+) is $25.95, children (ages 4-14) is $15.95 and ages 3 and under are free.
Mom tip: The cave is a lot of fun, but it is 58 degree all year long. Pack a jacket for everyone! Also, Dinosaur World is just down the road. This was a kid favorite, especially for my dinosaur-loving son. Avery loved it just as much though!
Kid tip: Neither one of us liked the lorries very much. The birds landing on us was kind of scary, but we want to try it again when we go back. We loved petting the kangaroos. They were so nice!
SoundWaves
Under two hours away in
Nashville, TN
SoundWaves, an aquatic attraction, is the newest amenity at Gaylord Opryland hotel. The indoor/outdoor oasis is fun for people of all ages to enjoy. Recreation zones for adults, young children and families include looping drop and body slides, 4-lane mat racer, a multi-level kids play structure, wave pool and more. Much like the temperature controlled indoor gardens at the Gaylord Opryland resort, the attraction is kept at 84 degrees indoors year-round. In addition, its unique roof allows guests to sunbathe indoors!
Mom tip: We haven’t been here yet, but it’s on our list. My kids love Gaylord Opryland — it’s a tradition for us to visit each year at Christmas. But SoundWaves gives us the opportunity for a summer adventure in Nashville. My friend Jason, who founded Owensboro Parent, took his family to SoundWaves and said it was a blast!
Kid tip: We loved SoundWaves! We range in age from 3 to 13 years old, and we all had so much fun. Our favorites were the FlowRider wave simulator and the racer slides. We can’t wait to go back!