Gas is expensive. But sometimes it’s worth it to bite the bullet, fill up the tank, load up the kids and go make some priceless memories. Have fun!
[blockquote]Diamond Lake Resort[/blockquote]
Drive Time: Approximately 15 min.
Directions: From Owensboro, take Hwy 56 West 11 miles
Features/Attractions: When is the last time you’ve been to Diamond Lake? If it’s been a while, you’re missing out on some major improvements they’ve made the past several years. In addition to pay-lake fishing and camping, there is a paintball “speedball” course, three go kart tracks (one is an oval slick track), pedal boats, a small convenience store with a snack bar and a newly renovated theater that houses a bluegrass jamboree among other things. And you definitely don’t want to miss feeding the koi. For a buck you can get a small bag of fish food, drop it off the bridge and watch the fish go wild! I’ve never seen anything like it!
[blockquote]Vastwood Park in Hancock County[/blockquote]
Drive Time: Approximately 30 min.
Directions: From Owensboro, take Hwy 60 East, 33 miles
Features/Attractions: A large, beautiful 19-acre lake with a paved walking trail that goes all the way around it. There are other hiking trails as well, but the paved trail winds through the woods, over several bridges and across the dam. For an additional challenge, there is a fitness course along the trail. Disc golf players who have already played Panther Creek and Yellow Creek will enjoy the 18-basket course. For the youngsters, there is a large fenced-in playground. The park also has a basketball court, tennis court, ball fields and picnic shelters. During summer months, the sand beach is a popular spot, and for weekend excursions, there is a small campground on the backside of the lake. For lunch inside the park, there is a pizza place (Galaxy Pizza) with a few arcade games. Or as my boys call it, “PIZZA PLANET!”
[blockquote]Audubon State Park, Henderson[/blockquote]
Drive Time: Approximately 30 min.
Directions: From Owensboro, take Audubon Parkway to 41 N
Features/Attractions: Audubon State Park is best known for its namesake, John James Audubon, who wrote an extensive book about birds, a landmark work in the 1800s. The museum is the main attraction, but there is also a 9-hole golf course, fishing and pedal boats on the main lake, several picnic shelters and playgrounds by the lake. It really is a beautiful place for a spring picnic when the wildflowers are in bloom. The one-mile “lake trail” offers a beautiful view of Wilderness Lake with another two-mile “backcountry trail” as an added bonus. Each time I’ve been there I’ve seen deer and so many birds I couldn’t count them.
For overnight stays, there are cottages and a campground as
well.
[blockquote]Bowling Green[/blockquote]
Drive Time: Approximately 1 hour
Directions: From Owensboro, take Natcher Parkway South
Features/Attractions: In addition to WKU, Bowling Green is world-famous for the Corvette Museum. But did you know they have a minor league baseball team now? (The Hotrods.) If you’ve got Thomas or Chuggington fans in your home, check out the Historic Railpark and Train Museum downtown. Or visit Lost River Cave for underground cave exploration. Beech Bend Park is on the rise too, recently adding a water park, free soft drinks, a new roller coaster and shows throughout the day. On the way home, swing out to local landmark “Chaney’s Dairy Barn.” It’s a few miles off the Natcher, but totally worth it! Think Big Dipper meets Trunnell’s.
[blockquote]Evansville, IN[/blockquote]
Drive Time: Approximately 45 min.
Directions: Take Audubon Parkway to 41 N across the twin bridges
Features/Attractions: Mesker Park Zoo has made several recent expansions, including the newly opened “Amazonia.” Consider the family membership, a one-time fee that allows you to go back as many times as you want in a year and it also gets you really good deals or even free admission to other zoos (like Louisville and Nashville). We used it on vacation in Florida one year. Teens will love rock climbing at Vertical Escape. Stop for lunch at Gattitown, similar to Chuck E. Cheese’s but less crowded.