Woodland Park

(18 reviews)

13.2 mi

It's a nice little spot to relax. Nothing installed at the time I was there there for someone to do…read moreoutside of appreciating the views and scenery, but that's not a knockdown. I enjoyed walking through and taking some pictures and videos. The geese were actually super cool too and let me get pretty close without hissing at me or anything

It was a nice stop since we were driving by and scouting for places to walk the dogs in shade…read more Unfortunately the trail is very short. The grounds are good, some beautiful plants. But I've been to other gardens like this that were much better. The grounds need a little work and the pond is overgrown with algae.

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The Arboretum State Botanical Garden of Kentucky

4.7

(71 reviews)

1.5 mi

The arboretum is free of charge if you're not seeing the children's garden, which seemed very…read morepopular when we were there. There's lots of shady areas to get out of the sun. We walked through the Home Demonstration Gardens, which were very nicely laid out with lots of variety and blooms. Plenty of bees and other insects and critters enjoying the gardens, as well. I wish I lived closer so I could visit throughout the year. Although free, donations are very appreciated.

It's been a long time since I've been to The Arboretum. I decided on a brief early morning walk…read more It's lovely to be surrounded by green space. No noise, no traffic. Tai Chi walking, purposefully slow and meditative. It's good for you. Try it. 74

Sign with hours at visitor's center

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McConnell Springs

4.7

(26 reviews)

2.5 mi

Nice natural area to walk around it! It is larger and more secluded than the average local option…read more Unfortunately dogs aren't allowed.

Neat little stop. The walk is mostly paved and flat which I think is a plus for some. The blue hole…read moreis neat and the spring boils up which a neat little phenomenon. There is a pond with fish, turtles and frogs. Informative signs along the path tell the history of the park as well.

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Jacobson Park

4.3

(39 reviews)

5.0 mi

First visit to Jacobson Park, and while it felt like a crazy long hike there with two teens and a…read morepuppy during rush hour, it was worth the drive to experience a bucolic and hopping piece of the outdoors! Our puppy loved the ducks (and these were some FRIENDLY and INTERACTIVE ducks...) and we experienced some other cool avian sightings. Not a surprise - but the restrooms were suitably scary and during the first part of our visit, the overcast and gray sky made the cement building feel ripe for a horror movie experience... compete with a scary service truck and a man in stained overalls. (Please note, the gentleman was actually very friendly and engaging and was hard at work - he was not in any way a negative presence). The park is expansive and it was actually really busy for a Thursday evening. The dog park was intriguing but we ran out of time to visit. The play area had something for all ages and was popular with children through teens. Loads of parking and the shelter area was great for a school gathering. Can't wait to visit again!

I came here this afternoon looking for a new park to explore with my dog. Upon arrival, I could…read moretell that this park was huge! There are plenty of green spaces and empty fields to play frisbee, flag football, or volleyball. I drove to the dog park area since the park is strict on having the dogs on leash at all times, so I went there. The dog parks for both small and large dogs are enormous! I have never seen that size of a dog park since I was in Colorado--and that state is known for being pet friendly, so their parks and restaurants are 90% pet-friendly. I took my dog to the small dog park as he is small. It was still 4 P.m. and too hot for my dog. There are not a lot of shades in the small dog area compared to the large dog area. I did not stay that long as my dog did not like being grilled under the sun. I checked out the rest of the park by driving around and noticed a vast playground, a marina (although the water has receded), empty fields, a picnic area, and even a camping area! If I had come later in the day when it was not too hot for my dog, I would have enjoyed my stay here. I have seen plenty of residents around here with their kids, birthday party groups, and groups playing frisbee. I can tell that it is a great park to visit. Cool spot ~

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Red River Gorge

4.8

(61 reviews)

50.0 mi

Everyone about this trip was amazing! The park has some of the best trails! Some are harder than…read moreothers but worth the sites! We went to a bunch of amazing restaurants and met wonderful people kind people! We will be back again and recommend it to anyone who loves the outdoors!!!

This will have been our 2nd time to Red River Gorge, except we took our fam plus some. I love…read moreviews, mountains, family, and good food! We rented out thee most cutest cabin. We took a hike one day and rested another. When we go again, the itinerary will look different, trying other places we didn't get a chance to experience.

My son climbing at Bruise Brothers in Muir Valley (thanks Bluegrass climbing guides!)

The Gorge Underground

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Shillito Park

(13 reviews)

3.9 mi

I want to preface this by saying I think this park would earn 5 stars by the people going there to…read moreplay sports. It has basketball, baseball, tennis, and frisbee golf. I went there to walk my dog and be in nature. The majority of the main paved walking path is actually separate from the park. It runs alongside the road that runs through the park. Because I was there around rush hour, it basically felt like walking on a sidewalk next to a busy street, rather than like walking in a park. Also, there was some construction and a lot of electrical lines with big metal bases along the path, which also detracted from the little bit of nature. But who knows, maybe I'll come back in the summer (I noticed a pool) and end up increasing my score.

It's a fairly large park with many different spots to choose from. Peaceful with walking paths,…read morepicnic areas and baseball field. Nice : }

Grab a cuppa before going to the park!

Can you find the cat?

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Perfect spot to watch the sunset

Cove Spring Park

(16 reviews)

23.4 mi

Calm relaxing environment for a leisurely stroll on a Sunday afternoon. Enjoyed the beautiful…read morewaterfalls and nature views. Highly enjoyed the meadow trail path. Will be back again in the future.

What a great local park. Just be prepared if it's rained in the recent past as pathways are mostly…read morepacked earth. Lots of pathways, beautiful scenery, waterfalls. Nice people on the paths. Dog friendly. Bathrooms available.

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Lake Reba Park

4.4

(8 reviews)

24.0 mi

Nice small town park. Plenty of space and playground area. Ok bball courts and fishing. Alot of…read more around the tables

Really nice park. Basketball courts. Nice pavilions. Playground equipment. Putt-Putt course is…read morevery nice.

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Playground

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

(51 reviews)

11.6 mi

Well worth a visit - accessible and well maintained. Trails climb to a scenic overlook of the…read moreKentucky River, with miles more to hike.

I love the fact that there were so many different trails with different features. I am not sure if…read moreraven run is pet friendly. It was so much fun looking over the Kentucky river as I got to the top. The maps provided are easy to read.

Not something you typically see in a nature reserve - probably grandfathered in. May be a reason to return around Halloween.

Trail

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Fort Boonesborough State Park

4.0

(36 reviews)

15.2 mi

It's sad to see that the park attractions are no longer being open. The pool area and museum are…read moreclosed and appear to be in bad disrepair. Perhaps, partly due to the pandemic. I hope they come back. The camping area is still open. And the park restrooms are open. The fields are being mowed. It's still a great place, but I remember when this place was hopping.

I was not originally planning to go here, but always leave a spot in travels to just "randomly…read moreramble" somewhere, and this was it! The old fort site has a marina and some signage, but it was brutal hot, so I wandered up to the Kentucky River Museum and stumbled right into a fascinating tour! The guide's family has operated the lock (Lock 10 to be specific) since practically conception, so he had stories, pictures, letters, journals, and a deep connection to the home and site. Awesome tour! This tour is included with your purchase of a fort ticket, so I headed over there to get mine and wander around the replica fort complete with cabins, crows, period demonstrations, and a video about the one and only Daniel Boone! You know, that guy, pretty famous in these parts....

African-American Display at Fort Boonesborough

At Fort Boonesborough

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Fort!

Somer Splash

3.2

(15 reviews)

64.0 mi

Lifeguards were rude and made fun of me for my weight. The lifeguards name was Christopher and he…read moresaid he was playing but it hurt my feelings and then I went to tell a manager and they wouldn't do anything. Poor management and poor workers.

Clean, organized, fair prices. Access to tickets online. Military discount available. Plenty of…read morefree parking. Good concessions.

Amazing fun and great lifeguards!!!

Wave Pool

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Cabana

Suffoletta Family Aquatic Center

3.1

(9 reviews)

11.3 mi

Visited with my niece and nephew and mother in law and had a fantastic experience!! The staff was…read moresuper helpful at check in, lifeguards were in all areas and the place was clean. There was plenty of activities for all ages and mobility levels! I enjoyed the water slide and the lazy river the best. It was very cost effective for our family to attend and enjoy a wonderful summer day! Blacktop parking made it easy to get in and out. Changing rooms were clean with showers and restrooms available. The snack shack offered fresh burgers, chili dogs and a variety of snacks making it a great place for lunch. I was highly impressed and will be back!

We had a fantastic day at Suffoletta Family Aquatic Center. It was very clean in and out of the…read morewater. There were chairs throughout the area. We enjoyed the lazy river quite a bit. The water wasn't above 4 feet anywhere so it was perfect for our 7-year old. There is a 15 minute break/adult swim time on the :45 minute mark. We took advantage of the water slide during that time with no line! Day passes were available and super reasonably priced. The snack bar had great prices and delicious food. I wish something like this was in our area.

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Shillito Park

(13 reviews)

3.9 mi

I want to preface this by saying I think this park would earn 5 stars by the people going there to…read moreplay sports. It has basketball, baseball, tennis, and frisbee golf. I went there to walk my dog and be in nature. The majority of the main paved walking path is actually separate from the park. It runs alongside the road that runs through the park. Because I was there around rush hour, it basically felt like walking on a sidewalk next to a busy street, rather than like walking in a park. Also, there was some construction and a lot of electrical lines with big metal bases along the path, which also detracted from the little bit of nature. But who knows, maybe I'll come back in the summer (I noticed a pool) and end up increasing my score.

It's a fairly large park with many different spots to choose from. Peaceful with walking paths,…read morepicnic areas and baseball field. Nice : }

Grab a cuppa before going to the park!

Can you find the cat?

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Perfect spot to watch the sunset

Southland Aquatic Center

4.0

(4 reviews)

3.0 mi

I have been there. It was so much fun there's been a lot of cool stuff like the slide. The…read morelifeguards has been nice to me. There was an ice machine there. They got like an ordering stand they have a diving board but the sad thing I only got to stay for 1 hour :(

Havent gone since 2019, back then you could not smile if you want off the diving board. If you…read morelooked around or laughed or yelled near the diving board, they kicked you out of the pool for 1 hour. Kids said the bathrooms were filthy and the Lexington Police would go stand in the changing area and stare at the boys changing, thats what they said. There is/was food? The hamburgers they made there were better than ANY at ANY food place we've been to in all of Lexington KY. Must be some home recipe. One day we went there just to get a burger/fries. They chase everyone out of the pool every 45 min or so. Why not make some kind of lighted sign with a giant clock to show in a non-angry way its part of the plan? The lifeguards blow whistles all the sudden and yell at the kids to get out, as if this is a Jaws movie. Make it non threatening and encourage getting fresh water or a small snack? Play music 1 minute before the kick out time, setup tables with free water cups? have some small challenges, throw a frisbee into a target and win a small prize or who knows. But they dont do these things. Parking is miserable, expect your car will be hit by someone's door. Period.

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

(51 reviews)

11.6 mi

Well worth a visit - accessible and well maintained. Trails climb to a scenic overlook of the…read moreKentucky River, with miles more to hike.

I love the fact that there were so many different trails with different features. I am not sure if…read moreraven run is pet friendly. It was so much fun looking over the Kentucky river as I got to the top. The maps provided are easy to read.

Not something you typically see in a nature reserve - probably grandfathered in. May be a reason to return around Halloween.

Trail

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McConnell Springs

4.7

(26 reviews)

2.5 mi

Nice natural area to walk around it! It is larger and more secluded than the average local option…read more Unfortunately dogs aren't allowed.

Neat little stop. The walk is mostly paved and flat which I think is a plus for some. The blue hole…read moreis neat and the spring boils up which a neat little phenomenon. There is a pond with fish, turtles and frogs. Informative signs along the path tell the history of the park as well.

See all

Jacobson Park

4.3

(39 reviews)

5.0 mi

First visit to Jacobson Park, and while it felt like a crazy long hike there with two teens and a…read morepuppy during rush hour, it was worth the drive to experience a bucolic and hopping piece of the outdoors! Our puppy loved the ducks (and these were some FRIENDLY and INTERACTIVE ducks...) and we experienced some other cool avian sightings. Not a surprise - but the restrooms were suitably scary and during the first part of our visit, the overcast and gray sky made the cement building feel ripe for a horror movie experience... compete with a scary service truck and a man in stained overalls. (Please note, the gentleman was actually very friendly and engaging and was hard at work - he was not in any way a negative presence). The park is expansive and it was actually really busy for a Thursday evening. The dog park was intriguing but we ran out of time to visit. The play area had something for all ages and was popular with children through teens. Loads of parking and the shelter area was great for a school gathering. Can't wait to visit again!

I came here this afternoon looking for a new park to explore with my dog. Upon arrival, I could…read moretell that this park was huge! There are plenty of green spaces and empty fields to play frisbee, flag football, or volleyball. I drove to the dog park area since the park is strict on having the dogs on leash at all times, so I went there. The dog parks for both small and large dogs are enormous! I have never seen that size of a dog park since I was in Colorado--and that state is known for being pet friendly, so their parks and restaurants are 90% pet-friendly. I took my dog to the small dog park as he is small. It was still 4 P.m. and too hot for my dog. There are not a lot of shades in the small dog area compared to the large dog area. I did not stay that long as my dog did not like being grilled under the sun. I checked out the rest of the park by driving around and noticed a vast playground, a marina (although the water has receded), empty fields, a picnic area, and even a camping area! If I had come later in the day when it was not too hot for my dog, I would have enjoyed my stay here. I have seen plenty of residents around here with their kids, birthday party groups, and groups playing frisbee. I can tell that it is a great park to visit. Cool spot ~

See all