Louisville, KY

Spend a day in the city enjoying nature at the Louisville Nature Center. Discover native wildflower gardens and a pond, butterfly gardens, bird blind, wildlife exhibits and hiking trails that lead you through the Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve. Be sure to pack a pack a lunch and relax at the picnic tables under the gazebo.

Address: 3745 Illinois Avenue, Louisville, KY 40213 - MAP
Phone: (502) 458-1328
Web: www.louisvillenaturecenter.org

Looking for a place to take the family camping? Jefferson Memorial Forest is located just fifteen minutes from downtown Louisville. The forest spans over 6,000 acres, offering you perfect camping and fishing and pristine picnic grounds. Grab a backpack, hit the trails and camp out without leaving the city.

Address: Numerous Access Roads - MAP
Web: www.louisvilleky.gov

Outdoor walkers find Louisville's Cherokee Park Scenic Loop to be the perfect paved pedestrian walkway. Recreational walkers experience the two-mile concrete path set against a natural background of rolling hills, open meadows and woodlands of the Beargrass Creek Valley. Rumor has it that the secret to navigating the park is to keep turning left to stay in the park and keep turning right to leave the park.

Address: 745 Cochran Hill Road, Louisville, KY 40206 - MAP
Phone: (502) 458-9450
Web: www.louisvilleky.gov

Go wild for nature at the Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky. You'll wind through naturalistic outdoor animal Kingdoms, including the Islands, African Veldt, Asian Plains, North and South America Panorama, Aquatics and the Australian Outback to see 13,000 animals roam in their natural habitats.

Address: 1100 Trevillian Way, Louisville, KY 40213 - MAP
Phone: (502) 459-2181
Web: www.louisvillezoo.org

Outdoor enthusiasts hang out at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, located in Louisville. There's a mecca of things for you to do while spending your day outdoors, including twelve lighted tennis courts, ten soccer fields, three lighted softball fields, a long fitness trail, one and a quarter mile nature trail, a permanent BMX track and an active dog park.

Address: 3000 Freys Hill Road, Louisville, KY 40241 - MAP
Phone: (502) 426-8950
Web: www.parks.ky.gov

Don't miss this outdoor haven! Iroquois Park is a nature lover's paradise set amidst scenic forested hillsides and breathtaking vistas. Enjoy hours of walking, hiking, biking, horseback riding and fishing. Check the park calendar to attend the Iroquois Amphitheater for a starry night of entertainment.

Address: 5216 New Cut Road, Louisville, KY 40214 - MAP
Phone: (502) 368-5865
Web: www.louisvilleky.gov