Close
We're Sorry
Kentucky Down Under
Kentucky Down Under
view website
3700 L&N Turnpike Road
Horse Cave, KY 42749
800-762-2869
270 -786-2634
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Petting Zoo
Zoo
Kentucky Down Under Description
The "down under" refers not only to the on-property Kentucky Caverns (found by a little girl and her brothers in 1799), but the Australian theme park-like animal habitat where kids can pet kangaroos; marvel at the frog-faced, Harry Potter-ish Tawny Frogmouth; or hold a blue-tongued skink (a snake-like lizard). They can also learn to throw a boomerang or blow out a tune on the didgeridoo, watch sheep herding and—if they're game—feed the exotic birds, which will happily make themselves at home on the children's arms, head, and feet.
Kid Tips
Toddlers & Pre-K: Skip the in-barn portion of the sheep shearing demonstration (it's a bit long and too detailed), but try to catch some of the herding—some days the dogs herd ducks instead of sheep.
Pre-Teens & Teens: A 10-year old would have stood for days, arms outstretched and covered with twittering birds, if her mom would have allowed it. Be sure to make time for feeding the birds in the aviaries, but be warned: the ticklish feel of their claws might cause some children to squirm.
Planning Notes
- Germaphobic? Don't be; there are hand-sanitizing stations all over the park, and the staff constantly issue reminders to wash up after petting the animals or feeding the birds.
- Go with the guide. There are plenty of tour and demonstration options, from a 30-minute guided "outback" tour to the shorter hands-on creature features; the park is best experienced with a mix of guided activities and some free-roaming time.
Just the Facts
Hours: Hours vary through the year, but the park is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. from April 5 through November 1, with some extended closing hours. Animal exhibits are closed November 1 to mid-March.
Fees: $10-$20
Recommended Time: 1 - 2 hours
Reviews of Kentucky Down Under
NOT worth the trip
By ct11232 April 03, 2012
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-K
School-Age Kids
Pre-Teens & Teens
What we loved:
Not a single thing
What we didn't love:
Terrible.
Worst trip EVER!!! Should be called "Disapointment Down Under". TOTAL SCAM!!! Paid $74 for 4 people. Took 2 adults, 2 11yr olds, a 4yr old, and a 2yr old. Drove 2 hours to get there to see the wonderful things descirbed on pamplet. Felt like the Griswalds after arriving at a seeminly closed park.... only the park was OPEN. My initial thought upon walking thru the door: There was approx 4 families waiting ahead of us to pay admission all white. My family mixed waits 20 minutes for our"turn" only to be ignored and lookd over. The lady literally pretended like she couldnt see me standing there in front of her, and peered over my shoulder to serve the white lady behind me!!!!! Ignorance abounds, yet I stood my ground and asked to be waited on. The cashier was short with me and distinctly different than with the previous guests. She explained nothing, just took my card and put my ticket on the counter. I was flustered, but I wasnt going to allow some ignorant idiot spoil our day. We walk thru the gate, and see a steep concrete mountain. So we hike up this hill for 10 minutes. Once we get to the top: nothingness! There was a gem mining thingy set up by the gift shop, where you had to BUY a bag of DIRT after already paying $74 to get in the place in order to sift thru dirty water for tiny colored glass shards. Umm, Ill pass. We walk further and see some bird cages. About half of which are occupied. Most cages contain the same looking species of bird that resembles a small owl. There was also a single parrot and a cockatoo. Wow. We walk on and see 2 "dingos" sleeping in a cage. Looked like 2 domestic dogs if you ask me!!!! Continue walking down steep gravel and see a turtle. Wow again. Im being sarcastic!!! We walk into a bird cage where about 20 rabid birds launch on you to drink from a cup in your hand. Not much different than what the "Pigeon lady" in Central Park experiences daily... And guess what??? THAT WAS IT!!!!!!!! Everything else was : CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!! No cave exhibit because the rude lady at the counter said it was "full". No barn animals for my kids to play with. NOTHINGNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We stood there for another 5 minutes super angry and confused!!!! My kids were very upset. me and my husband we upset. Felt totally ripped off! Not only is this place a complete waste of time, money, and energy... but its also a safety hazard!!!!!!! The cages for the dingos, turtle, empty cages that at one time may have housed other animals before they died of boredom!!! and the outter rim of the area are ELECTRICAL FENCES! Your childs natural instinct is to grab onto the cage.... well be prepared for a ZAP! We marched back down the concrete mountain, feeling pretty angry and let down. Asked the cashier a diferent one than before for a refund only to be told that they dont give those. OF COURSE THEY DONT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN!!!! It is a scam!!!!!!!!!! -Also: before anyone believes we made the mistake for coming at the "wrong time" We got there @ 11 am on the first day of Spring Break for the entire state of KY!!! It is NEVER the right time to be robbed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read More
Related Vacations
Horse-Lovers' Paradise Amid Iconic American Treasures
Lexington & Louisville, KentuckyCentral Kentucky is rich in history, brimming with ways to connect kid...
