9 Kid-Friendly, Horsing Around Hangouts in Georgetown
By: Kathy Witt
Known as Kentucky’s horse headquarters, Georgetown sits prettily in the midst of Kentucky Horse Country and is home to numerous horse farms, museums, riding stables and festivals celebrating the noble steed. This Scott County community is the perfect place to horse around, use your outdoor voice and dive into family fun.
Ready to play? Here are nine sure-fire kid pleasers:
1. Kentucky Horse Park
The Kid’s Barn at Kentucky Horse Park is a playground for pint-size explorers, where kids can groom a horse, play equine detective, peruse the Breyer Horse collection and run the miniature show-jumping course. Then throw down a family challenge with the day’s scavenger hunt and see the Parade of Breeds Show (11 am and 2 pm daily), a spectacle of horses performing in colorful attire to music and narration.
2. Toyota Plant Tour
Tram along the free Toyota Plant Tour to watch robots and humans dropping carburetors into partially constructed engines, adding wheels to a car’s body and more as they build cars together. Take turns speeding along a racetrack in a NASCAR simulator and slipping into a brand new, fresh-from-the-assembly-line Camry – the reigning best-selling car in America.
3. Evans Orchard
Explore an “agricultural” amusement park as you ride the Jumbo Jumper, Apple Cider Slider and other attractions at Evans Orchard, or enter the Spooky Farmhouse at Bi-Water Farm & Greenhouse during Autumn Fest each September and October. Both Kentucky Proud family farms have lots of fresh-air fun like hayrides, a petting zoo, pumpkins, sweet treats, a café, market and more.
4. Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm
Meet former champions of the turf living the good life at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm. Pet Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm and feed a carrot to equine thespian Popcorn Deelites, the four-legged star of the 2003 Oscar-winning drama, “Seabiscuit.” Choose from several tours, including the new 90-minute Twilight Tours on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 pm June through August.
5. Elkhorn Creek
As fishing holes go, Elkhorn Creek is a beauty. Kentucky’s longest creek is named for its shape resembling elk antlers and is teeming with smallmouth bass. While away a warm-weather day in a canoe or kayak or picnic at nearby Great Crossing Park, located on an ancient migratory path. Each June, colorful floats dot the creek during Elkhorn Creek Float Fest, a family-friendly event that includes music, food, prizes and more.
6. Whispering Woods Riding Stables
With its 250 rolling acres, miles of backcountry trails and two dozen horses, Whispering Woods Riding Stables is where cowpokes saddle up for a taste of the Wild West. Ride into the woods, cross creeks and traverse hill and dale, catching sight of wild turkeys, deer and foxes as you trot along. On select weekends in October, the Haunted Trails of Whispering Woods offer a howling good time with wagon rides trundling deep into the dark woods.
7. Yuko-En on the Elkhorn
The Official Japanese-Kentucky Friendship Garden Yuko-en on the Elkhorn is open dawn to dusk all year long, offering a great space to enjoy the outdoors. If you’re visiting on the last Saturday of the month, there’s also a special evening Raku firing on those days. The Raku kiln here is the only working kiln within a Japanese-style garden, in or outside of Japan, giving visitors a chance to see the magic of fire right before their eyes.
8. Georgetown Geocaching
Take a scavenger hunt to collect stamps or trinkets on the Scott County GeoTrot and the Historic Buffalo GeoTrail in Stamping Ground. Both take geocaching trailblazers on an adventure to see grazing horses, koi fish, old tombstones, an old jail, even a bushwhacking bandit’s former hangout. Watch for clues at each waypoint so you can locate the final site. Download maps here.
9. Spotz Gelato
When the kiddos start to wilt, head to Spotz Gelato to power up and cool down with a scoop or two of award-winning, handcrafted, small-batch gelato topped with Gummies, Oreos, Cinnamon Crunch or other sweet tidbits. Then scoot on down to the Georgetown/Scott County Museum to learn about local history and introduce yourself to legendary “Pete the Talking Crow.” He’ll give you a shout back!
There’s never a need to rein in the horseplay in Georgetown and Scott County, Kentucky. Plan your trip today at 888-863-8600 or georgetownky.com.