I'm not gonna lie, I am pretty jealous of everyone hanging on the beach this week while I am at work! If you are like me and are looking for "staycation" ideas for the family this Fall Break, luckily Kentucky is full of family-friendly attractions within driving distance.

Kangaroos, Caves, and WigWams

One of my favorite places to visit is Kentucky Down Under in Horse Cave, Kentucky. Centrally located in the state, it makes for a perfect day trip, or there are several nice places to stay close by, including the Wigwam Village where you can sleep in an adorable Tipi Motel.

Outback of the Bluegrass

I remember visiting Kentucky Down Under when I was in elementary school, and I know Sutton still takes 3rd graders there for field trips.  The last time we went, my mom AKA "Mimi" and my son Rollins and I had a great time exploring the Outback of the Bluegrass.

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Great Kentucky Road Trip Idea

We got there as soon as it opened so we could take our time seeing and doing everything we wanted. Mimi was still recovering from back surgery, so we rented a golf cart to ride around. I would highly recommend this for anyone with mobility issues, but to be honest, it was a really fun aspect of the park. It was super hot that day and the cart helped us all not get whiny about it. You know what I mean, parents!

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We loved all of the birds and animals along the trail. This cutie was a whole mood!

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Rollins thought this sign was hilarious.

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We took one of the cave tours down into Onyx Cave. It was wild how much colder it was down there.

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Discovered by a 10-year-old girl in 1799, Mammoth Onyx Cave has some great rock formations and is a cool kid-and mimi-friendly tour.

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Rollins has a pretty impressive rock collection, so he loved Gemstone Mining. He hit the jackpot too!

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On our way to the Outback area, we encountered this beautiful Peacock!

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We loved feeding and petting the kangaroos! They sure do love their snacks. This one kept sniffing Rollins' toes and tickling them.

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Look how awesome this tortoise is! It was huge and just moseyed around the walkabout. Parts of it blend in with the rocks. Camouflage!

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Stunning Kentucky views

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After a stop in the gift shop to pick out matching mood ring souvenirs, we drove around the trail just enjoying being in nature. It was a wonderful day, and we made some special memories without having to travel far from home. For more information about Kentucky Down Under Adventure Park, you can visit their Facebook page or website for tickets.

LOOK: Stunning animal photos from around the world

From grazing Tibetan antelope to migrating monarch butterflies, these 50 photos of wildlife around the world capture the staggering grace of the animal kingdom. The forthcoming gallery runs sequentially from air to land to water, and focuses on birds, land mammals, aquatic life, and insects as they work in pairs or groups, or sometimes all on their own.

Gallery Credit: Nicole Caldwell

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