Kentucky Zoos & Aquariums: Complete Guide to Wildlife Attractions

Discover Kentucky's diverse collection of zoos, aquariums, and wildlife centers featuring over 2,300 animals across 8 major facilities. From the AZA-accredited Louisville Zoo to unique Australian-themed adventures and world-class reptile collections, Kentucky offers exceptional wildlife experiences for all ages.

8

Major Zoos & Aquariums

2

AZA Accredited Facilities

2,300+

Animals on Display

FREE

Entry to Wildlife Center

Featured Kentucky Zoos & Aquariums

Louisville Zoo AZA Accredited

Address: 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213

Animals: 1,200+ animals representing 200+ species

Hours: Daily 10 AM - 5 PM (extended spring/summer hours)

Admission: Dynamic pricing (advance purchase recommended). Children 2 and under free. Parking $7

Discounts: Food donation ($11 adult/$8 child), military 10% off, groups 15+ save

Highlights: Islands exhibit with rotational habitats, Gorilla Forest, Glacier Run with polar bears, African Outpost with giraffes and rhinos, HerpAquarium, 4-D theater, splash park, high adventure ropes course

Founded in 1969 as Kentucky's State Zoo, this 134-acre facility features naturalistic habitats arranged by geographic region. Home to lions, elephants, giraffes, polar bears, grizzly bears, orangutans, gorillas, penguins, and rare species like Panamanian golden frogs.

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Newport Aquarium AZA Accredited

Address: 1 Dave Cowens Dr, Newport, KY 41071

Animals: Thousands of aquatic animals in 1 million gallons of water

Hours: Monday-Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM, open 365 days

Admission: Approximately $20-$40 per person (advance purchase saves). Annual memberships available

Duration: Allow minimum 2 hours

Highlights: 85-foot Surrounded by Sharks tunnel, world's first Shark Bridge (75-foot suspended rope bridge), 4 rare Shark Rays (first Western Hemisphere breeding program), Coral Reef Tunnel (60,000 gallons), Amazon tunnel (32 feet), African penguin encounters, Backstage Animal Experience (additional fee)

Located in Newport on the Levee, just 2 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Features 70 exhibits, 14 galleries, and over 200 feet of seamless acrylic tunnels. Home to Brutus the giant grouper and Denver the loggerhead sea turtle.

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Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo

Address: 3700 L&N Turnpike Road, Horse Cave, KY 42749 (I-65 Exit 58)

Animals: Australian animals plus exotic species

Hours: Check website for seasonal hours

Admission: Adults approximately $25, children $15 (senior, military, first responder, student, AAA discounts available)

Highlights: Walk-through kangaroo enclosure with feeding, Rainbow Lorikeet and Australian Budgie feeding, Mammoth Onyx Cave tour (included), Aboriginal culture demonstrations with didgeridoo, sheep dog herding shows at wool shed, gemstone mining

Founded in 1990 on 75 acres by Bill and Judy Austin. Features kangaroos, emus, lorikeets, lemurs, alligators, peacocks, dingoes, white bison, pythons, fainting goats, wolves, foxes, horses, and cows. Welcomes approximately 120,000 visitors annually. Interactive experiences with hands-on animal encounters.

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Complete Kentucky Zoo & Wildlife Directory

Major Zoos & Aquariums

Louisville Zoo (Louisville)

Type: Full-service zoo AZA

Size: 134 acres, 1,200+ animals

Features: African Outpost, Islands exhibit, Gorilla Forest, Glacier Run, HerpAquarium, carousel, 4-D theater

Kentucky's State Zoo since 1969. Award-winning exhibits. Conservation programs for critically endangered species.

Newport Aquarium (Newport)

Type: Major aquarium AZA

Size: 70 exhibits, 1 million gallons

Features: Shark tunnels, Shark Bridge, Coral Reef Tunnel, Amazon exhibit, penguin encounters

Rated #1 Midwest aquarium by Zagat. First Shark Ray breeding program worldwide. Open 365 days.

Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo (Horse Cave)

Type: Australian-themed zoo

Size: 75 acres

Features: Kangaroo walk-through, lorikeet feeding, cave tours, sheep herding demos, gemstone mining

Unique Australian animal experience. Interactive encounters. Cave tour included with admission.

Kentucky Reptile Zoo (Slade)

Type: Specialty reptile zoo

Size: 75+ species

Features: 18-foot reticulated python, venomous snake collection (cobras, mambas, taipans, rattlesnakes), American alligator, Turtle Tracks Area, live shows at 1, 3, 5 PM

One of largest venomous snake collections worldwide. Venom extraction program supplies biomedical research facilities globally for lupus diagnosis, lung cancer drug research, antivenom development. Near Red River Gorge.

Interactive Wildlife Parks & Safaris

Little Crooked Creek Safari (Lawrenceburg/Shelby County)

Address: 1430 Little Crooked Creek Rd, Lawrenceburg, KY

Type: Interactive safari zoo

Size: 23 acres, hundreds of animals

Experience: Half-mile self-guided walk, bottle-feeding included

Hours: Saturdays 10 AM - 5 PM, Sundays 1 PM - 5 PM

Admission: $20 per person (children 2 and under free)

Animals: Odel Josie the sloth, capybaras Coco and Pepper, Larry the Anteater, baby zebra Brody, baby camel Poppy

All animals are bottle-fed and hand-raised for tame, friendly encounters. Special animal encounters available.

Wendt's Wildlife Adventure (Carlisle)

Address: 3750 Maysville Road, Carlisle, KY 40311

Type: Family-owned wildlife park

Features: Sloths (including baby sloth born 2023), kangaroos, camels, emu, cattle, Parakeet Encounter

Experience: Pet and feed many animals, educational demonstrations

Opened in 2021 near Lexington. Conservation breeding programs. Interactive exhibits throughout.

Wildlife Education Centers

Salato Wildlife Education Center (Frankfort) FREE Entry - $5

Address: 1 Sportsmans Ln, Frankfort, KY (I-64 Exit 53B)

Type: Native wildlife education center

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9 AM - 4 PM (Eastern)

Admission: $5 per person

Features: 40+ native Kentucky species, indoor exhibits (snakes, frogs, turtles, fish, Living Bee Tree, Eastern Forest diorama with butterflies and rattlesnakes), outdoor paved accessible trails

Outdoor Animals: Black bears (including 25-year-old 600-pound resident bear), bald eagles, bobcats, elk, white-tail deer, buffalo

Trails: Pea Ridge and HabiTrek trails through woods and fields

Fishing: Two stocked ponds (free poles to check out). Kids under 16 fish without license. Fishing licenses available on-site

Opened 1995, celebrating 30th season. Operated by Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. Over 50,000 annual visitors. Funded through hunting/fishing licenses and donations to Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Foundation.

Wildlife Sanctuaries & Refuges

Kentucky Wildlife Sanctuaries: Kentucky has 25 wildlife sanctuaries and refuges statewide employing 10 people, earning $2+ million in annual revenue, with $10 million in assets. These facilities rescue wildlife, provide lifelong sanctuary for non-releasable animals, and promote conservation education.

Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge (Nicholasville)

Type: 501(c)3 non-profit wildlife rescue and sanctuary

Mission: Rescue wildlife, conservation education, lifelong sanctuary for animals that cannot be released

Specializes in rescue of native and exotic wildlife. Educational programs available.

Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary (Irvington)

Type: Animal rescue and wildlife sanctuary

Focused on saving and rehabilitating animals in need.

Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge

Type: National wildlife refuge

Established: 1998

One of only two refuges fully located and managed in Kentucky. Protects bottomland hardwood forest and supports migratory birds.

Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge

Type: Wildlife rehabilitation and education

Provides care for injured and orphaned native wildlife.

Other Notable Sanctuaries: Western Kentucky Raptor Center (Owensboro, founded 2006), Ruffled Feathers Parrot Sanctuary (parrot rescue and orphaned wildlife), Mary E Wharton Nature Sanctuary at Floracliff, Clyde E Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary Trust, Second Chances Wildlife Center

Petting Zoos & Farm Animal Experiences

Christian Way Farm & Mini Golf (Hopkinsville)

Type: Petting zoo and mini golf ag-venture

Features: Feed and pet farm animals with self-ground corn, farm-themed mini golf, lawnmower train rides

Kentucky's only combined petting zoo and mini golf. Perfect for spring baby animal season.

Honey Hill Farm Mobile Petting Zoos and Pony Rides

Type: Mobile petting zoo

Service Area: Kentucky and Ohio

Events: Birthday parties, schools, churches, Christmas events, festivals

Over 400 professional pet animals. Offers customizable small group farm experiences in 2025.

Hillview Farm Mobile Petting Zoo (Williamstown)

Type: USDA licensed mobile petting zoo

Animals: Rabbits, goats, ducks, hedgehogs, hissing cockroaches

Fully insured. Brings farmyard to your special event.

Farmer Steve Mobile Petting Zoo (Louisville area)

Type: Mobile petting zoo

Service: Home parties, schools, community events

Setup and cleanup included. Regular Louisville school and event visitor.

Kentucky Zoos by Region

Northern Kentucky

  • Newport Aquarium (Newport) - AZA accredited, shark tunnels, open 365 days
  • Wendt's Wildlife Adventure (Carlisle) - Sloths, kangaroos, parakeet encounters

Central Kentucky (Louisville Metro)

  • Louisville Zoo (Louisville) - State Zoo, 1,200+ animals, 134 acres
  • Little Crooked Creek Safari (Lawrenceburg/Shelby County) - Interactive safari, bottle-feeding

Bluegrass Region

  • Salato Wildlife Education Center (Frankfort) - Native wildlife, $5 admission
  • Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge (Nicholasville) - Wildlife rescue and sanctuary

South-Central Kentucky

  • Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo (Horse Cave) - Australian animals, cave tours
  • Kentucky Reptile Zoo (Slade) - Reptile specialists, venom research
  • Christian Way Farm (Hopkinsville) - Petting zoo and mini golf

Special Experiences & Programs

Animal Encounters

  • Kangaroo Feeding: Kentucky Down Under walk-through enclosure
  • Lorikeet Feeding: Kentucky Down Under Rainbow Lorikeet exhibit
  • Sloth Encounters: Little Crooked Creek Safari (Odel Josie), Wendt's Wildlife
  • Penguin Encounters: Newport Aquarium (African penguins, additional fee)
  • Backstage Experiences: Newport Aquarium behind-the-scenes animal tours
  • Bottle Feeding: Little Crooked Creek Safari (included with admission)

Educational Programs

  • Reptile Shows: Kentucky Reptile Zoo (1, 3, 5 PM daily)
  • Venom Extraction: Kentucky Reptile Zoo (watch around 1 PM)
  • Sheep Dog Herding: Kentucky Down Under wool shed demonstrations
  • Zoo Camps: Louisville Zoo MetaZoo camps with carousel, exhibits, animal encounters
  • Conservation Programs: Louisville Zoo (Panamanian golden frogs, vampire bats)
  • Native Wildlife Education: Salato Wildlife Education Center

Unique Attractions

  • Shark Bridge: Newport Aquarium 75-foot suspended rope bridge over sharks
  • Cave Tours: Kentucky Down Under Mammoth Onyx Cave (included in admission)
  • Gemstone Mining: Kentucky Down Under adventure activities
  • 4-D Theater: Louisville Zoo immersive film experiences
  • High Adventure Ropes Course: Louisville Zoo outdoor challenge
  • Splash Park: Louisville Zoo seasonal water play area
  • ZooTram: Louisville Zoo guided tram tours
  • Fishing Ponds: Salato Wildlife Education Center (2 stocked ponds, free pole checkout)

Overnight Experiences

  • Louisville Zoo Camps: Group overnight programs with carousel, seasonal exhibits, small animal encounters
  • Cincinnati Zoo Overnight Adventures (near Northern Kentucky): Night hikes, behind-the-scenes tours, animal ambassador meetings, Twiga Tented Safari (sleep near giraffes), Elephant Trek Overnight

Note: Cincinnati Zoo located just across the river from Northern Kentucky, easily accessible from Newport/Covington area.

Kentucky Native Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

Wild Kentucky Wildlife

Beyond zoos, Kentucky offers exceptional wild wildlife viewing opportunities:

  • Eastern Kentucky Elk Herd: Largest elk herd in America east of the Rocky Mountains. View across Eastern Kentucky wilderness areas
  • Elk & Bison Prairie: Land Between the Lakes (western Kentucky) - drive-through viewing of free-roaming elk and bison herds
  • Black Bears: Increasingly spotted in Kentucky's Appalachian Mountains after successful reintroduction
  • Bald Eagles: Over 350 bird species documented statewide. Bald eagle sightings increasingly common during migration and wintering seasons
  • Migratory Birds: Prime viewing at Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge and other protected bottomland hardwood forests

Practical Information for Zoo Visits

Best Times to Visit

  • Spring (March-May): Baby animal season, mild temperatures, ideal for outdoor exhibits
  • Fall (September-November): Comfortable weather, fewer crowds, active animals
  • Summer (June-August): Extended zoo hours, splash park open, all exhibits accessible
  • Winter (December-February): Smaller crowds, indoor exhibits highlight, holiday events
  • Weekdays: Less crowded than weekends, better for photography and animal viewing

Visitor Tips

  • Advance Tickets: Purchase online for lowest prices (Louisville Zoo, Newport Aquarium)
  • Arrive Early: Animals most active in morning hours
  • Plan 2-4 Hours: Louisville Zoo (3-4 hours), Newport Aquarium (2 hours minimum), Kentucky Down Under (2-3 hours)
  • Bring Sunscreen & Hats: Many outdoor exhibits with limited shade
  • Comfortable Shoes: Expect significant walking (Louisville Zoo 134 acres, Little Crooked Creek half-mile)
  • Check Feeding Times: Schedule visit around animal feeding demonstrations and shows
  • Military & Senior Discounts: Ask about discounts at ticket windows

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible: All major facilities offer paved, accessible paths
  • Stroller Friendly: Wide paths at Louisville Zoo, Newport Aquarium
  • Wheelchair Rentals: Available at Louisville Zoo
  • Service Animals: Welcome at all facilities
  • Accessible Trails: Salato Wildlife Education Center features fully paved accessible outdoor trails

Money-Saving Tips

  • Food Donation Discount: Louisville Zoo $11 adult/$8 child with non-perishable food donation
  • Annual Memberships: Pay for themselves in 2 visits (Louisville Zoo, Newport Aquarium)
  • AZA Reciprocity: Members of other AZA zoos may receive discounts
  • Group Rates: Louisville Zoo groups of 15+ save (must book online)
  • Free Under 2: Children 2 and under free at most facilities
  • Affordable Options: Salato Wildlife Education Center ($5), Little Crooked Creek Safari ($20)

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville Zoo offers the most comprehensive family experience with 1,200+ animals, playgrounds, African petting zoo, carousel, splash park, and 4-D theater. Little Crooked Creek Safari provides exceptional hands-on experiences for young children with bottle-feeding included in admission and tame, hand-raised animals like sloths, capybaras, and baby zebras. Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo features interactive kangaroo feeding and cave exploration that captivates kids. For budget-conscious families, Salato Wildlife Education Center offers native wildlife viewing, fishing ponds, and nature trails for just $5 admission.

Kentucky has two AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited facilities: Louisville Zoo and Newport Aquarium. Louisville Zoo has been AZA accredited since its founding in 1969 and serves as Kentucky's State Zoo, featuring award-winning exhibits like Islands, Gorilla Forest, and Glacier Run. Newport Aquarium earned AZA accreditation and was named the #1 aquarium in the Midwest by Zagat Survey. AZA accreditation signifies the highest standards in animal care, conservation, education, and visitor experience, with only 240 facilities worldwide holding this prestigious designation.

Admission costs vary by facility. Louisville Zoo uses dynamic pricing that changes daily based on demand, with advance online purchase offering the lowest rates; children 2 and under are free, parking costs $7, and food donation discounts reduce tickets to $11 adult/$8 child. Newport Aquarium charges approximately $20-40 per person with advance purchase discounts and annual memberships that pay for themselves in 2 visits. Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo costs approximately $25 adults/$15 children with discounts for seniors, military, first responders, students, and AAA members; cave tour included. Little Crooked Creek Safari charges $20 per person with bottle-feeding experience included. Salato Wildlife Education Center offers the best value at just $5 admission. Kentucky Reptile Zoo and other specialized facilities have varying admission rates available on their websites.

Kentucky offers several unique wildlife experiences found nowhere else. Newport Aquarium features the world's first Shark Bridge, a 75-foot suspended rope bridge where visitors walk inches above sharks and shark rays, plus the world's first and only Shark Ray breeding program with the first Shark Ray birth in captivity (2014). Kentucky Reptile Zoo houses one of the world's largest venomous snake collections and operates a venom extraction program that supplies biomedical research facilities globally for lupus diagnosis, lung cancer drug research, and antivenom development; visitors can watch venom extraction around 1 PM. Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo provides the only Australian-themed zoo experience in the region with walk-through kangaroo enclosures, Aboriginal cultural demonstrations, and included Mammoth Onyx Cave tours. Little Crooked Creek Safari offers unique sloth encounters with Odel Josie and bottle-feeding experiences with hand-raised exotic animals including baby zebras and camels. Louisville Zoo's Islands exhibit features a revolutionary rotational habitat system where animals explore different environments throughout the day, mimicking natural wild behavior with predators and prey sharing space at different times.

Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort specializes in native Kentucky species, displaying 40+ native animals including a 25-year-old 600-pound black bear, bald eagles, bobcats, elk, white-tail deer, and buffalo along wheelchair-accessible outdoor trails, plus indoor exhibits featuring snakes, frogs, turtles, fish, and a Living Bee Tree. For wild native wildlife viewing, visit the Eastern Kentucky Elk Herd (largest elk herd east of the Rocky Mountains), Elk & Bison Prairie at Land Between the Lakes in western Kentucky (drive-through viewing of free-roaming herds), Appalachian Mountains for increasingly common black bear sightings, and Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge for migratory birds and bald eagles. Over 350 bird species have been documented in Kentucky, with bald eagle sightings becoming widespread during migration and wintering seasons. Louisville Zoo also features native species in planned exhibits including American bison, elk, American black bears, and bobcats in Great Plains-inspired woodlands opening in 2025.

Louisville Zoo offers MetaZoo camp programs where groups can experience overnight stays with access to the zoo's attractions including the carousel, seasonal exhibits, and up-close encounters with small animals. While Kentucky zoos primarily offer day visits, nearby Cincinnati Zoo (just across the river from Northern Kentucky) provides extensive overnight adventure programs including night hikes, behind-the-scenes tours, animal ambassador meetings, Twiga Tented Safari where guests sleep in African safari tents on the edge of Giraffe Ridge and wake up next to giraffes, and Elephant Trek Overnight where visitors sleep in the Elephant Trek Building with elephants nearby. Cincinnati Zoo overnight experiences include breakfast and next-day admission. All participants must be 5+ years old with at least one registered adult per group. These overnight experiences are easily accessible from Newport, Covington, and Northern Kentucky areas.

Newport Aquarium is the premier all-weather attraction, open 365 days a year with 70 fully indoor exhibits including 85-foot Surrounded by Sharks tunnel, Coral Reef Tunnel, Amazon tunnel, and Shark Ray Bay Theater totaling over 200 feet of acrylic tunnels. Allow minimum 2 hours for your visit. Louisville Zoo features extensive indoor exhibits including the HerpAquarium (reptiles and amphibians), Islands indoor viewing areas, Gorilla Forest indoor habitats, 4-D theater with immersive films, and covered walkways connecting many exhibits. Kentucky Reptile Zoo provides indoor viewing of 75+ reptile species including an 18-foot reticulated python, world-class venomous snake collection, American alligator, and Turtle Tracks Area with live shows at 1, 3, and 5 PM daily. Salato Wildlife Education Center offers indoor exhibits featuring mountain stream dioramas, Eastern Forest habitat with butterflies and rattlesnakes, Living Bee Tree with active honeybees, venomous snake displays, and native fish aquariums, complementing outdoor paved accessible trails suitable for light rain with proper attire.

Near Lexington, visit Little Crooked Creek Safari in Lawrenceburg/Shelby County (23-acre interactive zoo with bottle-feeding experiences, sloths, capybaras, baby zebra and camel, open Saturdays 10 AM-5 PM and Sundays 1 PM-5 PM, $20 admission), Kentucky Reptile Zoo near Slade (75+ reptile species, venomous snake collection, Red River Gorge area), and Wendt's Wildlife Adventure in Carlisle (sloths, kangaroos, camels, Parakeet Encounter, family-owned since 2021). Louisville Zoo is approximately 80 miles from Lexington, worth the drive for its comprehensive 134-acre facility. Near Bowling Green, Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo in Horse Cave (I-65 Exit 58) offers Australian animals, kangaroo walk-through, cave tours, and sheep herding demos approximately 30 miles away. Also near Bowling Green are Dutch Country Safari Park in Horse Cave with exotic animals and interactive experiences, and various petting zoos including Helm Farms Bah Bah Babies and Lee Family Farms for farm animal encounters.

Louisville Zoo operates critical conservation programs for critically endangered Panamanian golden frogs working to prevent extinction caused by chytrid fungus and habitat destruction. The zoo also maintains a common vampire bat breeding program with animals from Philadelphia Zoo and Sedgwick County Zoo, with plans to house around 40 bats in a mine shaft-inspired exhibit. Louisville Zoo's award-winning exhibits and animal care contribute to Species Survival Plans for numerous endangered species. Newport Aquarium pioneered the world's first Shark Ray breeding program, achieving the first known Shark Ray birth in captivity in 2014, and continues breeding efforts with four rare Shark Rays including Sweet Pea (first Shark Ray displayed in the Western Hemisphere), Scooter, Sunshine, and Spike. Kentucky Reptile Zoo operates an essential venom extraction program supplying biomedical research facilities worldwide, with venom used for lupus diagnosis tests, non-small cell lung cancer drug research, and development of new antivenoms, directly contributing to human medical advances. Wendt's Wildlife Adventure participates in conservation breeding programs for endangered species since opening in 2021.

Outside food policies vary by facility. Louisville Zoo generally allows visitors to bring their own food and beverages with designated picnic areas available throughout the 134-acre grounds, though outside food policies should be verified on their website or by calling ahead. Newport Aquarium typically does not allow outside food or drinks, but accommodations may be made for medical dietary needs or infant food with advance notice; on-site dining options are available. Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, Little Crooked Creek Safari, and other smaller facilities often permit outside food in designated picnic areas, but it's recommended to check specific policies before your visit. Salato Wildlife Education Center allows outside food in outdoor areas. Most facilities offer on-site food service including restaurants, snack bars, and concession stands. For the best experience and most current policies, contact individual zoos directly or check their official websites before visiting, especially if dietary restrictions or large group picnics are planned.

Last updated on November 27, 2025