Out of all of the Louisville attractions that are possible to visit during a Kentucky vacation, the Louisville Zoo is one that you won’t want to miss. The zoo in Louisville is located on 100 acres right in the heart of the city and is home to an unusual variety of animals that live in habitats designed to mimic their natural environments. Louisville tourism brochures often list this Kentucky zoo as a favorite vacation destination.Louisville tourism is especially popular in the summer because of the popular non-profit Kentucky zoo. First time visitors to the Kentucky zoo are often amazed at the variety of animals that make the Louisville zoo their home. Over 1,300 animals currently live at the zoo, and more may be on the way.

Some of the most popular exhibits at the Louisville Zoo are the Lorikeet Landing, the Wallaroo Walkabout, and the Gorilla Forest. The Islands is an exhibit for endangered species or threatened animals of Indonesia. Because of the changing status of endangered animals, the animals that live in the exhibit are rotated. Some of the animals that you might see in this mock Indonesian wilderness are Orangutans, Sumatran Tigers, and the exotic Tapir.

Visitors may have to bring out their binoculars in order to spot the gorillas in Gorilla Forest. This four acre exhibit prides itself on attempting to duplicate the natural home of Western Lowland Gorillas and pygmy hippos as much as possible. The animals are free to roam about the lush grassy exhibit as they please. With an exhibit that is so natural, it is possible that the gorillas don’t even realize that they are being watched.

The creators of the Zoo in Louisville felt it was important to let visitors interact with certain animals. The Lorikeet Landing is one exhibit where this is possible. Visitors can feed the rare Australian Lorikeets nectar and learn about the foods that the animals eat from volunteers and zoologists.

Other interesting animals that make their home at the zoo include Siberian Tigers, Hippos, Polar Bears, Antelopes, and Gazelles. The Wooly Monkey exhibit is an all time favorite exhibit of children because of the monkey’s often quirky behavior.

A variety of daily activities educate families on different types of animal species and their habitats as well as endangered species. The daily “Giraffe Feeding” and “Elephant Aerobics” rank among the favorites.

Most Louisville attractions stay open all year-round because of the state’s mild climate, and the Louisville zoo is no exception. The zoo is only closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day and even stays open in the evenings during the summer, when Louisville tourism is at an all time high. You will find that admission prices are extremely affordable. Children under two are admitted for free, and children and adult admission prices are under $11.00.

For more outdoor fun in Louisville, head to EP Tom Sawyer State Park. Here you can take advantage of both indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Have a family picnic, play a game of tennis, or go for a swim in an indoor pool. Kentucky hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the one mile trail that is perfect for people of all ages and fitness levels. There is even a separate dog park with large green spaces for your pet to run around in.

Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom is located just a few miles away from the zoo and is one of the best Louisville attractions to visit on a hot summer day. The amuseument park feature dozens of thrilling rides and seven roller coasters. There are also tame rides that smaller children will enjoy.

If you’re building your itinerary of fun Louisville attractions to visit on your next vacation, be sure to include the zoo in Louisville on your list of things to do. With such a fun variety of Kentucky attractions to choose from, it is no wonder Louisville tourism continues to thrive year after year.