Support Us Button Widget

Pet a kangaroo near LOU

There are lots of interesting animals to see if you’re open to taking a drive outside our city limits.

City Editor Lennie feeding a kangaroo at Kentucky Down Under

City Editor Lennie feeds a kangaroo at Kentucky Down Under in Horse Cave, KY.

Photo by LOUtoday

Table of Contents

We love the Louisville Zoo, especially encounters that give guests a behind-the-scenes view of animals’ lives. But here are 3 more ways to visit animals that live outside of Derby City.

Kentucky Down Under, 3700 L&N Turnpike Rd., Horse Cave

This adventure destination — 90 minutes from downtown — gives guests the opportunity to feed and pet kangaroos, albino wallabies, and emus.

Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, 1831 Paynes Depot Rd., Georgetown

Head about an hour southeast of LOU to get up close and personal with ~15 thoroughbred retirees, including 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm and Hall of Fame member Lava Man.

Waddy Bluegrass Alpacas, 1800 Scott Pike, Waddy

Just 45 minutes outside of LOU, tour-goers will visit Suri and Huacaya Alpacas who supply the fiber used to make handmade alpaca-finished goods like socks and scarves, which are sold in the farm store.

More from LOUtoday
These Louisville development projects have been in the works for years — what’s the latest?
From community food shelves to civic food drives, Louisville is coming together to help keep everyone fed.
Allow us to make formal introductions.
If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.
Spoiler alert: Traffic isn’t great. We dove into the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s congestion data so you don’t have to.
Including gifts for significant others, retirees, holiday parties, young people, and gifts that ship fast.
The boutique hotel is one of 5,000 hotels in the world to receive a Michelin Key.
If you’re looking for some haunted listening for your fall walks, we’ve got you covered.
Experience Louisville’s autumn magic at ColorFest, featuring vibrant fall foliage, family-friendly activities, and local food.
November is going to be a colorful month in Derby City, and there are plenty of places to look at the leaves before they fall.