Look no further than Kentucky when seeking thrills and adventure. Ride camels or horses in open fields; go zip lining 100 feet underground or 17 stories above-ground; drift slowly upward in a hot air balloon; or go skydiving. When you book a stay at a Kentucky vacation rental, you can look forward to an unforgettable spring break. Discover what it’s really like to get away from it all with these eight spring break destinations in Kentucky.

1. Williamstown

Choose Williamstown as your vacation destination, and visit Ark Encounter. This theme park features a full-size reproduction of Noah’s Ark. Climb the ramp and enter the doors into the dimly-lit interior of the ark to visit 100 exhibits that depict animals and people. Then, take to the skies on 17-story zip lines, and whoosh across the valley at speeds up to 50 mph. Take a break for some lunch at the restaurant before heading over to the Ararat Ridge Zoo to meet the kangaroos, ostriches, and other animals. Hitch a ride on a camel or a donkey to complete the adventure. After a day visiting this park, Stage Right Theatre gives you a great place to unwind while you enjoy a stellar stage performance and a delicious dinner.

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2. Lexington

Kentucky is the Horse Capital of the World, and the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is the ideal vacation destination for viewing dozens of breeds of horses. This 1,200-acre facility also features art galleries, museums, and shows. To get a close-up look at how rich and famous horses live, join a horse farm tour. Mosey over to Shaker Village to explore the 34 original structures on the 3,000-acre site. Next, head to Summit at Fritz Farm, which includes 70 shops, 30 restaurants that feature chef-inspired cuisine, and the state’s first food hall, The Barn.

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3. Louisville

No matter how tricky the weather, get your spring break kicks on the down-low in Louisville’s largest building, located entirely underground. Contained in a 100-acre cavern left by a defunct limestone quarry, the MEGA Cavern stretches beneath 10 lanes of I-264, a Kmart, a Wendy’s, and part of the Louisville Zoo. Choose electric fat biking on dirt tracks, a tram tour, the aerial rope challenge course, or the world’s first and only underground zip line adventure. Topside, board the Belle of Louisville for a two-hour cruise along the Ohio River, and enjoy lunch or dinner. Louisville features many exciting adventures just waiting to get on your itinerary, including Kentucky Kingdom theme park, Churchill Downs, and dozens of other attractions.

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4. Stearns

Surrounded by the breathtaking Daniel Boone National Forest, Stearns is home to Split Bow Arch, a hidden gem that visitors usually hear about from locals. The arch is about 50-feet high, and a stairway winds through to the back of its formation. It’s visible from the road, and the hike down to it is fairly easy and worth the effort. Be sure to take a ride on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. The 16-mile ride descends 600 feet into Big South Fork Gorge, terminating in Blue Heron, a coal mining museum collection. About 7 miles to the west, you can treat your family to a private guided tour of Barthell Coal Camp to view a coal mine, a bath house, a schoolhouse, a company store, and over a dozen more attractions. The Whistle Stop at Big South Fork Depot in Stearns serves lunch and dinner in a casual setting seven days a week.

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5. Elizabethtown

Your Elizabethtown vacation rental where the sky’s the limit for your spring break revelry. There’s no better way to get a 360-degree look at central Kentucky than from the basket of a hot air balloon. Tranquilly riding the air currents, you drift along above the colorful landscapes. For an adrenaline rush, head over to Skydive Kentucky, where the instructors jump with beginners. If you want to stay a little closer to the ground, enjoy a guided horseback trail ride at Wild Rose Equestrian Center. You’re in horse country, which makes the casual dining at Mark’s Feed Store a great option. Sample other cuisines at Namaste Indian Cuisine & Bar and 2 B Thai.

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6. Slade

Find the country retreat you seek in Slade, a small town with really big attractions. First, there’s Natural Bridge State Park, where you take the sky lift up to the amazing geological formation. Nearby Thrillsville Adventure Park features a phenomenal cave kayaking tour that lasts about an hour. Lights on the bottoms of the guide boats illuminate the crystal clear water beautifully as you explore various rooms in the cavern. Miguels Pizza makes your pizza to order, while Red River Rockhouse serves up dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, craft beers, and a funky vibe.

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7. Frankfort

Slip away to a cozy Frankfort vacation rental next to Elkhorn Creek, and ideal waterway for beginners to take up kayaking or canoeing. Rent your equipment at Canoe Kentucky for a guided float, or spend an awesome day at the creek and explore on your own. Rebecca Ruth Candy Store and Museum makes a nice stop if you’re in the mood to sample lots of chocolates, including bourbon balls. Buffalo Trace Distillery and Three Boys Farm Distillery offer guided tours and tastings.

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8. Newport

Muster up your courage, and head for the New Port Aquarium at the popular vacation destination known as Newport on the Levee. See if it takes your mind away from school and other obligations when you cross the rope bridge suspended a few inches over a 385,000-gallon shark tank. It’s an open-water tank, and the bridge measures 75-feet in length. Guests sometimes choose to just walk around the edges of the tank to view the dozens of sharks, shark rays, and other marine creatures. There’s also an underwater tunnel that puts the sharks, rays, and other animals over your head. Newport on the Levee is a shopping center next to the Purple People Bridge. Find shops, entertainment, and restaurants, then take a walk across the bridge to explore a bit of Cincinnati, Ohio, to complete a two-state adventure.

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