Great Winter Family Fun Activities in Richmond, KY

Richmond, Kentucky, is about half an hour away from Lexington, and the area offers a variety of fun activities for families. Here are some excellent ways for you and your kids to have fun this winter.

Check Out River Hill Ranch

Alpacas by Andrew is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0

River Hill Ranch in Richmond raises alpacas. They’re some of the newest farm animals in the state. River Hill sells designer purses, scarves, sweaters, blankets, and more made with alpaca fibers or leather. The ranch offers incredible experiences such as day camps, after-school activities, up-close and personal visits with an alpaca, and even yoga.

Tours are available so you and your kids can meet the alpaca herd and see how alpaca products are made. The tours last about an hour, and admission costs $10 per person. It’s free for kids two years old and under. It’s also an excellent opportunity for you to get some cute pictures of your kids and these adorable animals. Reservations are required, and it’s a good idea to reserve your spot at least two weeks in advance.

Location: 680 River Hill Drive, Richmond.

Tour hours: 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Visit Triangle Park

You can go ice skating at Triangle Park until January 18, 2023. The park opened in 1981 and was renovated in 2011. It costs $17 per hour, which includes your skate rental. Even on warmer days, the rink stays open. Bring the whole family or make it a romantic date night. There’s also a skateboard park with 12,000 square feet of ramps, bowls, and other skating places.

You can also go hiking or build a snowman with the kids. Hot chocolate is available on cold evenings, and you can visit Señor Chimi Mexican restaurant nearby. It serves chimichangas, shaved ice, margaritas, beer, and more. Pets are welcome as long as they’re on leashes.

Location: 400 West Main St., Lexington.

Hours: Ice skating rink: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Triangle park: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Explore the Kentucky Horse Park

The Kentucky Horse Park celebrates the state’s special relationship with horses, and it gets more than 500,000 visitors per year. It’s a popular place for camping and has playgrounds, tennis courts, and free Wi-Fi. You can also go hiking or biking on the many trails nearby. Horseback rides aren’t available in winter, but you and your kids can still meet the horses in their stalls. Memorials of many famous horses can be seen at the park’s equine cemeteries.

You can also visit the International Museum of the Horse. It covers 60,000 square feet and teaches people about the history of the horse, from ancient times to popular modern sports. The American Saddlebred Museum is at the park as well. It has a virtual reality exhibit, a children’s area, a movie about horses, and an extensive research library about these incredible creatures. The gift shop has a variety of unique items made in Kentucky, and the Saddlebred Sidewalk has more than 3,700 engraved bricks.

Location: 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington.

Winter hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Learn About Flight at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky

The Aviation Museum of Kentucky is next to the Blue Grass Airport in Lexington. Kids and adults can enjoy aircraft displays inside two large hangars and parked outside. Children can go inside the cockpit and look at the controls in some planes. Flights on old planes are sometimes available, and there’s a playroom for small kids.

There are also many exhibits about the Wright brothers and other famous pilots. Admission is free for kids five years old and under. Keep an eye on the events calendar for special visiting aircraft such as barnstormers and historic warplanes. It’s a great learning experience for young and old.

Location: 4029 Airport Road, Lexington.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Living Arts and Science Center

The Living Arts and Science Center has an art gallery, the only public planetarium in Lexington, a space for arts and crafts for children six years old and under, beautiful gardens where you can learn about Kentucky plants and animals, and a great gift shop. You and your kids can also interact with a variety of animal ambassadors.

The museum is inside a home built in 1847 by George Kinkead, a lawyer for Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. The Glo Gallery is a more recent addition to the historical space and often showcases modern art. Planetarium shows cost $5 per person, and you can pay what you wish to see the other attractions. There’s so much to experience at this venue you’ll want to visit more than once.

Location: 362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lexington.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Play Some Games at Galaxy Bowling Center

Galaxy Bowling Center is an ideal place to have fun with kids when it’s too chilly to spend much time outside. There’s a bowling alley, an arcade, and the Champions Bar and Grill. The restaurant has live music on Fridays and Saturdays, with karaoke and other entertainment starting at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

You can also watch sports on one of 10 HDTVs. Appetizers include fried mushrooms with ranch sauce, fried pickles, sliders, loaded fries, and a cheese platter. You can get burgers, hot dogs, pizza, salad, sandwiches, and more for the main course. Keep an eye out for the weekly specials that offer super discounts on various packages.

Location: 1025 Amberly Way, Richmond.

Hours: Noon to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, noon to 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

These are just some of the excellent activities for kids near Richmond. Did we miss any of your family’s favorite things to do in winter? Contact Jack Burford Chevrolet and let us know where you like to visit most.