John James Audubon State Park and Museum

Earlier this year we took a trip to Kentucky, and just had to stop at the Audubon State Park and Museum.  It wasn't the objective of our trip, but we were certainly excited when we realized we could make it a stop.  Both are beautiful places!  Our only disappointments were that no pictures are allowed in the museum, it started to drizzle while we hiked, and that we didn't have enough time there.  They have cabins and campgrounds, so now that we've had a taste and know better, I hope we can visit again for much longer!

 Birding on the main Audubon grounds. So exciting!

 Life imitates art as a fierce eagle stands in front of a sculpture based on Audubon's eagle painting.

 A giant cardboard hummingbird hangs out inside the Nature Center, which is free, and really neat. (Their gift shop is pretty nice too, and not too ridiculously priced)

The Museum is not free, but worth the price of admission, especially if you can take time to read and don't have kids rushing through, anxious to hit the trails and see the birds.  Maybe hike first, then museum. 

 This boy loved the sculptures.

 Make sure you climb the tower while you're there!

The trail maps and markings aren't the user-friendliest that we've ever encountered, it's hard to get a grasp on scale and distance. But the woods are full of frilly ferns,

fun fungi 

and other hidden treasures

like butterfly wings

 birds

 and even neat little structures that speak to the history of the place. 

We hope to go back and spend more time hiking and exploring and BIRDING there someday- definitely recommend!