Bardstown, KY Outdoor Activities

Skydive Kentucky with a BBB rating of A+, encourages customers to jump out of airplanes—but only in pursuit of a heart-pumping adrenaline rush. The skydive outfitter— ranked #5 in top drop zones in the nation by Dropzone— offers tandem, solo, and accelerated freefall jumps from up to 18,000 feet above the ground. Instructors train and expect customers to pull their ripcord and about 80% of clients can do so without any prompting from their instructor. Skydive trains their students to do as much as reasonable on their first tandem jump. Whether a seasoned veteran, a nervous first-timer, or a bird that wants bragging rights among his flock, Skydive Kentucky can guide thrill-seekers on an exciting yet safe descent back to earth.

Your Groupon grants you aerial access to a Cessna172 ($98–$100 per hour, depending on location). As you hop into the cockpit, study the navigational dials and instruments. Firmly grip the yoke. Then see how many witty quips you can squeeze in over the intercom before it's time to fly. Each lesson is copiloted by one of Givens' expert instructors ($40 per hour). Having logged countless flight hours, your copilot will keep your confidence and nose up as you take in the basics. Though it may be difficult to resist showing off for friends, save the barrel rolling for professional stunt pilots and Donkey Kong.

Baseball in Louisville dates back to 1876 when the Louisville Grays began playing as part of the National League. Soon after the turn of the 20th century, minor league baseball arrived in Derby City and for 70 years, the Louisville Colonels commanded it. Their departure in 1972, however, led to a period of inactivity, as well as a period of unemployed umpires roaming the city shouting "SAFE!" at landing birds. Ten years later, baseball returned with the arrival of the Louisville Redbirds, who eventually became the RiverBats in 1998, and simply the Bats in 2002. Over the years this franchise has spent time as the affiliate of three big league teams: the St. Louis Cardinals, the Milwaukee Brewers, and its current affiliate, the Cincinnati Reds.

The Louisville Equestrian Center is the realization of a childhood dream for owner, operator, and adept horsewoman Betsy Webb. Now found in the familiar confines of the Red Barn Arena, the center is home to a team of dedicated staff members and instructors. Nestled less than 20 minutes from Louisville in the rolling country hills between Taylorsville and Mt. Washington, the arena provides a picturesque setting for private and group lessons for all ages and experience levels. During these sessions, trainers illuminate horse-handling and riding fundamentals with the help of the center's stable of horses. Camps and clinics engage equestrian youngsters aged 4 and older, and pony parties entertain kids with experiences more rewarding and memorable than trying to ride a pile of My Little Pony action figures.

Paintball Asylum equips paint-slingers with all the gear needed to tackle a 40-acre wooded playing field landmarked with castles, forts, and villages, or one of its three professional-grade turf fields. Before hitting the battlegrounds, the adventure begins at the shop, where the Asylum's techs outfit each player with his or her weapon for the day––a Tippmann 98 custom paintball marker or a box of 64 Crayolas. Visitors then strap themselves with 500 paintballs, a refillable 3,000-psi steel air tank, a 200-round paintball hopper, and a barrel bag. To prevent injury, sharpshooters don chest protectors that guard torsos from paintball tickle squads, and goggles that shield eyes.