I’ve missed the past two Toddler Tuesdays due to being out of town and a toddler’s birthday, but it’s back! It’s the week that most children around Kentuckiana officially start their new school years, and at my house that means my oldest going back to school and my tot and I running around town again, just the two of us. This week, we’re heading to Yew Dell Gardens! We’re rounding out our Cultural Pass, as the program officially ends today.
My toddler (who just turned three, so does that now make him a preschooler?) and I dropped off my oldest at school this morning, bright and early, and headed down to the Gene Snyder Freeway to drive all the way across Jefferson County to Oldham County. We headed off to a brand new place we have never been to, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens in Crestwood. After 15 or so miles, we arrived to a magical looking place. I am a Louisvillian of 25+ years who still finds new treasures in my good ol’ city!
We parked and easily used our Cultural Pass for the last time (we’ve made very good use of it this summer!) and started our adventure for the morning. The ladies at the check-in area were super knowledgeable and sweet and got us started as we were first time visitors to Yew Dell. At the table they tell you about what to expect, the trails, and the park-like area where you can wander, and described all the grounds you can walk around at your own leisure. Most paths are paved or grassy areas; there are a few gravel paths and some walking areas with steps that lead to different garden areas.
One word: gorgeous. No one word is really and truly enough to adequately describe this GEM in Oldham County, just miles from anywhere in the city of Louisville. We had an absolutely peaceful day, walking in the stroller and getting out and about as well. When we checked in, the ladies told us that you can zip through as fast as you want to, in 45 minutes or so, or some families and individuals take their time, and use hours and an early afternoon to have a picnic at a quaint little spot anywhere on the grounds. My toddler and I explored for about an hour and a half and were filled quite well with beauty and nature, and enjoyed a scavenger hunt as well! That may have been the biggest hit for my 3-year-old! He LOVED finding all of the pictures on the scavenger hunt and wanted to take it home with him. They have 4 different options when you check in for the older kids, and they are laminated so they give you a dry erase marker to check off each box as you find the picture on your trek throughout the botanical gardens. It was fabulous!
They also provide family backpacks to check out and use while out exploring the gardens, as well as a book bag backpack complete with a blanket! Yew Dell Gardens hosts all kinds of special programming, including family programs as well as other items of interest. They have a Hummingbird Festival on Saturday, August 23, and be sure to mark their fall and winter activities on your calendar as well. Their hours are as follows:
Summer Hours, March 29-December 16:
Mondays: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-4pm (Open Thursday evenings until 8pm)
Sundays: noon-4pm
In the winter months, they are open Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm only
Admission is $7 for adults and free for children under age 12; memberships are available and there is a senior discount of $5 admission.
If you have toddlers or young ones, I suggest checking out these previous Toddler Tuesdays posts that range from everything from library fun to park fun all around the Louisville area.
Photos by Erin Nevitt
