Louisville Nature Center and Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve

Louisville Nature Center and Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve is off I-264 exit 14, then following signs for the Louisville Zoo; the center is across the street from the zoo at 3745 Illinois Ave. The center offers indoor wildlife exhibits, a research library and a bird blind, a sheltered structure used to surveil the more than 150 species of resident and migratory birds inhabiting the adjacent 41-acre nature preserve. Butterfly, native wildflower and water gardens decorate the center's grounds.

The preserve features a boardwalk and more than 2 miles of hiking trails useful for viewing its 180 species of trees and shrubs as well as forest animals and a wide variety of butterfly species.

Picnicking is permitted. Time: Allow 1 hour minimum.