Theme parks can be beautiful places filled with trees, flowers and other botanical displays. For the 2025 season Kentucky Kingdom has opened Discovery Meadow, an $11 million investment that is “a perpetual garden party with a Kentucky twist.” In addition to some new rides and new themes on older ones, you’ll find lots of native Kentucky flora around Discovery Meadow. When you visit the park the biodiversity is quite shocking when you think about it as the park is an oasis of sorts in a sea of concrete with the fair grounds, parking, the interstate and the airport all bordering it.

Kentucky Kingdom has a web page associated with the gardens with beautiful pictures of the dozens of plants you can see on a visit. There are also signs with a unique QR code accompanying each species of plant that will provide you with interesting information about each one. The flowers aren’t just limited to Discovery Meadow either, and although it is the most prominent “garden” area, there are plants all over the park.

The Horticulture Department at Kentucky Kingdom puts thousands of hours into making the park look beautiful each and every year! You will encounter botanical beauty that is cared for by a very dedicated team around every corner of the park. During your next visit, be sure to keep an eye out for signs with a unique QR code accompanying each species of plant that will provide you with interesting information about each one!

https://www.kentuckykingdom.com/explore-the-park/gardens/

There are many varieties of plants for each season from perennials to grasses to spring flowers to trees that will provide spectacular color in the fall. There are hydrangeas, purple coneflowers, Russian sage, red maple and many more. The picture below is from a few days after Christmas in 2024 with the trees now bare, but come spring and fall these will be spectacular. However, around Christmas you could enjoy some American Holly, the evergreen tree (native), located by the between Season Pass Center and games building, is great for screening and attracting wildlife (especially birds).

Herschend has undertaken some major investment in Kentucky Kingdom with much of it directed at making the park more beautiful. Theme parks are not just patronized by people looking for a thrill on the latest ride, but by parents and grandparents looking for an escape in a beautiful atmosphere. Parks like Dollywood, Disney and Busch Gardens Williamsburg are known for their natural beauty and gardens. Kentucky Kingdom could be the next park known as a place to not only experience coasters, flat rides and water slides, but also beautiful botanical gardens.