By Mike Steely

If you’re looking for a place within an easy day’s drive from Knoxville where you can ride a horse or a camel, there are a couple of places in northern Kentucky you might want to visit.

The Kentucky Horse Park, just north of Lexington, has horses to ride and trails to follow. It also has shows featuring all types of horses, everything from Thoroughbreds to Arabians. The 1,200 acre state attraction also features the “Hall of Champions” that shows race-winning horses and the International Museum of the Horse, a Smithsonian Affiliate institution.

There’s camping at the Horse Park but you’d better reserve ahead. The park is close enough to Lexington and Georgetown that you can motel it and drive easily to the park which is just off Interstate 75. Admission is $16 for adults and $ 8 for children but the admission price covers the entire park. Winter admission is $10 or you can by a year-round pass for $40. Horse rides have an additional charge. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

There are a couple things you don’t want to miss at the Horse Park, not counting the unique gift shop there. The grave of Man of War is located outside the main entrance so you can visit that famous horse’s grave and monument without actually paying to enter the park. If you are a movie buff and saw “Sea Biscuit” you might want to note that War Admiral, Sea Biscuit’s sire, is buried next to his sire, Man of War.

War Admiral was the 1937 Triple Crown Winner.

Several winners of horse races are buried at the Horse Park but Man of War is the only one whose entire body was buried.

You can contact the Kentucky Horse Park at 800-678-8813 or at www.kyhorsepark.com.

What if you would rather ride a camel?

The Creation Museum is located in Petersburg, Kentucky, just southwest of Cincinnati. You can get there off Interstate 75 by taking the bypass, I-275 West.

And yes, for an extra charge you can ride a camel at the Museum’s petting zoo.

Admission for anyone over 13 years old is $29.95 to the museum, with lesser charges for seniors. The charge is for two days if you wish.

While most of the museum is indoors,  there’s also various shows, a planetarium, botanical garden, dining, a book store, the petting zoo, and even a zip line and canopy tour.

The Creation Museum compares the Biblical Creation to Evolution and even depicts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with dinosaurs. The walk inside takes you from Creation up to and including Noah’s Ark. Fundamental Christians will probably enjoy the exhibits while others might find the attempt at explaining dinosaurs and the Old Testament awkward.

The museum also has special programs for visiting speakers, hosts seminars, and holds large public events especially during Christian holidays.

You can reach the museum at 800-721-2298 or “CreationMuseum.org.”