Turn Fido into an amateur paleontologist by visiting a pair of prehistoric Kentucky attractions. At Cave City’s Dinosaur World, more than 100 life-size replicas made from steel, concrete, and fiberglass line the paths of the attraction’s Dinosaur Walk. This family-friendly activity also invites guests to hunt for fossils in the Fossil Dig, unearth life-size dinosaur bones in the Boneyard, and view the woolly creatures of Mammoth Gardens. If Fido would rather sniff out the real thing, drive a couple of hours north to Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Union. There, he can hunt for fossils of ice age mammals that once called this area home and explore more than four miles of trails and salt springs. Keep an eye out for the resident bison who still roam the property year-round. The site is open daily and admission is free.

Step out of the Jurassic period and into frontier times at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park. Located a half-mile from Dinosaur World, the park’s pet-friendly log cabins come equipped with full kitchens and feature covered porches and fire rings for grilling.

Aficionados of all things equestrian are certain to enjoy a visit to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Although the facility’s museum is not pet friendly, dogs of any size are welcome at nearly all outdoor areas of the park. You can bring Fido along for a tour of the barns, rings, courses, and memorials sprinkled across the vast 1,032-acre campus. Don’t miss the Memorial Walk of Champions and the famous Man o’ War statue. You can also trot over to the stables to observe the guest horses residing at the park during the summer. Doggos may join you for a meal at one of the on-site restaurant’s outdoor patios. Small pups that can be carried or wheeled in a stroller can even do a bit of browsing in the gift shop.

Located just 10 minutes from Kentucky Horse Park, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Lexington UK Coldstream is a stylish property in the heart of Bluegrass Country. Spacious suites offer many of the comforts of home, and your pup will love that the hotel is next door to the off-leash Coldstream Dog Park. Made-to-order breakfast is served each morning, and a complimentary reception takes place each evening in the hotel atrium.

Many distilleries along Kentucky’s famous Bourbon Trail welcome leashed dogs to explore their grounds. But, if you want a behind-the-scenes look at the bourbon-making craft, make your way to Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort. There, Fido can join you on a 75-minute guided tour of the sprawling campus. The Trace Tour gives visitors a peek inside the company’s aging warehouses and bottling rooms. You’ll also learn about the different stages of the bourbon-making process. All tours end in the expansive tasting room, where you can sample some of Buffalo Trace’s award-winning products, such as Eagle Rare and Blanton’s Single Barrel. Dogs are welcome on the tour, as well as in the tasting room and gift shop. The tours are complimentary and offered several times daily, but reservations are required.

You’ll need more than one day to explore Kentucky’s bourbon heritage, so make the 21c Museum Hotel in either Louisville or Lexington your home base. Both hotels feature contemporary art galleries highlighting specially-commissioned works from some of the world’s most exciting artists, and both are very happy to accommodate your furry friend.

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