The state park features an architecturally intriguing Interpretive Center that reflects the layers of history at the Falls of the Ohio. Exhibits inside flow through Earth’s history, focusing how this river crossroads shaped the America we know today. With a commanding view of the fossil beds and Ohio River, the Center features 3,000 square feet of immersive exhibits, an auditorium, rotunda, classroom, wildlife and river viewing rooms, gift shop, restrooms and water fountains.
The Interpretive Center is open year round, except: New Year’s Day, Thunder Over Louisville, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. Audio descriptive iPods for visitors with visual and hearing impairments are available to help interpret the exhibits. A wheelchair is available for visitors with limited mobility. Ask at the admissions desk.
Ancient Sea
Welcome to the 390 million-year-old shallow tropical sea, located 30° south of Earth’s equator. During the middle of the Devonian Period it covered what is now the Falls of the Ohio State Park and much of the eastern United States. Discover the fascinating ancient creatures whose fossil remains can be seen and touched on the fossil beds today.
A Changing Land
Moving forward through time, you’re now in the Pleistocene Epoch, Earth’s last major Ice Age. Explore how massive glaciers created the Ohio River over a million years ago and how the last melting glaciers formed today’s Falls of the Ohio. The differences in the fields of archaeology and paleontology are explored. A glimpse of the life of Native People over the past 10,000 years is revealed through hundreds of artifacts found in the Falls area.
Converging Cultures
The 1600s began the land conflict and commingling of cultures among indigenous Native Americans and the European settlers that ventured here. The Shawnee people and their language are honored in their traditional Wegiwa. General George Rogers Clark’s Western Campaign to take the Northwest Territory, as well as his founding of Louisville and Clarksville are chronicled. Be mesmerized by the Lewis & Clark at the Falls of the Ohio film, where you are immersed with the Falls men who shaped the nucleus of the Corps of Discovery’s great westward expedition, and returned to the Falls in 1806.
The Falls Today
From the early 1800s through present day, you experience the most recent natural and cultural history at the Falls. Discover what enchanted John James Audubon and other early scientists. Even today, many ecosystems with varied animal and plant life can be found in the middle of an urban oasis of over 1 million people. Connect with selected Ohio River creatures in the Virtual Aquarium to reinforce the importance of environmental conservation.
Rotunda
The Rotunda is dominated by a giant mural showing an aerial view of the Falls of the Ohio from about 1600, before human-made changes were made to the river. The admissions desk is at your left, as is the gift shop, and the hall to the restrooms.
Wildlife Observation Room
The Wildlife Observation Room is a serene place to sit, watch and listen to birds (there’s a hidden microphone), and trickling water in the outdoor habitat featuring numerous feeders, a small pond with a waterfall, and a barrier of native river cane that isolates nature from the parking lot. One may observe sparrows, mourning doves, house finches, goldfinches, chickadees, tufted titmouse, cardinals, blue jays, downy woodpeckers, red-winged blackbirds, and others, depending on the season.
River Viewing Room
The River Viewing Room overlooks the outdoor deck, fossil beds, Ohio River, McAlpine Dam, railroad bridge, Louisville skyline, and amazing sunsets. This room is for visitors to sit and enjoy the view, and occasionally used for student programs, meetings, and special events.
Classroom
The recently renovated Classroom is used for educational programs and hands-on labs. The top-of-the-line equipment in the Classroom allows for virtual educational programming to be provided anywhere in the world. The Classroom and conferencing equipment can be rented and used by community organizations and businesses for on-site and virtual meetings.
Gift Shop
The Gift Shop features fossils, minerals and jewelry as well as apparel, toys, games, soaps, and more. New items are added, so check back each time you visit. Admission fees are waived to visit the gift shop, which operates from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday – Saturday, 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM on Sunday.
JOIN US AND HELP
inspire a sense of wonder
IN THE FALLS OF THE OHIO REGION.