If you’re looking for a fun and fast family getaway, head up I-65 to Cave City, Kentucky.
It’s an easy three hour-ish drive and perfect for a one night trip.
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5 Things to Do in Cave City, Kentucky
1. Sleep in a Wigwam
There were originally 7 of these villages and while technically they’re teepees and not wigwams, it’s old roadside America at its best.
Today, only 3 remain including Wigwam Village #2 in Cave City that was built in 1937.
Yes, these are rustic and, yes, the Wi-Fi is terrible. Stay here anyway. Unplug and enjoy time on the benches outside while kids play on the playground. There are fire pits and grills and all-in-all it’s a throwback to a simpler time.
I suggest making a reservation as there are only 15 wigwams and they do book up quickly. More information is available online.
2. See the World’s Longest Cave System
Mammoth Cave, a national park, is the world’s longest cave system with more than 400 miles of explored cave. There are a lot of tour choices and reservations are highly recommended. Luckily, we booked ours in advance as numerous tours were sold out by the time we checked in. We opted for the Historic Tour. Tours range in difficulty and length with all that information available online.
Bonus Tip: Become a Junior Park Ranger! There’s a fun activity book you complete to earn points. Needed points are based on age. After turning in your completed book and swearing an oath, you get a shiny badge. The Junior Park Ranger program is free, fun and offered at many National Parks. You can find out more about the program here.
3. Take in the Mystery at Big Mike’s
Yes, this is cheesy but that doesn’t make it any less fun. Big Mike’s Rock and Gift Shop (and Mystery House) is located a few miles down the road from Mammoth Cave.
You can shop for, you guessed it, rocks but there’s also zombie killing knives, t-shirts, coffee mugs and Big Mo: a mosasaur skull fossil and a full-size replica.
The Mystery House is $2 per person and features fun illusions such as water flowing uphill and the big and small room. Go and have a laugh.
4. Ride the Alpine Slide
At Kentucky Action Park for $5 per person you can take a ski lift up the mountain, then race down it on the Alpine Slide. It’s about two miles past Big Mike’s.
The park also offers mini golf, bumper boats, zip lines and horseback riding.
5. Walk with the Dinosaurs
Dinosaur World is dino-mite.
(Sorry, I had to do it.)
There’s a playground for kids under 12 with gem-mining and fossil digging also offered. Skip the museum and head straight for the Dinosaur Walk. There are hundreds of life-size dinosaurs along with facts and information.
Bonus Tip: Take the walk that goes to Photosaurus, the dinosaur that looms over passing cars on 65.
We are ready to visit Mammoth Caves. Great article.