Cave City: The Gateway to Mammoth Cave
Cave City is a place that brings out the nostalgia for so many Kentuckians. Maybe it was memories of your first experience inside Mammoth Cave National Park, first horseback ride, first encounter with a giant dinosaur or first canoe trip! And honestly, Cave City truly makes us all feel like a kid again.
Cave City is easy to find, exit 53 off Interstate 65. And right off the exit you’ll find a GIGANTIC dinosaur. Let it guide your way and start your fun! Yes, no matter what age, we suggest making your first stop at Dinosaur World. Think of it as a whimsical hike, with some legit educational components and of course – lots of fun.
In keeping with the animal theme, we also LOVE the Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum. Spoiler alert: it is a large exhibit of beautifully taxidermed animals from around the world – so if this is not your type of interest, it might not be for you. These exhibits have not changed for FIFTY years, so that’s a whole mid-century vibe that just can’t be replicated and definitely part of the grooviness we love.
And of course, no matter what, don’t miss a trip out to Mammoth Cave National Park. They normally offer the self-discovery tour, so even if you can’t get onto a regular tour don’t be hesitant to give “disco” a try (as the rangers refer to it.) Also while you’re in the park grab a hiking map in the visitor’s center and spend some time on the trails. There are accessible trails too, a favorite of ours is the Echo River Trail – down by the Green River Ferry. If you’ve never taken a ferry, you gotta’ do it! It crosses the Green River and takes you into the back country of the park, where the driving feels so remote and beautiful.
Now, after all of this adventure, you’re going to be hungry! There are so many good options in the Cave City area. Photos are tagged below with restaurant locations. ALSO, if you’re looking for a little more whack-a-do in your day – don’t hesitate to sign up for the Mystery House Tour at Big Mike’s Rock Shop. So quirky and fun!
Other travel blogs we’ve written in this area include:
- Sweeten your spring: amish donuts and wildflowers
- Edmonson County: why it’s the natural place to be
- A Walk Through Historic Munfordville
- Best of the Barrens
As always, thanks for reading about our travels!