A land of dinosaurs, the world’s longest cave system, and a Wigwam village. When it comes to off-beat, quirky, and retro attractions, Cave City is where it’s at. From zip-lining thrills to spelunking, check out this guide for fantastic (and wonderful) family-friendly fun!
Adventures of Mammoth Cave
Outdoor enthusiasts will find much to love at Adventures of Mammoth Cave. Soar over green canopies and lush meadows on a thrilling zip line tour. Test your skills and endurance on the aerial challenge course (there’s a 30-foot climbing wall). Enjoy a leisurely horseback ride through the Mammoth Cave hills. Or, cruise down the Green River on a kayak. Love biking? Rent an e-bike and pedal along the nine-mile trail. Along the way, check out historic sites and scenic overlooks.
Dinosaur World
Take a journey to a land before time at Dinosaur World, where you can wander among hundreds of life-sized dinosaurs on display in Kentucky’s stunning wilderness. It’s a Jurassic lover’s paradise. Keep an eye out for the terrifying T-Rex, watch triceratops graze in the grass, and engage in interactive exhibits like the Fossil Dig. Kids will love the dino-themed playground. And stop by the 5,000-square-foot gift shop for unique souvenirs like glittering geodes and prehistoric artifacts.
Jesse James Riding Stables & Outlaw Cave
For spelunking and horseback riding, saddle up and head to Jesse James Riding Stables & Outlaw Cave. Here, you’ll learn about infamous outlaw Jesse James, explore the cave where he hid from the authorities (bring a camera – the rock formations are incredible), and enjoy a two-mile horseback ride along a forested trail. Don’t miss a chance to practice your swing on the Western-themed mini-golf course. And for folks who love a challenge, sign up for the 90-minute wild cave tour and prepare to crawl and scramble through never-before-seen cave passages – you will get muddy!
Mammoth Cave National Park
Discover the world’s longest-known cave system at Mammoth Cave National Park. Descend beneath the surface on a variety of tours, where you’ll see striking geological formations, from domes and dripstones to the iconic Frozen Niagara. On the surface, take a ranger-led tour and learn about the park’s history, plants and wildlife. Other recreational activities include hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, boating and horseback riding.
Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum
As Kentucky’s first and largest wildlife museum, the Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum features over 1,600 animals – from exotic species like snow leopards and polar bears to marine life, insects, and birds. Embark on a self-guided tour of the massive exhibit to see life-sized replicas staged in their natural habitats. Explore the enchanting butterfly room, where you’ll find an expansive collection of bugs, beetles and butterflies on display.
Mammoth Valley Park
Elevate your Cave City adventure with a trip to Mammoth Valley Park. Take a scenic chairlift to the mountain’s summit for breathtaking views from the top, then zoom down Kentucky’s only alpine slide for an adrenaline-pumping good time. More thrills await on the half-mile twin zip line (the longest in Kentucky), where you’ll soar 300 feet in the air. Or, test your strength on the rock climbing wall before hitting up the go-cart track!
Onyx Cave and Rock Shop
Subterranean wonders await within Onyx Cave. Take a 30-minute guided tour and prepare to be wowed by stunning rock formations like cave coral, cave bacon (no, you can’t eat it) and the amazing Waterfall Wall and Drippy Room. Afterward, check out the on-site rock shop featuring rocks from around the world, such as geodes, fossils, and minerals. There’s also a selection of jewelry and the chance to purchase a cave bucket and sluice for your own rocks outside.
Wigwam Village No. 2
Looking for a unique sleeping experience? Ditch the hotels and stay at historic Wigwam Village No. 2, one of three surviving Wigwam villages in the United States. Stay in one of the 15 furnished Wigwams (now updated with modern conveniences) that still feature the original furniture from over 100 years ago! Relax at the fire pits, let the kids loose on the retro playground, or have a picnic at the pavilion.
Raven’s Cross Village of Adventure
At Raven’s Cross Village of Adventure, you’ll challenge your wits in mind-bending escape rooms, immerse yourself in another world via virtual reality and motion simulation rides and embrace your competitive side with a game of Gellyball – think paintball but without the paint (and pain)! In the fall, the village transforms into one of Kentucky’s most terrifying haunted attractions. Don’t miss out on a trip to the Legendary Collectibles shop, home to pop culture and horror-themed memorabilia.
