Top 18 Things To Do In Cave City, Kentucky

1. Enjoy an adventure at Mammoth Cave National Park

Located in Cave City, Mammoth Cave National Park is the world’s most extended cave system. Come and enjoy inspiring experiences as you navigate the system, which boasts of over 400 miles (643.74 km) of explored caves. Aside from enjoying an underground adventure, the park is home to a zip line canopy tour. You and your family can come to enjoy an unfettered view of up to 24.3 hectares (60 acres) of the Kentucky wilderness. Aside from these attractions, the park also features of the Mammoth Cave Drop Tower, which is the single vertical free-fall tower in the entire state. Open to all; you are sure to have a great time at Mammoth Cave National Park.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Address: Kentucky, USA

Website: Mammoth Cave National Park

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)

Price: From 8 USD

2. Spend an afternoon at Dinosaur World

Dinosaur World takes you back through prehistoric times. There are many activities to enjoy and sights to behold in this park. Dinosaur World is home to different life-sized dinosaurs. Each of the over 100 models of dinosaurs found here has a sign that explains the type, habitat, habits, and other information about the extinct creature. You can find model dinosaur eggs and claws scattered all around the park. The park also has an amusement park for adults and children, with all the rides being dinosaur-themed. Have your kids go on a treasure hunt looking for teeth and small fossils. After the exciting tour, visit the shop to get dinosaur-themed gifts you can take home as a souvenir.

Dinosaur World

Address: 711 Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Dinosaur World

Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 10 - 13 USD

3. Get your adrenaline pumping at Kentucky Action Park

Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed

If you want to get your blood pumping and feel energized and full of adrenaline, there is no better place to go than Kentucky Action Park. Action Park is full of fun activities for the entire group. You can ride bumper cars, enjoy go-kart racing, play miniature golf, and much more. If you want even more fun to get your heart racing, get on the zip line, or scuttle up the rock climbing wall. The park is so much fun for the entire family as there are even rooms and campsites with necessary amenities available for rent. Spend the whole day having fun!

Kentucky Action Park

Address: 3057 Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Kentucky Action Park

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

Price: From 5 USD

4. See exotic animals at Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum

Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum is a fully air-conditioned, 1,300.6 sq m (14,000 sq ft) building sitting in this quaint town. The museum is a taxidermist’s dream with stuffed animals from almost every corner of the earth. You don’t have to travel to Asia, Africa, or the Arctic to see some of the animals on display. It contains various different animals, from lions, leopards, and tigers to deer, ox, and so much more. Aside from these stuffed animals, the museum features a butterfly room which contains a plethora of bugs, butterflies, and other insects. Come with your friends and your camera and have a great experience.

Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum

Address: 409-A, 8844, E Happy Valley St, Cave City, KY 42127, United States

Website: Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 6 - 9 USD

5. Watch a gunfight at Guntown Mountain

After extensive renovations, Guntown Mountain was reopened in 2018 and is a great spot to enjoy activities, whether solo or with friends and family. If you seek a Western-themed adventure, Guntown Mountain is the place to check out when in Kentucky. It features a faux Old Western Town that is made to feel like the Wild West, where you can enjoy gun-slinging fun and other exciting activities. Want some scary fun? Guntown Mountain also houses a haunted hotel that will get you shivering in your boots! You can enjoy blacklight mini-golf with the group as well. When you have had your fill of fun, enjoy some live country music in the theater located in Guntown Mountain.

Guntown Mountain

Address: 101 Huckleberry Knob Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Guntown Mountain

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed from Mon - Fri)

Price: 12 - 18 USD

6. View rock formations at Crystal Onyx Cave

Crystal Onyx Cave is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful caves in the United States. Kentucky is home to many caves, with the caves either labeled as wet or dry. A wet cave is actively forming while a dry cave doesn’t get water coming into it. Crystal Onyx Cave is a wet one. It provides tourists and visitors a gorgeous view of the coral and cave bacon. Also, the cave features a stunning 12.2-meter (40-foot) column. Discovered in 1971, the cave is open to people from all over the world.

Crystal Onyx Cave

Address: 425 Prewitts Knob Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Crystal Onyx Cave

Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)

Price: 13 - 15 USD

7. Go horseback riding at Jesse James Riding Stables

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you crave for a horse riding experience, there is no better place to enjoy it than at Jesse James Riding Stables. This riding stable is an award-winning stop for riding experiences. It is open to the public and people of all ages can come and enjoy a fun ride. You can enjoy horseback rides through a guided trail, or step back in time and see the countryside where outlaws like Jesse James travelled. The horses from the stable are gentle, tame, and well-trained. It is a beautiful experience for the whole family.

Jesse James Riding Stables

Address: 3057 Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Jesse James Riding Stables

Opening hours: 8:30am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 15 - 40 USD

8. Float down Green River with Green River Canoeing

The Green River is a beautiful location for a canoe trip with friends or family. It offers gorgeous scenery and miles of backcountry flat water to float on. Come and canoe or kayak down this river. You will pass through the beautiful Mammoth Cave National Park during your tour, which offers an unrivaled means of experiencing nature up-close. While on the river, you will catch glimpses of surrounding wildlife like beavers, deer, and birds. It’s a family-friendly experience that will leave you with great memories.

Green River Canoeing

Address: 3057 Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Green River Canoeing

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8:30am - 3pm; Sun: 8am - 3pm

Price: From 48 USD

9. Take a walk through Downtown Cave City

Home to several Cave City attractions, the bustling downtown district is where the fun happens. It is home to an abundance of antique stores, restaurants, diners, bars, and other establishments that guarantee an enjoyable experience. Downtown Cave City offers several antique shops where you can buy different goods. There is a collection of both old and new products up for sale, and the area would remind visitors of simpler times. After shopping, you can drop by one of the many great diners in the area.

10. Relish delicious barbecue at Bucky Bees BBQ

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Bucky Bees BBQ is a treasure trove of the most excellent barbecue this side of Kentucky has to offer. It is just outside the famous Mammoth Cave National Park and is indeed a great gastronomic find in the area. Enjoy different types of barbecued meat, with each bite better than the last. The food is delicious and the customer service is superb. Whenever you come through Cave City, do not leave without trying this barbecue restaurant.

Bucky Bees BBQ

Address: 822 Mammoth Cave St, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Bucky Bees BBQ

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 10am - 3pm; Mon - Thu: 10am - 7pm

11. Try Mexican dishes at El Mazatlan

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

You might be used to Mexican food, but eating at El Mazatlan will surely surpass your expectations of what Mexican food can taste like. El Mazatlan is simply one of the best places to eat in this town. Come here with your family and friends and enjoy eating fantastic food while seated on the outdoor patio. The portions are large and filling. After a full day of exploring caves, refuel your body by eating some great, nutritious food.

El Mazatlan

Address: 105 Gardner Ln, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: El Mazatlan

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 11am - 10:30pm; Sun: 11am - 9:30pm; Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm

12. Grab a drink at The Dive

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The Dive is a new bar opened in the historic district of Cave City, and it offers some of the best service and beverages you will have in this town. A family-owned and run bar, it is open to all and delivers excellent, warm service. The staff is amicable as well and the whole place offers a warm ambiance perfect for after all your adventures. It is an excellent place to hang out with friends over a cocktail. If you are looking for a fun night out in Cave City, The Dive is the place to be.

The Dive

Address: 201 A Broadway St, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: The Dive

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 12am; Sun: 12pm - 10pm

13. Buy souvenirs at Big Mike's Rock and Gift Shop

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Big Mike’s Rock and Gift Shop will live up to your expectations of what a rock shop should look like. It is close to Mammoth Cave, Dinosaur World, and other attractions of the town. After exploring the caves, it is an excellent place to cut your souvenirs down to size. You can also buy some of the beautiful rocks on display at the shop. The staff are friendly and knows their stuff! It has a Mystery House that features some crazy science attractions and it will be a memorable experience for you and the family.

Big Mike's Rock and Gift Shop

Address: 566 Old Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Big Mike’s Rock and Gift Shop

Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)

14. Go shopping at Magaline's Antique Mall

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Magaline’s Antique Mall is a 929-square meter (10,000 square feet) mall that is a must-see for tourists. It offers all kinds of antique goods like glassware, books, furniture, toys, tools, and so much more. It has been in existence for over two decades and welcomes all who visit Cave City. You can come here with your friends or family, and you can rest assured that there is something for everyone. Although the store is packed, it doesn’t take long to find whatever it is you are looking for.

Magaline's Antique Mall

Address: 118 Broadway St, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Magaline’s Antique Mall

Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 10am - 3pm; Mon - Tue: 10am - 3pm (closed on Sun & Wed)

15. Visit Cave City Convention Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Cave City Convention Center was established in 1980. After being remodeled in 1998, the center served as an essential location for the community and has become part of the many Cave City, Kentucky, attractions. It features beautiful floor coverings, a Farmer’s Market Pavilion, and other exciting things. It serves as an event center and plays hosts to business events, social events, dinners, concerts, and so on. Catch a concert or show in this historical location.

Cave City Convention Center

Address: 502 Mammoth Cave St, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Cave City Convention Center

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

16. Taste delicious chocolate at Chasers Kentucky Chocolates

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Editor’s note: establishment is permanently closed

If you have a sweet tooth and need to satisfy your sweet cravings, then there is no better place in Cave City than Chasers Kentucky Chocolates. Enjoy chocolate with a twist at this delightful venue. The store is located in a quaint cabin and is a family-owned store that offers their delicious and uplifting dark chocolate to customers. Aside from the dark chocolate, you should try out the other treats offered. There is fudge, nut clusters, and much more.

Chasers Kentucky Chocolates

Address: 812 Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Chasers Kentucky Chocolates

Opening hours: Fri - Mon: 10am - 5pm (closed from Tue - Thu)

17. Enjoy aerial activities at Mammoth Cave Adventures

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Located just outside the famous Mammoth Cave National Park, this attraction rolls out the fun things to do in Cave City in a single location. You can come with your friends on an exploration of Kentucky outdoors. There are zip-lines to enjoy, horseback riding, a Tarzan swing, and so much more. The region surrounding Mammoth Cave Adventures is full of wildlife and trees. Enjoy zipping at close to 40 miles per hour (64.3 km per hour) above the forest canopy. Even kids can enjoy this adventure because there is a zip line that is made just for them.

Mammoth Cave Adventures

Address: 1994 Roy Hunter Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Mammoth Cave Adventures

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 7 - 17 USD

18. Go camping at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Resort has many attractions for folks of all ages. The park offers water attractions and even sports facilities. It is a family-friendly park that has something for everyone. Come and refresh yourself in the water zone and the various swimming pools in the park. The water slides are an excellent stress reliever for people of every age. In the evening, cuddle up with your loved one and enjoy watching a movie at the park’s outdoor movie theater. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Resort guarantees an incredible time for every member of the family or group.

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort

Address: 950 Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, USA

Website: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Resort

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 8am - 9pm; Sun - Thu: 8am - 7pm

Price: 15 USD

Discover fun activities in Cave City

Cave City welcomes all visitors with open arms. It is an ideal destination for the fun-seeking family or group. It boasts of the most extended cave system in the world, parks that cater to people of all ages, and several natural spaces. If you are planning your next vacation, be sure to check out the best things to do in Cave City, Kentucky we’ve listed above.