For anyone looking for a thoroughly enjoyable getaway, either solo or as a family, Cave City, Kentucky is an ideal destination. The town is surrounded by rolling hills of Central Kentucky and has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 square km). The “City of Caves” is home to friendly people and many attractions for the whole family. Offering wide selections for accommodation, including cabin and Airbnb vacation rentals, there’s something for every budget. Come and see the world’s most extended cave system, see underground rivers, explore caverns that date back thousands of years, visit the Mystery House, walk with dinosaurs, and much more. It is also home to many shops, diners, antique stores, museums, and more modern attractions. To start your memorable experience, check out these best things to do in Cave City, Kentucky.
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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
Posted by Jesse James Riding Stables on Friday, April 30, 2021
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
Posted by Mammoth Cave Adventures on Saturday, May 1, 2021
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.
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