36 hours in Cave Country

Most of us probably don’t consider our home towns and cities as being tourist destinations, but a staycations are about discovering what we have around us and day trips are great for exploring beyond the confines of your normal routine. Whatever you decide upon, remember that the key is to steer towards adventure.

“Cave Country” is home to Mammoth Cave National Park, Diamond Caverns, Hidden River Cave, Lost River Cave, Mammoth Onyx Cave, Onyx Cave and Outlaw Cave and lies directly beneath four counties (Warren, Barren, Hart and Edmonson). These counties have many more activities for you to experience adventure.

Friday

Start your staycation enjoying the magnificent chambers and twisting labyrinths of Mammoth Cave National Park. Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest cave system with over 400 miles of explored caverns. The National Park offers a variety of tours for a variety of ages and abilities, the Historic Tour is perfect for a family looking to experience something amazing.

If spelunking isn’t your speed, while above ground, visitors can enjoy the many trails, camping, river access, and horseback riding at the park. Or head on down the road to Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo where you can experience LOADS of interactive encounters with animals, like petting a kangaroo, feeding the lorikeets, or holding a snake.

If all this adventuring makes you hungry, visit the Mammoth Cave Hotel for both sit-down and cafe style dining.

Whether you’re a family, couple or a solo traveler, you can rest easy at The Lodge at Mammoth Cave or pitch a tent at some of the many campgrounds surrounding the park.

Saturday

After a great nights rest, start your morning in Munfordville and fuel up for a day of adventuring at Murray’s Restaurant, a local favorite serving home cooked family style meals. Or grab a hand-crafted coffee or pastry at The Brew House to get you going. Make your way over to Kentucky Stonehenge, a miniature recreation of the original Stonehenge, made of stone by Chester Fryer. The estate also displays several of Chester’s rock works including: Earth Mysteries, The Garden of Gethsemane, Rock Gardens, and Rock Park.

For the history buffs, visit the historic Chapline Building in downtown Munfordville. The building houses the Hart County Historical Society’s collection of historic objects, images, books, maps and papers relating to the history of Hart County. From the Chapline Building, you can begin the Old Munfordville Walking Tour. A historic tour made up of historical buildings and sites have a special place in the establishment of Munfordville.

For lunch grab a bite at the Munfordville Pool Hall, a locally owned restaurant featuring hamburgers, cheese fries, chili dogs and more.

Get yourself back nature and make a stop in Horse Cave where the Hidden River Cave & American Cave Museum is a must see! The cave has one of Kentucky’s largest & most scenic historic cave entrances. Get your adrenaline fix by rappelling down the cave wall, ziplining over the entrance or walk across the world’s longest underground swinging bridge. Cave tours are also available where you can learn about the diversity of life inside caves and formations only found in karst formations.

To cool down after all the exploring, take a slow stroll through The Maple Avenue Park, a beautiful green space in downtown Horse Cave behind the historic Thomas House. The park is dotted with benches, picnic tables and a 1/3 mile walking trail.

Grab a quick and energizing snack at Dennison’s Roadside Market, there you’ll find seasonal flowers and plants, fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, Amish baskets, and Kentucky Proud products.

Or take the scenic drive to Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese, where you can tour the 350 acre Mattingly Family Farm, visit their facility and observe the cheese making process made from dairy cows raised right on the farm.

After stocking up on some delicious artisan cheese, head back to Horse Cave and grab some good local home cookin’ at 5 Broke Girls, an American restaurant offering homestyle cooking with a Texas twist.

Retire after a long day at one of America’s most unique motels, Wigwam Village Inn #2. Wigwam Village Inn #2 was completed in 1937 and is only one of three remaining villages in the US. It is an opportunity to slow down and share a real, family vacation. The village is listed on the Kentucky and National Historical Registers.

Yogi Bear’s JELLYSTONE PARK affordable and comfortable cabins are also a great option for traveling families. Just minutes away in Cave City, the park is a great destination for relaxing and having fun with friends and family. Have a blast on their Jumping Pillow, a 300’ waterslide, mini-golf, two huge pools, splashpad and beach.

Sunday

Finish your staycation off with a little relaxation on the water. With easy access to Barren River Lake, Nolin Lake, the Green River, “Cave Country” is peppered with an abundance of canoe, kayak and boating opportunities. Rent a boat from the Barren River State Park, Cave Country Canoe, Green River Canoeing or Mammoth Cave Canoe & Kayak to experience the beauty of Kentucky rivers and lake.

If the kids still need to burn some energy, let them run at Kentucky Action Park in Cave City, your one stop for vacation fun. The kids will love the western themed Miniature Golf Course, bumper cars, bumper boats, Go-Cart Track and more.

If you’re more into long distance cycling, US Bike Route 23 is a newly nationally certified route traveling through “Cave Country” and connects with the trail at the Tennessee border and with the Transamerica. The 109-mile route travels through the small towns and historic sites of Kentucky.

Before heading home, fill up one last time on down-home Southern fare at The Watermill Restaurant, a laid-back, family-owned local staple with buffet & menu options.

Or take in the amazing countryside views while dining at the The Lookout Restaurant. Less than four miles from Mammoth Cave National Park, The Lookout Restaurant at Park Mammoth Resort offers perhaps the best views in all of Kentucky.