Louisville Mega Cavern

1. Louisville Mega Cavern History

• What is the history of the Louisville Mega Cavern?
  • The Louisville Mega Cavern began as a working limestone mine and quarry in the 1930s, originally known as Louisville Crushed Stone. It continued quarry operations until the 1970s.
• What was the cavern used for during the Cold War?
  • During the Cold War, the cavern was repurposed as a fallout shelter.
• Who purchased the cavern in 1989, and what did they do with it?
  • In 1989, the cavern was bought by private investors who transformed it into an environmentally-conscious commercial storage facility and later a tourist attraction.
• How large is the Louisville Mega Cavern?
  • The cavern covers 4,000,000 square feet and is home to 16 underground businesses.
• What is unique about the Louisville Mega Cavern?
  • It is considered the largest building and recycling center in Kentucky.

2. Louisville Mega Cavern Structure

• How large is the Louisville Mega Cavern?
  • The Louisville Mega Cavern spans approximately 100 acres with over 4,000,000 square feet of space.
• What businesses and facilities are located inside the cavern?
  • The cavern is home to over 16 underground businesses, including storage facilities, a massive recycling plant, and several tourist attractions.
• Where is the cavern located?
  • The cavern extends beneath 10 lanes of the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and has four entrances and exits. The lowest entrance is 25 feet above the top of the flood wall.
• What is the temperature inside the cavern?
  • The average temperature inside the cavern is a constant 58 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
• How does air circulation work inside the cavern?
  • Air circulates naturally due to air pressure equalization, similar to the effect of a stove pipe on a wood stove. Additionally, supplemental fans help control pollution and fog if needed.
• Does the cavern experience different seasons?
  • Yes, the cavern has two distinct seasons: dry in the winter and wet in the summer.
• Is the Louisville Mega Cavern environmentally friendly?
  • Yes, it is a ‘green’ building with energy-saving features, such as motion sensors on roads and warehouses to control lighting, and heat recycling from radiant heat produced by rocks, lights, and machinery.

3. Louisville Mega Cavern Attractions

• What tourist attractions are available at the Louisville Mega Cavern?
  • The Louisville Mega Cavern offers a variety of tourist attractions, including the Mega Tram tour, which takes visitors on an underground adventure.
• What is the Mega Tram tour?
  • The Mega Tram tour is a guided underground experience that explores the history, geology, mining operations, green building technology, and recycling within the cavern.
• How long is the Mega Tram route?
  • The tour ventures through several of the 17 miles of underground corridors that wind beneath the city of Louisville.
• What are some highlights of the Mega Tram tour?
  • Visitors will see early cavern formations, explore a historic replica of a Cold War fallout bunker, and check out a worm recycling and tasting room.
• What stories are shared during the tour?
  • Guides share stories about the cavern’s early operations, including tales of the ‘storm dog’ and the ‘pigeon-eating hawk’.

4. More to Explore at the Louisville Mega Cavern

• What is Mega Quest?
  • Mega Quest is one of only 20 aerial ropes challenge courses in the U.S. and the only fully underground course in the world.
• What kind of challenges does Mega Quest offer?
  • Inspired by extreme sports in Europe, the course includes a variety of aerial challenges that visitors can climb on, maneuver over, and swing through. (Watch Video)
• What is Mega Zips?
  • Mega Zips is an underground zip-lining adventure, led by A.C.C.T.-trained tour guides, that takes visitors through previously unseen sections of the cavern.
• How many zip lines are in Mega Zips?
  • The attraction features six underground zip lines, including two challenge bridges that test balance, mettle, and skill, as well as a dual racing zip line for an adrenaline-pumping experience.
• What is Mega Bike?
  • Mega Bike is a massive underground bike park spanning 320,000 square feet with over 45 bike trails.
• What types of bike trails are available in Mega Bike?
  • The park offers a variety of tracks, including cross-country trails, single tracks, pump tracks, jump lines, BMX tracks, and dual slalom courses. It was designed by Joe Prise with a unique multi-layered surface for traction and grip.
• What is "Lights Under Louisville"?
  • Lights Under Louisville is the world’s only fully underground drive-through Christmas light show.
• What can visitors expect at Lights Under Louisville?
  • Each holiday season, the cavern is transformed into a spectacular display featuring over 2 million lights and more than 850 brightly lit characters.
• Can visitors drive their own vehicles through Lights Under Louisville?
  • Yes, visitors can drive their own vehicles through the cavern during the Christmas season to experience the holiday transformation.

5. Louisville Mega Cavern Visitor Information

The Louisville Mega Cavern is located at 1841 Taylor Avenue in Louisville and is open daily throughout the year with various operating times for each of the different attractions.

Louisville Mega Cavern, 1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, KY 40213, Phone: 877-614-6342, See the Map