Looking for underground adventures and quirky roadside charm? Head to Cave City, Kentucky! Just minutes from Mammoth Cave National Park, Cave City is a family-friendly destination full of natural wonders, nostalgic attractions, and Southern hospitality. Whether you love caving, ziplining, or dinosaurs, this small town delivers big fun.

Cave City, KY Highlights:

  • For Nature Explorers: Tour Mammoth Cave National Park – Discover the world’s longest cave system with guided tours, hiking trails, and underground wonders.
  • For Families: Play and learn at Dinosaur World – Walk among life-size dinosaur sculptures and explore interactive exhibits and fossil digs.
  • For Adventurers: Go ziplining and rappel at Hidden River Cave – Above- and below-ground thrills with scenic cave tours and aerial experiences.
  • For Roadside Fans: Visit Kentucky Action Park – Mini-golf, alpine slides, horseback riding, and vintage amusements await in this retro-fun park.
  • For Shoppers: Browse local gems and oddities – Find souvenirs, handmade crafts, and mineral specimens at gift shops and roadside markets.

Best Time to Visit Cave City, KY

The best time to visit Cave City is from April through October, when warm weather allows full access to hiking, outdoor attractions, and cave tours. Summers are lively with events and festivals, while fall adds vibrant foliage to your visit.

How to Get to Cave City, KY

  • By Car: Cave City is right off I-65, about 90 minutes south of Louisville and 1.5 hours north of Nashville.
  • By Plane: The nearest airports are Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), each within 1.5–2 hours' drive.
  • By Bus: Regional Greyhound and Megabus stops are available in nearby towns like Bowling Green.

Where to Stay in Cave City, KY

  • Recommended for Families: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort – Cabins, RV sites, and tons of kid-friendly activities like splash pads and outdoor movies.
  • For Budget Travelers: Sleep Inn & Suites – Affordable, modern hotel near all the local attractions and Mammoth Cave.
  • For Unique Lodging: Wigwam Village No. 2 – Stay in a vintage teepee-shaped motel for a fun and nostalgic experience.

Best Things to Do in Cave City, KY

Admire rock formations in Diamond Caverns

Admire rock formations in Diamond Caverns

© Diamond Caverns

Diamond Caverns is open year-round and offers guided tours daily on a first-come, first-served basis. The tour covers a distance of one half-mile and showcases beautiful limestone rock formations and calcite drapery deposits.

The cave is lighted with state-of-the-art white lighting. The tour does cover over 300 stairs, so wearing comfortable and supportive shoes is recommended.

Diamond Caverns also offers a sluice mine where children can pan for gemstones. Diamond Caverns is adjacent to Mammoth Cave National Park.

There is also a RV resort and golf club next to the property. Diamond Caverns is closed on major holidays.

Address: 1900 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Park City, KY 42160, Phone: 270-749-2233

See life-sized dinosaur replica statues at Dinosaur World Kentucky

See life-sized dinosaur replica statues at Dinosaur World Kentucky

© Dinosaur World Kentucky

At Dinosaur World Kentucky, children and adults can walk among dozens of life-sized dinosaur replica statues and play on the dinosaur themed playground. The park also contains a fossil dig, where children can dig through the sand for treasures such as small fossils and shark teeth. At the Bone Yard, guests can use brushes to extract a large skeleton from the sand. Children can also pan for gems in the mining sluice. The on-site prehistoric museum contains displays of real fossils and information about the pre-historic history of the area. Books, games, geodes, and other treasures are available for purchase in the park's gift shop.

Address: 711 Mammoth Cave Road, Cave City, KY 42127, Phone: 270-773-4345

Tour Onyx Cave

Tour Onyx Cave

© Onyx Cave

Onyx Cave, discovered in 1971, was opened for tours in 1973. It is a wet cave where underground water is actively creating beautiful formations for guests to view. Stalactites, stalagmites, columns, flowstone, cave coral, and layered mineral deposits known as “cave bacon” can all be found here. Onyx Cave is open year-round and is a comfortable 60 degrees at all times. The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes and is an easy walk for tourists of all ages. Next door is the Onyx Cave rock shop where visitors can purchases rocks, fossils, and books.

Address: 93 Huckleberry Knob Road, Cave City, KY 42127, Phone: 270-773-2323

Attractions for Couples

Learn about local geology at Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum

Learn about local geology at Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum

© Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum

As its name implies, Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum contains two subterranean rivers that once provided power to the town of Horse Cave, Kentucky. The cave and the power plant have been preserved, and today they can be toured daily. Longer, guided cave tours are available but must be booked in advance. Above ground, guests can learn about the history of the cave and the geology and archeology of the local area in the American Cave Museum. Beautiful cave rocks, geodes, and fossils are available for purchase in the museum's gift shop. You can also do an exciting zip-line tour and vertical cave rappelling challenge on-site.

Address: 119 E. Main St., Horse Cave, KY 42749, Phone: 270-786-1466

Go horseback riding in Mammoth Valley Park

Go horseback riding in Mammoth Valley Park

© Mammoth Valley Park

Mammoth Valley Park is the place to go for outdoor family fun. Children and adults alike can enjoy miniature golf, go carts, bumper cars, and the quarter-mile long Alpine Slide. At the Jesse James Stables, guided horseback rides throughout the 500-acre park are offered daily, March through November. The park also contains a zip-line, rock climbing wall, and a large trampoline. On-site cabins with full bathrooms and small kitchens are available to rent, so visitors can spend the whole day and night at the park. Campsites with water and electric hook-ups are also available.

Address: 3057 Mammoth Cave Road, Cave City, KY 42127, Phone: 1-800-798-0560

Unique Attractions & Activities

See animals at Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo

See animals at Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo

© Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo

Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo is a zoo and park located off of Interstate 65 near Horse Cave. The zoo features animal species from Australia such as kangaroos, emus, kookaburras, and dingoes, as well as familiar species from North America such as bison, foxes, and arctic wolves. The zoo also has a large collection of exotic birds, including cockatiels, macaws, parrots, and lorikeets, which guests can feed by hand. The entrance to Onyx Cave is located inside the park, and the brief, easy walking tour of the cave is included with park admission. Kentucky Down Under Adventure is open daily except on major holidays.

Address: 3700 L & N Turnpike Road, Horse Cave, KY 42749, Phone: 270-786-1010

View taxidermy animals at the Mammoth City Wildlife Museum

View taxidermy animals at the Mammoth City Wildlife Museum

© Courtesy of sasimoto - Fotolia.com

The Mammoth City Wildlife Museum is a 14,000 square foot gallery that hosts an impressive collection of taxidermy animals and preserved insects and marine life. Guests will see real, preserved animals such as lions, leopards, bears, deer, sheep, and tigers. The museum also has a large insect collection as well as many stuffed birds. The wildlife museum is open daily, with extended hours in the summer.

Address: 409 Harper Valley Road, Cave City, KY 42127, Phone: 270-773-2255

Go on an adventure with Green River Canoeing

Go on an adventure with Green River Canoeing

© Green River Canoeing

The rolling hills and natural rivers and streams of Kentucky make it an excellent place for kayaking and canoeing. Green River Canoeing offers canoe and kayak rentals and shuttle service to and from the Green River. Trips go through Mammoth Cave National Park and range in length from a few hours to a few days. Boaters can view woodland scenery, beautiful river bluffs, and native Kentucky wildlife, all from the water. Camping is available along the river, and fishing without a state license is allowed inside the park. Reservations are required for overnight trips.

Address: 3057 Mammoth Cave Road, Cave City, KY 42127, Phone: 270-773-5712

Sign up for Mammoth Cave Adventures

Sign up for Mammoth Cave Adventures

© Mammoth Cave Adventures

Mammoth Cave Adventures is home to the only zip-line canopy tour in central Kentucky. Guests can take in 60 acres of the Kentucky wilderness from two separate courses while reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. The park also contains Kentucky's only vertical free-fall tower, the Mammoth Cave Drop Tower, and a 40-foot giant pendulum swing. For the less adventurous, one-hour guided horseback rides through the nearby forests can also be purchased here. Tours may be cancelled in inclement weather.

Address: 1994 Roy Hunter Road, Cave City, KY 42127, Phone: 270-773-6087

Book a trip with Mammoth Cave Canoe and Kayak

Book a trip with Mammoth Cave Canoe and Kayak

© Mammoth Cave Canoe and Kayak

One of the best ways to view the beautiful forests and hills of Mammoth Cave National Park is by boat. Mammoth Cave Canoe and Kayak offers boat rentals and transportation to the Green River, which winds throughout the park, and trips ranging from four hours to three days are also available. All trips are easy in difficulty and contain no rapids. Native Kentucky animals such as deer, squirrels, chipmunks, turtles, and more can all be seen from the water. Float trips are offered daily, and no reservation is required except for large groups.

Address: 1240 Old Mammoth Cave Road, Cave City, KY 42127, Phone: 877-59CANOE

Where to Eat in Cave City, KY

  • Recommended for Families: Big Mo’s Pizza – Friendly spot with pizza, sandwiches, and a family-friendly arcade area.
  • For Southern Cooking: Bucky Bee’s BBQ – Casual smokehouse serving ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and all the classic sides.
  • For a Casual Meal: El Mazatlan – Local favorite Mexican restaurant with generous portions and colorful décor.

If you are interested in local events:

  • For History Fans: Mammoth Cave Discovery Day (July) – Special events, ranger programs, and tours celebrating the park’s legacy.
  • For Families: Jellystone Park™ Halloween Weekends (September–October) – Costume contests, trick-or-treating, and campsite decorating.
  • For Shoppers: Cave City Cars and Crafts Festival (Spring/Fall) – Local artisans, classic cars, food vendors, and family fun.

Day Trip Itineraries Within 30 Minutes of Cave City, KY:

  • For Outdoor Fun: Mammoth Cave National Park (10–15 min) – Spend the day hiking, kayaking, or taking a cave tour.
  • For History Buffs: South Union Shaker Village (30 min) – Tour restored buildings and learn about the Shaker way of life.
  • For Family Adventures: Beech Bend Park (Bowling Green) (30 min) – Amusement park with rides, water slides, and a raceway.
  • For Corvette Fans: National Corvette Museum (30 min) – See classic and concept cars at this museum in Bowling Green.
  • For Scenic Driving: Kentucky’s Cave Country Trail (starts in Cave City) – Drive through rolling hills, farmland, and karst landscapes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Cave City is a unique tourist destination that offers visitors two areas to explore.
  • Cave City lies in the state of Kentucky, close to the Mammoth Cave National Park.
  • There are shops, restaurants, museums, and other attractions on the surface.
  • Below the surface, visitors can explore the extensive network of caves, offering guided tours and underground adventures.

At a Glance:

Best Time to Visit Places to Stay Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Pleasant temperatures, blossoming nature, and ideal cave-exploration conditions. Sleep Inn & Suites Cave City – Comfortable accommodations close to local attractions. Tour Mammoth Cave National Park – Explore the world's longest cave system and scenic hiking trails.
Summer (June-August) – Warm weather perfect for family activities and outdoor adventures. Comfort Inn & Suites Cave City – Convenient lodging with easy access to area attractions. Visit Kentucky Action Park – Enjoy horseback riding, ziplines, and amusement activities.
Fall (September-November) – Mild temperatures, vibrant foliage, and fewer crowds. Historic Wigwam Village No. 2 – Unique accommodations in historic teepee-style rooms. Explore Diamond Caverns – Experience spectacular cave formations and beautiful surroundings.
Winter (December-February) – Cooler weather ideal for cozy indoor exploration and quiet tours. Holiday Inn Express Horse Cave – Comfortable stay just minutes from Cave City attractions. Enjoy quieter cave tours at Mammoth Cave – Take advantage of smaller groups and peaceful winter visits.

Plan Your Trip