This post was originally published in 2016, however, much of the information was distorted due to the migration in web services. With this in mind, I’m recreating this post with updated family travel tips, never-published photos, a checklist for your own family adventure planning, and a podcast from Fit Life Creation.
In September 2016, the boys and I took our annual fall vacation. This time it was to Cave City, Kentucky about four hours from where we reside in Illinois. Over three days, we were able to visit seven attractions that are an absolute MUST SEE while visiting Cave City, Kentucky.
Day 1 | Dinosaur World
First things first, whenever you are setting out on an adventure with children, it is a great idea to have a plan in place. It doesn’t have to be a strict plan, but a more flexible approach will work best.
Our first stop was Dinosaur World located at 711 Mammoth Cave Road in Cave City, KY. Dinosaur World is a did-friendly, mostly open-air attraction with life-size dinosaur replicas and hands-on activities. Admission is affordable, parking is free, and you can enjoy your lunch in the picnic areas within the park. We enjoyed our visit and spent about two hours exploring the outdoor theme park.
Personal Tip: Head to the dollar store and pick out a small dinosaur toy and dinosaur-themed activity book. Within the hour of approaching Dinosaur World, give your children the activity book to stay busy, but also begin thinking about everything that they may see as they explore the park.
I would also encourage you to hand them a plastic dinosaur and challenge them to find their dinosaur. It’s a great way to keep your children engaged throughout the duration of the visit.
Read More: Dinosaur World, Cave City, Kentucky, and Dinosaur World, Plant City, Florida
Day 1 | Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Mammoth Cave
After leaving Dinosaur World, we headed to Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Mammoth Cave located at 950 Mammoth Cave Road in Cave City, KY to check into our cabin. We rented a cabin for a few days and stayed on Boo Boos Way.
Staying here was a great idea because when we were exploring attractions in Cave City, the boys and I could explore more of what the campground offered. The boys really enjoyed playing putt-putt, the playground, and jumping pillow – just to name a few activities available within the campground.
If you are unfamiliar with this resort, it’s more than just a campground. It’s a Jellystone Park™. It includes a variety of family cabins, camping, and RV sites. While there, I made sure to document our journey with my Polaroid Snap.
Podcast Here on BabyBoomer.Org | One Day in Cave City, KY: Itinerary to Transform and Travel with Just Brennon
Cave Country Go Karts | Now Closed
Once we were checked in, we headed back out to see what other attractions were nearby that we hadn’t planned. After a short drive, we stopped at Cave Country Go Karts where we all raced the outdoor track and the boys spent some time indoors on the bumper cars. Again, the activities were reasonably priced at the time. Since then, this attraction has closed, but there are still several things that you can do in the area.
After spending about an hour there at Cave Country Go Karts, we headed back to our cabin to get dinner started on the grill and a fire started for SMORE’S.
Guest Blog Here | One Day in Cave City, KY: Itinerary to Transform and Travel
Day 2 | Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, Mammoth Onyx Cave, and Mammoth Cave National Park
On the morning of Day 2, we were supposed to rise early to catch the first cave tour at Mammoth Cave National Park, but the boys were pretty tired and wanted to sleep in. This is why I suggest having a flexible schedule is important. Unexpected situations arise, from tired children to inclement weather, and being adaptable can make the difference between a memorable trip and a stressful one.
Although we skipped the Mammoth Cave National Park cave tour, we were able to revisit Mammoth Cave National Park on another trip, but also visit Mammoth Onyx Cave while visiting Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo.
Once the boys were finally awake and ready, we headed to Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo. Not only is this an amazing place to get extremely close to live animals such as emus and kangaroos, but there is also an option to tour Mammoth Onyx Cave, which we did.
After touring the cave, I felt better about missing our previously planned cave tour because the Mammoth Onyx Cave was only 30 minutes long – just enough for my then-six-year-old. He wasn’t the happiest in the cave because it was dark, and raining, and sprickets (spider + crickets) where everywhere, but thankfully, I was able to capture a blurry, cell phone photo of the boys smiling.
After spending about four hours at Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, we headed back to our cabin on Boo Boo Way to spend time at the resort. And, even though it was off-season, they still had activities going on that the boys could enjoy.
Day 3 | Wigwam Village, A Unique Overnight Stay
On our final day, we packed up and checked out. Our original plan was to head to the Wigwam Village for an overnight stay. However, once we arrived, the boys decided they’d rather head home to prepare for the next part of our trip — driving up to Wisconsin to visit the Jelly Belly Candy Factory with my parents.
I was perfectly fine with that change of plans, but I asked if we could see one of the rooms and spend some time at their playground before leaving. They were more than happy to accommodate us.
After spending some time exploring the Wigwam Village, we headed back home making a pit stop in Indianapolis, Indiana at Salsa Verde for tacos and Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream.
Final Thoughts
In summary, Cave City, Kentucky, is full of unique and family-friendly attractions that make it an ideal destination for a short getaway. From exploring life-sized dinosaurs and racing go-karts to touring caves and feeding kangaroos, there’s truly something for everyone.
While our plans changed a bit along the way, the flexibility allowed us to create lasting memories and enjoy new experiences. I hope this post, along with the podcast, inspires you to plan your own Cave City adventure and make unforgettable memories with your loved ones.
Let me know other attractions that would be great to add to this list!
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