Cave City, Kentucky Travel Guide
Welcome to Cave City, Kentucky! Cave City is located in south-central Kentucky and is located near Mammoth Cave National Park. Home to about 2000 residents, Cave City is, as the name implies, full of caves for visitors to explore. These ancient caves aren’t the only attraction in town. Visitors can shop, learn, and spend some time outside too. Cave City is home to several great restaurants to fuel up after a day of adventuring Kentucky. Cave City is located close to several cities including Louisville, Kentucky (1hr 20min, 85 miles), Nashville, Tennessee (1hr 25min, 95 miles), and Lexington, Kentucky (1hr 50min, 125 miles). Plan a trip to Cave City to explore all these caves have to offer!
Cave City, of course, gets its name from the sheer number of caves in the surrounding area. These caves formed hundreds of thousands of years ago, and the most famous is Mammoth Cave. Mammoth Cave National Park was opened as a National Park in 1941 and offers cave tours for one of the longest cave systems in the world. Other activities in the park include hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, and camping for visitors. Reservations are needed for cave tours, so plan ahead. Cave City has its one collection of caves that are less populated than Mammoth Cave. Several popular caves include Diamond Caverns, Crystal Onyx, Hidden River Cave, Outlaw Cave, and Sand Cave. Book tickets in advance if you are able and have a fun time exploring the underground!
Caving not your thing? Cave City has plenty of above ground activities for you. Head to Kentucky Down Under to see zoo animals, Dinosaur World to live out your Jurassic Park dreams, and learn about the wildlife that used to roam the area at Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum. Kayaking is a very popular activity in the area, and there are many outfitters and tours to choose from. Like to shop? Browse merchandise at Paul’s Antiques & Collectibles, Lost and Found Treasures, and Wild Wonderful Gift Shop.
A long day of exploring caves sure works up an appetite! Start your day at Ace Coffee Co for some caffeine, and fuel up on a country style buffet breakfast at Watermill Restaurant (this is a local favorite spot that serves several types of buffets!). Grab lunch at Bucky Bees Bbq of Cave City for barbecue and their beloved baked potatoes, The Dog Pound for hot dogs, or 5 Broke Girls for burgers and sandwiches. For dinner, consider El Mazatlan Bar and Grill #4 for Mexican food and margaritas, or eat at Cave City Pizza to try their popular brussels sprout pizza! Finish off the night with an ice cream flight from Cave City Coffee & Creamery.
With so much to see in Cave City, you may need to spend a few days here. Nearby hotel accommodations include Days Inn, Comfort Inn, and Hampton Inn. Looking to camp? Check out Cave Country RV Campground or Mammoth Cave Campground. Want a whole place to yourself? Consider renting a Vrbo. Here are some of our favorites: Charming Downtown Home for 6, Chill Home for 5, and Farm Homestead for 6.
Whatever you’re into, Cave City, Kentucky has something worth seeing. We hope this travel guide gives you a glimpse into life in Cave City that can inspire a future visit.
Happy Travels!
The Modern Travel Guide
_1_(37805396281).jpg){kind=link}
