Anyone been to Mammoth Caves? (1 Viewer)

[lombardi]

Family and I headed to Kentucky next week (one of the three states I have left to visit!), has anyone been?

Lots of cave options, was wondering if anyone had suggestions on which tour to pick.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Lived in Kentucky for a while and visited lots of them, this is the best time we ever had...

http://hiddenrivercave.com/

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Recall going as a kid and tour guide saying how fresh and pure the air was and then got yelled at by my mom for ripping a super rank silent fart

Recently went to Lost River Cave...it was kinda meh but kids were like 5,2,1 at the time so it worked for us

 

[urbanhack]

My parents when there on their honeymoon back in 65.

 

[Politician Spock]

If your in the mood for some comedy, you've got to visit the Creation Museum.

I hear they added zip lines!

 

[flapgreen]

Recall going as a kid and tour guide saying how fresh and pure the air was and then got yelled at by my mom for ripping a super rank silent fart

Recently went to Lost River Cave...it was kinda meh but kids were like 5,2,1 at the time so it worked for us

Lost River? Do live in Kentucky? I'm from there but don't expect many people on here to know what that is. Went to Mammoth Cave a lot growing up but don't remember any specific tours.We has a lot of caves in my hometown we used to explore on our own. Very cool

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Recall going as a kid and tour guide saying how fresh and pure the air was and then got yelled at by my mom for ripping a super rank silent fart

Recently went to Lost River Cave...it was kinda meh but kids were like 5,2,1 at the time so it worked for us

Lost River? Do live in Kentucky? I'm from there but don't expect many people on here to know what that is. Went to Mammoth Cave a lot growing up but don't remember any specific tours.We has a lot of caves in my hometown we used to explore on our own. Very cool

No I was just searching for Kentucky cave tours or something like that. Drove from Michigan to Tennessee and wanted to break up the trip a bit and that seemed like a good one for small children

 

[Jack White]

Went as a kid and it was great.

 

[General Malaise]

I too went as a kid and remember it being very cool. I remember them turning off the lights at one point and the darkness was, well, dark. And I think I recall an albino fish, but that might have been me looking in a mirror.

 

[flapgreen]

I remember one that you go deep into the cave and take a boat inside the cave. Really cool. All of Mammoth Cave is cool. My school used to take field trips there.

 

[lombardi]

They don't do the boat tour anymore, too much environmental impact. Boooo

There are about a dozen different tours. From a quick 1/4 walk to a 6mile hike/crawl/scramble. A couple of them are lit completely by lanterns you hold. Lots of variety. We're there for two days and trying to decide which tour or two we should take.

Also going to try to go on the Louisville slugger factory tour and yes, we're heading up to the Creation museum as well.

I'm not a big horse racing fan but it might be cool to check out Churchill Downs. Also don't drink so the bourbon tours aren't going to do much for me, or the kids.

Any other suggestions in Kentucky?

 

[Dan Lambskin]

They don't do the boat tour anymore, too much environmental impact. Boooo

There are about a dozen different tours. From a quick 1/4 walk to a 6mile hike/crawl/scramble. A couple of them are lit completely by lanterns you hold. Lots of variety. We're there for two days and trying to decide which tour or two we should take.

Also going to try to go on the Louisville slugger factory tour and yes, we're heading up to the Creation museum as well.

I'm not a big horse racing fan but it might be cool to check out Churchill Downs. Also don't drink so the bourbon tours aren't going to do much for me, or the kids.

Any other suggestions in Kentucky?

Live racing at CD doesn't resume until September so you can cross that off

 

[UOFI_316]

Went multiple times as a kid during various road trips. When I was old enough I did the longer hike where you are off the normal route, army crawling through some small opening, have a hard hat with a light on it... That one was fun for me, not so much for my sister who realized she was claustrophobic.

 

[General Malaise]

They don't do the boat tour anymore, too much environmental impact. Boooo

There are about a dozen different tours. From a quick 1/4 walk to a 6mile hike/crawl/scramble. A couple of them are lit completely by lanterns you hold. Lots of variety. We're there for two days and trying to decide which tour or two we should take.

Also going to try to go on the Louisville slugger factory tour and yes, we're heading up to the Creation museum as well.

I'm not a big horse racing fan but it might be cool to check out Churchill Downs. Also don't drink so the bourbon tours aren't going to do much for me, or the kids.

Any other suggestions in Kentucky?

Live racing at CD doesn't resume until September so you can cross that off

Don't they have a museum or something on site?

 

[Dan Lambskin]

They don't do the boat tour anymore, too much environmental impact. Boooo

There are about a dozen different tours. From a quick 1/4 walk to a 6mile hike/crawl/scramble. A couple of them are lit completely by lanterns you hold. Lots of variety. We're there for two days and trying to decide which tour or two we should take.

Also going to try to go on the Louisville slugger factory tour and yes, we're heading up to the Creation museum as well.

I'm not a big horse racing fan but it might be cool to check out Churchill Downs. Also don't drink so the bourbon tours aren't going to do much for me, or the kids.

Any other suggestions in Kentucky?

Live racing at CD doesn't resume until September so you can cross that off

Don't they have a museum or something on site?

I think so...not positive if it's open year round or not.

 

[hagmania]

Most of the "touristy" locations are located down the middle of the state on I-65 - Louisville, Mammoth Cave, Bowling Green, especially if you're not drinking along the bourbon tour. Mammoth Cave isn't exactly close to Louisville, but Churchill Downs and Louisville Slugger would be fine tours in the city. The Corvette Museum is in Bowling Green, not too far from the Mammoth Cave area.
Up by Cincinnati OH, the Newport Aquarium is one of the best in the country imo.

Other parts of the state: western Kentucky is lots of rolling hills and very pretty rural scenery. Not much going on as far as tourist stops if you are west of I-65 - I'm from that part, nice to live in imo, but not much going on in the tourism department. Far to the southeast corner of the state is very gorgeous mountain scenery at Cumberland Gap and Falls.

Edit: East of Louisville along I-64 you'd pass by Fort Knox, the state capital Frankfort, Lexington (Versailles is some ridiculously nice horse country), and Ashland before you got out of the state.

 

[Politician Spock]

the state capital Frankfort,

I do a lot of traveling for work.... and Frankfort is the most boring city I have accounts in. I loathe going there so much that I book a hotel on the north side of Lexington and commute. And Lexington ain't exactly high on the list of exciting cities either unless you are into horse racing or UofK, but at least it has far better restaurants than Frankfort, and I don't like to waste company bought dinners on crap.

 

[lombardi]

Most of the "touristy" locations are located down the middle of the state on I-65 - Louisville, Mammoth Cave, Bowling Green, especially if you're not drinking along the bourbon tour. Mammoth Cave isn't exactly close to Louisville, but Churchill Downs and Louisville Slugger would be fine tours in the city. The Corvette Museum is in Bowling Green, not too far from the Mammoth Cave area.
Up by Cincinnati OH, the Newport Aquarium is one of the best in the country imo.

Other parts of the state: western Kentucky is lots of rolling hills and very pretty rural scenery. Not much going on as far as tourist stops if you are west of I-65 - I'm from that part, nice to live in imo, but not much going on in the tourism department. Far to the southeast corner of the state is very gorgeous mountain scenery at Cumberland Gap and Falls.

Edit: East of Louisville along I-64 you'd pass by Fort Knox, the state capital Frankfort, Lexington (Versailles is some ridiculously nice horse country), and Ashland before you got out of the state.

My kids love aquarium, I'll check that out thanks.

Any must stop places to eat in those areas? Bowling Green, Louisville, Cincinatti? Local food (besides Bourbon) I need to try while I'm in Kentucky/Ohio?

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Most of the "touristy" locations are located down the middle of the state on I-65 - Louisville, Mammoth Cave, Bowling Green, especially if you're not drinking along the bourbon tour. Mammoth Cave isn't exactly close to Louisville, but Churchill Downs and Louisville Slugger would be fine tours in the city. The Corvette Museum is in Bowling Green, not too far from the Mammoth Cave area.

Up by Cincinnati OH, the Newport Aquarium is one of the best in the country imo.

Other parts of the state: western Kentucky is lots of rolling hills and very pretty rural scenery. Not much going on as far as tourist stops if you are west of I-65 - I'm from that part, nice to live in imo, but not much going on in the tourism department. Far to the southeast corner of the state is very gorgeous mountain scenery at Cumberland Gap and Falls.

Edit: East of Louisville along I-64 you'd pass by Fort Knox, the state capital Frankfort, Lexington (Versailles is some ridiculously nice horse country), and Ashland before you got out of the state.

My kids love aquarium, I'll check that out thanks.

Any must stop places to eat in those areas? Bowling Green, Louisville, Cincinatti? Local food (besides Bourbon) I need to try while I'm in Kentucky/Ohio?

For Louisville:

If you like TexMex, hit Tumbleweed just east of downtown on the river is great. Sit out on the porch and watch the boats go by on the Ohio River. There is a city park right next door for the kids to run around and get their energy out.

If you'd like to hit a local BBQ joint, hit either Marks Feedstore on Bardstown Road or OLE Hickory Pit on Shepardsville Road.

Highly recommend all three of these places.

 

[flapgreen]

Cincinnati is awesome. I'm from southern Kentucky and there isn't crap to do in the entire state unless you like caves or hiking in the mountains in the East. Red River Gorge if you're going in the vicinity of Lexington. Coolest spot in the entire state.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Another very cool thing to do if you have the time, I highly recommend in Louisville, is the Belle of Louisville paddleboat tour. Its only like an hour- hour and a half, I think and gives you a great view of the city from the River. Pretty reasonably priced too if I remember right.

 

[SWC]

back in the day that is just what we called yo momma bromigo

 

[Politician Spock]

Most of the "touristy" locations are located down the middle of the state on I-65 - Louisville, Mammoth Cave, Bowling Green, especially if you're not drinking along the bourbon tour. Mammoth Cave isn't exactly close to Louisville, but Churchill Downs and Louisville Slugger would be fine tours in the city. The Corvette Museum is in Bowling Green, not too far from the Mammoth Cave area.
Up by Cincinnati OH, the Newport Aquarium is one of the best in the country imo.

Other parts of the state: western Kentucky is lots of rolling hills and very pretty rural scenery. Not much going on as far as tourist stops if you are west of I-65 - I'm from that part, nice to live in imo, but not much going on in the tourism department. Far to the southeast corner of the state is very gorgeous mountain scenery at Cumberland Gap and Falls.

Edit: East of Louisville along I-64 you'd pass by Fort Knox, the state capital Frankfort, Lexington (Versailles is some ridiculously nice horse country), and Ashland before you got out of the state.

My kids love aquarium, I'll check that out thanks.

Any must stop places to eat in those areas? Bowling Green, Louisville, Cincinatti? Local food (besides Bourbon) I need to try while I'm in Kentucky/Ohio?

You can get a Hot Brown sandwich at the Brown Hotel in Louisville.

I wasn't impressed by it, but it is a "famous" sandwich for whatever reason.

ETA: youtube Man vs Food at the Brwon Hotel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP7d5qtU0u4

 

[lombardi]

Wow, the gorge looks amazing.

Hot Brown looks interesting but the original place looks a bit pricey for a sandwich for a family of 5 travelling on a budget.

Tumbleweed looks fun.

 

[flapgreen]

The Gorge is unbelievable and one of the coolest spots in the Eastern US.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

I live just on the edge of the Gorge and it is a great place for hiking and rock climbing. Cabin rentals are generally pretty cheap but sometimes fill up this time of year, especially on weekends. Natural Bridge State Park is right there and has some relatively easy trails. Koomer Ridge Campground is also very family friendly.

If you come this way, the "it" place to eat is Miguel's Pizza. I personally prefer the Rockhouse Cafe and Sky Bridge Station (but it only serves gourmet hotdogs and quesadillas).

Of course it is a pretty good haul from here to Mammoth Cave (3.5 hours or so), but if you are in the Lexington area, it's an easy (4 lane the entire way) 1-hour drive...

 

[WampusCat43]

Cincinnati (actually Newport, KY) has the Duck tour. Will show you the sights and take you down into the river. There's also a big arcade at the Levee where you pick up the Duck. The Aquarium is also there.

 

[WampusCat43]

I too went as a kid and remember it being very cool. I remember them turning off the lights at one point and the darkness was, well, dark. And I think I recall an albino fish, but that might have been me looking in a mirror.

I remember this room. The guide talked it up the whole way - "We're going to turn off the lights and you'll see what total darkness and silence is like..." She flipped that switch and some baby flipped out. Sounded like an air raid siren.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

I too went as a kid and remember it being very cool. I remember them turning off the lights at one point and the darkness was, well, dark. And I think I recall an albino fish, but that might have been me looking in a mirror.

I remember this room. The guide talked it up the whole way - "We're going to turn off the lights and you'll see what total darkness and silence is like..." She flipped that switch and some baby flipped out. Sounded like an air raid siren.

can imagine..that is utter pitch dark down there when they do that..

 

[hagmania]

I did fail to mention the Gorge, but echoing the beauty of it.