Mammoth Caves or Carter Caves

[Southpaw]

If anybody could help I would appreciate it.My two children want to go to mammoth caves or carter caves when I have a few days off in the coming weeks.I live off the AA highway here in Nky.We would probally spend the night just to let them swim and enjoy the area.Any pros or cons would help.It has been 25 yrs since I have been to mammoth and honestly I dont remember a whole lot.And I have never been to carter caves. Any fun tips or good places to eat and nice motels would help.Thanks in advance. Southpaw

[westkybanded]

Might want to check out Kentucky Down Under:

http://www.kdu.com/

Lots of stuff for the kids to do and critters to look at. Great time of year to go since the cave is nice and cool. I dont' know how young your kids are, but some of the mammoth cave tours will get monotinous for them. Kind of a seen one rock, seen em all kind of thing. It's also close enough to Mammoth that if you still want to do that you could hit it the next day. I went last year with my son's preschool and we all had a blast!

[KYCatBirdHunter]

I'm from Carter County, and I will say that Carter Caves is pretty awesome (especially some of the unguided ones, but I wouldn't recommend those for a family). Of course, Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world, and unfortunately I've never been, but I'm sure it's phenomenal.

[pastorbass]

I live about 30 minutes from Mammoth Cave. It's not a bad vacation spot for an overnight get-a-way. Since the cave system is the longest in the world it's definately worth checking out. The cave system is massive and beautiful and there are several different types of tours you can take to meet your families needs (different sites, distances, times, ect)

The kids will love Kentucky down under - a nice cave, but the animals are the best. There are some putt putt places and some go cart tracks as well.

Stay away from Dinosaur World, it's a tourist trap. For the hefty admission price all you do is walk around and look at a few big plastic, unrealistic looking dinosaurs.

Cave City isn't much - several places to eat, but the town itself is kind of run down. In Cave City though, you're just a hop and skip to Glasgow and Barren River Lake. Horse Cave is close by and they have a really nice theatre to take in a play ( The KY Repatory Theatre) you're only about 30 minutes from Bowling Green with some really nice hotels, Corvette Museum and Corvette plant.

I hope this helps.

[BigDaddy]

Mammoth Cave is great! Great place to go for all ages. The cave is awesome to say the least. I think I may plan another trip w/ the family at the end of the summer. Make sure you go on the Green River trip.

Bowling Green is a must. I need some more tourist dollars thrown my way. According to the locals tourism is what makes BG go round ;)

[MsgMills]

My wife's wanting to go to Mammoth Cave real bad, so I guess were going while she is on vacation. She said there's supposed to be a restaurant in the cave. So if your hungry you can eat in the cave, it's so easy even a Cave Man could do it....lol.......:D

[TheToons]

we love mammoth cave and have been several times. last time there, we also went to ky down under and loved it! there is a nice chain hotel across the highway from ky down under with a nice indoor pool! (?hampton inn?)

[RTC]

Cave City isn't much

thanks for sales pitch preacher!


Cave City and Mammoth Cave are great places for anyone to visit, check it out

http://www.cavecity.com/

[westkybanded]

thanks for sales pitch preacher!


Cave City and Mammoth Cave are great places for anyone to visit, check it out

http://www.cavecity.com/

Problem is that he's right...

[Brewtus]

We just camped at Carter caves this past weekend. Nice pool. Caves are not real big but worth the trip. We went horse back riding and played putt putt. Prices were good. You don't need cave reservations ahead of time like you do at Mammoth. Kentucky Down Under is great for kids, but thats a one day deal.

[pastorbass]

[quote=RTC;429890]thanks for sales pitch preacher!


Sorry to knock on your hometown there. I'm from a little place called Liberty and I now live in a tiny community called Hammonsville. Nothing wrong with any of those places - they just don't offer a whole lot

And you have to admit some of those motels are a little "iffy"

[Valley Station]

Don't think Cave City offers all the "bright neon lights" of Vegas or "tourist trap facilities" of the Smokies, but, for a nice break from the "rat race", it's a nice area. No traffic jams, low crime, decent motels and restaurants, close to Nolin and Barren Lakes.
Also, a word of caution, please slow down it's Amish country.
Would think the "lights would shine pretty bright" compared to Hammondsville.

[pastorbass]

We don't have any lights in Hammonsville :)

[RTC]

I know what you mean about the "iffy" motels. Pretty much everything up and down the 31-W corridor was wiped out when I-65 came through but these motels have somehow managed to remain open for the most part.

No doubt we could use a good sprucing up and we are working on it.

Don't forget the Wigwams! Only 2 places in the US where they exist.