Horse Cave KentuckyATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Horse Cave, Kentucky.
1. Hidden River Cave & American Cave Museum
UNDERGROUND RIVERS AND BRIDGE
Hidden River Cave features one of Kentucky's largest and most scenic cave entrances where visitors can explore two subterranean rivers flowing over one-hundred feet below ground. Visitors can walk across the world's longest underground swinging bridge and experience sites unseen since 1943. The cave offers various adventure options including guided tours, wild cave adventures, zip-lining across the cave entrance, and rappelling down into the massive opening.
2. Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo
AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS AND CAVES
Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo is an interactive animal park where visitors can have up-close encounters with animals from around the world, including the chance to roam with kangaroos. Guests can become a tree perch for Rainbow Lorikeets while feeding them nectar and watch border collies demonstrate their herding skills with sheep. The attraction also includes a beautiful historic cave tour, making it a full day of family-friendly adventure.
3. Mammoth Onyx Cave
STUNNING CAVE FORMATIONS
Mammoth Onyx Cave offers visitors the chance to explore beautiful underground formations in Kentucky's cave country. The cave features impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and flowing onyx formations that have formed over thousands of years. Guided tours take visitors through this natural wonder, providing educational information about cave geology and the history of the area.
4. Dutch Country Safari Park
DRIVE-THROUGH WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
The Dutch Country Safari Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to observe exotic animals in a natural setting just outside Horse Cave. Visitors can drive through the park in their own vehicles, encountering various species of animals they may have never seen before. This family-friendly attraction provides memorable experiences for all ages while learning about wildlife conservation.
5. Horse Cave Heritage Festival
ANNUAL COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
The Horse Cave Heritage Festival is an annual celebration that brings together locals and visitors to experience the culture and history of the region. The festival features craft artisans, family-friendly games, and displays of antique tractors, cars, and trucks throughout the downtown area. Attendees can also enjoy an array of food booths and business vendors, making it a perfect way to experience the community spirit of Horse Cave.
6. Mammoth Cave National Park
WORLD'S LONGEST CAVE SYSTEM
Mammoth Cave National Park protects the world's longest known cave system, with more than 365 miles of explored passages. Visitors can choose from a variety of guided cave tours that showcase the massive chambers, complex labyrinths, and unique formations found underground. The park also offers beautiful hiking trails that can be enjoyed at no cost, allowing guests to experience breathtaking nature above ground as well.
7. Horse Cave KOA Campground
BASE FOR CAVE COUNTRY EXPLORATION
The Horse Cave KOA Campground serves as an ideal base for exploring the numerous attractions in the historic cave country region. Located just 10 miles from Mammoth Cave National Park and within 5 miles of many other area attractions, this campground provides convenient access to the region's natural wonders. Visitors can enjoy comfortable accommodations while planning daily adventures to nearby caves and wildlife attractions.
8. Kentucky Repertory Theatre
HISTORIC PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
The Kentucky Repertory Theatre, located in downtown Horse Cave, is a cultural landmark offering professional theatrical performances throughout the year. This historic venue has welcomed audiences for decades, presenting a diverse range of plays from classic works to contemporary productions. The intimate setting provides visitors with an immersive arts experience while contributing to the cultural vibrancy of Horse Cave.
9. Dennison's Roadside Market
LOCAL FLAVORS AND PRODUCE
Dennison's Roadside Market offers visitors a taste of local Kentucky flavors with fresh, seasonal produce and homemade products. This family-owned market has been serving the Horse Cave community and travelers alike, providing farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, and regional specialties. Visitors can sample authentic Kentucky treats and purchase souvenirs that capture the agricultural heritage of the area.
10. Crystal Onyx Cave
COLORFUL UNDERGROUND FORMATIONS
Crystal Onyx Cave, located near Horse Cave in Cave City, showcases stunning underground formations with brilliant colors and unique crystal structures. Tours guide visitors through chambers filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and flowing onyx formations created over thousands of years. The cave maintains a constant comfortable temperature year-round, making it a perfect attraction in any season.
11. Guntown Mountain
WILD WEST THEME PARK
Guntown Mountain, now known as Froggett's Guntown Mountain, offers visitors a nostalgic Wild West experience near the Horse Cave area. This historic attraction features staged gunfights, western-themed shows, and buildings recreating an old frontier town. Families can step back in time to experience the atmosphere of the American Old West through interactive exhibits and entertainment.
12. Diamond Caverns
DAZZLING CAVE DECORATIONS
Diamond Caverns, located near Horse Cave in Park City, features some of the most beautiful cave decorations in Kentucky's cave country. Guided tours take visitors through passages lined with dramatic drapery formations, massive flowstone, and thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. The cavern's calcite formations shimmer like diamonds when illuminated, creating a magical underground experience for all ages.
13. Dinosaur World
PREHISTORIC OUTDOOR MUSEUM
Dinosaur World, located near Horse Cave in Cave City, is an outdoor museum featuring over 150 life-size dinosaur models set among natural surroundings. Visitors can walk through the prehistoric setting, dig for fossils in the Boneyard, and discover genuine artifacts in the museum section. This family-friendly attraction combines education and entertainment, making prehistoric times come alive for dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages.
14. Nolin Lake State Park
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
Nolin Lake State Park, situated in the greater Horse Cave region, offers visitors access to a 5,795-acre lake surrounded by beautiful Kentucky landscapes. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking along the shoreline and through the forested areas. The park provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography while serving as a peaceful retreat from the more frequented cave attractions.
15. Historic Downtown Horse Cave
CHARMING MAIN STREET EXPERIENCE
Historic Downtown Horse Cave invites visitors to stroll along its charming Main Street lined with historic buildings and local businesses. The unique downtown area sits above Hidden River Cave, creating a distinctive setting where visitors can experience both surface attractions and underground wonders. Shops, restaurants, and historical markers throughout downtown provide insights into the community's rich heritage and connection to the cave systems below.