Hart County Tourism

11/16/2024

PET ADVENTURES! It's National Take a Hike Day!! Where have you chosen to watch the leaves fall? And who will watch them with you? Take a walk, a hike, a bike ride, a horseback ride, a paddle, or a drive with us to watch the magic happen. And bring a friend!

Find your Hart County trail here 🥾⬇️
https://kygetaway.com/attractions/trails/

Find your pet-friendly adventure here 🐹 ⬇️
https://kygetaway.com/bring-along-the-best-friend-itinerary/


Cave Country Trails
Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes
📷 Sandy Ladd-Russell

11/15/2024

Looking for something vintage, antique, retro, and fun? You'll find that here in Hart County, Kentucky! The sweet Christmas-themed items here are from Hidden River Treasures - Antiques n Collectibles , a relatively new cute shop located on Water Street, just around the corner from Hidden River Cave/American Cave Museum in the heart of Horse Cave's National Register of Historic Places Commercial District.

It's one of the charming shops to browse in the district. Check them all out! While you're in town, check out the American Cave Museum- it's free and fabulous! Tour Hidden River Cave and cross the world's longest underground suspension bridge. Stroll the Horse Cave Stories Cell Phone Tour that has stories from locals about a town growing on top of a cave - the pathway of the cave beneath your feet is outlined in aggregate on the sidewalk and on the trail around Maple Avenue Park that's just behind the historic Thomas House. Stop by the new restaurant in the district, Terrazul, for lunch or dinner. YUM! Small town Christmas? Yes, please!!!

For all the Hart County lodging, dining, shopping, and adventuring info, go to kygetaway.com.



Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Cave Country Trails
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes

11/14/2024

It's CELEBRATION time at Farmwald’s Restaurant and Bakery, located at I-65 Exit 58 in Horse Cave, Kentucky! We join them in celebrating five years of deliciousness at one of Hart County's Amish-owned businesses. See you there this Friday , November 15, 2024 for some great food and shopping! 🍩🥨🥪🍕🍔🍪

If you're in the Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, Hidden River Cave/American Cave Museum, or Horse Cave KOA area, you're in their neck of the woods!

For all of our Hart County lodging, dining, shopping, and adventuring info to help you plan your visit, go to kygetaway.com.



Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes

11/13/2024

Hart County does not go into hibernation for the winter. We have many attractions that are open year round, including Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo. As the animals begin to put on their winter coats, maybe slip into yours, too, and pay them a visit. They will be so excited to see you!

Here's some info about our year-round adventures to inspire you ⬇
https://kygetaway.com/2024/08/26/year-round-fun-in-hart-county-kentucky/

For all of our Hart County info to plan your visit including lodging, dining, shopping, and adventuring, go to kygetaway.com.


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes
Cave Country Trails
📷 Matthew Brown of Wandering Kentucky

11/12/2024

Welcome to Kentucky! Our staff loves to welcome visitors at the tourist info centers at the beautiful I-65 rest areas that are located on both the northbound and southbound side at mile marker 60, just north of the Horse Cave I-65 exit 58. You'll get their expert information, brochures, and maps as well as info from the video. The rest area is open daily, and our staff works the tourist info centers 8:30 am to 3:30 pm 7 days a week from March to December and Friday - Sunday in January and February.

Located in the midst of Kentucky's cave country about halfway point along Interstate 65, halfway between Louisville and Nashville, and halfway between Elizabethtown and Bowling Green, the rest area is a great place to stretch your legs, check out the murals, and get some Kentucky information!

And don't forget that you can access our Hart County lodging, dining, shopping, and adventuring info to help plan your visit at kygetaway.com


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes

11/11/2024

A fall trail ride along the edge of Mammoth Cave National Park? Here's what our friends from Kentucky Road Trips say about theirs.

"Weaving in and out of trees, riding up and down Kentucky’s famous rolling hills, crossing over rocks and logs, meandering by the mouth of a cave. Adventures of Mammoth Cave gave us a genuine Kentucky horseback riding experience.

"Mystery and Judge were our two faithful steeds - our trail guide was both knowledgeable and a fun people person.

"Find out more about adventures near Mammoth Cave National Park and Hart County here: https://roadtripzee.com/journals/hart-county/"

For your November ride, please call them at 270.773.6087 to reserve your adventure. And for all of our Hart County lodging, dining, shopping, and adventuring info, go to kygetaway.com.


Cave Country Trails
Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes

11/10/2024

Did you know that the first Wigwam Village was located on US 31E just east of Horse Cave, KY? Wigwam Village #1 does not stand today, but on the property now is Wigwam General Store, and the residential subdivision and area nearby are referred to by locals as “The Wigwams”, which confuses visitors who assume they are referring to Wigwam Village #2 located on US 31W in nearby Cave City.

There are multiple stories on the internet about the history of the Wigwam Villages, and we’ve pulled an excerpt here from Wandering But Not Lost that we think you’ll find interesting. ⬇

“Frank A. Redford grew up in Hart County, Kentucky. After high school, he landed a job at the United Fruit Company in Honduras where he lived and worked until news of his father’s death brought him back home to be with his mother. During a trip to Calfornia, the two came across a small tepee shaped restaurant in Long Beach that they enjoyed and he never forgot. Seeing an opportunity back home due to the newly recognized Mammoth Cave National Park, located just 11 miles away, Frank set out to attract the cave tourists and built his own version of the tepee experience. What is now referred to as Wigwam #1 was built in 1933 and consisted of a lunchroom and a service station. He had a hit on his hands and in 1935 he added 6 tepee shaped motel rooms along with 2 additional tepee shaped restrooms for the ‘squaws’ and ‘braves’ that were traveling the roads of the day. An Indian Trading Post was built out front to capture the eye of passing visitors (as if the tepees weren’t enough) that sold ice cream, sodas, and souvenirs. His creation was so successful that he was awarded a patent in 1936 for his ‘resort design’.

“Before we go on, let’s take a moment for an architectural debrief. Although Frank called his locations Wigwam Villages, they technically contained no wigwams. A wigwam is a dome-shaped hut or tent made by fastening mats, skins, or bark over a framework of poles versus a tepee which is a portable conical tent made of skins, cloth, or canvas on a frame of poles. I’ve found no definitive reason he fancied wigwam over tepee but just wanted to clear the air on that in case anyone was scratching their head on the nomenclature!

"In 1937, Frank built his second Wigwam Village in Cave City, just 5 miles from the original. This location was better suited to capture the road trippers and was built on a larger scale. It included a larger lunchroom, a gas station, restrooms and 15 motel rooms that were placed in a semi-circle around an open area. Wigwam #2 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

“Villages #3 – #6 were not built by Redford. He held an open patent that allowed others to use the patent but typically pay a licensing fee to use the patent. Village #6 was built in 1950 in Holbrook, Arizona, on Route 66 and is perhaps the most famous of the Villages because of its location on America’s Mother Road. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places list in 2002.

“In 1950, Frank built the last of the Wigwam Villages on Route 66 on the border of San Bernardino and Rialto in California. This version had 19 motel units a lobby building (which varied from his original design) and a connected larger teepee which was built to be a two-story apartment for Redford. Redford lived in this apartment until his death in 1958. Wigwam #7 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.

“Villages #2, #6, & #7 are still in operation today. The others have suffered the fate of progress. Here is the complete list:
• Village #1: Horse Cave, Kentucky
• Village #2: Cave City, Kentucky
• Village #3: New Orleans, Louisiana
• Village #4: Orlando, Florida
• Village #5: Bessemer, Alabama
• Village #6: Holbrook, Arizona
• Village #7: Rialto/San Bernardino, California”
Wandering But Not Lost - https://wanderingbutnotlost.com/project/frank-redfords-wigwam-villages/

If you’re in the Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, Hidden River Cave/American Cave Museum, or Dennison's Roadside Market area, check out Wigwam Village #2 in neighboring Cave City as well as the site of Wigwam Village #1, “The Wigwams” area just east of Horse Cave. We recommend a photo by the mural on the side of the Wigwam General Store and the burgers, fried bologna, curly fries, and best sweet tea in the area.

For all of our lodging, dining, shopping, and adventuring info, go to kygetaway.com.


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes
📷 Historic Mammoth Cave, JC Phelps

11/09/2024

It's beginning to look like a small town Christmas in the downtown Horse Cave shops! Add a stop and find something special for the holidays!

🎄 GeeGa's Home Decor
🎄 Hidden River Treasures - Antiques n Collectibles
🎄 JunkinGypsy
🎄 Treasured Creations
🎄 Caveland Antique Mall
🎄 Sugar Sank
🎄 The Hanger Boutique

For shopping info, go to https://kygetaway.com/attraction_category/shop/

And go to kygetaway.com to plan your Hart County visit!


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes

11/08/2024

YUM! Fish Friday at Farmwald’s Restaurant and Bakery. Snag a donut, too! 🍩

Come by and eat today! Friday fish dinners available!

11/08/2024

"The Most Quaint Must-Visit Small Towns in Kentucky" - oh yes, we have that! Check out this new feature!

"HORSE CAVE- In addition to the cool name, the town of Horse Cave has plenty of adventures and sights to behold. For one, the town is home to Hidden River Cave, which is the world’s longest suspension bridge that’s underground. You can access it right from Main Street. Walk through the cave, and you’ll be amazed at what you see. In fact, the whole area is considered a National Register of Commercial Places Historic District. Then, stop by the American Cave Museum, where you can learn the history of the cave. For something completely different, stop by the Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, where you can see real-life kangaroos. Then, go to the Dutch Country Safari Park and see real-life camels right there in the middle of Kentucky. When you’re hungry, head to Farmwald’s Restaurant and Bakery for their famous pies. You’ll never run out of fun things to do in Horse Cave, KY."

Here's a link to the Newsbreak article by Justin Zipprich so you can check out the other small Kentucky towns! ⬇
https://www.newsbreak.com/moms-who-think-1718458/3659376942818-the-most-quaint-must-visit-small-towns-in-kentucky

If you like quaint and cool small towns, go to kygetaway.com to plan your visit!


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Cave Country Trails
Hidden River Cave/American Cave Museum
Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo
Dutch Country Safari Park
Farmwald’s Restaurant and Bakery

11/07/2024

Another beautiful season to stay among the trees at Horse Cave KOA.

📍 If you're traveling along I-65.
📍If you're visiting Mammoth Cave National Park.
📍 If you're caving at Hidden River Cave/American Cave Museum.
📍 If you're meeting kangaroos at Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo.
📍 If you're walking, hiking, cycling, paddling one of our trails.
📍 If you're visiting our Amish-owned businesses.
📍 If you're browsing downtown shops or Dennison's Roadside Market.
📍 If you're driving the Hart County Barn Quilt Trail.
📍 If you want to be away from it all & also near it all!

For all the reasons to plan a Hart County, Kentucky adventure - mild or wild- go to kygetaway.com


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Cave Country Trails
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes

11/06/2024

"A moderate walk (or very short drive!) down the hill from downtown Munfordville, you'll find Thelma Stovall Park and the Green River Arboretum. Among other accomplishments, Stovall is notable for being the first woman elected as Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.

"There are playgrounds, soccer fields, and a disc golf course down there, but it's the walking trail that always gets my attention. There is history dotted along the way, reminders of how important the Green River was and still is. I think it is interesting that Jenny Lind crossed on Amos' Ferry and spent the night at the old inn up the hill.

"You can do a little hiking while you're in the park, and even a bit of camping in certain places. It's also a great spot to launch a kayak! Definitely worth checking out when you're visiting Munfordville!" - Matthew Brown Wandering Kentucky

Add a totally free lovely stop along your Hart County adventure at Thelma Stovall Park and the Green River Arboretum in downtown Munfordville. Take a picnic lunch. let the kids enjoy the playground. launch your kayak on the Green River, stroll the walking trail along the river banks, hike the Jenny Wilson Byrd Memorial Trail to Johnson Springs, play some disc golf or pickleball.

If you'd like to add free stops on your Hart County adventure, we have several including parks, music, walking tours, and museums! Just go here to check them out ⬇
https://kygetaway.com/hart-county-ky-attractions/free-fun/

For all of our lodging, dining, shopping, and adventuring info, go to kygetaway.com.


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Cave Country Trails
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes

11/05/2024

This is such a touching clip! These interactive adventures happen every day year round at Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo!

Plan your Hart County adventure at kygetaway.com.


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes

11/05/2024

Go ladies!

11/05/2024

Celebrate Veterans Day, Monday November 11, with a Hart County adventure and eat at Terrazul Mexican Grill in downtown Horse Cave who will be offering a 15% discount with proof of military service.

For all of our Hart County lodging, dining, shopping, and adventuring info, go to kygetaway.com.


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes

11/04/2024

SCHEDULE UPDATE: Dennison's Roadside Market will be open until November 23 this year, but the hours will be 8 am to 4 pm central Monday - Saturday for the month of November. It's time to grab some of the fresh produce, fried pies, caramel apples, sourdough bread, jams, jellies, spices, honey, meats, homemade salsa and tomato juice and gifts! For your table, your campsite, your holiday, your adventuring!

If you're in the Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, Hidden River Cave/American Cave Museum, Horse Cave KOA, or Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park area, you're in the neighborhood for some delicious Kentucky food!

For our Hart County lodging, dining, shopping, and adventuring info to help you plan a trip, go to kygetaway.com.


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes
Kentucky Proud

11/03/2024

"Horse Cave has a pretty cool walking tour, with two things that set it apart.

"For one, you can call in to the phone number and hear more about each stop that way, getting more information than could reasonably be put on a signpost. You could even listen to part of it as you walk, if you want to save a little time.

"The other unique feature is that some of the stops are underground. Not literally, but they do talk about people and things related Hidden River Cave. There are even lines in the sidewalk to represent the path of the cave below you.

"There is plenty of history, talking about the importance of the railroad or strange incidences from the Cave Wars. There are also more cultural items, like tips on how to take good photos underground.

"Plan thirty minutes or so next time you're in Horse Cave to learn more about the local history, some local legends, and the life of a world below ground." - Matthew Brown Wandering Kentucky

Not all of our Hart County adventures are wild. Some are mild and FREE! For info about our FREE FUN (including the award-winning Horse Cave Stories Cell Phone Tour), go here ⬇️
https://kygetaway.com/hart-county-ky-attractions/free-fun/

If you're in the Hidden River Cave/American Cave Museum area, the tour is right outside the door! If you're at Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo or Horse Cave KOA, it's just a couple of miles in downtown. If you're at Mammoth Cave National Park or Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, it's right between the two!

For all of our Hart County lodging, dining, shopping, and adventuring info to help you plan a visit, go to kygetaway.com.


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Cave Country Trails
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes

11/02/2024

Kentucky has spectacular views above and below ground like the majestic Sunset Dome in Hidden River Cave/American Cave Museum in downtown Horse Cave. Legends and lore run as deep as the cave's beauty.

Early History
In the 1930s, Hidden River Cave was one of three tourist caves that were owned and operated by the Thomas Family. Visitors could purchase tickets to visit Hidden River Cave, Mammoth Onyx Cave and Floyd Collin’s Crystal Cave, or a pass to see all three caves if they preferred.

In addition to Hidden River Cave’s large entrance, visitors in the early 1900s were drawn to the cave to see and experience Sunset Dome.

Quotes from the historic brochure and postcard exaggerate the size, but there is no doubt that Sunset Dome is a natural wonder - "Entering Sunset Dome gives the impression of coming to the edge of the earth, and creates an irresistible urge to see beyond. The true vastness of the world’s largest cave dome can only be appreciated by a personal visit and leaves an undying memory of grandeur unapproached by any of the world’s seven wonders.” —Hidden River Cave Historic Brochure

"Sunset Dome, named from unusual lighting effects, contains the greatest unobstructed floor space and is the largest single room known, dwarfing the greatest efforts of human engineering. With a height of 185 feet, it measures 500 x 600 feet and contains 5 1/2 acres of free floor space.” —Hidden River Cave Historic Postcard

Talking about the postcard and brochure claims, David Foster, the American Cave Conservation Association’s President & CEO says, “I think that’s probably a turn-of-the-century exaggeration.” “The dome is 150 feet wide and 200 feet long, and around 100 feet high,” he said, “That’s still huge. Think nine or 10 stories.”

Bill Austin, the former owner of Sunset Dome, once told Foster that when the cave was open in the 1920s and 1930s, they would invite major league ball players to come. The idea was to bet them they could not hit the ceiling of Sunset Dome with a baseball, Foster said. “I don’t know if anyone accepted this challenge or not,” he added.

The Quest for Sunset Dome
Although the original tours from the 1930s did bring visitors back to Sunset Dome, those tourist trails were long gone – washed away from decades of high water and flooding inside the cave. Gone also were the light poles and electrical wiring. The American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA), was left with a logistical challenge to bridge the 50-foot deep canyon that separated the existing tour from the trunk passage, known as Thomas Hall, which led to Sunset Dome.

The answer was to build a 100-foot long suspension bridge across the canyon. This would become the world’s longest suspension bridge inside a cave. Construction of the bridge was completed in November 2018. By the Fall of 2019 the tour was slowly progressing towards the Dome and was nearly 3/4 completed. Engineering problems and flooding continued to slow the construction progress. It also soon became apparent that additional funding was needed to finish the tour. An anonymous gift made it possible for ACCA to meet the bid estimates for the final construction phase. The concrete was poured for the remaining walkway section and the tour to Sunset Dome was opened in February 2020. After being closed for 76 years, Sunset Dome was now accessible again!

Today, Sunset Dome is awe inspiring and is considered to be one of the largest free-standing cave domes in the United States. We invite you to step back into history and see Sunset Dome!

For more historic information about Hidden River Cave, visit their website at hiddenrivercave.com and stop in for a tour. They're open year-round with spectacular vistas and enchanting history!

There's so much adventure to be had in Hart County, you'll want to stay a while. Just go to kygetaway.com for all of our lodging, dining, shopping, and adventuring info to help you plan your visit!


Explore Kentucky's Caveland
Cave Country Trails
Caves, Lakes and Corvettes
📷 Heather Brushwood