Beware: You should never explore wild caves alone or without proper gear. Consider getting in touch with a Grotto of the National Speleological Society at www.caves.org or a qualified cave club. These groups are skilled and will train you. Without sufficient knowledge, preparation, and equipment, cave exploring can lead to serious injury or death.
You might have read our article about popular caving destinations in Kentucky, but today we have another! The Louisville Mega Caverns is more of a family-friendly, action-packed tourist spot than a pure caving adventure, but still a great destination for anyone to enjoy. An underground zipline, a pair of challenge bridges, and annual holiday light show await.
Formed out of a limestone quarry dating back to the 19th century, this cave has some history. It’s one of the most fascinating places to visit in the area. In addition to the ones mentioned, there are several more enjoyable activities to partake in across the city.
The zip line course is perhaps the most popular. For visitors interested in a less strenuous method to experience the caves, there are several options. You’ll find a bike park, an aerial ropes course, and a tram trip, among other more casual ventures.
Whether you are a casual or experienced spelunker, the Louisville Caverns will have something for you.
History
Before becoming a popular tourist site with tram rides, a mountain bike park, and zipline tours, the Louisville Mega Cavern was an operating limestone mine for many years. This was in the early to mid 19th century.
The cave was converted into a fallout shelter during the Cold War. After some time, in 1989, private investors purchased the cavern. They changed it into a commercial storage facility, aware of its influence on the environment.
Since then, an incredible amount of recycled material comprised of concrete, rock, dirt, and more, are put to use here. The operators repurpose all of these material, using them to create roads, floors, and fill in holes.
Today’s Louisville Mega Caverns
Once the new owners came into the picture, the Louisville Caverns quickly grew into what it is today.
In addition to maintaining its status as a popular tourist destination, the Louisville Mega Cavern is the largest building and recycling center in Kentucky. It covers an area of 4,000,000 square feet and houses 16 underground businesses!
This 100-acre underground park hosts the world’s first completely underground zip line and aerial ropes course of its kind. Both of these pursuits are carried out while it is nighttime.
Other activities available include guided tours, mountain biking trails, a dino safari, and an annual holiday lights spectacle. This “Lights Under Louisville” is an unforgettable display. Read on to learn more about it.
Lights Under Louisville
Visitors to the Lights Under Louisville Christmas show witness the over 850 displays constructed of 5 million lights while driving through the attraction. This attraction is available only from Nov. 13 through Jan. 3, for the Christmas season. Southern Living magazine named it “Kentucky’s Best Holiday Experience”, and we trust you’ll think so too!
The cost of this experience is only $34.99, with larger vehicles like RV’s or buses costing $79.99. The show is open from morning until night, so you will have no issues taking part in it.
In addition, this is the only underground drive-thru holiday light show in the world. You will be paying a reasonable price for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, only available here in Kentucky.
Louisville Underground Zipline
The zipline trip has received hundreds of excellent ratings on Tripadvisor, which is evidence of its one-of-a-kind nature. The tour lasts for 2.5 hours and costs $69. On its longest line, which is one of six and extends 900 feet over canyons and precarious suspension bridges, you can go 45 miles per hour.
Simply heading underground will allow you to participate in several activities that cannot be found anywhere else in Louisville.
Large spotlights are installed to watch your shadow move across the limestone rock walls, if the dramatic setting isn’t intense enough.
During the Halloween season, you can also enjoy ziplining through a Halloween-themed, Zombie-filled cave.
It’s safe to say this is a great destination for the family in both fall and winter.
Other Activities at Louisville Mega Caverns
Recent additions at the Louisville Mega Cavern include a one-mile Dino Safari experience and featured dozens of moving life-size dinosaurs.
Both the walking tours and the e-bike tours take approximately an hour and a half, but you should plan to spend two hours on the ropes course and zip lines.
All the activities are conducted by knowledgeable guides, except the ropes course. When on the ropes, participants are responsible for navigating independently, but spotters are present to monitor for safety.
You also have the option of going on a tram tour of the manmade cavern, which covers a distance of around two miles, lasts for sixty to seventy minutes, and offers commentary on the geology, history, and mining operations of the manmade cavern.
You will also find out why the government has kept this location such a well-guarded secret for the past few decades, which is something else you will learn.
The tram route may need to be adjusted, or it will be required to halt operations when there are special events.
Who Should Go to The Louisville Mega Caverns?
Just about anyone can go, assuming that children are accompanied by their parents or guardians.
About eighty percent of the people that go to the Louisville Mega Cavern are members of families. However, the attraction also welcomes a wide variety of other groups, such as birthday parties, scouting organizations, corporate and team-building events, and even occasional weddings.
Because it is underground, the weather never plays a role, and the temperature is consistent at between 58 and 60 degrees all year round, even though it may be winter or summer.
To round out your long weekend, you shouldn’t miss out on going to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory to gain insight into the history of this renowned brand, crossing the river to the Indiana side of the river on the pedestrian-only Big Four Bridge to enjoy an ice cream soda at Schimpff’s Confectionery, an old-fashioned candy store, riding a rented bike along the waterfront parks, and checking out the unique shops and various restaurants in The Highlands neighborhood.
If you’re looking for more caving sites in Kentucky, be sure to check this article next.