Hidden River Cave and the American Cave Museum

We love to visit lesser known attractions in Kentucky, and Hidden River Cave in Horse Cave, Kentucky had been on our radar for a few months.  The idea of a huge sinkhole right in the middle of town was too cool to pass up.  And after the trip we took on January 17th, I can tell you it's worth the drive.  Everything about the place is unique.  The cave isn't spectacular in terms of formations, but neither is Mammoth (aside from the Frozen Niagara section), and it's the fascinating history that really sets this cave apart.  Plus, you know, the fact that a river really is running through it.  In fact, it regularly floods the cave.

Admission to the American Cave Museum is included with your tour ticket.  You'll find some really interesting reading, but don't expect anything high tech.  They don't have the budget of a national park or bigger attraction.  The center of the town itself is fairly depressing - like many rural places, there are some very neat buildings that sit conspicuously empty.  Enjoy the pictures below, and please visit when you get the chance.  Towns like Horse Cave need your money.

One of many abandoned buildings in and around the center of town

One of the few active businesses

An awesome bank building dating to the early 20th century, also empty

More of what you'll see along Main Street

Looking down from the sidewalk along Main Street into the sinkhole

The museum is pretty fascinating, but get ready for a lot of text-heavy displays. 

One of the most entertaining things in the museum was the display of old Courier-Journal newspapers from the week when Floyd Collins was trapped in 1925 (not here, but nearby).  Marie and I laughed at some of the other headlines.

The back of the museum

A zipline platform.  In addition to a standard tour like we did, you can zipline across the sinkhole, or take a wild cave tour.

A fossil in the sinkhole

It's 165 steps to descend into the dark.

Looking back up at the museum.  Seeing this kind of thing in person is worth the drive.

A lot of the original water pumping mechanisms are still in place, although of course they're out of operation now.

A blind, colorless cave crayfish.  We saw a handful during the tour.

Looking up in the main, domed chamber on the tour.  Eventually they will construct an addition to the walkway that leads into an even larger room.