Holiday World and Mammoth Caves

[dpuck1998]

We are heading down there for a summer trip. Anyone been to either and have some ideas for me? Good places to eat? Things that are a must do? I'm traveling with kids age 11, 9 and 5.

Right now we are staying at Santas Cottages near Holiday World and Drury Suites in Bowling Green.

[crazydisneyman]

When are you going? Maybe a DIS Meet at Holiday World?

Mamouth Caves is Awesome. I have done almost all the tours. I enjoyed the all day tour cause you get to see more of the cave. I believe it is the longest cave in the world and they still haven't mapped all of it yet.

Call me if you want more info. :thumbsup2

[ADP]

We've been to Holiday World a few times.

We enjoy Holiday World, but we never ventured out much past the theme park. All the restaurants in the park are pretty basic fare. The two best aspects of the park are the 3 wooden coasters and the water park. It's one of the best water parks I've ever visited. About my only complaint is it could use a little more shade. Their newest coaster, The Voyage, is one of the best I've ever been on...In fact, it could be the best wooden coaster I've ever experienced. Be prepared because it does jar you around quite a bit. Make sure to check out the on ride POV video at theme park review.com. It really gives you a good perspective of the ride.

The entire park sits on a hill so you'll find yourself hiking up and down quite often.

Have a great time Don. You are making me want to take a trip down there this summer. I've watched the POV of The Voyage and it really gets me in the mood.

[MusiqChic99]

We've been to Holiday World a few times.

We enjoy Holiday World, but we never ventured out much past the theme park. All the restaurants in the park are pretty basic fare. The two best aspects of the park are the 3 wooden coasters and the water park. It's one of the best water parks I've ever visited. About my only complaint is it could use a little more shade. Their newest coaster, The Voyage, is one of the best I've ever been on...In fact, it could be the best wooden coaster I've ever experienced. Be prepared because it does jar you around quite a bit. Make sure to check out the on ride POV video at theme park review.com. It really give you a good perspective of the ride.

The entire park sits on a hill so you'll find yourself hiking up and down quite often.

Have a great time Don. You are making me want to take a trip down there this summer. I've watched the POV of The Voyage and it really gets me in the mood.

I believe it's been improved to not jar you around so much...something new for this year I think.

I've been to Holiday World many times. It's enjoyable if you don't compare it to bigger and better parks.

They have added new water rides and I think there is a new ride coming this year too.

[ADP]

I believe it's been improved to not jar you around so much...something new for this year I think.
That would be cool if it works. :)

[MusiqChic99]

That would be cool if it works. :)

I think it's the new trains. They have 2 for this year.

New Water coaster for this year too that looks pretty cool.

[LoveKermit]

There is VERY little to do near Holiday World. We ended up going back to the park to eat because there is not much to eat otherwise. It's a fun park if you LOVE coasters.

Make sure you take games with you or something to do in the evenings. Just my opinion.

Haven't done Mammoth Cave since I was a kid. We did the all day hike. I do remember being VERY tired. We stayed in a cabin at the park. I wanted my dad to drive us to the lodge for dinner (it was only a block or so).

[elemusing]

Welcome to my neck of the woods! :)

We have been to both Holiday World and Mammoth Cave a BUNCH.

First of all - please know that Holiday World is definitely NOT WDW. But you probably already know that. The rides do not accomodate Pooh sized people well (you probably won't have that issue - but others might need to know that) and also, they will absolutely NOT let you take a bag onto the ride with you. They have these shelves at the loading of the rides where they will make you place your bag. The first time I went there, I was a little taken back by this. They do have lockers at the front of the park. When you go in, go forward a bit and the locker area is to your right.

The water park is WONDERFUL. And all the soda you can drink plus all the sunscreen you can use is FREE.

Bring a jacket to the cave even if it is 90 degrees outside. The cave stays at one constant temp all year - I think it is something like 57 if I remember correctly. The tours in the cave all vary. We enjoy them all - please know there is alot of stair climbing in many of them.

There really aren't alot of what I would call great restaurants near either of these places. We usally do alot of fast food on these trips. Someone who lives close may know of some local joint that I don't know of though.

If you are staying in Bowling Green, you might remember that the only Corvette Plant (and museum) in the world is there!

Bowling Green is about an hour from Nashville which has lots of great food and fun stuff to do - might want to consider that as well.

There are many "kitschy" little shops on the little 2-land road up to the Cave park. We love this one: http://www.bigmikesrockshop.com/about_us.html

It is a hole in the wall place, but the kids love it and there are lots of crazy things they sell, plus they only charged us 50 cents each to go through their "mystery house." It has a couple of rooms with upsidedown water and such. Great fun!

One more word - BOTH of these places will eventually take you to little 2-lane roads to get there. Take heart- just when you think you aren't going to get there- you arrive!

Oh I forgot to say that parking is free at both places too!

Angie

[kehouse]

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2106 you have to drive by the wig wam hotel. my sister and brothers still talk about these stupid things. we never stayed at one but when we would go anywhere near horse cave we would ask our dad to go that way so we would get to pass by them. lol. as teresa would say....good times.!! lol
i also came across this, never knew it was here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLaQj68FKkI&feature=related
if your into history, abe lincolns birthplace is about 30 miles south of m.c. not alot to do there, but a very pretty place.

[dpuck1998]

Welcome to my neck of the woods! :)

We have been to both Holiday World and Mammoth Cave a BUNCH.

First of all - please know that Holiday World is definitely NOT WDW. But you probably already know that. The rides do not accomodate Pooh sized people well (you probably won't have that issue - but others might need to know that) and also, they will absolutely NOT let you take a bag onto the ride with you. They have these shelves at the loading of the rides where they will make you place your bag. The first time I went there, I was a little taken back by this. They do have lockers at the front of the park. When you go in, go forward a bit and the locker area is to your right.

The water park is WONDERFUL. And all the soda you can drink plus all the sunscreen you can use is FREE.

Bring a jacket to the cave even if it is 90 degrees outside. The cave stays at one constant temp all year - I think it is something like 57 if I remember correctly. The tours in the cave all vary. We enjoy them all - please know there is alot of stair climbing in many of them.

There really aren't alot of what I would call great restaurants near either of these places. We usally do alot of fast food on these trips. Someone who lives close may know of some local joint that I don't know of though.

If you are staying in Bowling Green, you might remember that the only Corvette Plant (and museum) in the world is there!

Bowling Green is about an hour from Nashville which has lots of great food and fun stuff to do - might want to consider that as well.

There are many "kitschy" little shops on the little 2-land road up to the Cave park. We love this one: http://www.bigmikesrockshop.com/about_us.html

It is a hole in the wall place, but the kids love it and there are lots of crazy things they sell, plus they only charged us 50 cents each to go through their "mystery house." It has a couple of rooms with upsidedown water and such. Great fun!

One more word - BOTH of these places will eventually take you to little 2-lane roads to get there. Take heart- just when you think you aren't going to get there- you arrive!

Oh I forgot to say that parking is free at both places too!

Angie

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2106 you have to drive by the wig wam hotel. my sister and brothers still talk about these stupid things. we never stayed at one but when we would go anywhere near horse cave we would ask our dad to go that way so we would get to pass by them. lol. as teresa would say....good times.!! lol
i also came across this, never knew it was here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLaQj68FKkI&feature=related
if your into history, abe lincolns birthplace is about 30 miles south of m.c. not alot to do there, but a very pretty place.

Exactly the kind of stuff I wanted to hear :) Thanks a ton. We love the "off the beaten path" stuff. I know we will have to look for things to do, but thats okay. We are planning 3 nights in Bowling Green and 4 nights in Santa Claus. If we have to drive an hour to find something cool, I'm ok with that. Or if we just hang at our cabin, play games, walk around, eat fast food, its all good.

FYI for Indy peeps, if you want to meet up we are at Holiday World June 29, 30 and July 1st. I'd love to meet up with anyone in the area.

[tlcoke]

http://www.schnitzelbank.com/
This restaurant in Jasper is a nice place to eat - good food. It is the same exit for Holiday World, except you go north through Ferdinand into Jasper.

This is home of the World's Largest Beer Stein.
http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/tlcoke/IMG_0116.jpg

There is also a Wendy's right off the exit for Holiday World.


Cave City, Kentucky - There is a Cracker Barrel at this exit and a few fast food restaurants. Your larger choice is going to be in Bowling Green. In addition to the Caves there is Guntown Mountain.

[OKW Lover]

Is Mammoth Cave the same place that the original "Adventure" (AKA Colossal Cave) computer game was based on? I used to really enjoy that game.

[adsrtw]

Love Holiday World! It's just a hop, skip & a jump from my home. Huber Farms is a fun attraction too. It's closer to Louisville.

[pjacobi]

You might try a visit to Wyandotte Cave located off of I-64 near Holiday World. It's smaller than Mammoth cave, but big enough for the cave experience. It will save lots of driving.


-Paul

[dpuck1998]

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2106 you have to drive by the wig wam hotel. my sister and brothers still talk about these stupid things. we never stayed at one but when we would go anywhere near horse cave we would ask our dad to go that way so we would get to pass by them. lol. as teresa would say....good times.!! lol
i also came across this, never knew it was here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLaQj68FKkI&feature=related
if your into history, abe lincolns birthplace is about 30 miles south of m.c. not alot to do there, but a very pretty place.

We almost stayed at the wigwam hotel, but the reviews are so terrible I couldn't bring myself to pay to stay there.

[kehouse]

yeah, i don't think i would stay there, they look small and a little run down, but kind of cool to see. Oprah stopped at one of the wig wam hotels on her road trip. she checked in, but then decided it was just to gross to stay. she was actually a bit rude making fun of them...

[dpuck1998]

yeah, i don't think i would stay there, they look small and a little run down, but kind of cool to see. Oprah stopped at one of the wig wam hotels on her road trip. she checked in, but then decided it was just to gross to stay. she was actually a bit rude making fun of them...

Well, based on the reviews on tripadvisor, I think she might be on the mark. I stayed there as a child and really wanted to stay there with my kids, but I couldn't put them in a hotel like that, not to mention how they were over priced.

[dpuck1998]

We have three days planned at Holiday World, but looking at tickets they are really priced for two days. The third day is back to full price or close to making an annual pass the best deal. Should I just plan two days at the park and spend a day doing other stuff or chillax'en?

[ADP]

We have three days planned at Holiday World, but looking at tickets they are really priced for two days. The third day is back to full price or close to making an annual pass the best deal. Should I just plan two days at the park and spend a day doing other stuff or chillax'en?
My personal opinion, but I think you'd be okay with two days. You could easily spend most of one day at the water park enjoying the water rides and relaxing. Most of your 2nd day could be spent enjoying the theme park. You'd be able to do it all and then some.

[elemusing]

Yep - you will not need 3 days here. One full day at the waterpark and one full day at the park will do it. Actually, about 1/2 day at the ride park would probably do it.

[wife#1]

Welcome to my neck of the woods! :)

We have been to both Holiday World and Mammoth Cave a BUNCH.

First of all - please know that Holiday World is definitely NOT WDW. But you probably already know that. The rides do not accomodate Pooh sized people well (you probably won't have that issue - but others might need to know that) and also, they will absolutely NOT let you take a bag onto the ride with you. They have these shelves at the loading of the rides where they will make you place your bag. The first time I went there, I was a little taken back by this. They do have lockers at the front of the park. When you go in, go forward a bit and the locker area is to your right.

The water park is WONDERFUL. And all the soda you can drink plus all the sunscreen you can use is FREE.

Bring a jacket to the cave even if it is 90 degrees outside. The cave stays at one constant temp all year - I think it is something like 57 if I remember correctly. The tours in the cave all vary. We enjoy them all - please know there is alot of stair climbing in many of them.

There really aren't alot of what I would call great restaurants near either of these places. We usally do alot of fast food on these trips. Someone who lives close may know of some local joint that I don't know of though.

If you are staying in Bowling Green, you might remember that the only Corvette Plant (and museum) in the world is there!

Bowling Green is about an hour from Nashville which has lots of great food and fun stuff to do - might want to consider that as well.

There are many "kitschy" little shops on the little 2-land road up to the Cave park. We love this one: http://www.bigmikesrockshop.com/about_us.html

It is a hole in the wall place, but the kids love it and there are lots of crazy things they sell, plus they only charged us 50 cents each to go through their "mystery house." It has a couple of rooms with upsidedown water and such. Great fun!

One more word - BOTH of these places will eventually take you to little 2-lane roads to get there. Take heart- just when you think you aren't going to get there- you arrive!

Oh I forgot to say that parking is free at both places too!

Angie


HI Angie!! I am dpuck1998's wife and I'm originally from Calvert City...small world. We are looking forward to this road trip, I love going back to Kentucky. Thank you for the suggestions.

[adsrtw]

Now that I am on a real computer, I can post some better info. Two days is plenty for Holiday World. Splashin Safari is awesome. My employer holds our company picnic there annually. If you haven't bought your tickets yet, I will have discount coupons at work. We usually receive them in early April. It's only $4 per ticket off, but it's better than nothing! If you PM me your address, I will mail them as soon as we get them.

Lincoln State Park - It's awesome. Great history, a decent show, and lots of wildlife. Less than 5 mins from Holiday World. It's a great place to have a picnic!

Huber Farms - It's an orchard and a winery. It's in Starlight IN off of I-64. They have peddle carts, slides, mazes etc. Very fun and inexpensive.

Squire Boone Caverns is fun too. It is near New Albany IN off of I-64.

One more idea, Nashville is only 45 minutes away from Bowling Green, if you drive like I do. :rotfl2:

[dpuck1998]

Now that I am on a real computer, I can post some better info. Two days is plenty for Holiday World. Splashin Safari is awesome. My employer holds our company picnic there annually. If you haven't bought your tickets yet, I will have discount coupons at work. We usually receive them in early April. It's only $4 per ticket off, but it's better than nothing! If you PM me your address, I will mail them as soon as we get them.

Lincoln State Park - It's awesome. Great history, a decent show, and lots of wildlife. Less than 5 mins from Holiday World. It's a great place to have a picnic!

Huber Farms - It's an orchard and a winery. It's in Starlight IN off of I-64. They have peddle carts, slides, mazes etc. Very fun and inexpensive.

Squire Boone Caverns is fun too. It is near New Albany IN off of I-64.

One more idea, Nashville is only 45 minutes away from Bowling Green, if you drive like I do. :rotfl2:

Thanks for the info, PM on the way :)

[elemusing]

Hello Mrs. dpuck! Wow! I am from Marshall County! I am going to pm you to see if we might have known each other in high school. . .

[dpuck1998]

Hello Mrs. dpuck! Wow! I am from Marshall County! I am going to pm you to see if we might have known each other in high school. . .

She moved to Michigan in forth grade, so she could find me :love:

[elemusing]

Awwww, oh well. I probably never met her unless her dad worked at one of the chemical plants there with my dad. Have a great time on your vacation!

[dpuck1998]

Awwww, oh well. I probably never met her unless her dad worked at one of the chemical plants there with my dad. Have a great time on your vacation!

She has good friends that own the Draffen Industrial Supply in Draffensville. You might know some of them perhaps??

Or Mike Miller who is the Marshall County Judge??

[elemusing]

I know quite a few Draffens - I don't know if they are the same ones who own that place. And Mike Miller was a great friend of my dad before my dad passed away. Mike got me out of a couple of speeding tickets and also got me my first job as a teen at our state park! :) But he probably wouldn't remember me unless someone said - you know - Winston's daughter.

It really is a small world after all! :)

[dpuck1998]

I know quite a few Draffens - I don't know if they are the same ones who own that place. And Mike Miller was a great friend of my dad before my dad passed away. Mike got me out of a couple of speeding tickets and also got me my first job as a teen at our state park! :) But he probably wouldn't remember me unless someone said - you know - Winston's daughter.

It really is a small world after all! :)

Mike is a long time family friend, one of the best guys I know. We try to get down there once a year to visit and stay at green turtle bay. Beautiful area. I'm sure my wife will pop in at some point and tell you more.

[wife#1]

I know quite a few Draffens - I don't know if they are the same ones who own that place. And Mike Miller was a great friend of my dad before my dad passed away. Mike got me out of a couple of speeding tickets and also got me my first job as a teen at our state park! :) But he probably wouldn't remember me unless someone said - you know - Winston's daughter.

It really is a small world after all! :)

I am new to DIS and don't check real often....sorry I'm late.

Fun to meet someone else from Marshall County. I moved to MI in 4th grade but spent all my summers and holidays in Marshall County.

My maiden name is Lynch, my Grandfather Chuck Lynch worked at Air Products for years. Mike Miller is my Godfather, my parents worked on his first campaign as his campaign managers.

I am close with John and Dianne Draffen, who own Draffen Industrial Supply.

What year would you have graduated?

Thank you for all the info on Mammoth Caves, hoping the kids like it as much as we think they will.

[kehouse]

http://www.beechbend.com/
havent been here in a loooong time, but maybe someone else here knows what its like now.
so glad you ask about this neck of the woods, gives us some good ideas for some day trips. my sister told me about a car ferry somewhere near cave city, i will check with her tomorrow to get more info, she was naming off all kinds of places i dont know about..lol

[5inwonderland]

Hi There
I don't have any tips other than to say we took our three daughters, who were then 6,5, and 3 to the caves last summer. We had the BEST time. It was just beautiful and really fascinating.
Have a GREAT time!
:)

[MerriePoppins]

HI Angie!! I am dpuck1998's wife and I'm originally from Calvert City...small world. We are looking forward to this road trip, I love going back to Kentucky. Thank you for the suggestions.

OH MY GOSH ! My Grandparents were from Calvert City.....It's A Small World After All :goodvibes


Hey, don't forget Dinosaur World !!!!! :rotfl: On I-65, Cave City on the way to Bowling Green. (just kidding)

[elemusing]

Hey Susan! Good to see some folks from home (or who at least have relatives from home) on here. :)

Check out the dinosaur world link: http://www.dinoworld.net/

I haven't been there, but we keep saying we are going to go one of these days. I think it is pretty cheesy.

[tlcoke]

You also have to look for the "USED COWS FOR SALE" Sign along the side of I-65 just South of the Glendale, Kentucky Exit. Heading Southbound it is on the Left side of the road.

[dpuck1998]

We leave in less than two weeks, so many ideas I know we won't have time to do them all. Looking forward to the trip though, I think the kids will have a blast.

[adsrtw]

Discount coupons are on the way. Just took them into the post office.

[dpuck1998]

Discount coupons are on the way. Just took them into the post office.

Awesome! Thanks a ton!!

[adsrtw]

Sad news coming from Santa Claus this morning. Will Koch, Holiday World owner, passed away last night. Wonderful advocate for many organizations and a great person.

[adsrtw]

Sad news coming from Santa Claus this morning. Will Koch, Holiday World owner, passed away last night. Wonderful advocate for many organizations and a great person.

[tlcoke]

Sad news coming from Santa Claus this morning. Will Koch, Holiday World owner, passed away last night. Wonderful advocate for many organizations and a great person.

Yes, the news was sad and shocking for someone so young.
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100614/NEWS02/6140337/Holiday+World+owner+dies+at+48

[mommyceratops]

Don did you get Holiday World ticket discounts? I have a bunch if you need some. I can mail them too you.

This is my neck of the woods too!! :) :lovestruc

http://www.bigsplashadventure.com/ There is an indoor water park in French Lick that has some deal with Holiday World to stay there. There is also a train ride in http://www.indianarailwaymuseum.org/


Squire Boone Caverns http://www.squireboonecaverns.com/ is fun, that would be near Corydon IN. on your way to Mammoth might be worth checking out. Not an all day thing at all. . There is a fun restaurant up there that you can look out on the river in Corydon. http://www.theoverlook.com/

I didn't hear this thrown in or how long you will be there but the Louisville Science Center and zoo is fun. The zoo has a Dinosaur exhibit there now, if you have any dino fans.

Also near Mammoth Cave is Dinosaur World http://www.dinoworld.net/ and Kentucky Down Under http://www.kdu.com/

Let me know if you need anything while you are down here. Or any question!! :)

[dpuck1998]

Don did you get Holiday World ticket discounts? I have a bunch if you need some. I can mail them too you.

This is my neck of the woods too!! :) :lovestruc

http://www.bigsplashadventure.com/ There is an indoor water park in French Lick that has some deal with Holiday World to stay there. There is also a train ride in http://www.indianarailwaymuseum.org/


Squire Boone Caverns http://www.squireboonecaverns.com/ is fun, that would be near Corydon IN. on your way to Mammoth might be worth checking out. Not an all day thing at all. . There is a fun restaurant up there that you can look out on the river in Corydon. http://www.theoverlook.com/

I didn't hear this thrown in or how long you will be there but the Louisville Science Center and zoo is fun. The zoo has a Dinosaur exhibit there now, if you have any dino fans.

Also near Mammoth Cave is Dinosaur World http://www.dinoworld.net/ and Kentucky Down Under http://www.kdu.com/

Let me know if you need anything while you are down here. Or any question!! :)

Thanks Kim, some great ideas. We have been going back and forth about stopping in Louisville on the way home. Depends on how whipped we are and if we are in a hurry to get home.

[jennz]

There is VERY little to do near Holiday World. We ended up going back to the park to eat because there is not much to eat otherwise. It's a fun park if you LOVE coasters.

Make sure you take games with you or something to do in the evenings. Just my opinion.

Haven't done Mammoth Cave since I was a kid. We did the all day hike. I do remember being VERY tired. We stayed in a cabin at the park. I wanted my dad to drive us to the lodge for dinner (it was only a block or so).

This is so true! We went down from Indy for 3 days/2 nights and stayed at Santa's Cottages...the game room was 4 video hunting games in w/the ice cream bar and the putt putt was rained out. 2 days is plenty for Holiday World. It is a lot of fun though! Be prepared to see a lot of unique tattoos. ;)

[tlcoke]

Thanks Kim, some great ideas. We have been going back and forth about stopping in Louisville on the way home. Depends on how whipped we are and if we are in a hurry to get home.

Kim and I would be very welcoming in setting up a DIS meet if you decide to stop in Louisville.

[dheinle]

Never been to Holiday World, but thinking of going this Summer.

Mammoth Cave is great, if possible get to the national park the day before you want to do the tours and buy the tickets for the next day. The tours used to sell out very fast.

If you are at all interested in cars the National Corvette Museum and Corvette plant are in Bowling Green as well. The plant tours are free, check to make sure they are open. Production shuts down sometime in the summer to switch over to the new model year.

Dennis

[mommyceratops]

Kim and I would be very welcoming in setting up a DIS meet if you decide to stop in Louisville.

:thumbsup2 :cool1: :thumbsup2 :lovestruc

[adsrtw]

Oh I could pop in to Louisville too. Churchill Downs is only 100 miles from home.

[dpuck1998]

Never been to Holiday World, but thinking of going this Summer.

Mammoth Cave is great, if possible get to the national park the day before you want to do the tours and buy the tickets for the next day. The tours used to sell out very fast.

If you are at all interested in cars the National Corvette Museum and Corvette plant are in Bowling Green as well. The plant tours are free, check to make sure they are open. Production shuts down sometime in the summer to switch over to the new model year.

Dennis

We already bought our tour tickets online ;)

[dpuck1998]

I thought I would touch base, forgot to check in when we got back. We had a wonderful trip! Holiday World is amazing, the rides aren't numerous or earth shattering, but the its a lot like Disney that way. The atmosphere is so friendly and the perks are great. We hope to go back again sometimes soon. Santas Cottages are incredible also, I would stay there in again in a heartbeat!

[basketlacey]

I somehow missed this thread the first time around but wanted to say hi to all of those DISers that are close by! We are in Louisville, KY.

Glad you had a great trip. We went to Holiday World this summer and it was so hot we spent most of the day at the water park. We had a blast though!