Plus, touchdown squirrel
 
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47º | Mostly cloudy | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise 8:00 a.m. | Sunset 5:39 p.m.
 

Take a deep dive into Mammoth Cave

Our guide to visiting 7 of the best national parks
A person looks up at signatures written on the ceiling of Gothic Avenue in Mammoth Cave National Park
See the signatures of early tourists in Gothic Avenue. | Photo via Mammoth Cave National Park
When you go to Mammoth Cave, don’t just look around. Look down. Visit the longest cave system in the world located near Cave City, KY (which is an adventure of its own). Over 400 miles of the system have been explored in this cave, which sprawls beneath south central Kentucky. Let’s get spelunking.

Getting there

The main way into the park is via I-65, through the visitor center on the South Side of the Park. GPS isn’t reliable out here, so keep the map handy, and follow the directions to the center. Expect a one and a half hour drive.

Fees

Entrance to the park is free, but many areas of the caves cannot be explored without booking a tour. The schedule is full of spelunking opportunities.

Pro tip: Make a reservation in advance to assure you’ll get the type of tour you want. They often sell out on the weekends.

Participants of the Lantern Tour walk in a row through the caves of Mammoth Cave National Park.

The Lantern Tour affords a unique view of the caves

|

Photo via Mammoth Cave National Park

Cave tours

Spelunk to your heart’s content with a host of cave tours. Pro tip: Bring a jacket — even if it’s 90 degrees on the surface, it can be 54 degrees in the cave.

Star Chamber
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Length: 1 mile
Experience the Star Chamber by lantern light. This two and a half-hour experience tells the tale of Mammoth Cave’s early history, plus a trip to Gothic Avenue — where rock formations look like Gothic architecture and early visitors left behind signatures + artifacts.

Accessible tour
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 0.5 miles
Ditch the stairs. Take an accessible tour through the historic Cleaveland Avenue. Sights include both sparkling formations and historic signatures.

Violet City Lantern Tour
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Length: 3 miles
Travel up and down tunnels exclusively by lantern light like the early explorers. This three-hour tour is perfect for those who love to hike.

Want to hit the road? Check out our guide to national parks across the country.
Explore more
Asked

How many miles of Mammoth Cave have been discovered?
A. 323 miles
B. 401 miles
C. 426 miles
D. 542 miles
Go the extra mile
Shaker Village KY
 
Events
Thursday, Sept. 21
  • Bug Walk with Atelier Insecta | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Ave., Louisville | $13-$16 | See display insects + explore the live ones in the gardens.
Friday, Sept. 22
  • Beyoncé Silent Disco | Friday, Sept. 22 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | TEN20 Craft Brewery, 1020 E. Washington St., Louisville | $10 | Wear your best Queen Bey-inspired attire and dance to this music star’s hits.
Saturday, Sept. 23
  • Louisville Cardinals Football vs. Boston College | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 3:30 p.m. | L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, 2800 S. Floyd St., Louisville | $30-$150 | Watch the Cards take on the Eagles.
  • Purrfect Day Cat Café Stray Cat Strut Fun Walk & Run | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Cherokee Park, 745 Chochran Hill Rd., Louisville | $35 | Raise funds for the Kentucky Humane Society during this all-ages run/walk.
  • NULU Fest | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | East Market Street, Louisville | Free | Bring the fam out for a day of live music, food and drink booths, local vendors, and more.
Sunday, Sept. 24
  • Brent Street Vintage Market | Sunday, Sept. 24 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Paristown Arts District, 720 Brent St., Louisville | Free | Shop this outdoor market with live music from The Crashers.
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Opening
  • Peace of the Earth Refillery is opening on Friday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. The shop offers a bulk refill station where customers can reduce their plastic use by filling reusable containers with products like shampoo + cleaning sprays. Look forward to a weekend of giveaways and samples at 2120 1/2 Bardstown Rd.
Coming Soon
  • Hop Atomica is coming to the former Germantown Social space in Schnitzelburg. The upscale restaurant, microbrewery + microdistillery out of Savannah, GA will have its grand opening in November. Peep the pictures of its exterior.
Drink
  • Gertie’s Whiskey Bar in NuLu is rebranding to The Bootleggers Whiskey Hall. The new concept will include a downstairs speakeasy with cocktails, small plates, and jazz. The current bar area will become a single-barrel tasting room and merch area. (Louisville Business First)
Read
  • Carmichael’s Bookstore will host author Crystal Wilkinson for the launch of her latest collection of stories, “Mama Said.” The former Kentucky Poet Laureate will be at the Frankfort Avenue location on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. Register in advance.
Edu
  • Go Tigers — St. Xavier High School has been selected as a National Blue Ribbon School. It’s the fifth time that St. X has received the prestigious designation from the US Department of Education. Over 350 schools nationwide were selected, based on test scores and other performance criteria.
Home
  • Currently building, hoping to, or just love home design + trends? (We’re guilty of the latter.) If so, Homearama 2023 is a must-see — and this year’s event is not your traditional Homearama. Across three weekends (starting Friday, Sept. 29), Louisvillians can explore nine luxury custom-built homes located throughout the region. Here’s everything to know before you go.*
Sports
  • Ready for another season of the beautiful game? Season ticket memberships are on sale for Louisville City FC and Racing Louisville’s 2024 season. Pro tip: Fans that purchase season tickets for both teams will save 10%. Get your membership here.*
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The Wrap
 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto

Today’s edition by:
Jessalin
From the editor
I’m looking forward to the Cards game this weekend. Which reminds me... Does anyone remember the touchdown-scoring squirrel from when we played Kent State in 2017? I do.

If we bring that squirrel’s energy to this Saturday’s game, BC doesn’t stand a chance. (Sorry, not sorry, BOStoday.) Win or lose, make the most of the game with our UofL football guide.
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