Carolinas, Georgia & South Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Alex Leviton [150]
Hike through the caves’ most dramatic caverns and gypsum-lined passageways in this 4½-hour tour. 270-758-2328; www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/tour-grandavenue.htm; 4 miles; adult/child $24/17; 2/1 morning tours summer/fall
Historic Tour
See the old saltpeter works, the tuberculosis hospital and the carved names of long-dead soldiers in this two-hour tour. 270-758-2328; www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/tour-historic.htm; 2 miles; adult/child $12/8; 9am-4pm summer, from 10am fall
Mammoth Cave National Park
In addition to the famous cave tours, this park has hiking, biking, camping and canoeing. 270-758-2328; www.nps.gov/maca; Mammoth Cave Parkway; admission free
National Corvette Museum
View vintage Corvettes and, if you register a day in advance, tour the factory where new ones are made. 270-781-7973; 270-745-8019 (to book tour); www.corvettemuseum.com; 350 Corvette Dr, Bowling Green; adult/child $8/4.50, plant tour $5; 8am-5pm
Violet City Lantern Tour
Walk for three hours by eerie lantern light, just like a visitor from the 1800s. 270-758-2328; www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/tour-violetcity.htm; 3 miles; adult/child $15/11; 9am tours
Wild Cave Tour
Don a lantern helmet as you squeeze through narrow passageways and free-climb cave walls in this six-hour tour; ages 16 and up only. 270-758-2328; www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/tour-wildcave.htm; 5.5 miles; admission $48; 10am daily, weekend only in fall
EAT & SLEEP
Crystal Lake Coffee Shop
This lunch-only cantina features soups, sandwiches and 1960s-style vinyl seating. 270-758-2225; Mammoth Cave National Park; mains $3-6; 10:30am-4:30pm
Mammoth Cave Camping
The park has three developed campsites and more than 12 rustic backwoods spots (backcountry camping by permit). 270-758-2328; www.nps.gov/maca; Mammoth Cave National Park; developed campsite per person $12-30
Mammoth Cave Hotel
This park hotel has dim, spacious rooms; staying in the teensy on-site historic cottages is more fun. 270-758-2225; www.mammothcavehotel.com; Mammoth Cave National Park; cottage from $66, r from $72
Travertine Restaurant
Mains at this standard hotel restaurant range from burgers to grilled mountain trout. 270-758-2225; Mammoth Cave National Park; mains $5-16; 2:30pm-8pm
Wigwam Village Inn #2
Sleep in a concrete teepee at this 1937 kitsch-fest. 270-773-3381; wigwamvillage.com; 601 N Dixie Hwy, Cave City; wigwams $60
USEFUL WEBSITES
www.cavecity.com
www.nps.gov/maca
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LINK YOUR TRIP www.lonelyplanet.com/trip-planner
TRIP
63 Kentucky Bluegrass & Horse Country
65 My Old Kentucky Home
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Return to beginning of chapter
TRIP 62
48 Hours in Louisville
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WHY GO Whether you call it Looeyville, Louahvul or Luhvul, the largest city in Kentucky is an under-appreciated destination, with plenty of quirky, true-blue American attractions. The lovely riverfront downtown and Victorian neighborhoods are among the nicest around. And come May, the place goes wild for the Derby.
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TIME
2 days
BEST TIME TO GO
Apr & May, Sep & Oct
START
Louisville, KY
END
Louisville, KY
ALSO GOOD FOR
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Once a busy shipping port due to its prime location on the banks of the Ohio River, Louisville has faded into a pleasant middle age. While the Kentucky Derby brings screaming mobs to town in May, Louisville is generally an even-tempered, safe city - it’s often ranked among the top 10 safest in America. It has a tranquil, slightly stuck-in-time feel, like you might turn around to see a Levi’s-clad teen offering you a chili dog and a ride in his Ford Thunderbird.
Start your day in the eclectic Highlands neighborhood with brunch at Lynn’s Paradise Cafe, a psychedelically-painted diner with a horse statue guarding the door and a ceiling-high tree in the dining room. Overstuffed omelets and biscuits with sorghum butter will keep you full all day. Sit at the counter and chat with the waitress to find out if there are any interesting events in town that night - Lynn