Looking to take a trip somewhere different and was wondering is this national park is worth planning a vacation around. Would ideally like to rent a cabin and spend three to four days in the area. Other option is to do the Gatlinburg thing seeing clingmans dome, cades cove etc. looking for opinions as we have never been to Kentucky.

This post was edited on 6/8/20 at 6:41 pm

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Posted by SleauxMoe

Member since Oct 2019

31 posts

Posted on 6/8/20 at 7:37 pm to bayoudude

We did this trip when the kids were young and had a great time. Don't think it's a week long destination. Lots of stuff around there, hiking, canoeing, etc. There's also some other caves and there's a big waterpark (Big Bend?) not far away, and some kind of outdoor Dinosaur world that you walk thru. We did a couple of days there and then drove across to Cumberland Falls State Park (abt 2hrs east) and did 2 days there and then down to Gatlinburg for 3 where we did hikes, whitewater rafting etc. From there we went to Chattanooga (abt 2hrs away) for the day and let them see the Aquarium there. Then back on home to LA. Just did a big circle. Sounds like a lot of driving but breaks up really nice once you get to MCNP. Was a great road trip.

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Posted by PJinAtl

Atlanta

Member since Nov 2007

14120 posts

Posted on 6/8/20 at 8:46 pm to bayoudude

If you are that close, go to Bowling Green and check out the Corvette museum.

Also, Mammoth Cave is less than 2 hours from Louisville if you want to see Churchill Downs and/or Louisville Slugger.

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Posted by iwantacooler

Pig Nose Feet

Member since Aug 2017

2711 posts

Posted on 6/8/20 at 10:03 pm to bayoudude

The park itself will take a couple of days max, and that’s doing more than one cave tour. There are some surface level hikes that are cool.
Also, the Kentucky bourbon trail is close by. Drive around and take the distillery tours.
Ark encounter is north of Lexington if you wanted to see it.
We spent a couple of days in the area over spring break and had a good time. It’s a pretty area.

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Posted by bayoudude

Member since Dec 2007

25864 posts

Posted on 6/9/20 at 8:30 am to iwantacooler

Thanks for the responses. Would most likely be a five day trip two of those being travel so only three days to sight see. Caves would be a nice change and something my three little coon asses would enjoy. I would definitely like to hit up at least one of the big distilleries.

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Posted by Tiger4Life

God's Country

Member since Jan 2004

587 posts

Posted on 6/9/20 at 10:08 pm to bayoudude

Beech Bend is the amusement park in Bowling Green. I remember the kids had a good time and it was pretty affordable.

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Posted by Pooturd

Knoxville

Member since Mar 2020

1258 posts

Posted on 6/10/20 at 8:34 pm to bayoudude

You wouldn’t be too far from the Big South Fork national recreation area on the KY/TN line too. Highly recommend it

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Posted by CAD703X

Liberty Island

Member since Jul 2008

92291 posts

Posted on 6/11/20 at 3:33 pm to bayoudude

quote:
Thanks for the responses. Would most likely be a five day trip two of those being travel so only three days to sight see. Caves would be a nice change and something my three little coon asses would enjoy. I would definitely like to hit up at least one of the big distilleries.

hit the dinosaur park next to the cave.

seriously. campy as hell but your kids will freaking LOVE it.

my neighbor's (and wife's best friend) husband dives mammoth cave and is only one of about 6 people in the country allowed unfettered access for mapping purposes by the park service.

in fact he was just featured on an episode of 'expedition X' where he was allowed to take the crew of that show into some of the inaccessible parts of the cave.

definitely worth visiting..but you should also go to the patton tank museum at fort knox.