An Unforgettable Family Trip Through Western Kentucky

Lifestyle, home and family content creators PJ & Thomas recently took their family of five on an unforgettable tour of western Kentucky. Their four-day road trip was jam-packed with family fun, from venturing through the world’s longest cave system to speeding down the state’s only alpine slide to getting an up-close-and-personal visit with native wildlife.

 

We’ve got the deets on their full adventure to help inspire the perfect itinerary for your western Kentucky vacation.

 

Day 1

 

Check into a lake-side cottage at Lighthouse Landing Resort and Marina in Grand Rivers. Set on Kentucky Lake, Lighthouse Landing is the perfect destination for a tranquil winter escape or a sunny summer lake adventure. Book a lake cruise or rent a kayak or sailboat to explore on your own. It’s a fantastic fishing destination, too.

 

Lighthouse Landing offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom cottages, a guest house vacation rental, a guest room and an RV park to match your accommodation needs.

 

Day 2

 

Start your day with a wildlife excursion at Woodlands Nature Station in Cadiz. Discover the local fauna of western Kentucky, including owls, snakes, American bald eagles, groundhogs and more, through interactive wildlife presentations and programs.

 

Continue your nature tour in Golden Pond at Elk & Bison Prairie. Drive along a 3.5-mile loop to see bison, elk, wild turkeys, rabbits, butterflies, hawks and more species on this 700-acre native grassland habitat.

 

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, dig into a western Kentucky-style BBQ lunch at Triplet’s BBQ. Try pulled pork, smoked chicken and brisket doused in your choice of two sauces, the locally inspired Hollis Sauce and the Kansas City-inspired Dr. Pepper Sauce.

 

After lunch, head back to the resort for a little R&R. This downtime is perfect for exploring the antique shops and boutiques of downtown Grand Rivers. And be sure to walk down to the lighthouse for breathtaking views and stunning photo ops.

 

For dinner, head to Patti's 1880's Settlement. Patti’s is known for its two-inch thick pork chops, homemade flower pot bread and “Mile High” meringue pie, but you can’t go wrong with any of the Southern and regional favorites here. Along with a mouthwatering meal, your family will love the mini-golf course, rock wall, gold panning, log cabin village, boutiques and gardens.

 

Day 3

 

Ready for an other-worldly adventure? Take the underground cave boat tour at Lost River Cave. Leading you along the riverbank before your group embarks into the cave by boat, your guide will detail the cave’s unique history and the folklore surrounding it. After your tour, visit the seasonal butterfly habitat (open Memorial Day through Labor Day).

 

 

Then, stop by the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green for lunch at the onsite Stingray Grill. Here, you’ll find a menu full of burgers, sandwiches, tenders and salads. Try the derby pie or bourbon bread pudding for dessert.

 

After lunch, go for an adrenaline-fueled afternoon of zip lining, rock climbing, go-karting and zooming down the state’s only alpine slide at Mammoth Valley Park in Cave City.

 

At the end of the day, check into a fully furnished modern cabin at Maple Retreat Cabins in Park City before grabbing a slice or two from Cave City Pizza.

 

Day 4

Round out your trip with a visit to Mammoth Cave National Park. Book your tour and delve underground into the world’s longest-known cave system. You and your crew can choose from a variety of tour options, from the two-hour Historic Tour for all ages to the extreme six-hour Wild Cave Tour for adults.