2 Best Sights in Cave City, Kentucky

Formed from limestone millions of years ago, these caves have been a popular local attraction since they were discovered in the mid-19th century. Descend into this series of subterranean galleries, and you'll get up close to enormous stalactites and stalagmites, projecting onyx peaks, and rock palaces. Temperatures in the cave hover around 58°F throughout the year. Visits are by hour-long guided tour.

A less crowded alternative to Mammoth Cave, Onyx Cave has a variety of beautiful formations, including delicate crystalline draperies and rimstone pools. Stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations, including a 40-foot column, are highlights of this wet cave. There's a Native American burial ground, where the remains date from 680 BC. It also has a small gift shop on-site that sells rocks and fossils—you can even buy a bag of earth and pan for your own stones. Tours last 30 minutes.