If you’re looking for a new family adventure this summer, why not head underground? The Midwest is home to a number of intricate cave networks, several of them right here in Ohio, where kids and adults can get up close and personal with the wonders of the underground world, from rock formations to waterfalls, blind cave fish to Ice Age bones. The best part? These caves stay a cool 54 degrees year-round on average, making them the perfect place to cool off when the temperatures soar.
Let’s go underground! Below are just a few of our favorites:
Olentangy Caverns
Location: 1779 Home Rd., Delaware, OH
Open since 1935, Olentangy Caverns is a family-friendly favorite for outdoor adventure. Attractions include self-guided cave tours (great for kids and first-time cavers), gem mining, a petting zoo, treasure hunt maze, mini golf, fire truck slide, playground, walking trail, and special events like cave yoga and fall pumpkin picking.
With 30+ acres to roam, guests are welcome to bring picnics and spend an afternoon enjoying nature. Visit the Rock & Gem Shop or the main gift shop for an amazing assortment of rocks, crystals, jewelry, and nature-themed souvenirs.
Located 25 minutes north of Columbus and just a few miles from The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Learn more and plan your visit at olentangycaverns.com.
Gorge Underground
Location: 2478 Glen Cairn Road, Rogers, KY
As far as recreation goes in the Red River Gorge, The Gorge Underground knows how to put on a good adventure! Enter an old mine in full gear to kayak (age 5+) or boat (age 3+) around the dark underground cave. Upgrade to a crystal clear kayak with underwater LED lights and watch as the lights attract beautiful rainbow trout to swim around and under your vessel!
Ohio Caverns
Location: 2210 East State Route 245, West Liberty, OH
Known as “America’s Most Colorful Caverns,” here you’ll find stunning rock formations in shades of blue, orange, white, red and black. The caverns are the largest in the state, with over two miles of passageways running in depth from 30 feet to 103 feet. Be sure to see the “Crystal King” while you’re there: a huge, perfectly formed white stalactite estimated to be over 200,000 years old. Visit ohiocaverns.com for more details.
Seneca Caverns
Location: 15248 E. Township Road 178, Bellevue, OH
Seneca Caverns was discovered by two boys in 1872 who were chasing their dog when it suddenly disappeared into a sink hole. Today, visitors can see a series of rooms and passageways on their tour, as well as Ole Mist’ry River, a crystal clear flowing stream 110 feet below the surface that is part of the vast underlying water system in the region. Pan for gemstones, crystals, arrowheads and fossils while you’re there, too. Check out senecacavernsohio.com to get the full scoop.
Mammoth Cave
Location: 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway , Mammoth Cave, KY
Mammoth Cave is one of the largest cave systems in the world and is certainly worth the hike to Kentucky. This massive cave sprawls over 400 miles, with 16 different tours for all ages. If you are looking to make this more than a day trip, there are opportunities to enjoy surface hikes, canoeing on the Green River, picnicking, horseback riding, bicycling, camping and more. Advance reservations for cave tours are highly recommended.
If you want give your kids a cave experience, but you’re not quite ready to tackle the real thing, Cincinnati Museum Center’s replica limestone cave will do the trick. A popular attraction is part of the Museum of Natural History & Science, the cave is two levels (a total of 500 feet) packed with twists and turns, waterfalls, pooled water, tight corridors and cave formations like stalagmites and stalactites. You can even feel the chill as you explore this immersive cave experience.
