As spring draws near, moms naturally start thinking about what to do with their kids in the warmer weather. Keeping kids active and happy is healthy and fun. Luckily, opportunities abound! You can sign your teens up for soccer, enroll your little ones in archery lessons, visit an outdoor skate park—the list of kids friendly venues goes on and on. Taking your kids to see amazing geographical sites is another fantastic option.

I recently took my kids, along with my niece, to one of these amazing geographical sites called Cathedral Caverns. Located just outside of Huntsville, Alabama, this underground wonder was truly a sight to see.

What Can You Expect?

When we ventured into the caverns, we were in for a treat! The stalagmites and stalactites grew in majestic splendor. Rushing water could be heard throughout, even when we couldn’t always see it. Hidden crevices, miniature waterfalls, and crystal formations were some of the amazing sites to explore down inside the caverns.

The pathways were lit to help guests get the fullest picture of the rock formations. When we reached the end of the mile-plus trek into the heart of the caverns, our guide gathered everyone around then turned off all the lighting. The inky blackness was both fascinating and terrifying (but in a good way!) The lights were then turned back on to allow guests to find their way out.

Besides the caverns themselves, the grounds around the caverns hosted a gift shop and a campground.

The History of the Caverns

Cathedral Caverns was previously known as Bat Cave. In the 1950s, the caverns were opened for public exploration thanks to a man named Jacob Gurley. Later, in 1987, the state of Alabama purchased the caverns and the surrounding land. The state opened the area as a state park in the year 2000.

The caverns are only accessible through the official cave tours offered by the state park. During the tour, we learned so much. In one of the massive caverns, the guide shone his flashlight up to the ceiling. We could make out small white spikes. He then illuminated various fossil-like formations in the ceiling. He explained that the small white spikes were actually shark teeth! The teeth, along with the fossil formations, proved that this part of the cave used to be completely underwater. Learning this history was both fun and fascinating.

Accessibility

Despite the wide, smooth pathways, handrails, and lighting in the Caverns, you’ll want to be fully prepared before committing to this venture. Explorers will travel well over a mile into the caverns—and then a mile back. It’s all downhill on the trek in, which seems fine until it’s time to climb back out! My son was in a stroller during our visit, and the trek out of the caverns left me with burning calves and lungs.

The Details

Cavern tours are available to be booked ahead of time online. The website is typically updated once a week for the upcoming week. If booking ahead isn’t your preference, then you can always book in person at the ticket window.

Adult pricing, as at March 2024, is $20 per person, and children ages 5-12 are $9. Kids 4 and under are free. There is also a military discount of $2 off per adult.

Along with the campground, the state park also offers modest cabins for guests who want to stay inside the state park. The pricing varies depending on the dates, but they offer modern amenities for the comfort of guests.

What Else is There to Do?

The caverns themselves are only a short drive away from Huntsville, which boasts lots of great activities for families with kids. If you’re looking for more nature, you’ll want to check out Monte Sano Mountain, Lake Guntersville, or Desoto State Park. Other more hands-on options include the Marshall Space Flight Center, Dave & Busters, or Top Golf.

Dave & Busters is an arcade and restaurant that provides nonstop fun for the whole family. The lively atmosphere, fun games, and great food offers something for everyone. This makes it one of the best places to visit with family.

Planning a family outing like one of these activities is a great way to kick off the warm weather season. We here at MomsTribute.com, that top mom blog for busy moms, are here to point you in the right direction! Caverns like those mentioned above are dotted across the United States, and fun activity centers like Dave & Busters are national chains which can be found in multiple cities nationwide. If you’re going to be out and about, don’t forget to download the free kid friendly venue app. It can be a great time management tool to help busy working moms find cool stuff to do with their kids!

Katie C