Top 5 Dog Friendly Attractions in Hart County

If you are a childless millennial like me and your dog must go everywhere with you…then the Horse Cave, Kentucky area is a can’t miss for you! My 4 year old French Bulldog, Wasabi, and I made the trip during the fall season and these are our top 5 recommendations in the area for y’all…

1- Hidden River Cave. This is the only cave we have EVER heard of where you can take your pet right in on your tour with you! Watching Wasabi peer into the famed Sunset Dome, trot across the longest underground swinging bridge in the world, and wish she was off-leash as creepy crawly cave creatures darted about was so much fun. If you have a curious, high energy dog, this is a must do! However, know in advance that our tour ended with me carrying Wasabi up hundreds of steps so prepare your calves now! In addition to the great workout, this cave tour seriously is one of the neatest activities we have done in Kentucky’s Cave Country, especially because the cave entrance is literally tucked right into downtown Horse Cave!
*Hidden River Cave is housed and run in collaboration with the American Cave Museum. See those exhibits before you leave!

2- Dutch Country Safari. A hands-on wildlife experience located in Hart County’s Amish community providing a unique experience all around; what better way to add to that uniqueness by adding your four legged friend into the mix? From feeding llamas to being face-to-face with camels, ostriches, and more, Wasabi was elated the entire time we spent here! We started with time in the petting zoo before a full safari ride and ended by touring the indoor animal exhibits, which include monkeys, guinea pigs, and more! My girl is high-energy and her pure excitement throughout this entire stop made my heart so happy! This is a great stop if you and your pet need to stretch your legs and want room to play, in between zoo animals, of course!
*Although the on-site animals are not free roaming, leashes are a necessity here for everyone’s safety.

3- Downtown Horse Cave. This walkable main street has dog-friendly shops aplenty. I could not believe my bulldog was allowed into Caveland Antique Mall, but the shopkeeper welcomed her in with plenty of pets and a friendly reminder of the breakables surrounding us! We traipsed around the locally owned boutiques housed in beautiful historic buildings all afternoon with random stops to chat with the gregarious townspeople. Maple Avenue Park nestled behind the historic Thomas House is the perfect picnic spot for lunch. We recommend takeout from 5 Broke Girls to dine al fresco under the nice shelter in between the trees
*Don’t miss the award winning Horse Cave Stories Cell Phone Walking Tour (go to horsecavestories.com for access); you will see the signage as you adventure around.

4- Horse Cave KOA. Our stay here reminded me of being at summer camp when I was younger, but just with my dog alongside me, making everything that better. Almost every other guest seemed to also have a dog along; Wasabi and I met friendly folks from all over the country. We walked the entire property, which sits next to beautiful farmland on one side and boasts horses and a fishing pond on the other, made s’mores over the fire, and played on the jumping pillow! Our cabin was all wood and so cozy with a firepit right outside where we stayed for hours hanging out in the crisp fall weather. Our stay here was the perfect fit for being in the midst of an outdoor adventure destination.
*Hit Farmwald’s Restaurant, the Amish restaurant and bakery right across the street, for fresh donuts early the next morning!

5- Dennison’s Roadside Market. We loved this roadside stop so much! Wasabi excitedly roamed the rows of pumpkins and flowers to smell every single thing possible outside before we headed in for the general store-style indoor market. The rows of canned goods, displayed fresh veggies from the grounds, baskets of fried pies, big old school Coca Cola refrigerator of glass bottle sodas, and more truly take you back to a simpler time as you meander around. I loved that they welcomed Wasabi with homemade pumpkin dog treats and the cold wooden floor to cool her off. We took home local honey, an Amish made basket, raspberry jam, and a few spice mixes!
*The caramel apples are hand-dipped in-house and we can’t recommend them enough if you’re there during the autumn season!

Blog provided by MacLean Lessenberry