Day #4 – Down on the Farm Day Trip

Kentucky farm experience? Located between Mammoth Cave National Park and Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Hart County’s “Down on the Farm Day Trip” is full of animal encounters, locally-grown crops, and pure fun!

Start your day just two miles off Interstate 65 at Horse Cave Exit 58 with a visit to Dutch Country Safari Park nestled in the Kentucky bluegrass on a small Amish farm. Hart County has one of the fastest-growing Amish populations in the US, and Michael Troyer and his wife Katie welcome you to take a safari hayride through their fields to feed exotic animals like yaks, zebras, camels, ostriches, emus, water buffalo, and so many more. You can also visit the encounter areas with the smaller animals, watch the kids on the playground, check out the cute gift shop, and grab a snack.  SEASONAL HOURS: Dutch Country Safari Park is open late March through late October.

Then hop in the car for a 7 mile drive to Dennison’s Roadside Market. You’ll pass through Horse Cave, the historic small town built on top of Hidden River Cave. You’ll want to grab some photos of the beautiful, huge cave entrance on Main Street and plan a tour on your way back through or add a day to tour the cave and browse the charming antique/ vintage shops.

Dennison’s Roadside Market is located on a working farm that has a marvelous market that’s always stocked with seasonal produce from their own farm and other local farms. Depending on the season, you can pick your own bouquet of colorful flowers, choose some fresh berries, melons, or vegetables for your table, campsite, or trip home, and find some locally-sourced food items and crafts. In the fall you can ride the farm wagon to the patch to find the perfect pumpkin and try a freshly-dipped caramel apple. You’ll love to choose a bottle from the soft drink cooler, sit back and relax on the porch, and watch the kids on the playground and the tractors driving to market. SEASONAL HOURS: Dennison’s Roadside Market is open April 1 through mid November

Horse Cave restaurant just 1 mile up the road is mouth-watering Kentucky barbecue at PaDaddy’s Backyard BBQ. Travel about 11 miles north on US 31E to Green River Hill Grocery and feast on ag-centric small-batch deliciousness. You can travel on from there 15 miles to Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Historical Park, too.  About 1 mile south of Dennison’s on your way to Horse Cave, you’ll pass Wigwam General Store, where you can eat with locals who love their hand-patted burgers and daily specials.

It’s an easy day trip with loads of opportunities for things to do or places to relax. We suggest adding an overnight Horse Cave lodging, of course. To add to the rustic feeling, a night at Horse Cave KOA camping in a Conestoga wagon, gorgeous treehouse, teepee, or cabin will top off the experience. Don’t forget to grab some s’mores ingredients for the fire pit on your patio.

INSIDER TIP: Start off the next morning with a fabulous Amish donut from Farmwald’s Restaurant & Amish Bakery just across the road, and head out for Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, Hidden River Cave/American Cave Museum, Adventures of Mammoth Cave, or Mammoth Cave National Park. So much fun!!!!