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Marengo Cave's Crawl.

Marengo Cave

Field review by the editors.

Marengo, Indiana

Marengo Cave was a refuge when a deadly tornado blew through town in May 2004, thus finally fulfilling its role as a fallout shelter, although the fallout was from trees, not atom bombs.

This cave has expanded outside of natural confines for tourist appeal. It now offers "The Crawl" and "The Bat" as attractions. Navigating through The Crawl is like slithering through a giant intestine, and is intended to give one the sensation of cave exploration without the cold, the wet, etc. -- just the claustrophobia. No shoes are allowed in The Crawl. It's only a few feet from the snack bar.

The Bat is a wood tower uphill and a metal tower downhill, between which is stretched a metal wire. People slide along it, pretending to be bats.

The cave itself is entered through a small metal door and is not for the claustrophobic. Subterranean wonders include a formation that resembles an aircraft carrier, and the Crystal Palace Room where nature is improved with piped in music and flashing colored lights. Another highlight is Discovery Falls, where a multimedia show projected onto a cave wall recreates the moment in 1883 when Blanche and Orris Hiestand discovered the cave. "Oh, Orris! This is amazing!"

Marengo Cave

Address:
400 East State Road 64, Marengo, IN
Directions:
I-64 exit 92. Hwy 66 north into town, then right on Hwy 64. Cave is on the north side of town, north side of Hwy 64.
Hours:
Mem. Day-Lab. Day 9 am-6 pm, other 9 am-5 pm. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
812-365-2705
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Shoe TreeShoe Tree, Milltown, IN - 7 mi.
Chainsaw GardenChainsaw Garden, Hardinsburg, IN - 5 mi.
Man in a BoxMan in a Box, New Salisbury, IN - 13 mi.
In the region:
World's (Former) Largest Horseshoe, Louisville, KY - 33 mi.

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