McMinnville, Tennessee: Cumberland Caverns, with a Chandelier
Tennessee's largest show cave, and the only one anywhere with a waterfall and an elegant chandelier.
Cumberland Caverns
- Address:
- 1437 Cumberland Caverns Rd, McMinnville, TN
- Directions:
- South of town on Cumberland Caverns Rd, about 1.5 mi off of Hwy 8.
- Hours:
- Daily 9 am - 5 pm. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 931-668-4396
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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Cumberland Caverns, with a Chandelier
Chandelier!
[Matthew Krist, 02/17/2015]Cumberland Caverns - With Chandelier
The previous post is partially correct. Cumberland Caverns does have some amazing features (Stalactites, Stalagmites, Flow Rock, etc.), and the shear size of the cave is breathtaking.
However, on top of the steep entry fee (a lot of money for a cave, in my opinion), our tour guide in particular was, I promise you, the worst guide I've ever had on anything. ever. Period. She was friendly, but she was not well informed about cave formations, she was extremely awkward to engage, and she had zero presentation skills.
The highlight of the trip is supposed to be "a pageantry of light and sound" within the depths of this massive cave. In reality, you're scooted down a path to a set of homemade bleachers. The lights are shut off and the guide fumbles with an AV box and presses play on a CD player. The audio comes from some cheap speakers mounted behind you, and you experience what they call "The Creation Story." It's nothing more than a poorly edited reading of how God created the Earth in 7 days, set to a light show (read: some multicolored bulbs scattered throughout a small section of cave).
For some of you, this might sound like a good time. If so, have fun.
[Greg S., 03/16/2010]You're describing the ideal show cave tour and presentation!
Tennessee's Largest Show Cave - great tour! Huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling. There are lots of impressive formations and a waterfall on the tour, as well as some historic salt peter mining artifacts. Well worth the ticket price.
[Jenny, 08/23/2008]Nearby Offbeat Places
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You said it. The 1928 crystal fixture originally hung in a theater in Brooklyn, NY. It's 15-ft. long, holds 150 lights, and hangs 60 ft. above the floor of the Volcano Room.