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Cave City, Kentucky: Big Mike's: Mystery House, Rocks, and Big Mo

Classic distraction on the road to Mammoth Cave. Souvenir shop features world record fossilized skull and a 1970s vintage Mystery Spot with a perception distorto chamber, or whatever they call it. Outdoor folk art statue of Big Mo, a memorable Mosasaur.

Visitor Tips and News About Big Mike's: Mystery House, Rocks, and Big Mo

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Big Mike's Mystery House

Took my two very out-of-town guests (from the Philippines) to Big Mike's on the way to Mammoth Cave. Used our convenient internet coupon to save the admission fee, which made it all that much better. Well worth the introduction to the America Tourist Trap concept for them.

OK, you're supposed to be amazed by the trick floors and all, but they lean soooo much that it's really obvious why the water and pool balls roll uphill. Then there's the chair that sits on a rail with you in it bit. Awesomely bad. Our tour guide was bored with the whole routine at 9 am on a Saturday, adding to the aura even more. Lots of poorly delivered bad jokes. I was thrilled with the experience and convenience. Don't miss this if going to Mammoth Cave.

[Byron Bell, 06/28/2010]

Big Mike's Mystery House.

Big Mike's Mystery House

My boyfriend and I planned a trip for the weekend to Mammoth Cave and decided to look up surrounding attractions in the area for some extra stuff to do. We, Of course we found Big Mike's Mystery House on RoadsideAmerica.com, noticed the admission of $1, and immediately assumed it would be awesomely bad and definitely worth a pilgrimage. Conveniently, the Mystery House was right on the road we needed to take to get to the caves, so no gas was wasted in the pursuit of a cheap laugh.

Apparently the joke was on us, because I believe my boyfriend enjoyed the Mystery House even more than he enjoyed Mammoth Cave. Your level of enjoyment will come from your ability to appreciate what one everyday-type man was able to build with his own two hands. Obviously, this place isn't Disney World, but it is unlike any place I've ever been before. Some guy who knows how to build stuff and knows his geometry constructed a house that's actually pretty neat to see, when you consider you're at some random stop on the road in Kentucky. Our tour guide was very nice and we had a lot of fun.

[DJ, 08/28/2009]
Big Mike's Mystery House

My sister and I decided to visit the Mystery House after seeing it on this website. It was not a good experience. The owners were rude when I paid for the tour. I asked where I should go and they said, "She will give the tour once she's finishes eating. Just wait." The tour guide gave the tour and proceeded to insult us as being slow for not laughing at her jokes (she assumed we didn't get them, but they just weren't funny). She told us she could only be in there 15 minutes (I guess because of child labor laws). Because of the time limit she rushed us through and was bossy while doing it. It's only a dollar but I would pass on this one.

[Suzanne S., 07/26/2008]

We recall this tour as being short but fun. And what you describe sounds like you got more than your dollar's worth!

Big Mike's Mystery House

I visited Big Mike's on a road trip last month -- great place for a rock hound to poke around. I bought a Floyd Collins t-shirt and some minerals as gifts, and with my receipt the clerk gave me a free pass to the Mystery House! There was a similar house out west when I was a kid in the '70s and this one really took me back. I recommended it to my cousins to take their kids -- it's something kids would love. Support your nearest gloriously cheesy tourist traps!

[Lisa Millraney, 08/31/2007]

Balls roll uphill.

Big Mike's Mystery House

We visited the Big Mike's Mystery House on our road trip and had a blast. Well worth the $1 admission, and it will having you questioning everything you know about gravity. The water running uphill was working when we were there. Definitely a mind boggling stop.

[Kelly, 08/14/2007]

Big Mike's: Mystery House, Rocks, and Big Mo

Big Mike's Rock and Gift Shop

Address:
566 Old Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY
Directions:
Big Mikes Rock and Gift Shop. I-65 exit 53. Drive east on Hwy 255 for seven miles. You'll see Big Mike's on the right.
Phone:
270-773-5144
Admission:
Mystery House $4.
RA Rates:
Major Fun
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Trail to Sand Cave, Where Floyd Collins DiedTrail to Sand Cave, Where Floyd Collins Died, Cave City, KY - < 1 mi.
Treasure Trove ParkTreasure Trove Park, Cave City, KY - 3 mi.
Dinosaur WorldDinosaur World, Cave City, KY - 3 mi.
In the region:
Big Basketballs, Elizabethtown, KY - 39 mi.

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