Earlier this week, Silver Dollar City ended the mystery and announced the major expansion Mystic River Falls for 2020. This new area will include a raft ride with the highest drop for that type of attraction in the Western Hemisphere. It also will contain a large barbecue restaurant that seats 450 people. Herschend Family Entertainment continues to expand Silver Dollar City and make it a prime destination for more than just regional guests. One of its best attractions hearkens back to before the park even opened, however. The popularity of Marvel Cave initially created the landscape for the origins of Silver Dollar City.
I recently visited Marvel Cave during a trip with my daughters (10 and 6) last month. We decided to do the attraction near the end of the day, which was probably not the best idea. The walk-through experience takes more than an hour and goes well beyond what you might expect. There are tight passages, challenging steps, and stunning views inside this massive structure. While there are handrails and safe walkways, this is not a touristy place. There were a few spots that felt a little precarious, especially with a six-year-old.
Initially discovered in 1500 by the Osage tribe and leased by the Herschend Family in 1950, Marvel Cave has a fascinating history. It’s also included in your theme park admission to Silver Dollar City, which is a great value. If you get the chance to visit the area, be sure to set aside time for Marvel Cave. I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed. This post includes some photos from our recent trip, with my thoughts about different aspects of the cave included with each picture. It’s a real gem!
The Cathedral Room
This picture from the bottom of the Cathedral Room cannot do justice to the gigantic space. It is the largest cave entrance room in the United States, and the walk down the stairs of the tower is a bit harrowing. You can see that inventive structure in the middle of this photo, with the ramps progressing downward from there. This journey takes you down several hundred feet and offers amazing views from both the top and bottom of the space.
This shot also comes from the same place at the bottom of the Cathedral Room, but facing the other direction. The inviting tunnel is an example of places that are not accessible during the tour. We cover a lot of ground during this trip, and it feels like there are so many other nooks and crannies to explore within Marvel Cave.
The stalactites in this picture are just one example of so much interesting natural rockwork within Marvel Cave. The photo at the top of this post offers another striking example. Our tour guide provides excellent stories during this journey, but there’s too much to see in every section. It often seems otherworldly and like something created by Imagineers.
An Underground Waterfall
We ultimately reach more than 500 feet beneath the surface, which is stunning to ponder. In this space is a beautiful underground waterfall heightened through attractive lighting. It would be easy to spend a lot more than a few minutes inside this large room, but there is always more to see. This photo again can only capture a small amount of the majesty.
As we start our journey back to the surface, we encounter tight spots that may not charm larger adults. You can see in this photo how the rocks naturally create the smaller walkways. There is nothing insane to traverse, but the slim spots remind us that we’re walking through a cave that existed long before it became a tourist attraction.
The Final Step of the Journey
The last part of our adventure is a little scary if you don’t like tight places, but it’s also a relief. Assuming that the trains work, we will be returning to the surface very soon. This picture comes inside a train car moments before the upward ride begins. I suspect that much has changed since the vehicles were installed in the 1950s.
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