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Old 07-11-2009, 01:53 PM
 
Location: mid-Illinois
1,176 posts, read 1,745,392 times
Reputation: 699

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I live over in Central Illinois and want to take the g-kids to see stalagtites/mites. Could you tell me the best cave(s) to go to without having to travel to the west part of Missouri?

I know there are some by Hannibal and Merramec Caverns (Was there long ago).

Also, I went to one of the caves which had seats somewhere in the cave and they turned off the lights and played a song by maybe Mahalia Jackson... anyone know if this is in Missouri??

Do the cave tours cost much?

Thanks.
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Old 07-11-2009, 03:13 PM
 
Location: North Idaho
2,142 posts, read 4,450,856 times
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Doll Lady, check out this forum thread that hasn't had recent activity lately but should still give you some good info: //www.city-data.com/forum/misso...562-caves.html. Also see Missouri Caves Association.

Meramec Caverns and Onondaga Cave are located off I-44 near the towns of Stanton and Leasburg, respectively. Neither are as far as Rolla from St. Louis. When I last went to Meramec Caverns in 2004, they performed a light show at the end of the tour with the original performance of "God Bless America" from back in the 1940s, I think it was.

Try as best as you can to take your grandkids to both caves; they're both spectacular in their own respective ways. If you need to go to one or the other....I'd say if they're very young, see Meramec Caverns. If they're a bit older, like in their early teens, go with Onondaga Cave, which is my narrow favorite of the two. The incredible natural cave formations and the sheer size of Onondaga Cave, plus the fact that it doesn't receive the same level of attention from tourists as Meramec Caverns, makes this an absolute must-see location for adults and somewhat older children. I remember Onondaga having more steps to climb than Meramec, so consider what kind of physical shape you're in beforehand. But I daresay all of you should have a great time!

Extra bonus at Meramec Caverns--you can go on a short boat ride on the Meramec River before or after the cave tour for a little extra money and probably see some turtles and great blue herons (feeling a sharp pang of wanting to go back there right now as I write this!). The great scenery is worth the 105-degree heat index you might wind up facing if you travel there between now and the end of August. Plenty of caffeine-free drinks and a good ice chest or cooler for all of you!
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Old 07-11-2009, 06:32 PM
 
Location: mid-Illinois
1,176 posts, read 1,745,392 times
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This is great info.....the kids are 8 and 12 .... I think they will be ok with Onondaga...the 8 yr old is a boy who plays junior football so he's used to activity and the girl who is 12 is on the all star baseball team..... gramma is old but used to climbing stairs all day in our two story house and gramps is just so physically active that I get tired watching him. LOL

Thank you so much for the info.....I'm looking forward to going. Let us know if you ever need any info on downstate Illinois.
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Old 07-13-2009, 08:58 PM
 
Location: SW MO
1,238 posts, read 4,470,904 times
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If you are ever in Branson, go to Silver Dollar City and check out Marvel Cave. It is in the park and the tour doesn't cost extra. It is a very nice cave, although the jokes are terrible!
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Old 07-13-2009, 09:00 PM
 
Location: SW MO
1,238 posts, read 4,470,904 times
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Do you consider Springfield to be too far west?

Fantastic Caverns - America's Only Ride Thru Cave! ... Springfield, Missouri, U.S.A.
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