• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • My Story
  • Contact
  • Secondary Navigation Social Media Icons

    • Email
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
theTravelingEsprit

theTravelingEsprit

  • Homeschooling
  • Lifestyle
    • Homestead
    • Coffee
  • Home
  • Virgin Islands
    • Destinations
      • United States
    • St Thomas
    • St John
You are here: Home / Destinations / One Day in Cave City, Kentucky

One Day in Cave City, Kentucky

22.11.24 | Josselyn | No Comments

Ever wondered what it’s like to sleep in a giant concrete teepee? Our whirlwind 24-hour trip to Cave City, Kentucky, delivered that and so much more!

Wigwam Village No. 2: A Retro Escape

wigwam no 2

After leaving Mammoth Cave National Park, we headed to Cave City, Kentucky, just a quick 20-minute drive away. Located on the Old Dixie Highway, Cave City feels like stepping back in time, evoking the golden era of American road trips and small-town charm. Before Interstate 65 was built, the Old Dixie Highway was the main route between Florida and Michigan. But once I-65 took over, Dixie Highway was left behind (have you seen Cars?).

Driving through Cave City feels like traveling through history, with vintage 1950s-style motels and roadside attractions still dotting the landscape. It’s also packed with family-friendly activities like Dinosaur World, adventure parks, zoos, and, of course, caves!

One of the most iconic stops is Wigwam Village No. 2, a retro motel where you can stay in your very own teepee.

Our Stay at Wigwam Village No. 2

We arrived at Wigwam Village No. 2 in the afternoon for check-in, where the friendly owners shared the history of the village and their restoration efforts. Arranged in a semi-circle, 15 concrete teepees surround an open space with vintage playground equipment and a fire pit—a perfect setup for families with kids.

Wigwam Village No 2

We stayed in Wigwam No. 9, a double room with beds on either side of the door and a small bathroom in the middle. The tiling and furniture are original, lovingly restored to preserve their charm. Outside each teepee are red Adirondack chairs, where we relaxed while the kids played on the vintage slides and open grass.

Exploring Cave City: Ice Cream Heaven

On the owners’ recommendation, we visited Cave City Coffee & Creamery, where we found some of the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted. Jay chose Cotton Candy, Missy went for Vanilla, Auntie loved Dutch Chocolate, and I savored Campfire S’mores. It was so good I’d consider flying back from the Virgin Islands for another scoop!

Evening Bonfires and Playground Fun

Campfire, wigwam village no2

As the sun set, we returned to Wigwam Village, where the kids played for hours on the playground. At 9 PM, the owner, Keith, lit a bonfire in the center green space. Travelers from other teepees joined us around the fire, sharing stories about their unique architectural adventures.

The mist over the playground the next morning made for a magical scene as we packed up. While the kids played in the dewy grass, we left a thank-you note in our room—part of the tradition here—and turned in our vintage key. We stopped at the cute downtown of Cave City for a delicious coffee from Ace Coffee Company.

Playground Wigwam Village No 2

Breakfast at Farmwald’s Dutch Bakery

Before leaving, we stopped at Farmwald’s Dutch Bakery, an Amish bakery, shop and restaurant. The cinnamon rolls (as big as my hand!) and donuts were irresistible, and the biscuits and gravy I ordered were a hearty start to the day. Though the treats aren’t cheap, they’re absolutely worth it.

Farmwalds Dutch Bakery
Cinnamon Rolls as big as my hand!

We hopped on the road and made our way to visit the Forest Giants of Bernheim Forest in Clermont, Kentucky. Stay tuned!

Have you ever visited Cave City or stayed in a teepee? I’d love to hear your experience below!

← Previous Post
5 Things to do with Kids on St Thomas, VI (sand-free)
Next Post →
St. Thomas Area Guide: Best Attractions, Beaches, and Popular Resorts in the US Virgin Islands

About Josselyn

Primary Sidebar

Hey, its me, Josselyn!


Welcome! We hope you join us on our journey as we dive into everyday adventures, family travels, and the beautiful chaos of raising curious minds in paradise. There’s always something new to discover, and I’m excited to share it all with you!

Find us online

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Join our list

#kindergartencurriculum #homeschoolcurriculum #firstgradecurriculum 
Hello everyone!
In this video, we are talking about our family curriculum picks for Kindergarten and First Grade for our first year of homeschooling! We are going on some fun adventures and I’m so excited to share them with you! 

*Blossom and Root Great Space Adventure - https://www.blossomandroot.com/level-0

* Build Your Library Level 0 - https://buildyourlibrary.com/purchase-level-0-curriculum/

* Homeschool Languages Spanish Level 1 - https://www.homeschoollanguages.com/product-page/spanish-print-at-home-curriculum?srsltid=AfmBOoru3SPc-SX-ma5QfE1RLQfUFfDui2FfPnyUolmjvhYUkZPIBeIe



*****Videos Mentioned***** 
Individual Curriculum Picks for Kindergarten & First Grade | First Time Homeschoolers
ChatGPT Helped Pick Our Homeschool Curriculum! How Facebook & YouTube Played a Role, Too!



This is my brand-new channel and I'm SO EXCITED to be here and share our journey with you!
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss anything! See you soon!


💻CONNECT with me 💻

📧 CONTACT EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com
🌐 BLOG → wwww.thetravelingesprit.com


***This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool! Thank you for supporting my channel!

FTC Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
COPPA Disclaimer: This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
Family Subjects Kindergarten & 1st Grade | Come on an Adventure with us! | 2025-2026 Curriculum Pick
#kindergartencurriculum #homeschoolcurriculum #firstgradecurriculum
Hey everyone!
I'm so excited to finally share our kindergarten and first grade individual subject picks for the 2025-2026 school year! 

*What curriculum are YOU using this year? Let me know in the comments!*

Materials mentioned: 

* Carson Dellosa Prekindergarten Workbook – https://a.co/d/0iTyooH  

* Kindergarten Math With Confidence – https://a.co/d/gVqOADF  
* First Grade Math With Confidence – https://a.co/d/c9SF0oC  

* Crayola Glitter & Pearl Crayon Set – https://a.co/d/0yoBwi0  

* Engineer Academy – https://a.co/d/2vwaYXT  

* Get Ready, Get Set, Go for the Code (A, B & C) – https://a.co/d/8qAMnj8  
* Explode the Code Set 1–4 – https://a.co/d/9zI1kpE  

* Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons - https://a.co/d/577iEB9

HANDWRITING WITHOUT TEARS:
* Kickstart Kindergarten – https://amzn.to/4jI5SKM  
* Letters & Numbers for Me – https://amzn.to/3RDggr9  
* Slate Chalkboard – https://shopping.lwtears.com/product/slate-chalkboard/01t4V000007a2ayQAA  
* Little Chalk Bits – https://shopping.lwtears.com/product/little-chalk-bits/01t4V000007a2cZQAQ  
* Blackboard with Double Lines – https://shopping.lwtears.com/product/blackboard-with-double-lines/01t4V000007a2bgQAA  


---

💛 This is my brand-new channel and I’m SO EXCITED to share our homeschool journey with you!  
👉 Don’t forget to **like, comment, and subscribe** so you don’t miss anything.  

---

💻 CONNECT WITH ME:

📧 EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com  
🌐 BLOG → https://www.thetravelingesprit.com  

---

**DISCLAIMER:**  
This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool. Thanks for supporting my channel!  

**FTC Notice:** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  
**COPPA Disclaimer:** This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
Individual Curriculum Picks for Kindergarten & First Grade | First Time Homeschoolers
#thegoodandthebeautiful  #homeschoolcurriculum #kindergartencurriculum 
Hello everyone! 
In this video, I’m talking about why The Good and the Beautiful Kinder Prep and Level K language arts isn't a great fit for our first year of homeschooling. 

*www.goodandbeautiful.com*

This is my brand-new channel and I'm SO EXCITED to be here and share our journey with you!
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss anything! See you soon!


💻CONNECT with me 💻

📧 CONTACT EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com
🌐 BLOG → wwww.thetravelingesprit.com


***This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool! Thank you for supporting my channel!

FTC Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
COPPA Disclaimer: This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
Why we said "No" to the Good and the Beautiful Language Arts for Kindergarten and First Grade
In this video, I’m sharing my honest fears as a mom new to homeschooling. From deschooling myself to worrying about balance, losing my "me time," and the pressure to make everything magical — am I crazy for going down this path?!

I see all the shiny, beautiful homeschool videos on YouTube and wonder… what if my homeschool journey is just a hot mess?

If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure about homeschooling too, you’re not alone. 

Chime in below — what’s your biggest homeschooling fear right now?

New here? I’m an island mom homeschooling my little ones and figuring it out one day at a time.
Will Homeschool Just Be a Hot Mess? | Confessions on Deschooling, Expectations & Losing "Me" Time
Hey everyone! Welcome back! 👋
In today’s video, I’m breaking down the exact steps (using ChatGPT,  Curriculum websites, Facebook, and YouTube) I took to choose our homeschool curriculum for the 2025–2026 school year.

📌 My ChatGPT Prompt (feel free to copy and tweak!):
“I would like to create a homeschooling pod for kindergarten and first graders. There will be individual subjects like math and language arts and group subjects like social studies and science. It can be religious but I do not want to teach religious content. I would like to focus on human kindness and emotional intelligence at this age instead. We will incorporate cooking, gardening, and we also have chickens and a yard for the kids to play in. It can have online components, but it will not be an online curriculum. We can pay for the curriculum. Please incorporate math, language arts, social studies, art, science. We have visual learners as well as kinesthetic learners.”

📄 Helpful Curriculum Resource
Rainbow Resource Curriculum Planning Guide:
👉 https://www.rainbowresource.com/pdfs/resources/FamilyWay_Curriculum.pdf
https://www.rainbowresource.com/pdfs/resources/FamilyWay_Curriculum.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoo8HUuIcr68FuzIYR5XTx59NOVLNQdKA9kWaGOZx8ao_d76OkM7

📝 More Info on My Blog
If you're a new homeschooler, I’ve written more about my curriculum research process here:
👉 https://thetravelingesprit.com/choosing-our-first-homeschool-curriculum-tools-for-new-homeschoolers/
ChatGPT Helped Pick Our Homeschool Curriculum! How Facebook & YouTube Played a Role, Too!
Hey there! I'm Joss — city girl turned island mom, homeschooler, and accidental farm girl living in the Virgin Islands. On this channel, I'm sharing our journey — the good, the messy, and everything in between — with a little sunshine and sarcasm along the way.

Hit subscribe and come hang out! And if you’re a fellow homeschooler, say hi in the comments — I’d love to connect.
How We Ended Up Homeschooling | Our story!! Quick Introduction to US!
#handwritingwithouttears #homeschoolcurriculum #kindergartencurriculum 
Hello everyone!
In this video, I’m comparing the first three levels of Handwriting Without Tears to help you really see and choose which level is right for your kiddo!

* Kickstart Kindergarten – https://amzn.to/4jI5SKM
* Letters & Numbers for Me – https://amzn.to/3RDggr9
* My Printing Book – https://amzn.to/3RHTyy6

This is my brand-new channel and I'm SO EXCITED to be here and share our journey with you!
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss anything! See you soon!


💻CONNECT with me 💻

📧 CONTACT EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com
🌐 BLOG → wwww.thetravelingesprit.com


***This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool! Thank you for supporting my channel!

FTC Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
COPPA Disclaimer: This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
Handwriting Without Tears KickStart Kindergarten, Letters & Numbers for Me, & My Printing Book
Subscribe

Footer

Join our list!

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Copyright © 2025 · theTravelingEsprit

Isla Theme by Code + Coconut