My friends from Japan are coming in town and I was planning to show them a sight they likely won't witness in their homeland. So I've opted for a short trip to San Marcos, and along the way, experience the natural wonders of the Texas caverns. Within the vicinity are two that I've found. So which is better? Natural Bridge Caverns or WonderWorld? (Sorry to start a thread)
Actually the safari is pretty cool too. And speaking for my wife (from Japan), they would probably appreciate it. They don't have any predators, but they have big ass ostriches that will peck your window, etc. Watch out for the zebras - we didn't give them any handouts and they chewed some of the paint off my car by the window.
Natural Bridge is a bazillion times better. Wonder Cave is a waste of time... the running joke is, "you'll wonder why you went there." Caves of Sonora is better than all of 'em, but it's quite a drive out West. (My wife and I did a cave tour with my bro and his wife about 6 or 7 years ago. We hit Natural Bridge, Wonder, Sonora, and our final destination was Carlsbad Caverns. Pretty cool trip.)
Natural Bridge Caverns is a pretty nice spot to go visit. I havent been there in a long time but I really enjoyed it.
Longhorn Caverns are near Austin. There is also Carlsbad caverns in New Mexico. Google: "Longhorn Caverns" and "Austin".
Indeed, it was a very cool trip. I gotta disagree with my bro here, though, and say that Sonora was not as good as Natural Bridge: I really appreciated the size of Natural Bridge (though, of course, Carlsbad puts them all to shame). However, Sonora was much less "touristy", so you feel more like a real spelunker. WonderWorld is utter crap. Stay away.
Longhorn Caverns has a lot of history, but is a dry cave, like Wonder Cave... none of those pointy things and such. Cascade Caverns and Inner Space Cavern are two more in the area. As far as I know, I've been to all the "commercial" ones. Sonora is not that big, but has some really great formations. I really like it. I dig caves. One of the best ways to beat the Summer heat in Texas. edit: a good link- http://www.weatherfriend.com/travel/txcave/txcavemain.html
Take them to either Natural Bridge or Longhorn Caverns. Wonderworld, hahahahah! That place has been a joke since dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Natural Bridge is a cavern, wonder world is a cave...and I think it is closed now anyway. Also, I like the safari...my kids loved it, the animals eat right out of your hand from the car....very neat. DD
Sounds like they are training the animals for a Dick Cheney hunting expedition. The animals walk right up to the car so you can shoot them.
That's what I liked about Sonora. It's what they call a "wet" cavern, meaning it's still actively growing. The entire cavern drips. It's kinda small and cramped, and it felt really... ummm. raw. Good stuff.
Carlsbad >>>>> all Texas caverns If you can go there and then visit the white sands monument nearby. Nothing like rolling down large dunes of white sand.
