LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- (WDRB) The intense heat might have felt miserable for most of us, but it has meant record business for one local attraction.
Louisville's Mega Cavern is a converted limestone mine. But this heat wave has turned the attraction into a gold mine.
When the temperature hits triple digits above ground, for these folks, the best option, go underground. Way underground.
Notes a tour guide, "This puts you in one of the safest places to be in in a windstorm, a hurricane, a tornado and even in an earthquake."
Or a heat wave. It's a constant 58 degrees here at 90 feet underground. That was enough to lure the Kidd family.
"We basically had cabin fever. With the baby being so small this summer and it being so hot outside, my husband suggested coming here, and we're really glad we did. It's the coolest thing we've done in weeks," said Jennifer Kidd.
"I started reading about it more and how cool it is so I thought, why not. Get out the house and do something," said Brent Kidd.
A lot of people had the same idea. This was one of, if not the busiest day since the cavern opened as a tourist attraction in 2009.
"Just in the last few weeks, we've noticed a gradual increase in business. This is the hottest it's been in quite some time and business has been doing great," said Trey Moreau, director of sales and marketing at the Mega Cavern.
Sally and Derek Hansen decided to spend their wedding anniversary there.
"We looked at all the things we could do in Louisville, and it sounded a little bit too hot to do just about any of them. But this one sounded great. It's nice and cool, and it's been entertaining," said Derek.
The Stamper family chose the adventurous option - the zip line tour.
"We're excited. Nervous. Plus it's 58 degrees in there. Instead of like 100 and something out there," said the Stampers.
The only problem with spending any length of time in 58 degree weather is when you come back outside, it feels even hotter. But for most, that trade-off was well worth it.
"We had to pack coats and blankets for the kids.I think this is the coolest we've been, like I said, in weeks. It's cooler in here than it is in our house by far," said Jennifer Kidd.
And just so you can think more cool thoughts, the Mega Cavern is where the city and state store their extra salt supplies for winter.
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