Russell Cave National Monument

Russell Cave sheltered people for nearly 9,000 years, one of the longest records of human habitation in the Southeast: Archaic hunters, then Woodland and Mississippian peoples left tools, weapons, and pottery that archaeologists excavated in the 1950s with the National Geographic Society. The cave's huge entrance gapes at the base of a limestone bluff.

Peer into the cave from the boardwalk, try spear-throwing with an atlatl at ranger programs, and visit the museum; young kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge. For a challenge, hike the nature trail up over the cave's mountain.