Geological

A 500-year-old lava tube you can walk through inside Volcanoes National Park. The paved trail descends through a tree fern forest and enters the illuminated tube which stretches about 600 feet long and is large enough to stand upright. Kids are thrilled by the idea of walking through a tunnel made by flowing lava. The tube is lit but a flashlight enhances the experience. The surrounding fern forest is prehistoric-looking and adds to the adventure. The whole loop takes about 20 minutes and is one of the most popular stops in the park.

Longhorn Cavern State Park is one of the most unique underground experiences you can share with kids in Texas. The guided walking tour covers about a mile through a massive cave system carved by an ancient underground river, and unlike most cave tours, the path is mostly flat, dry, and well-lit - making it manageable for kids as young as 4. The cave stays a constant 68 degrees year-round, which makes it a perfect escape from Texas summer heat or a cozy winter outing. Cathedral-sized rooms open up along the route, and your guide will point out fascinating geological formations along with stories about the cave’s wild history - it served as a Confederate gunpowder factory, a Prohibition-era speakeasy, and a hideout for Sam Bass’s gang. ...