I took my 5yr old niece and my 12yr old daughter on Saturday,, April 15 of 2023 to visit the Caverns for the first time even though we live locally for three years, now, we have not made our way to this cavern. My husband was 30 years active duty, Air Force and government work. We've lived everywhere around the world we visited numerous caverns however, this particular cavern stood out from all the rest in several ways. Our guide Paula was absolutely amazing!! Paula was very patient. Very very knowledgeable very passionate about her work you could tell she loved what she did with her heart and soul!! This is not a job to Paula. This is a lifestyle and passion and it shows! She educated us on all of the minerals in the local area to include my area where I live I've never had more education inside of any cavern I've visited ever. The history was so deep and amazing that she had all of our attention. The ambience in the cave was amazing from start to finish the way everything is set up is phenomenal!! All of the different artifacts inside the cavern to educate people and show people because seeing really is believing makes it that much better. All of the staff working we're happy they were all playful with each other. Everything was very lighthearted, even though there was a storm going on outside. One of Missouri's famous thunderstorms in the cavern. You couldn't tell. The climate remains. We will be coming back for not only the escape room, the blacklight tour, they have camping events they put on dinners for certain holidays. They do things no other cavern does in the United States. Well worth the visit. Great little gift shop we even had to come back the next day for a couple things we felt like we missed out on and had to have! Another amazing thing that this gift shop does that none of the other gift shops I have visited do is the way that they crack open their geodes. It's really neat for the kids to see and the adults. It's the safest most rational way I've ever seen them opened. This should be patented and spread throughout!! Honestly, keep up the good work you guys made us feel like we could actually live inside the cavern no problem! My daughter even commented about having a job there one day, which was amazing for me as her mother to think she's as interested in the most amazing things on earth as I am. Thank you Paula thank you Stark Caverns. We will see you guys again sooner than later!! Tedford Family read more