Meramec Caverns Light Up June

Nighttime is a bright time at Meramec Caverns on Friday and Saturday nights during June. Visitors are equipped with hand-held lanterns during guided tours of the legendary Route 66 attraction, which is the largest single cave formation in the world.

Along the lantern-lit path, tour goers encounter a number of historical, re-enactment characters who also had once explored the giant caverns:

• an Osage Indian
• a Civil War soldier
• the infamous Missouri-born outlaw Jesse James

During the tours, renowned flutist David Little Eagle of the Taino Band of Arawak Cherokee will perform on Native American courting flutes made of red cedar.

The 80-minute specialty tours begin at 7:30 p.m. from the Meramec Caverns welcome center in Stanton, MO, located within about 50 minutes from and . Reservations are required and can be made by calling 1-573-468-2283. Tour tickets are priced at $12 for children 5 to 11 years old, and $24 for adults.

Meramec Cavern representatives said prior to the special evening lantern tours, visitors can spend a day at other Meramec Caverns attractions, including the Caveman Zip Line, boat rides along the Meramec River and panning for gold at the Meramec Mining Company children's area. The on-site restaurant serves home-style meals and the snack bar offers 28 flavors of ice cream and homemade fudge.