Overnight at the Wigwam Village

What’s the best place to spend the night in Cave City?

Let’s face it, Cave City, Ky., is not the same as New York City, or Paris, France. You won’t find a Ritz Carlton here or the Hotel Crillon, but don’t despair, because Wigwam Village No. 2 is available for all your sleeping needs.

Why Wigwams?

Celebrating its 75th Birthday next year, Wigwam Village No. 2 in Cave City was the dream of Frank A. Redford. Frank, inspired by a trip to a Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and a popular ice cream shop shaped like an upside down ice cream cone, finished construction on Wigwam Village No. 1 in Horse Cave, Ky., in 1935. He was so thrilled with the outcome, he patented his design in 1936 (see the patent here, along with a schematic of the design) and built 6 more villages across the U.S. Of the seven original Wigwam Villages, only 3 remain in existence and operation today: No. 2 in Cave City, No. 6 in Holbrook, Ariz., and No.7 in Riallto, Calif.

You know, the motel looks kinda familiar…

Why yes, the Wigwam Village may look a little familiar to you. Not only was Frank’s Wigwam Motel franchise the inspiration for the Cozy Cone Motel in the Disney/Pixar film Cars (2006), but the Queen of TV herself Oprah Winfrey and her steadfast BFF Gayle King stayed in Wigwam Village No. 6 in Arizona during “Oprah and Gayle’s Big Adventure.” They were not quite as keen on the accommodations as we were… Click here to watch Oprah check into Wigwam Village No. 6.

Learn more about this great American roadside tradition

Learn more about Frank A. Redford’s crazy (successful) idea at these links:

• The Official Wigwam Village No. 2 Website, where you can also book your reservation!
• Wigwam Motels on Wikipedia, has more photos of all the Wigwam Village locations and additional links to books and resources.
• And on the National Register of Historic Places, where you can find both Wigwam Village No. 2 and No. 6.

More photos from our trip to Wigwam Village #2

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What it’s going to cost you

Wigwam Village No. 2 is open year round and nightly rates vary based on season and day of the week. We stayed on a Saturday night in late March and payed $55 for the night — a little over $60 after sales tax. It’s more expensive in the summer months and on the weekends, but you aren’t going to pay more than $60 per night for one double bed and $70 per night for two double beds. For more information on nightly rates, go here and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Now if only gas prices were as affordable …