Have you ever slept in a wigwam?
I have.
Years ago I went on a road trip through Tennessee with my then boyfriend. We spent half the week in Memphis where we stayed in an antebellum mansion turned b&b and then the other half of the week in Nashville where we stayed in an ultra modern hotel.
But first, we stopped at the National Corvette Museum at Bowling Green, Kentucky and then spent the night at the Wigwam Village motel in nearby Cave City.
This place is exactly as the name suggests- a motel that consists of a collection of wigwams.
Built in 1937, during the rise of the automobile, this motel represents a golden era of travel in America and true roadside kitsch.
At one time, there were seven of these wigwam villages all over the country. Today there remain only three – in Kentucky, Arizona and California.
The wigwam we stayed in, pictured above, felt a bit like a time capsule. Not many changes had been made over the decades. I loved the tile work and the unusual shape of the room. I felt like an adventurer here.
However, I feel it necessary to stop and say something.
This is a roadside motel with a fun hook that makes it an attraction. It wasn’t an especially nice place to stay.
I am so glad to say that I’ve stayed here but am not sure I would go back. Maybe if it was just for the night …..or maybe for some interior pictures which I evidently forgot to take the first time!
However, by no stretch of the imagination do I want you to read this as a no-strings-attached endorsement. If you like kitsch and if you’re in love with the idea of staying in a place so iconic, it may be a good fit for you.
If you’re looking for a nice hotel with a lot of modern amenities or a shower head that doesn’t resemble an outdoor spigot in a cramped, slanted shower, you may just drive by for pictures.
Speaking of pictures, isn’t this sign fabulous? I’m such a sucker for unique signage!
Intrigued? You can read the full history of the Wigwam Villages by clicking this link. You’ll also find rates and reservation info for the Kentucky wigwams where I stayed.
Let me know if you go! I would love to hear about your experience!
Make the Journey Fun 