Howe Caverns
Howe Caverns
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
At the great cave of the Northeast, an elevator takes you 156’below ground. The doors open into a prehistoric underground cavern 6,000,000 years in the making! Trained tour guides help navigate the cave and teach about its magnificent natural features. Back on the surface, mine for gemstones at Howe Caverns Mining Co. Beginning summer 2011, enjoy the first phase of Howe High Adventures—featuring ropes courses, climbing walls, zip lines and more!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- Cosmopolitan5638184 contributionsI LUV NY!I never get tired of Howe Caverns, our guide was a wonderful young women, Beckey, who did a great job explaining the stories of the caverns. The only thing, which was mentioned earlier, the groups were too large and crammed on elevators. Other than that it was a good experience.Visited April 2023Written 23 April 2023
- Melanie E2 contributionsLantern Tour 10/10We did the lantern tour package which included with tour and a night in the motel. We stopped as a midway point on our way to Boston and couldn’t be happier. Room was clean and comfy with a beautiful view right outside the door. Tour was also fantastic way to spend the evening. The boat ride and walking back in the dark by candlelight is such a unique experience.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 July 2023
- DanielandJocelynStony Point, New York71 contributionsFun For the Family: Book Early: Wear a CoatTours start every 30 minutes and must be reserved ahead. On busy days, tours fill up fast. I highly recommend booking online, at least, a few days ahead. The tour takes approx 90 minutes and includes a subterranean boat ride. The walk is around 1 mile total. It is not difficult for most, but it does involve some stairs. Regardless of the outside temperature, the cave is always around 10C/50F. It was a great rainy day activity. Our girls learned a lot about geology.Visited June 2023Written 10 August 2023
- BradyWanderer104 contributionsWell worth the trip. Very cool underground caves!Excellent cave tour. Much larger than my wife and I expected. We stayed the night so we also got to experience the hotel which was extremely clean and modern. The onsite cafe provides meals during the day which we took advantage of for breakfast and lunch. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful.Visited August 2023Written 17 August 2023
- amanda gDurham, Connecticut306 contributionsFun experienceOur family really enjoyed visiting the caverns. Our tour group was small compared to others we saw n our guide was great. We were able to see n hear everything on the tour n really enjoyed it. The boat ride was a fun way 2 see that part of the cavern. Our family enjoyed this experience.Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 21 August 2023
- Passport7546931 contributionBreakfast w SantaMy family went for their Santa breakfast event and it was impressive. We had such an amazing time and made so many memories. Can’t wait for next year! We will be back in the summer to check out the cave again and the extreme course.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 24 December 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,074 reviews
Excellent
576
Very good
353
Average
88
Poor
25
Terrible
32
massaobrien
Northampton, MA9 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Such a fun experience! We’ve gone back several times! The caves are so beautiful and interesting! Motel is very comfortable too
Written 25 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Navigate37996556741
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
We attended the very first Santa Claus is Coming to Howes! This was an amazing event- they thought of everything to make this experience magical for kids and adults!
Written 25 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Passport754693
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
My family went for their Santa breakfast event and it was impressive. We had such an amazing time and made so many memories. Can’t wait for next year! We will be back in the summer to check out the cave again and the extreme course.
Written 24 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danielle G
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Couples
We went to Howe Caverns for an overnight stay. First was cave yoga with Nicole which was amazing. Take a class with her if you happen to be going on one of her days. I’m so lucky I did.
The stay in the motel was great. Everything was clean and comfortable.
Then we did a tour the following morning with Marilyn which was so enjoyable. She was an awesome tour guide. All the staff members were so friendly .. Eric helped us a few times and he was so kind and knowledgeable and super helpful. It was nice that it was off season because our tour only had 9 people which was great.
I would definitely return to Howe Caverns .. it just has some special energy !!!
The stay in the motel was great. Everything was clean and comfortable.
Then we did a tour the following morning with Marilyn which was so enjoyable. She was an awesome tour guide. All the staff members were so friendly .. Eric helped us a few times and he was so kind and knowledgeable and super helpful. It was nice that it was off season because our tour only had 9 people which was great.
I would definitely return to Howe Caverns .. it just has some special energy !!!
Written 8 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L P
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Friends
Our group did the Howe to Escape room. Best escape room by far we ever been to. Had a blast. Very well put together.
Written 4 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise R
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
This was an awesome place to visit. The tour guide was excellent. Dress warm, it’s cold in the caverns. Pretty easy walking and even a boat ride too.
Written 9 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley N
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
Howe Caverns is an interesting spot to visit, but let the tourist beware! We ordered our tickets and set an appt. time early. On the way to the Caverns, we had car trouble and wound up finally reaching this remote location about 30 minutes late. It took at least another 15 minutes to find our way in--the signage was terrible, the directions were unclear, and even the GPS couldn't pinpoint the place. Eventually arriving, we checked in with our pre-purchased tickets, only to be told that they wouldn't honor tickets if the party was more than 15 minutes late. Even though there were MANY OPEN SLOTS at various times throughout the day, any of which we would have taken at their convenience, our group of three quite senior ladies was forced to pay the WHOLE AMOUNT TICKET AMOUNT AGAIN to visit the caves. We wound up spending the day and a lot of money on this simple cave tour. The nauseating food from the teensy cafe did little to make this a happier experience.
Written 9 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amanda g
Durham, CT306 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Our family really enjoyed visiting the caverns. Our tour group was small compared to others we saw n our guide was great. We were able to see n hear everything on the tour n really enjoyed it. The boat ride was a fun way 2 see that part of the cavern. Our family enjoyed this experience.
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Milagros C
Yonkers, NY52 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Wow this was an amazing experience! We loved it… definitely will bring my grandkids next time. Our tour guy was very informative and knowledgeable …. Made the tour that much more fun. A must do!
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BradyWanderer
New Hampshire104 contributions
Aug 2023
Excellent cave tour. Much larger than my wife and I expected. We stayed the night so we also got to experience the hotel which was extremely clean and modern. The onsite cafe provides meals during the day which we took advantage of for breakfast and lunch. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful.
Written 17 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Instead of elevator, are there stairs to go down and up for the tour? (one of our group was stuck once and hates elevators)
Karen C
Albany, NY2 contributions
No - they're probably only used for emergency access only. I'm slightly skittish about elevators too so be forewarned on busy days you are PACKED inside the two of them.
If you're in good shape the nearby Secret Caverns are stairs only (about 100 but you stop at various points to catch your breath and look around).
Might be visiting in late September. In addition to the elevator, are there stairs to go down and up for the tour? (instead of the elevator? - one of our group does not like elevators )
Andrea S
New York14 contributions
I noticed in the terms and conditions it says no purses or bags are allowed? Can I bring a small Crossbody bag for my phone and wallet?
Milagros C
Yonkers, NY52 contributions
I went recently and I was not allowed with my crossbody bag. I had to put it in my car. I really don’t understand why, but it’s their rule.
Do you have buy tickets online? I am traveling from NYC and I don't know when I will arrive.
Milagros C
Yonkers, NY52 contributions
I purchased my on line. It’s faster that way. You order for the time you want
Do you have to take the boat ride
Paul S
7 contributions
No its not compulsory to take the boat you can easily wait it out cheers
EllenB314
Puerto Rico
Is it pet friendly
Bjustinger
Lancaster, NY8 contributions
No, it is not ideal for pets. I believe they have a no pet policy in place also
Barbara D
17 contributions
I am planning to take my 2 grandsons and some friends to Howe Caverns. Buying tickets online is the only option...and they are for a specific time. However, I see lots of comments about lengthy waiting times to get into the caves. Those comments are from a year ago. Has the "time stamped" tickt changed the waiting time issue....or...are there still wait times once you get to the caves?
Traveler2AM
Poughkeepsie, NY778 contributions
I went recently and experienced no wait time. However, the length of the tour was a bit longer than scheduled.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Howe Caverns
- Howe Caverns is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Howe Caverns:
- (0.35 km) Howe Caverns Motel
- (5.48 km) Super 8 by Wyndham Cobleskill NY
- (5.76 km) Twin Oaks Campground
- (4.68 km) Hide-A-Way Campsites
- (10.99 km) Stone Rose Bed and Breakfast
- Restaurants near Howe Caverns:
- (0.21 km) Howe Caverns Cafe
- (4.05 km) Grapevine Farms
- (1.43 km) Rubbin Butts BBQ
- (8.10 km) Apple Barrel
- (7.17 km) Bull's Head Inn
- Attractions near Howe Caverns:
- (0.00 km) Howe To Escape
- (0.72 km) Iroquois Museum
- (1.98 km) Secret Caverns
- (1.43 km) Serious Brewing Company
- (1.78 km) Secret Caverns