Howe Caverns

There's something rather unusual about stepping into an elevator, descending 156 feet into the earth, and emerging into an enormous underground world that has been taking shape for millions of years. Howe Caverns was a wonderful experience and one of the highlights of our time in New York. I've always enjoyed exploring caves, and this one certainly has some interesting features that distinguish it from others we've visited. The guided tour takes you through an impressive series of limestone passages, enormous chambers, and beautifully formed geological features. I particularly enjoyed seeing the fossils embedded in the rock, reminders that the stone surrounding us was once part of an entirely different environment. One of the more memorable portions of the tour was the underground boat ride. Floating across the subterranean Lake of Venus, connected to the appropriately named River Styx, was a fascinating experience. There's something wonderfully strange about being in a boat so far beneath the surface, surrounded by solid rock. Another thing I found interesting was how little visible cave life we encountered. Having explored other caves where various creatures have adapted to the darkness, I found the apparent absence of much wildlife here rather curious. It certainly didn't detract from the experience, but it was something that caught my attention. The tour is well developed, with walkways and lighting that allow visitors to appreciate the formations without having to negotiate the sort of difficult terrain found in less accessible caves. There's still a fair amount of walking and quite a few stairs, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. It's also pleasantly cool underground. I really enjoyed the combination of natural history, interesting geology, and the unusual experience of traveling through an underground waterway. The boat ride alone gives Howe Caverns a character quite different from many other commercial caves. Perhaps the strangest part of the entire experience was the return trip up the elevator. After spending so much time wandering through that underground world, it was remarkable to emerge into the daylight and realize that everything we'd just explored was still sitting there, silently, beneath our feet.

My wife and I just finished the lantern tour. We had such a great experience. It was so much fun. We saw so many different formations, went on a boat ride and then did the self guided lantern tour back through the cavern only by candlelight. We recommend this tour for everyone, we had so much fun! We’ll definitely be coming back with other family members very soon. Thank you Howes Cavern!

What an incredible adventure. Truly one of the wonders of the world beautifully created by the Lord and absolutely breathtaking from start to finish. Our tour guide, Casey, was phenomenal super attentive, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable with all the insight she shared about the cave. I strongly recommend booking your tickets online and arriving at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time to get the most out of your visit. Also, keep in mind you cannot bring backpacks, food, or drinks into the cave. Overall, an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!