Max V. Shaul State Park
Under $25A small, quiet state park in the Schoharie Valley with wooded camping, shaded picnic grounds, and hiking trails.

Photo: jpitha, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.
Take a 90-minute guided walk through a limestone cave 156 feet deep, including a quarter-mile underground boat ride.
255 Discovery Dr · Howes Cave, NY
Farmer Lester Howe found this limestone cave in 1842 after noticing his cows gathering near a cool draft on hot days. The traditional tour lasts 90 minutes and covers a 1.25-mile walk plus a quarter-mile boat ride, with 139 stairs along the way. You pass formations such as the Bridal Altar and Titan's Fireplace, and the cave stays at 52 degrees whatever the weather outside. Tour tickets must be booked online, and the site also has an escape room, gift shops and a cafe.
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