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Howe Caverns, Howes Cave, NY

Photo: jpitha, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

AttractionsFamily FavoriteRainy-Day Pick

Howe Caverns

255 Discovery Dr · Howes Cave, NY

Why you should go…

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.

  • #cave tour
  • #caverns
  • #underground boat ride
  • #guided tour

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Howe Caverns, ordered by straight-line distance.

  • Museums
    Iconic

    National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

    $25–$50

    Walk three floors of baseball history, from Babe Ruth artifacts to the bronze plaques of every inducted Hall of Famer.

    27 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Cooperstown

    Free

    Official tourism promotion agency for Cooperstown and Otsego County, New York.

    27 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Ulster County

    Free

    Catskills and Hudson Valley destination with hiking trails, wineries, historic villages and the Walkway Over the Hudson.

    56 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Tours
    Date Night

    Hudson River Cruises

    $25–$50

    Narrated sightseeing boat cruises on the Hudson River departing from Kingston's historic Rondout waterfront.

    58 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Eat & Drink
    Foodie Favorite

    Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest

    $25–$50

    A two-day September wine, food and craft beverage festival at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck.

    59 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink