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Howe Caverns

255 Discovery Drive, Howes Cave, NY 12092
518-296-8900
Website
Update attraction details
Ranked #1 of 2 attractions in Howes Cave
Type: Caverns/ Caves
Activities: Group tours/walking tour, Getting married
Owner description: 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... more » Owner description: 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 negotiate 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! « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children
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208 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    92
    91
    17
    5
    3
Date Rating
New York City, New York
Top Contributor
66 reviews 66 reviews
42 attraction reviews
Reviews in 31 cities Reviews in 31 cities
54 helpful votes 54 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 13, 2013

This is a good pit-stop or backup destination, because it takes only about 2 hours and is independent of weather outdoor. On it's own, these caves have lot less to offer than Luray caverns in Virginia. Luray has colorful formations throughout. The interesting thing in Howe cavers is the boat ride and the Winding way - a really narrow passage... More

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April I, Manager at Howe Caverns, responded to this review
May 15, 2013

We really appreciate you taking the time to write a review about your visit to Howe Caverns. I am glad your family enjoyed the boat ride and the winding way, they are two very popular stops on our tour. You made a very good observation and we are improving our property and making it more of a destination. We love... More

Howell, New Jersey
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
36 helpful votes 36 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 3, 2013 via mobile

I was not looking forward to going underground but was willing to do it just for the sake of my 10 year old son and 8 year old nephew. I expected to be very uncomfortable due to the fact that I don't usually like dark and enclosed places. But everything from the well lit elevator to the spacious and well... More

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Audrey O, Manager at Howe Caverns, responded to this review
May 6, 2013

Thank you for your recent online review of Howe Caverns! We adore that you were able to put your fears aside and take our tour; and even more delighted that you enjoyed yourself! We hope that you and your family will come back and visit us again soon. Sincerely, Audrey Oliver Manager Howe Caverns, Inc. More

Utica, New York, USA
Top Contributor
50 reviews 50 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 29, 2013

Howe Caverns is an amesome experience! It is amazing that this underground wonder exists so close to home! The tour took about one hour and twenty minutes and every monute of it was interesting. Our tour guide was very knowledgable and did a great job! it is pretty cold down there (50 degrees) so dress warm! I would definitely return... More

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Audrey O, Manager at Howe Caverns, responded to this review
May 6, 2013

Thank you for your review regarding your recent visit to Howe Caverns! We’re so pleased you enjoyed your visit and had a great experience with your tour guide! We hope to see you again soon! Sincerely, Audrey Oliver Manager Howe Caverns, Inc. More

Holtsville, NY
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 23, 2013

I was here as a child and wanted to go back as an adult. The tour is predictable but still very interesting. It's pretty cool to be underground in a cave. The view from the top of the hill is fantastic. The fudge inside the bake shop is absolutely amazing, worth every calorie. I got the Pumpkin flavor.

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Audrey O, Manager at Howe Caverns, responded to this review
April 24, 2013

Thank you for your recent review of Howe Caverns! We are so pleased when our guests enjoy our Tour, as well as the amazing views of our beautiful countryside! We hope to see you again at Howe Caverns! Sincerely, Audrey Oliver Manager Howe Caverns, Inc. More

East Syracuse, New York
Top Contributor
103 reviews 103 reviews
63 attraction reviews
Reviews in 60 cities Reviews in 60 cities
81 helpful votes 81 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 22, 2013

The two hour starts like the Traditional Tour, with no real differences. The ending will make all the difference, more about the ending later. 'Koraline' was the most enthusiasitic cavern guide I have ever met. She is very knowledgeable about the cavern's history, able to answer all questions & knows any cavern improvements. She made the tour worth while. The... More

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See 3 more reviews by Jack L for Howes Cave
Audrey O, Manager at Howe Caverns, responded to this review
April 24, 2013

Thank you for taking the time to write a Trip Advisor for your recent visit to Howe Caverns! We very much appreciate your kind comments about Karoline, she is a wonderful guide. I have passed along your feedback to her manager. The Lantern Tour is a unique experience that really puts you back to Lester Howe’s time! We are thrilled... More

Albany, New York, United States
Senior Contributor
29 reviews 29 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 15, 2013

I am not a fan of enclosed spaces - and normally would not want to go 150 feet underground for an hour but for my kids - I went and I am glad I did. It felt very safe and was not at all nervous. There was too much to see and the pace of the tour and the guide... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Audrey O, Manager at Howe Caverns, responded to this review
April 19, 2013

Thank you for sending your feedback about Howe Caverns! We are so happy you decided to take our Underground Tour and that you were able to take advantage of all we have to offer! We look forward to seeing you and your family again! Sincerely, Audrey Oliver Manager Howe Caverns, Inc. More

Binghamton, New York
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed April 14, 2013

the tour was the usual-not bad,the minister was a nice man,but the flowers and champagne promised with the room were missing and when asked about was told it wasn't part of the package. Read the ad. It would have been better if they weren't part of the package,because then we would have brought our own.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Audrey O, Manager at Howe Caverns, responded to this review
April 24, 2013

Guilty as charged. We forgot the champagne and flowers in your son & daughter-in-law's room and for that, we feel terrible. Our motel manager repeatedly extended her deepest apologies in several different conversations that she had with you. Whilst it is our intention to offer nothing but the highest standard of customer service and to go above and beyond whenever... More

Central New York, United States
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 13, 2013

The history behind the discovery of the cave fascinated my teenage daughter. The tour was incredible. Take your camera. Althought the cave is dark, we discovered things we hadn't seen on our tour when we viewed the photos we took along the way when we returned home. The boat ride in the cavern was the highlight for my 7 year... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Audrey O, Manager at Howe Caverns, responded to this review
April 19, 2013

Thank you for taking the time to write a Trip Advisor for your recent visit to Howe Caverns! We are so delighted to hear that you and your family enjoyed another great visit with us here. We appreciate your compliments concerning your tour guide, as well. I will be sure to pass along your comments. We truly appreciate your patronage... More

upstate New York
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 8, 2013

Second visit to the Caverns. I love the place - the tour is great, the staff is helpful and friendly. The gift shop is fun and not overpriced. The cafe is decent and the prices are pretty good. The entire complex looks like it would be fun during summer, but it was pretty cold when we were there so we... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Audrey O, Manager at Howe Caverns, responded to this review
April 10, 2013

Thank you for your recent online review of Howe Caverns! We are so pleased you enjoyed your experience with us; we value your patronage! Your kind comments about our facility and staff have been passed along to our employees. We hope you’ll come back and see us when the weather gets nicer and try our Howe High Adventure Park! Sincerely,... More

Kitchener, Canada
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 8, 2013

The caves system is very nice to see and the narration given by the student employee is very good. This is the 1st cavei have seen, so I like it

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Audrey O, Manager at Howe Caverns, responded to this review
April 10, 2013

Thank you for your recent visit with us to Howe Caverns! It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed your first caving experience. We hope you’ll visit us again soon at Howe Caverns! Sincerely, Audrey Oliver Manager Howe Caverns, Inc. More

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