1. Howe Caverns

0

Howes Cave, NY

Cancel

Open app

Search

Howe Caverns

4.1 (240 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Howe Caverns Photos

Recommended Reviews - Howe Caverns

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Sharon B.

An easy one hour drive from Albany that's worth the visit. We went on a weekday and arrived for the 11am tour. The parking lot had a lot of available spots. It was almost fully booked. Purchase your tickets online there or beforehand for the 90 min tour. I suggest going on a tour with less people. Our group was a bit loud. The tour includes stairs, wet floors, and you'll need good knees for getting in and out of the boat. Bring a jacket along and watch your heads. This was a really good tour and we really enjoyed the gondola boat ride on the small river inside the cave and the tight walkways of the Winding Way at the end. There's a nice cafe, gift shop, and sweet shop inside the lodge. We grabbed a quick coffee and breakfast sandwich before our tour. The girl who works there was super nice.

Marissa N.

Super cool, it's worth the trip and the entrance fee. It's awesome thinking of how it must have been when first discovered.

Lester Howe and Us
Orawan N.

I would do this again. It was just a lovely place to be, the cave was beautiful. I love the whole set up of the estate and the main lodge was beautiful. The staff there was kind and the cider donuts is a must! We forgot to buy more after our tour. The only reason why I gave it 4 stars was because of our tour guide, she sounded like she didn't want to be there, not as friendly. I wasn't sure if we could stop and take pictures or we just had to keep following her. My fiancé and I did enjoy and made the most of it though. We met another nice couple.

Eric D.

I've always wanted to visit this place and it did not disappoint. My gosh what an awesome experience! The caves are massive and beautiful and the lighting and walkways are excellent as well. It is most definitely not ADA accessible so be aware and there are many stairs throughout the cave. The formations are amazing and the tour guides are fantastic too. Ours was Cassie and she was very friendly and open to answering any questions during the tour. There is even a boat ride at the turn around point in a cave! So interesting! So glad we visited it was super fun and an amazing experience!

Elizabeth H.

Showed up early as instructed to a mad house of people waiting for a tour. Employees were kind and courteous throughout the entire ordeal. Our tour guide Ethan was the best! First time for my littles and they could not stop talking about the incredible time the had.

Cucumber
Ellliot K.

I went with my family and it was good because the staff was nice and fun. None of us died.

One of many incredible views in Howe Caverns
Andrea F.

Where to begin? Let's start with if you haven't been here you need to add it to your bucket list. BUT you need to be old enough to appreciate it. Prior to planning this stop on my sister's weekend of fun, our mom had told us she had brought us here on a family trip many years ago when we were kids. Neither myself or my sister had ANY recollection, which makes NO sense because it is completely memorable and simply amazing! Anyway, we stopped here at Howe Caverns on our way up to our mineral mining dig for Herkimer diamonds. So you can see this was part of our Rock theme. From beginning to end it was fun and enjoyable. You can choose and schedule your tour by checking their website (www.howecaverns.com). You can also get lots of other information that you can use to optimize your visit or stay in the area. We opted for the traditional tour. We were in a group of 32 people, which seemed like a lot to be honest based on the other groups we saw along the way. They run tours every 10 minutes so I suggest asking how many are in the group you are considering your tour. Mind you, this still gets 5 stars but smaller would have been more optimal for hearing the tour guide as he shared the history & stories behind the caverns. The tour lasts 90 minutes. Wear warm clothing! It's cold 156 feet down. It's also dark to enhance the lighting and beauty of the caverns. You walk the whole tour with the exception of the VERY short boat ride. Listen to the tour guide because the caverns are rich with history and great stories. Our guide was funny and clearly enjoyed serving as our sherpa. May you be as lucky as us. There is so much beauty to be seen that my pictures don't seem to really do them justice they deserve. There is also one professional photo opportunity should you choose to take advantage of it. It's affordable in comparison to others I've done. But if you find an obliging stranger and you have a decent cell phone camera then you'll be able to capture the moment without having to pay. I enjoyed this your so much I'd do it again! VERY IMPORTANT and they really mean it -- **Please Note: Food, Beverages, Strollers, or Bags of ANY kind ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE CAVE.**

Map - notice the bottom part that informed us that the boat portion was cancelled today due to high water. ‍
Christina M.

Brian the tour guide made the tour in our opinion. We didn't have a great start by the unwelcome reception we got at the front desk. No one informed us that the boat tour was cancelled, we had to read it on the television/map over the ticket booth area. The parts that we did explore was a lot of interesting stuff, only wish was that we could see more of the cave and been able to do the boat tour. One and done for us, but a fun day trip none the less.

You can see the separation. I washed it on gentle and alone with no other clothes

I bought a sweatshirt that was defective. They first emailed me saying they would replace it. Then later in the day I received another email saying that I didn't wash it on gentle cycle, that's why it happened and they're not going to replace it. I'm dumbfounded. I spent a lot of money there. I bought a sweatshirt at the gift shop that was defective and my replacement is you did it , can't help you. So the morning email was this Good morning! I have another XXL here for you. Please send your address and we'll ship it out. Thank you so much! Terran What kind of "family" business is this. This is terrible. I wanted a shirt to wear that I can remember my experience with my family and I get blamed of ruining the shirt by the business. I'm lost for words. I do not recommend this place at all and don't buy anything there! Obviously the quality is very poor. Then it changed to this- Hi, Because of our concern regarding this sweatshirt, we contacted the company that makes them, and, after looking at your pictures, they deemed it had not been washed on the gentle cycle, and that they are not responsible for replacing it. So, unfortunately, we will not be able to replace it. Sincerely, Terran

Cool spot! Perfect weather today!
Rita L.

Cool spot to visit! Very organized tour in a colorful cave and a fun boat ride included inside and then you walk back out the same way, friendly staff that takes you around. The group size was around 20-30 when I went (a few months ago around the Labor Day break). There's also a secret cave nearby but I didn't have time to go there this time, will have to come back again in the future! Book the tickets online in advance to reserve the time you like, they recommend coming 30 minutes early but we ended up getting here late (from fixing a flat tire on the way) by 10 minutes and they took us to our group to catch us up right away, great experience overall and I'd definitely recommend it to others. You do have to wait a bit when walking around to wait for the group but not too bad.

Stephanie T.

This was my first time at Howe Caverns and we did the Traditional Tour. There are a few different tour options so you can choose what best suits you. Booking the tour was very easy online. The tours are pretty frequent, either 15 minutes or 30 minutes or 1 hour apart. There is a huge parking lot so there is no trouble finding parking at all. After parking, you'll head to the main building. The main building has a gift shop, cafe, and restrooms. When it is time for your tour, they will say the [time] tour line up or has departed. The tour begins with some history from Lester Howe himself. He'll talk about the caverns before they were named Howe Caverns (how they were discovered) and then his legacy. He only paid $100 to buy the caverns from the owner of the land. You'll also see a map of where you'll be exploring and the name of structures you'll be seeing. After that, you'll descend in an elevator 156 feet below the Earth's surface to explore the caves with your tour guide. Our tour guide was really informational and had some really good jokes too. He talked about sedimentation, stalagmites and stalactites, and so much more. Each step of the way, he educated us about the caves and would offer alternative routes if you cannot use stairs or are claustrophobic. We also went on a brief boat ride on Lake of Venus. The tour guide used an oar and pulled us along the lake. There were interesting structures like Chinese pagoda and there were opportunities to touch stalactites. There was also a Bridal Altar where at least 700 weddings have been held. Probably most fun was the Winding Way. This was a series of curves and corners. There are multiple photo op opportunities along the tour that the tour guide stops and gives you some time to take photos. One photo op opportunity the tour guide takes a picture and you can pay $10 for a print out back in the lobby. Our tour group was about 20-30 people I think. The cave is always 52°F so bring a jacket or sweatshirt. The caves are really well maintained and they are very transparent about the rules like not touching the caves since our hands have oil and that would ruin the caves. I highly recommend checking out Howe Caverns. You won't regret it!

Karyn E.

Fun place to explore. They have many different tours but we took the basic tour with a cavern boat ride. I have been on several cavern tours and always enjoy the scenery and marvel at the environment. The boat ride is what made this adventure different form other tours I've done. It felt like a cross between Phantom of the Opera and a Venice boat ride. Fun and family friendly. The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable. I was very hesitant and nervous about going on tour with strangers during the recent Omicron outbreak. However we went during the week, it was the last tour of the day and everyone on tour was very respectful of space and wearing masks. I ended up feeling comfortable.

See all

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of Dan B.
0
16
4

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1
Photo of Rita L.
3369
1069
9523

5 years ago

Helpful 86
Thanks 0
Love this 84
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 12
Thanks 2
Love this 6
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Josh G.
470
1006
12544

7 years ago

Helpful 10
Thanks 0
Love this 14
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Yvette C.
103
143
209

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 6

Ask the Community - Howe Caverns

Do people wear masks (due to COVID) on the tour, and especially in the elevator going down?

It's optional there.

Is this good for elderly (grandparents)?

The tour consists of a 1.25 mile walk that has 139 stairs within that walk. The walkways are brick and there are hand railings, but there are also some inclines and declines in the pathway.

Can I bring my 1 year old? I'll wear her in a carrier.

Yes, absolutely! We don't allow strollers or diaper bags in the cave but you can wear the carrier, that's perfect for young ones on our tour!

Do I need to make reservations far in advance?

No. I do recommend getting there early to avoid a long line.

Is this open year round?

Yes they are. But you should call and check timings.

What's the price?

$25 Adults regular tour $21 juniors (ages12-15) regular tour $13 Children 5-11 regular tour… 

Is it wheel chair asscessable?

The caves are not wheel chair accessible for the tour... there's stairs and a boat ride

View All 8 Questions

Review Highlights - Howe Caverns

“My boyfriend surprised me for my birthday with the lantern tour and it truly was unforgettable.”

Mentioned in 12 reviews

Read more highlights

Verify this business for free

Get access to customer & competitor insights.

Verify this business

Opus 40 - Opus 40

Opus 40

4.3(55 reviews)
48.3 mi

I'm not sure how to describe this place. It's unlike any other I've been. That said, if you…read moresculpture, art, history, walking, nature, and how they all intersect, you're going to like Opus 40. Essentially, a man named Harvey Fite single-handledly took over 60 acres of Saugerties and built a giant bluestone sculpture in the center of it. The beauty of the walls, the paths, the pools...it's worth checking out. The scale is incredible when you realize one man did it all himself, including hoisting the 14 foot, 9 ton stone he called FLAME in the center. Opus 40 hosts concerts, nature talks and walks, events, and more at this beautiful, serene space, so check those out. And if you're more inclined, just do what my mom and her friends do often (what I've only done once so far), and walk the grounds and take it all in.

This is an interesting outdoor place to come and visit. Words cannot describe the gentlemen…read morespending 40 years to complete this. You have to come and see for yourself the hours of shaping stones with hand tools to be an outdoor art piece that is beautiful to see, walk around to enjoy. There are park benches around where you can sit and enjoy a snack and take in all the different levels of this outdoor artwork. The entry to the park includes a road that you have to share with in/out traffic. Drive slowly and turn out if needed to let the other traffic pass. Be patient and you will enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Cost: $11 online. In person is $1 extra Tip: 1) Purchase tickets online. As we were leaving there was a sign that said park at full capacity and only those with pre-purchased tickets were allowed into the park. 2) Main parking lot can get full fast. It wasn't until after we parked and went to the ticketing office there was a sign for overflow parking. 3) I did not see a bathroom anywhere, so plan accordingly.

Photos
Opus 40 - If you can meet with Shadow and HighLight
     And treat those two impostors just the same
              -Rudyard Kipling

If you can meet with Shadow and HighLight     And treat those two impostors just the same -Rudyard Kipling

Opus 40 - If you can meet with Shadow and HighLight     
 And treat those two impostors just the same
 -Rudyard Kipling

If you can meet with Shadow and HighLight     And treat those two impostors just the same -Rudyard Kipling

Opus 40 - The museum

See all

The museum

Experience It Tours - Enjoy a night in the Sahara desert!

Experience It Tours

4.6(15 reviews)
26.0 mi

I've been to Morocco a total of seven times (60s and 70s) and I was thrilled to finally be able to…read moreshow my 33-year-old son the country I love so much. The crew (Kit and Ruth) put it all together for us. Our driver Hamid made it all happen in real time. Though he's from Fez, Hamid knows the entire country like the back of his hand. He fluent in English, very engaging, patient with my son's social media obsession, kept us on track, gave us the history, and turned into my son's "big brother from another mother" as he guided my son how to conduct himself in this magical Muslim kingdom. It was a perfect two weeks that took us from Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains in the north to the Imperial cities, through the Middle Atlas to the Sahara, to the Todra Gorge in the High Atlas to movie sets in Quarzazate, to the red city of Marrakech, to Essaouira at the beach. This trip will impact my son for a lifetime, like it did for me so many years ago. I was able to visit so many places I'd been to long ago and see them with a new set of eyes. Everywhere we went, we saw people who looked just like us because Morocco is the home of our ancestors. Update: While in Marrakech, while walking down the street with our driver Hamid, my son Jas met the woman who will become his future wife! It just doesn't get any better than that.

We were lucky enough to spend two weeks in Morocco and I just want to say that this was one of the…read moremost positive experiences and trips I've had. Namir, our driver, was above and beyond the call of duty and truly made us feel like we were members of his family. He took such good care of us and even though I'm old enough to be his mother I kept referring to him as my father since he guided us and wouldn't allow us to do anything that could hurt us in the end. We loved Morocco and the people and felt that each place that we visited was unique and special and it's hard to pick a favorite. Of course our night in the desert was a once in a life time experience and probably was one of the highlights but we equally enjoyed all of the other places we visited. The Riads we stayed in were outstanding and once again the people we met in our stays just added to the enrichment of our trip. I will recommend this company to everyone I know and am so thankful that I stumbled upon them. We spent two weeks in Spain afterwards so it was a whirlwind trip but our time in Morocco was definitely the highlight of this entire experience. THANK YOU EXPERIENCE IT TOURS AND THANK YOU NAMIR, RUTH, LORRE, JILL and everyone else who I dealt with.

Photos
Experience It Tours - Discover the handicraft of Morocco.

Discover the handicraft of Morocco.

Experience It Tours - Dinnerin our tent after our sunset camel ride in the desert

Dinnerin our tent after our sunset camel ride in the desert

Experience It Tours - Ait Ben Haddou

See all

Ait Ben Haddou

Howe Caverns - tours - Updated November 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...