What to do and see in New York, United States: The Best Caverns & Caves

June 19, 2021 Randal Brittian

New York State has it all – booming metropolises, majestic waterfalls, mountains, wine country, chicken wings. Yes, NYC is a magnet for tourists, but an exploration of the rest of the state can be equally thrilling. The Finger Lakes Wine Region is a vision of serene waters, quaint B&Bs, and pretty vineyards. Movie buffs will love Rochester, home of the George Eastman House and one of the world’s most comprehensive film archives. On your way to Niagara Falls, stop in Buffalo to fuel up on spicy wings.
Restaurants in New York

1. Cave of the Winds

Goat Island, Niagara Falls, NY 14303 +1 716-278-1730 http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/cave-of-the-winds.aspx
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6,081 reviews

Cave of the Winds

This exciting tour outfits you in a hooded raincoat and takes you into a cave and then along a catwalk near the foot of the falls for an up-close, wet and very rewarding view of the thunderous, cascading waters.

Reviewed By Kierab2013

This was such a cool experience! My family and I walked to this attraction from the Rainbow Bridge. This tour had been much lower on our To-Do list, when it should have been at the top! We went on a Monday in late August and did NOT purchase our tickets ahead of time. We purchased our tickets when we got to the stand for the next available tour that day, which ended up being in 10 minutes. We didn't have to wait long at all! You get a quick history review about the area via a room like a museum, then watch a short video about the area. Finally, you get a poncho and velcro sandals (you can keep them or recycle afterwards) and then you're set to start your self-paced tour! Keep in mind there is no where to keep your belongings except with/on you (I wore a giant backpack under my poncho and most everything stayed dry inside it - they don't allow food or drinks, except water but they said if they don't see the food then it's fine). If you don't want to get drenched, avoid the Hurricane Deck. You will get great views of the American and Bridal Veil Falls and a slight view of the Horseshoe Falls (but for that I recommend walking a bit further from where you bought the tickets to view the top of the horseshoe falls).

2. Ice Caves

Sams Point Rd, Pine Bush, NY 12566 +1 845-647-7989
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Ice Caves

3. Howe Caverns

255 Discovery Dr, Howes Cave, NY 12092-2311 +1 518-296-8900 [email protected] http://www.HoweCaverns.Com
Excellent
51%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 960 reviews

Howe Caverns

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 navigate 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!

Reviewed By EHFAR2

This is a hidden gem in NYS. 10,000 year old cave with a fabulous guided tour, easy walking paths, and even a short boat ride made this adventure truly unique. Friendly and knowledgeable staff, student discount with ID, and delicious cheddar cheese sold that was aged in the cave all added to a very positive experience. Fun for all ages (we had four children with us ranging in ages from 15-20).

4. Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride

5 Gooding St, Lockport, NY 14094-2801 +1 716-438-0174 [email protected] http://lockportcave.com/
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 450 reviews

Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride

Reviewed By theflorios16 - Niagara Falls, United States

Anthony was our tour guide and did a great job with the history side of the tour, and also with the talking side, as well as explaining some of the geological aspects of the cave, overall he was wonderful during our tour.

5. Natural Stone Bridge and Caves

535 Stone Bridge Rd, Pottersville, NY 12860-1713 +1 518-494-2283 [email protected] http://www.stonebridgeandcaves.com
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 389 reviews

Natural Stone Bridge and Caves

Summer and Winter Seasonal Attraction. 23 Miles north of Lake George & 90 min south of Lake Placid, hike self-guided tour & explore the Largest Marble Cave Entrance in the East, waterfalls, gorge, caves and much more: guided adventure tours, gemstone mining, 18 hole disc golf, climbing walls, dino digs, picnic & playgrounds, and an extensive rock, fossil and gift shop. Rental units available. Weddings. Open every day late May - mid Oct (variable hours, check website) and Fri-Sun 10am-4pm from mid Dec - mid March for self-guided Snowshoe Tours on over 14 miles of trails exploring the Stone Bridge and surrounding property.

Reviewed By marksgirl0504 - Middletown, United States

The self-guided tour is easy to follow. It can be tricky, with some tight squeezes, steep steps, and light rock scrambling. I recommend borrowing a complementary walking stick for anyone that is concerned about the rocky /uneven terrain. This place is not too far from Lake George, and online reservations were easy. Some areas on the trails are a dead end, (because of covid) you wait until it's clear... go down, check it out and double back. Make sure You follow the map and numbers and dont miss anything. The gift shop has alot of variety, and theres a snack shop too. It really was interesting, a decent workout and a perfect way to spend a few hours in the shade.

6. Stone Church

Cart Road, Dover Plains, NY 12522 +1 845-832-6111 http://townofdoverny.us/Stone_Church.cfm
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 33 reviews

Stone Church

Reviewed By ninnyebaum

Enjoyed about an hour visit to the Stone Church in Dover Plains. Easy walk, not handicapped accessible though. You can go as far up to the cave as you feel comfortable. Hiking shoes are a good idea, as the rocks can get slippery. And to go inside...you might want something waterproof. Parking at the elementary school across the street is ideal. No parking on the actual driveway because its private property.

7. Secret Caverns

Off Rte 7, Cobleskill, NY [email protected] http://www.secretcaverns.com/
Excellent
53%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 198 reviews

Secret Caverns

Reviewed By matty2jay - New York City, United States

There's a well-known spot down the road from here that you may have heard of, but if you go there instead, you're missing the forest through the trees brother. Think of that spot as like, Target. Yeah it's big, it's well know, they got frills and parade out all the gimmicks, but are you getting quality products? This spot here, this is your boutique shop. This is you quality product curated by the experts. What's great about this cavern is that one can get some pretty dope pics down there, touch the various formations, and really take their time with all that there is to see. It's a very chill environment. The hosts are mad cool, they know their history (or maybe I fell for it) and seem to enjoy showing off the goods. The waterfall at the end of the cavern is a great climax to the tour. The gift shop also has a wide variety of knickknacks and gimmicks, along with coffee, which one might need after a lengthy drive to this place from (possibly) a ways away.

8. Secret Caverns

671 Caverns Rd, Howes Cave, NY 12092-1703 +1 518-296-8558 http://www.secretcaverns.com
Excellent
44%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 25 reviews

Secret Caverns

Reviewed By VipulRawal - Mumbai, India

This 100 ft underground waterfall is definitely a hidden gem & an amazingly unique experience one should have. We visited this place on the way to our tour to Niagara Falls. We were not very excited when we heard its name as we didn’t do any research around it. But the moment we started approaching this place we started seeing snow filled places all around. It was an great experience for us walking down inside the cavern. The path down to the falls is narrow & slippery but a scenic place with different types of rock formations. We clicked loads of pics there. The temperature below changes and was freezing cold down (probably we visited in November). The falls this deep down are spectacular and worth visit. The entry fee to the secret caverns is $18. Suggestions: A must visit in between if you’re driving to Niagara Falls from New York & carry proper winter wears to safeguard yourself from freezing cold temperatures.

9. Cooper's Cave

46 Saratoga Ave, South Glens Falls, NY 12803-4837 +1 518-793-1455 http://www.sgfny.com/coopers-cave.htm
Excellent
11%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
32%
Poor
26%
Terrible
31%
Overall Ratings

2.5 based on 19 reviews

Cooper's Cave

10. Ward-Gregory Cave

Clarksville, NY
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1 reviews

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