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I'm planning a visit with my sister (I live in Northern Maine, she lives in Rockland County, NY; always go down to see her at least once every 2 or so years, at least that's the average frequency), and I was wondering if I should include it on my list of things to do. She's told me that she has already been there, but I haven't been to ANY caves in my lifetime(not even semi-private caves up here), and I'd like to check that off on my "Things To Do Before I Die" list, you know that list everyone keeps in their head.
That will be the closest cave to where I'll be (in the general area of Nyack). So does anyone here have any reviews of that place? How far is it from Nyack?
My guess is that it'd probably take you a bit over 2 hours from Nyack.
I went there as a kid something around 30 years ago, and through the eyes of a kid it was pretty cool. Not sure how it would stand up to the eyes I have now (seen that, done this, etc. etc.), but I plan to check it out again someday when I have time...
i went as a child and loved it. i revisited howe caverns about two years ago and i still enjoyed the tour. my grandson, eight at the time, enjoyed it too!
the actual tour takes about an hour or so, if i remember correctly, maybe a little longer. you want to wear sturdy walking shoes or sneaks (no flip flops or sandals!) as you will be going up and down some stairs, in addition to walking a lot. there's no real "climbs" as they have put in stairs and even old out of shape me was able to navigate fine.
at the farthest end of the cavern there is a little boat ride in the cavern and if you're lucky, the guide will turn off the lights. our guide was very knowledgeable and allowed my very inquisitive companion to walk along and ask every question an 8 yr old boy could think of!
at one point they stop the tour and you can have a picture taken with your guide. i think that cost $10 but you don't have to take it, if you don't want. (i also forget how much it cost to get in, but it was reasonable.)
they also have a souvineer shop and i think they have a petting zoo, altho when we went it was cold so it was closed.
also, we went after an especially rainy time so there were lots of sounds of running water etc.
since howe caverns became such a success, there have been many other caves opened to the public in the same area. i haven't been to them but howe's cavern is a nice (cool 50 degrees always under ground) trip.
My cousin and his family went to Howe Caverns a few years ago and really enjoyed it (they happened to be down there when that big East Coast blackout happened--they didn't even realize what was going on until they left the cavern and went down the street looking for a restaurant. Apparently the cavern has its own generator system.)
I went there as a child, too, and remember it being very dark and quite cool (bring a sweater/jacket with you.) The only thing I would say is that it isn't the place to go if you're claustrophobic. You really do get the feeling that you are under the earth. But I guess you wouldn't be thinking about going if you had that problem!
I went there with my children back in 96, they liked it and so did I . While you are up there you should visit cooperstown, if you haven't done so already.
Yes Howe caverns back in the mid 1960s, we just took out a picture of the family on one of the boats in the cavern, my sisters and my late mom. Shedding a tear. Fun wonderful day.
Secret Caverns is very close to Howe Caverns and my family enjoyed it more. At Howe, you're in groups and we felt sort of like herded cattle. It is very cold and can be slippery, especially when getting in and out of the boat, obviously.
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Caves
