People everywhere are strongly attracted by the mysteriousness of the caves, and New York caves are very popular tourist attractions. Some no longer exist, like the Cave of the Winds, while others, like Clarksville Cave, are very difficult to explore. One of the most interesting and the most popular is Howe Caverns, which has a number of tours and is even used for weddings. Some caves, such as Ellenville Fault Ice Caves, are formed by the fallen debris from the surrounding fault. Some caves are manmade, like the Lockport Caves, but are no less fascinating and attractive.
1. Cave of the Winds, New York
The Cave of the Winds used to be a cave in the rock behind Bridal Veil Falls at the Niagara Falls. The cave, 130 feet high, 100 feet wide, and 30 feet deep, was closed after a massive rock fall. A visit to the cave had been a popular tourist attraction since 1841. After the closure, it continued from 1924 in a different form, bringing visitors to the spot close to where the cave existed, as close to the waterfalls as anyone can get. The visitors come via an elevator from the area roughly between the American and Canadian Falls, descending down to the Niagara River level at the very base of the American Falls. They walk along a series of wooden decks and platforms until they reach the base of the Bridal Veil Falls, close to where the original Cave of the Wind was. It is quite an experience with the water falling all around them, ending under the decking, and is not for the faint of heart.
Niagara Falls, NY 14303, USA, Tel. +1 716-278-1796
2. Ellenville Fault, New York
The Ellenville Fault Ice Caves are located in the 4,600-acre Sam's Point Preserve on the 2,289-foot-high Shawangunk Ridge in New York. It is the largest open fault in the States, with a series of ice caves that were formed from fault’s falling debris. The caves are up to 100 feet deep fissures in the quartz rock, with a very cold microclimate that supports several northern species such as black spruce, mountain ash, hemlock, and dwarf pitch pine. There are several hiking trails leading to Sam’s Point and the ice caves. The trail, steep in places, leads down the caves, winding around large boulders, with ice trapped in places. There are bridges, wooden steps, and ladders in parts of the caves. The trail continues up stone steps, under low exposed rock outcroppings, and by high, scenic cliffs before coming back to the surface.
Cragsmoor, NY 12420, USA, Tel. +1 201-512-9348
3. Howe Caverns, New York
Howe Caverns, located in the town of Howes Cave, lie 156 feet underground and are composed of two types of limestone deposited hundreds of millions of years ago. The cavern contains a lake named the Lake of Venus and features many speleothems. The 2-hour Signature Rock Discovery Tour mimics real cave exploration. The guides take visitors to a section of the cave not previously open to the public. There is no electricity and no light. It is very cold and muddy. Another expanded tour passes by the remains of the original tourist boat, points out the signatures written on the rock by the early explorers over 100 years ago, and enters a cave named Music Hall, which has great acoustics. The tour ends at the Lake of Mystery, where the visitors have to crawl through a low water-logged passage. The caverns have a cave with a heart-like formation that is a popular spot to hold weddings.
255 Discovery Dr, Howes Cave, NY 12092, USA, Tel. +1 518-296-8900
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4. New York Caves: Lockport Cave
Lockport Cave is a man-made hydraulic raceway built between 1858 and 1900 to supply water from the Erie Canal to local businesses. It is located in Lockport, New York, on the Erie Canal, not far from Niagara Falls. The cave is the site of the popular tourist attraction, the Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride. The tour starts with a walk through the water tunnel blasted from the solid rock, passing stalactites, interesting geological formations, and objects left behind by the men who constructed the tunnel in the 1800s. The tour continues with an underground boat ride that takes almost 70 minutes, about 40 feet underground, with very little light, creating a spooky, wet, and muddy atmosphere.
5 Gooding St, Lockport, NY 14094, USA, Tel. +1 716-438-0174
5. Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, New York
Natural Stone Bridge and Caves is a tourist attraction in the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York, close to Lake George. The pretty, scenic riverside area contains a huge stone bridge or arch and a massive ¾ mile wide marble cave entrance. The cave is located mostly above ground and has natural stone steps and a trail. The cave contains some of the oldest marble in North America in the caves, which were formed during the last ice age. The cave contains interesting marble features such as grottos, portholes, a gorge, and a waterfall. This geological wonder is a popular location for earth science classes.
535 Stone Bridge Rd, Pottersville, NY 12860, USA, Tel. +1 518-494-2283
6. Tory Cave, New York
The Tory Cave is a small, shallow limestone cave close to the top of the Helderberg Escarpment. It is part of the popular Thacher State Park near Albany, New York. There is a story linked to the cave and its name about Jacob Salsbury, a loyalist, or Tory as they were called, who was a spy and reported on the movement of rebel troops to the British during the American Revolution. He spent some time hiding in the cave, which must have been very uncomfortable because the cave offers very little shelter. It does contain ice stalagmites in the spring, what is rare in the local caves. The cave is off limits to tourists.
7. Secret Caverns, New York
Located upstate in Howes Cave, Secret Caverns boasts of a beautiful waterfall and pre-historic formations unassumingly hidden 100 feet beneath the ground. The caverns were first discovered in 1928, and have been attracting numerous roadside travelers ever since. In the small commercial cavern, visitors are led through prehistoric passageways by friendly and informative guides to see naturally formed stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and fossils of some of America’s “first” settlers when the ocean covered North America. The 45-minute to 1-hour tour ends as visitors reach the majestic waterfall, which is the cavern’s main attraction. Visitors of all ages are welcome but should be informed that over 100 stairs are traversed to enter the cavern.
671 Caverns Road, Howes Cave, New York 12092, Phone: 518-296-8558
More caves in the USA
8. New York Caves: Stone Church
While this cave may not be an actual church, it’s easy to see why Stone Church got its name. Over time, the flowing stream carved out the chapel-like cave into the shape of a steeple. The cave also has an otherworldly quality about it with beams of sunlight shooting through the ceiling’s fissure and lighting up the cave with a soft glow. The cave even features a monolith perfectly situated to resemble a pulpit. Located less than a mile from Dover Plains, tourists and locals alike are welcome to enjoy a scenic hike through maple trees and along the brook to visit Stone Church. While the hike is fairly easy, the trail may get slippery from time to time, so hiking shoes may still be an advantage for visitors.
Cart Road, Dover Plains, New York 12522
9. New York Caves: Coopers Cave
Visit the cave that inspired the great American novel The Last of the Mohicans. It’s easy to see why this mysterious, low cave and waterfall inspired author James Fenimore Cooper in 1825. Located along the Hudson River between Glen Falls’ city and southern village, the cave was situated in the ancestral home of the Algonquin-speaking Mohican tribe. The cave, which was carved out by the mighty Hudson River, was described by Cooper as “dark and silent,” giving onlookers a sense of awe and adventure. A viewing platform is situated right next to the cave, allowing visitors to get the best views while learning more about the Mohican Tribe and James Fenimore Cooper.
46 Saratoga Avenue, South Glens Falls, New York 12803; Phone: 518-793-1455
What are the 10 Best New York Caves?
The 10 Best New York Caves according to local experts are:
- Cave of the Winds, New York
- Ellenville Fault, New York
- Howe Caverns, New York
- New York Caves: Lockport Cave
- Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, New York
- Tory Cave, New York
- Secret Caverns, New York
- New York Caves: Stone Church
- New York Caves: Coopers Cave
NY Attraction Spotlight: Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
We're not the only beings on this planet. We share these lands, waters, and skies with countless other species, but it's clear to see that, over time, in many different ways, we have abused and exploited those species to our own ends. This is especially true in the world of farming, where pursuit of profits at all costs has led to some terrible practices and inhumane treatment of countless furry and feathered friends who aren’t even given a chance at life.
Fortunately, with veganism on the rise and more and more people actually stopping to ask the big questions about the foods they eat and the ways in which we treat other beings, there’s still a lot of hope out there for a better world, and places like the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary really symbolize that hope and bring it to life in a beautiful way.
All About the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
The Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, as its name implies, is an animal sanctuary dedicated to saving the lives of farm animals and giving them a second chance. Founded on the belief in a better world and the hope that someday man can live in harmony with other creatures, this wonderful farm is raising a lot of awareness and doing a lot of good work for the animal cause. Open for visits throughout large parts of the year, it’s a great place to spend time in Upstate New York.
- A Second Chance - The Woodstock Farm Sanctuary offers a refuge to farmed animals. These are animals that have sometimes had to live in very difficult, traumatizing, and painful conditions but have now been given the freedom, space, comfort, and care they deserve. Meeting these animals and seeing their individual personalities is an inspirational and moving experience for any animal lover and can really make you think twice about the farming world.
- A Noble Cause - The work being done by the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary can only be seen in a positive light. Rescuing farm animals, promoting veganism, raising awareness about inhumane farming practices, and participating in positive social justice movements to create a better world, the founders and staff of this sanctuary deserve a lot of respect, admiration, and support. Simply by visiting the farm, you can show your support and make your contribution, with options also available for donations, membership, volunteering, and more.
- A Great Day Out - If you’re just looking for fun things to do in Upstate New York, especially for families, the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is an ideal location to spend an afternoon or full day. You can enjoy the scenery and meet the animals on the guided walking tours, which run on an hourly basis. The trip is fully suitable for people of all ages and the tour guides can teach you a lot about the different species, while the animals themselves are always happy to see some new faces and make new friends.
Visiting Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is a wonderful place to spend some time, so start planning your trip today!
- Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is located at 2 Rescue Road, High Falls, NY 12440.
- There are no fixed entry fees at Woodland Farm Sanctuary, but guests are encouraged to make a donation when entering.
- The best way to enjoy Woodland Farm Sanctuary is to go along on one of the walking tours. These tours run every hour from 11am onwards and take about an hour in total. The tour will be led by an expert guide and give you a chance to meet all the different species around the sanctuary, as well as learning a lot more about them.
Support Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
If you’d like to show your support for Woodstock Farm Sanctuary and help to contribute to all the good work being done, you have a few different options available:
- Visit the sanctuary and pay the recommended donation entry fee, rather than simply choosing to enter for free.
- Talk about Woodstock Farm Sanctuary with your friends, co-workers, family members, and more to raise awareness.
- Make a donation to the sanctuary.
- Become a member and enjoy lots of exclusive benefits including free entry to the sanctuary any time you like and lots of discounts at vegan-friendly shops and restaurants in New York.
- Volunteer to help out look after the 350+ rescued animals. The sanctuary relies on the help and support of its volunteers to keep on running and ensure that all the animals receive the care and love they need.
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NY Attraction Spotlight: Oheka Castle
Something has to be said about the mix of modern entertainment with beautiful old architecture. Remember the sheer luxury of the home of Jay Gatsby, in the 2013 film of the 1920s classic, the Great Gatsby? It was the Roaring Twenties, the period between the two World Wars and people were partying to fever pitch in a beautiful old mansion. Of course, the story by F. Scott Fitzgerald is about much more than just the partying, but perhaps the splendor and joie de vivre of those wonderful dancing scenes opened up your heart to wanting to jive in an old castle. There really is something of the Great Gatsby era on the north shore of Long Island, New York, where you can take your spirit back to the Roaring Twenties, be treated like royalty and party up a storm, all at once. Come and have a look at Oheka Castle. It doesn’t come cheaply, but it is everything you can imagine in a European castle and, situated at just 40 minutes from the city, it will take you a fraction of the time to get there.
Originally, the purpose-designed home of financier, philanthropist and arts patron Otto Hermann Kahn (where it got its name), Oheka, was built between 1914 and 1919, while the rest of the world was fighting the Great War. Kahn really loved to entertain. He had oodles of money and he wasn’t afraid to spend it. Employing a team of the best architects of their generation and another of landscape designers, he commissioned the building of this palatial venue on a 443-acre plot which ramped up the notion of entertainment in style as far as it could go. Taking up over 109,000 square feet in its construction, it is the second biggest private home in the United States. Almost 100 years later, it’s still going strong.
It was built to be impervious to fire and broke architectural rules of the time, in that its original building features steel and concrete. Much more than architectural innovation, Oheka has boasted a chequered and drama-stained history – but that’s what makes it exciting. After Kahn’s death in 1934, it changed hands several times and was used for a variety of things, including a church school and military centre, a New York sanitation workers’ retreat and a training school for Merchant Marine operators. In 1948 the Eastern Military academic took over the place, bulldozed the gardens and made other dramatic changes to the buildings. The grounds are enormous and the military school struggled to keep the whole complex going. Thirty years down the line, Eastern Military went bankrupt, and Oheka was abandoned for some years. It became the hideout of vagrants and vandals and was subject to being set alight and covered in graffiti, from time to time. Some of its outbuildings were burnt to the ground and many of its reflection pools in the garden had either been filled in or allowed to deteriorate completely. Indeed, during that period, there were over 100 documented arson attempts on the whole property.
And then, in 1983, a miracle happened. Along came property developer Gary Melius. A man with the foresight to imagine the unthinkable and the audacity to dream impossible dreams, Melius bought Oheka and began the complicated and expensive process of refurbishing it and restoring it to its former glory. This was not to be just a remake; it was a meticulous work in progress, which is about a loving restoration of the authentic grandeur of the original. Fixing Oheka Castle cost Melius in the region of $30-million and it took him and his team of professionals close to 20 years to complete it. He was very careful to hold onto the authentic integrity of everything from the window frames and door handles to the stone work, for which material was accessed from the original quarry.
Melius certainly spared no cost in making this grand old dame of Long Island sparkle with integrity and its original magnificence, which had made Oheka the playground of choice for society’s rich and famous – from its philanthropists and funders to its politicians and theatre and film personalities – way back in the 1920s.
In 2004, Oheka Castle was registered in the National Registry of Historic Places, which means that it is protected as a heritage site. And the place is certainly far from bland in its history. Melius survived an assassination attempt in 2014, when he was shot in the head by an unknown assailant, whilst parked in the Oheka parking grounds. Always, with big money, the stakes are enormous and the games are real – and very exciting and sometimes lethal. But as Melius attests to in his welcome letter to his guests, he fell in love with this place in 1983, abandoned and ramshackle though it was at the time. You might think of it as a romantic mix between the Overlook Hotel from Stephen King’s The Shining and the kind of castles in all the best fairy tales in their finest moment – either way, the ghosts are not real, but the glamor is.
In his welcome letter to guests, Melius goes on to comment on how his friends and family considered him crazy at the time to have bought the property, which looked catastrophic – as they considered him crazy to have continued running it after the assassination attempt – but when you’re really in love, it is for keeps, and Oheka is effectively the gem of Long Island, and the place where you can base yourself as you luxuriate in and explore all the area has to offer, from mansion tours and a slice of Long Island history and landscapes, to the simple pleasures of indulging yourself, absolutely and completely.
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With 32 luxurious guest rooms, this historical hotel boasts everything from its own unique cuisine to its own manicured gardens. It has an 18-hole golf course, an enormous private greenhouse, tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool, orchards and stables. This is a French chateau, only much better. Whether you’re hosting a wedding, or staging a corporate event, or filming a movie, Oheka Castle boasts some of the most elegant formal ball rooms, entertainment facilities and wide open spaces you could possibly imagine. And rest assured, if you are the bride, Oheka has a unique “No two brides shall meet” policy – no other bride will be able to upstage your most important day in your life. And Oheka is certainly big enough to host many weddings at the same time, without the brides coming into contact with one another.
But you don’t only have to visit Oheka for a very special occasion: even if you’re indulging in a romantic weekend away for you and your loved one, no effort will be spared on hosting you – indeed, Oheka offers weekly packages designed especially for those off-the-cuff getaways that make everything worthwhile.
With its beautiful period-designed architecture and historical garden which is modeled on that of French chateaux, you will feel the urge to dress the part as you step into the refined but high quality elegance that reeks of Downton Abbey at its elegant and resplendent heyday. With everything from private bathtubs with ball and claw feet, to all the modern conveniences you can wish for, Oheka is a real treat – and you deserve it. Satisfied customers have commented that from the initial opening of the gates, the experience of visiting Oheka has been top class all the way. They have loved the environment, gloried in the beautiful attention to detail and fallen in love with the space through the restoration vision of Melius. And they’ve returned again, and again.
Under the able steerage of executive chef, Frank Monahan, and executive pastry chef, Daniel Andreotti, the Oheka Castle offers a suite of cuisines which are second to none. With a restaurant and bar open daily, the Oheka cuisine also offers you the facility of private dining and intimate dinner parties, from Mondays to Thursdays, should you wish.
But that’s not all: Oheka has a fully equipped fitness center which is accessible to all guests on a 24-hour-a-day basis. Furthermore, there is an in-room massage service, where you can request any kind of massage, from Swedish to sports, aromatherapy to deep-tissue, maternity to togetherness massages, to ensure that your time at Oheka is truly unique and your every whim is attended to.
Situated between the Froehlich Farm Nature Preserve, famous for its red cedar and crab apple trees; the Stillwell Woods Park, the Crest Hollow Country Club and the suburb of West Hills, Oheka, at 135 West Gate Drive, Huntington is easy to access. It doesn’t matter whether you’re coming from Manhattan, New England, East Long Island or New Jersey. If you’re commuting in by train via Long Island Railroad, the nearest station is the Cold Spring Harbor Station and there are taxi services which will be only too willing to assist you to arguably Long Island’s best gem.
135 W Gate Dr, Huntington, NY 11743, Phone: 631-659-1400
