Howe Caverns Fact Sheet
What:
A living, limestone cave, carved by an underground river over the course of millions of years, located 156-feet below the earth's surface.

Discovered:

161 years ago, in 1842 by Schoharie County farmer, Lester Howe, for whom it is named.

Developed:

In the late 1920s and re-opened to the public with elevators, brick pathways, lights and handrails in 1929. Celebrating 75th anniversary of re-opening in 2004.

Ratings:

New York State's second most-visited natural attraction (Niagara Falls is #1).
Among the Top Five show caves (those open to the public) in the United States.
Among the Top Five tourist attractions in the Northeast, as rated in 2001 by the readers of Disney's FamilyFun magazine.
Ranked among the Top 10 tourist attractions in the Capital District Business Review (2001 and 2002).
Among the Top Five Best Attractions for Visitors in the Albany, NY
area, by Best of City Search (2002).
Editorial Winner, Albany, NY area, Best of City Search (2002).
Best Family Outing in the Albany, NY area by Best of City Search (2001).

Tour:

80-minute guided tour of this prehistoric world includes a boat ride on the quarter-mile, underground Lake of Venus. Lantern Tours and Private Tours also are available by reservation. Tour highlights include:

Titan's Temple - the largest "room" in the cave;
Bridal Altar - the site of more than 500 weddings;
Winding Way - curves and corners wind about 560 feet.

Location:

255 Discovery Drive in Howes Cave, Schoharie County, about 45 minutes
from Albany, between New York's Capital City and Cooperstown.

Visitors:

Howe Caverns welcomes more than 200,000 guests annually.
Greeted 14th million visitor in 2003.