One of the best experiences in the Adirondacks is, hands down, The Wild Center. This interactive science museum (voted #1 in the US in 2024) allows you to experience nature in unique ways. Here, you can learn about the natural history of this region while surrounded by it. At The Wild Center, you can immerse your senses at Forest Music, have some fun at Raquette River Roll, and walk along the treetops at the Wild Walk.
When I say The Wild Center is a bucket list destination in New York, it is not hyperbole. I’ve been wanting to visit for years, and my experience surpassed my expectations. With the varying activities and exhibits, you will be engaged during your entire visit.
Let’s get into everything you need to know before your visit and all the incredible things to do at The Wild Center!
This blog post is sponsored by The Wild Center. However, my opinions are, as always, my own.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you purchase a product or book a stay through these links at no extra cost to you.
Table of Contents
About The Wild Center
The Wild Center is a natural history museum in Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks. This immersive center connects people with nature through unique exhibits and experiences. Across the 115 acres outside and the 54,000-square-foot exhibit halls inside, you can explore nature in ways you never have before.
Officially opening in 2006, The Wild Center became a place to celebrate the Adirondacks and learn to coexist with nature.
Where is The Wild Center
The Wild Center is located in Tupper Lake, New York. This museum is located in the northwest area of the Adirondack Park, making it an easy day trip from most places in the Adirondacks. Here is the distance to drive from a few popular destinations in the Adirondacks:
- Saranac Lake – 20.9 miles, 24 min drive
- Lake Placid – 29.4 miles, 38 min drive
- Old Forge – 68.7 miles, 1 hour 24 min drive
The Wild Center Tickets
Tickets to The Wild Center:
- Adults– $23
- Seniors (65+)– $21
- Youth (5-17) – $13
- Child (0-4)– Free
Be sure to secure your tickets online here.
The Wild Center Hours
The Wild Center is open on weekends during the Fall and Winter. From October 18th to March 30th, it is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There are extended hours during specific holiday breaks, including:
- December 26 – 31 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m)
- February 14 – 22 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m)
The Wild Center is open daily from Memorial Day to Indigenous People’s Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Wild Center is closed for a month every year in April for an annual spring cleaning.
Best Time to Visit The Wild Center
I couldn’t imagine a bad time to visit The Wild Center. It is one of the most unique experiences in New York State, and it can be enjoyed almost year-round. However, The Wild Center is closed in April for an annual spring cleaning. So, when planning your visit, you’ll want to look at dates from May through March.
There are draws to visiting at all times of the year: warm weather and greenery of the summer months, vibrant foliage in the fall, and the gorgeous twinkling lights and snow-covered trees in winter. While you cannot go wrong visiting at any time of the year, there are a couple of seasonal attractions that make visiting The Wild Center even more worthwhile (or perhaps for a revisit).
Fall Foliage at The Wild Center
The Wild Center is one of the best places in the Adirondacks to experience the Fall foliage. While spending the day experiencing the activities at The Wild Center (Forest Music, Raquette River Roll, Wild Walk, etc.), you can enjoy some of the best Fall colors in the Adirondacks. This is not to say that The Wild Center is not worth visiting during other times of the year. However, if you’re planning a Fall trip to the Adirondacks and want to maximize your time leaf peeping, The Wild Center is the perfect place to do so.
Wild Lights
If you visit The Wild Center in the winter, you must experience Wild Lights. In the evenings, on opening days, The Wild Center is transformed into a winter wonderland. There are twinkling lights around the Wild Walk, a light and sound experience in the woods at Forest Music, ice sculptures, and many more winter activities.
While The Wild Center is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the winter, Wild Lights is only on Fridays and Saturdays in the evenings.
Tickets to the Wild Lights:
- Adults– $12
- Youth (5-17) – $7
- Child (0-4)– Free
Get tickets to Wild Lights here.
*Tickets for Wild Lights are a separate cost from The Wild Center entry. If you’ve never visited The Wild Center, I recommend visiting during the day to experience everything in daylight and explore the indoor exhibits. Then, head into Tupper Lake for dinner and return for Wild Lights in the evening.
How Much Time Do You Need to Visit?
Plan to spend a full day at The Wild Center. There is so much to see and do at The Wild Center that you will want to thoroughly explore it. We arrived at opening time and left around 4:00 p.m., spending a total of six hours at this museum.
This was enough time to thoroughly explore The Wild Center: enjoy Forest Music, see the stickwork sculpture, do the ball run at Raquette River Roll, walk the Wild Walk, and check out the indoor exhibits.
However, if you are traveling with kids, I would recommend the full seven hours. Small children will likely want to spend more time at Raquette River Roll and Pines Play area, which has a great all-natural playground where they’ll want to play.
Highlights of The Wild Center
There is so much to see and do at The Wild Center! You will need to visit for yourself to experience everything this museum offers truly. However, these are the highlights of The Wild Center that you must experience.
Forest Music
Forest Music is an immersive sound trail on The Wild Center’s property. Along this loop trail, speakers hidden among the trees play music. Yet, this isn’t just any soundtrack playing. The music does not take away from the sounds of nature. Rather, this beautifully composed piece of music blends with the sounds of nature. In collaboration with the Crane School of Music, student composers created this beautiful soundtrack for the woods. You still hear the birds chirping and the crunch of leaves underfoot, yet with a melodic tune in the background.
This is one of the most transcending experiences I have ever had. Forest Music allowed me to feel the forest like I had never before. Truly, I could have stayed on this trail for hours; I have never felt so soothed.
Raquette River Roll + Fen Trail
Raquette River Roll is a ball run along The Wild Center’s Fen Trail. The Fen Trail is a .6 mile (1.2 miles out-and-back) trail. While the trail is a lovely place for a stroll in itself, what makes this trail so unique is Raquette River Roll. There are ten tracks spanning the entire length of this trail. Each track of this ball run is unique and set up in a way that allows gravity to propel the balls down the tracks. Essentially, you place your ball at the top of the tracks and watch it roll.
In addition to the ball run, there are stations along the Fen Trail where you can learn about plants and animals in the Adirondacks. Raquette River Roll and the Fen Trail are simultaneously fun and educational. I loved watching the ball maneuver through the tracks while also learning a bit about the stunning natural environment I was surrounded by.
Stickwork Sculpture
Don’t miss checking out the impressive stickwork sculpture, Hopscotch. This sculpture is designed by artist, Patrick Dougherty, and it is so unique. The sculpture is made entirely out of sticks, and it is so massive that you can walk beneath it. Hopscotch perfectly exemplifies the connection between people and nature, as it is a piece of artwork created with natural elements that perfectly blend into the natural surroundings.
Wild Walk
The highlight of The Wild Center is, hands down, the Wild Walk. The Wild Walk is an accessible elevated platform along the treetops. This trail across the treetops is such an incredible way to experience nature and gain a different perspective of the forest. There are unique elements along this walkway, including multi-level suspension bridges, a spiderweb where you can hang out, and the eagle’s nest, which offers unparalleled views.
There are informative stations at different points on the Wild Walk. Take some time to stop at these stations to learn about the environment while enjoying this unique experience.
While photos of the Wild Walk are epic, they don’t adequately showcase how mind-blowingly cool this experience is. The Wild Walk is something you need to experience for yourself! We spent approximately an hour traipsing around this treetop trail and were engrossed the entire time.
Clothesline: Food, Fiber, Air and Soil
This outdoor installation by artist Brenda Baker is quite powerful. It highlights the hard-working people in agriculture in the Adirondacks. The articles of clothing are labeled with the name of the person who donated them to this project and the farm they work on. This installation puts into perspective just how many people are working labor-intensive jobs for the food we consume.
Indoor Exhibits
While the outdoor exhibits may be what draws you to visit The Wild Center, there is plenty to discover at the indoor exhibits, including the Living River Trail, The Wild Center’s animal ambassadors, Climate Solutions, and Birdly.
- Living River Trail– There are twelve stops in this exhibit, showcasing the varying ecosystems of the Adirondacks, from the highs of the mountain tops to the bogs and marshes of the lowlands.
- Animal Ambassadors– If you love animals, you’ll be delighted to discover that there are several rescued animals at The Wild Center. There are porcupines and birds, yet the most amusing to watch are the otters.
- Climate Solutions– This project by The Wild Center is a collaborative way to tackle climate change. The exhibit features stories of people finding climate solutions in their day-to-day lives.
- Birdly– If you’ve ever dreamed of what it would be like to fly like a bird over the treetops, you must check out Birdly. Birdly is a virtual flying experience that allows you to experience what it feels like to fly like a bird. (note: this is an additional cost)
Waterside Cafe
As you’ll want to spend a full day at The Wild Center, you will surely need a bite to eat mid-way through the day. Be sure to grab a bite to eat at Waterside Cafe while exploring. Various grab-and-go items are available, including soups and sandwiches that are perfect for lunch. We loved sitting on the outside patio overlooking the lily pond, yet there is plenty of indoor seating if you’d prefer.
Wild Supply Co.
After checking out all the exhibits, don’t miss a stop at Wild Supply Co., the gift shop at The Wild Center. This is a great spot to buy gifts or a souvenir to remember your visit. There are local maple products, games and toys that allow children to further connect with nature and so much more. Enjoy browsing this curated gift shop before you leave The Wild Center. Don’t miss checking out the clothing while browsing the shop. The otter tees and sweatshirts are made exclusive for The Wild Center and are a perfect memento.
Visiting The Wild Center: Wrap-up
The Wild Center is well worth a visit!! It is a great addition to any Adirondacks itinerary and will likely be one of the highlights of your trip. This center in Tupper Lake has been on my list of places I’ve wanted to visit for years. And now I can confidently say that this is a bucket list experience in the Adirondacks! It is such an incredible experience that after visiting once, you will likely want to plan a return trip.
For more travel inspiration, check out these posts:
🏛️Adirondack Experience- Adirondack Museum on Blue Mountain Lake
⛵Best Things to Do in Watkins Glen NY
📷 The Best Finger Lakes Waterfalls You Must Visit
For more New York travel, check out my New York section!
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