Is the Wild Center in Tupper Lake Worth Visiting?
We love to visit the Adirondacks. Not only is it an easy drive from Toronto, but there is so much to see and do.
So during one of our many road trips to the Adirondacks, we decided it was time to add a children’s museum to our itinerary.
And did we ever find the perfect one to visit!
The Wild Center combines both indoor museums and outdoor exhibits, making it a one-stop shop for learning and adventure!
Want to learn more? Let’s dive right in!
What is The Wild Center?
Formerly known as the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, The Wild Center is a museum, a conservation area, and an adventure park, all wrapped into one.
The Wild Center occupies 115 acres of Adirondack forest. It’s a place where families can learn and get active, all while having fun!
And let me tell you, we were pretty excited to spend the day there!
Is The Wild Center Worth Visiting?
If you love the outdoors, learning about local flora and fauna, and unique attractions, then the Wild Center id DEFINITELY worth a visit.
We absolutely loved our time there, and wouldn’t hesitate to come back for another visit.
Things to Do at The Wild Center
There are so many fun things to see and do at the Wild Center for both kids and adults.
1. Check Out the Indoor Exhibits
Starting indoors, you can walk through the interactive museum, which is home to several awesome exhibits.
“Ways of Knowing” features the history and stories of the Indigenous people who once called the area home.
In the Hall of the Adirondacks, you can learn about the plants and animals which are native to the area.
There are aquariums full of live turtles, fish, and plants that will entertain even the younger crowd.
We especially enjoyed the cute little otters that were playing in their exhibit. Definitely, something you don’t want to miss!
2. Make a New Friend at Animal Encounters
Another thing you won’t want to miss is Animal Encounters in the Big Wolf Great Hall.
Here, naturalists bring out a variety of creatures (owls, snakes, porcupines, etc.) for a close-up look.
The kids had the opportunity to ask questions and learn all about the ambassador animals. They absolutely loved it!
Lastly, there is also a theatre playing various educational films, and the Naturalist’s Cabinet, which is an exhibit filled with a variety of items for kids to touch and explore.
3. See the World from a Different Perspective at Planet Adirondack
Planet Adirondack was one of the highlights of our visit.
It’s a huge sphere that gives you a space-eye view of Earth and global events.
During a guided session, we watched airplanes taking off across the planet and saw storms forming in real time.
The interactive kiosk let us explore the solar system. It was incredible for both the kids and us adults!
4. Enjoy The Wild Walk
Once you head outdoors, there are 115 acres to explore! We started with the Wild Walk, which is a suspended trail of bridges through the treetops.
With educational plaques and knowledgeable guides/docents along the way, it is impossible NOT to learn an interesting fact or two.
The Wild Walk experience includes a 4-storey twig treehouse, a full-sized bald eagle’s nest, and a gigantic rope spider web:
“The Snag”, or hollowed-out giant white pine, is big enough to hold a 4-storey stairwell inside. Here, you will find all kinds of displays about who calls these pines home.
🌲 Fun Fact: the tallest white pine in the Adirondacks, and New York State for that matter, measures 160 feet tall. This is taller than the Statue of Liberty, from her base to her torch!! That’s huge!!
5. Get a Birds Eye View at the Eagle’s Nest
The full-scale eagle’s nest, which is big enough for a crowd to walk around in, is perched up high enough to offer amazing views of the surrounding forest.
The sheer size of the nest is mind-blowing! Measuring approximately 10 feet wide, the nest is the size of a small room!
6. Climb Around on the Giant Spider Web
However, the attraction that the kids were most excited about was the giant rope spider web. It is massive!
There was more than enough space on the spider web for our youngest son to run and chase his sister around on!
The ropes are pretty tightly woven, with a layer of netting underneath. This made it easy and safe for even younger kids to navigate.
These hands-on displays were an absolute hit with the kids.
We spent quite a bit of time at the giant spider web! Good thing The Wild Center provides benches for parents to lounge, while kids burn off some energy!
From the Wild Walk, we decided to explore some of the hiking trails. They are well marked, not too long, with some leading down to the Raquette River.
The trails were easy to navigate, so there was no need for hiking boots or poles.
We even found one trail which led to a “secret forest” filled with colourful hammocks!
Hubby and I loved that! But since we only had one day to spend at the Wild Center, we couldn’t “hang around” here for long (insert eye-roll)!
⛰️ If you are looking for some more outdoor adventure, then head to the Ausable Chasm! We have a full guide here.
7. Use Your Imagination at the Pines Wild Play Area
Our next stop was the Pines Wild Play Area.
There are no swings or traditional play structures here. Instead, the kids can climb on giant tipped-up trees, build things with logs and piles of sticks, or beat on log drums.
There is plenty of space for kids to use their imagination, as well as burn off some of the boundless energy they have!
8. Listen Carefully at the Forest Music Walk
The last exhibit we visited outdoors was the Forest Music installation. This immersive experience combining nature, technology and art, is a quarter-mile-long trail that winds through the forest.
The trail has 24 speakers which play a composition of nature sounds and music.
The kids were not really interested in the installation but were happy to run along the trail, finding treasures of their own in the forest.
We were more than happy to stroll along the path and enjoy the peaceful compilation.
9. Explore the Oxbow River on Paddle Boards or Canoes
Because we went to the Wild Center in October, we weren’t able to take advantage of paddleboarding on the Oxbow, or their guided canoe trips.
This is definitely something we will do when we head back during the summer. The area is so scenic, that I can just imagine how peaceful a guided canoe trip could be!
How Long Do I Need at the Wild Center?
If you plan to take full advantage of both the indoor and outdoor activities (which we certainly recommend), then we would recommend spending at least half the day at the Center.
During our visit to the Adirondacks, we set aside an entire day for the Wild Center.
This is probably a good idea if you are visiting in the summer and can take advantage of the water activities.
Where is The Wild Center?
Located in Tupper Lake, The Wild Center can be found near the heart of New York state’s Adirondack Park.
It is approximately a 40-minute drive from Lake Placid and just under a 3-hour drive from Albany.
If you are planning to spend some time in the Adirondacks with kids, then the Wild Center is definitely a must-do attraction to add to your itinerary.
How to Get to the Wild Center
If you are planning a visit to The Wild Center, driving is the easiest and most convenient way to get there as public transportation options are limited.
If you’re driving from Lake Placid you will need to take the NY-3 W. And if you are coming from Albany, then you will need to take the I-87 N and NY-30 N.
Visitors travelling from Montreal can reach the Wild Center in roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes by car.
If you’re coming from farther away, the closest major airports are in Albany or Burlington, Vermont. Both are within a few hours’ drive.
Parking is free and there’s plenty of space.
The Wild Center FAQs
The Wild Center does not allow dogs on their campus during open hours unless they are service dogs.
The Wild Walk is a 0.9-mile loop trail at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, New York. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 21 min to complete.
The Wild Center is home to several species of birds including American kestrels, blue jays, Eastern screech owls, and wood ducks. You will also find turtles (wood turtles, painted turtles, snapping turtles), amphibians (wood frog, gray tree frog, American toad, Eastern newt, common mudpuppy), and snakes at the Wild Center.
Final thoughts
All in all, we had an awesome time during our visit to The Wild Center.
And like I said earlier, we wouldn’t hesitate to return!
The outdoor portions of this adventure park are not only great for families but truly allow you to experience everything nature has to offer.
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- Is the Wild Center in Tupper Lake Worth Visiting?
