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Welcome to our backyard.

Hours

 Fall & Winter
Open Friday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
Closed December 25, January 1, & all of April

Directions

45 Museum Drive
Tupper Lake, NY 12986
Get detailed directions

Admission Tickets

A general admission ticket to The Wild Center includes access to all indoor and outdoor exhibits and trails from 10 am to 5 pm. 
Does not include Wild Lights.
ADULT (18-64):  $28
SENIOR (65+)/MILITARY:  $26
YOUTH (5-17):  $15
AGE 4 & UNDER:  Free
MEMBERS:  Free

Wild Lights Tickets

Wild Lights returns on November 27, 2026, and is held on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 pm to 8 pm through February 20, 2027.
ADULT (18-64):  $15
YOUTH (5-17):  $10
MEMBER ADULT: $10
MEMBER YOUTH: $5
AGE 4 & UNDER:  Free

What's New?

Second Nature

An installation by Larry Robjent
Local artist Larry Robjent gives new life to old materials in this series of six animal sculptures created for The Wild Center. A heron, river otter, turtle, porcupine, owl, and woodpecker — each built from scrap metal and reclaimed materials.

Patrick Sapling

The first permanent Thomas Dambo troll in New York State
Made with reclaimed and recycled lumber, sawmill offcuts and locally sourced branches, Patrick Sapling has a message of his own to share.
Come see him for yourself.

Outside

Outside you can walk woodland trails, head to the river to canoe with a guide, explore Wild Walk, or discover the magic of the Pines Play Area, a wild playground in the forest where children can connect to their inner Huck Finn. There are 115 acres to explore.
Man in wheelchair pointing out view to accompanying child

Wild Walk

Walk up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest. Visit a four-story twig tree house, swing on bridges, clamber over a spider’s web or climb to the full-sized bald eagle’s nest at the highest point.
Closeup of "Hopscotch" stickwork by Patrick Dougherty

Stickwork

As children, we use sticks to build forts, play games—where ever our imagination would lead us. Artist Patrick Dougherty has tapped into that nostalgia to create a larger-than-life sculpture that is inspired by childhood and the natural world of the Adirondacks.

Raquette River Roll

An all-natural ball run trail. Engage with nature in an exciting new way. It’s interactive, it’s educational, and above all, it’s a fascinating and fun new way to experience the natural world in a natural setting.

Child behing Wild Pines tent

The Pines Wild Play Area

The Pines is a chance to play away from a manufactured experience. A tipped up tree, piles of sticks, and log drums all fill a clearing in the woods.

Forest Music

Immerse your senses in an experience that combines nature, technology and art.

Inside

Inside The Wild Center explore 54,000-square-feet of exhibit halls, meet one of our many animals at an animal encounter, join us for a live show, or watch one of many amazing films.
Children gathered around cloud exhibit

Exhibits

Climate Solutions, Hall of the Adirondacks, Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, Planet Adirondack

Birdly

Fulfilll the ultimate dream of flying
Audience watching documentary in Flammer Theater

Flammer Theater

Every day there are feature films in the Flammer Theater.
Climate Solutions logo

Climate Solutions

A new exhibit that explores the encouraging stories of people from across different backgrounds, generations and sectors who are building a web of climate solutions in their lives and communities.
Speaker presenting to audience inside Planetarium

Planet Adirondack

Watch the Earth come to life in Planet Adirondack, an amazing display that will help you see the world with new eyes.

Waterside Café

Waterside Café, nestled within The Wild Center, offers a dining experience with a view and a commitment to sustainability. Visitors can enjoy a variety of cold and hot dishes, local specialties, and convenient grab-and-go options, all while supporting eco-friendly practices. The café sources 22% of its food from local vendors and has eliminated all single-use plastic beverage containers. Additionally, food waste is composted. Indoor and outdoor seating available.

Menu changes seasonally
View Menu

Near The Wild Center

 LOCAL

TRI-LAKES
The Tri-Lakes area of the Adirondacks includes the towns of Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, and Lake Placid.

 REGIONAL

ADIRONDACK PARK
With fresh mountain air, rivers, forests, and over 3,000 lakes, the Adirondacks are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
NEW YORK STATE
Shop, dine, see a show, visit a world-class museum, explore nature - only in New York can you do it all.

 LODGING

TRI-LAKES
We encourage you to explore lodging options in the Tri-Lakes near The Wild Center.

Stay Local. Explore More.

Our lodging partners are an important part of The Wild Center’s business community. Through our Forest Business Partnership Program, we work with regional businesses that share our commitment to creating vibrant, sustainable communities where people can live, work and play.

Planning a visit to The Wild Center? Make the most of your Adirondack adventure by staying with one of our lodging partners. From cozy inns and motels to cabins and other accommodations, our partners offer welcoming places to stay while helping support the local economy and the communities that make the Adirondacks special.

Explore our lodging partners and start planning your stay.

Featured Lodging Partner:

Cambria Hotel Lake Placid

2127 Saranac Ave, Lake Placid, NY 12946

Enjoy your Adirondack retreat at the newest hotel in Lake Placid.

Book Your stay
Featured Lodging Partner:

Hotel Saranac

100 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Prepare to have your Adirondacks expectations redefined when you stay at Hotel Saranac.

SPECIAL RATES AVAILABLE
Featured Lodging Partner:

Trailhead by Weekender

314 Park Street, Tupper Lake, NY 12986

Delight in the Adirondacks at
Your Home Away from Home.

Book your stay
Featured Lodging Partner:

Tupper Lake Motel

255 Park Street, Tupper Lake, NY 12986

The Tupper Lake Motel is a family-operated business conveniently located just over a mile from The Wild Center.

10% Off rates for wild center visitors
Featured Lodging Partner:

voco Saranac Lake

250 Lake Flower Ave, Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Stay lakeside and enjoy scenic charm, spacious rooms, and a restful retreat.

Book your stay

Highlights

At The Wild Center

How do I reserve my visit? Can I purchase tickets when I arrive?

We strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance online, as they may sell out on any given day. You can purchase tickets for specific dates through our online reservation system. You can also purchase tickets by calling (518) 359-7800.

Can I bring my dog?

Although we love pets, we do not allow dogs on our campus during open hours unless they are service dogs.

How accessible are the trails?

The paved path leading to Wild Walk, Wild Walk itself, and the gravel path around Greenleaf Pond are ADA accessible. The other trails are open for guests, but are not graded for accessibility. Learn more here.

Do you have EV charging stations?

The two electric vehicle charging stations are currently down. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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