Visit

Welcome to our backyard.

Hours

Fall/Winter Hours
October 18 to March 30: Open Friday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm

Additional Holiday Hours
December 26 - 31, 10 am to 5 pm
February 14 - 22, 2025, 10 am to 5 pm

Summer Hours
May 1 to Memorial Day: Open Friday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm

Memorial Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day: Open daily, 10 am to 5 pm

Directions

45 Museum Drive
Tupper Lake, NY 12986
Get detailed directions

Admission Tickets

ADULT (18-64):  Online: $23 | At the Door: $24
SENIOR (65+)/MILITARY:  Online: $21 | At the Door: $22
YOUTH (5-17):  Online: $13 | At the Door: $14
AGE 4 & UNDER:  Free
MEMBERS:  Free
Buying tickets in advance is highly encouraged as it allows visitors an expedited check-in upon arrival. 
Tickets can be purchased for specific dates through our online reservation system.

What's New?

Wild Lights

Wander into our enchanting, illuminated, winter wonderland to explore the sights and sounds of Wild Lights, presented by Merrill L. Thomas Inc. Thousands of lights transforms our campus into a twinkling, family-friendly experience that is sure to become a holiday tradition for North Country families.

Raquette River Roll

A brand new experience where you and your young explorers can 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.

The Clothesline: Food, Fiber, Air, and Soil

An installation by artist Brenda Baker highlights the hard work done in our community by people who work in agriculture.

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.
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

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
TRI-LAKES
We encourage you to explore lodging options in the Tri-Lakes near The Wild Center- references in the local section. A few of our partners are listed below.
Northwood Cabins, Tupper Lake, NY
Trailhead, Tupper Lake, NY
Grand Adirondack Hotel, Lake Placid, NY

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

Reserving tickets is not required, but is highly encouraged as it allows visitors to use the expedited check in upon arrival. Tickets can be purchased for specific dates through our online reservation system. Tickets may also be purchased 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?

Yes, The Wild Center has two electric vehicle charging stations located near the Wild Walk kiosk. We also have special, conveniently located parking spots for hybrid and electric vehicles.