Adirondack Natural History Museum

A place for curious children and interested adults, the WILD Center is a hands on exploration opportunity for people of all ages. Exhibits at the museum play music, blow snow, make clouds, and allows you visit live animals. Some exhibits are designed for kids only, so they are secret from the adults. Kids are encouraged to touch and handle the exhibits. The Big Wolf Great Hall area features live animals that change from day to day.

The museum is divided into a few different sections. The Pines features a play area off of the Oxbow Overlooks trail. There is a tree that has been upturned, log drums, and sticks, all that encourage children to play and explore the outdoor area. The Karamazov Theater features Find Our Forest, a story told by a juggling troupe that discusses bears and the water cycle in an entertaining way. The Naturalist Cabinet is located by Hall of the Adirondacks and is a sun filled room that looks out over the pond. There are plenty of spaces, boxes, drawers, and pulls to open and explore. The Trails are a great place to enjoy winter snowshoeing, which are rented free with the cost of admission to the museum. The Otters are one of the favorite areas of the museum, where kids and their families can watch river otters play all day at Otter Falls. The museum features 31 acres of campus space, lots of hands on fun, and hundreds of animals ranging from trout to otters, to plenty of small woodland creatures.

After hours of exploring, kids and adults both are going to be hungry. The Waterside Cafy features delicious treats from 10 until at least 4 pm every day. There are options for outdoor seating and the terrace overlooks the Greenleaf Pond. The menu features salads and sandwiches that are freshly made every day. Depending on the season, diners can enjoy cheese, meats, baked goods and vegetables. Special attention is paid to sustainability and packing materials are all recycled and biodegradable or compostable.

The museum is a great place for group visits. It is located about a half hour from Lake Placid and tours are $12 per person. The tour includes the drive to and from, plus a host during your tour time. Private animal encounters are included for an additional fee, and you can reserve a box or buffet lunch.

If you want to include more in your visit than just the museum, consider the See and Ski package. This allows you to visit the museum and ski, all for one rice. If you purchase a day pass at Big Tupper or you purchase a ticket to the WILD Center, it entitles you to admission to the other attraction. Both tickets are available for $15, so for that price, you get to ski and enjoy the museum.

Kids love the spirit of adventure at the WILD Center. Parents can explore with their children, and include the events and attractions at the museum into a great family winter vacation. If you are in search of a great destination filled with winter fun, head to Tupper Lake and visit the WILD Center.