The Lantern Tour

2 Hour Tour with Lanterns
Every Friday & Saturday Evening
Reservations Required (No Online Tickets)
Must Be 16+ Years of Age

If you want to experience Howe Caverns as Lester Howe did when he discovered them, then our Lantern Tour is perfect for you!

On this exhilarating underground odyssey, you'll leave the comforts of the civilized world behind and go back in time to 1842 and navigate the caverns as Lester Howe did... in the dark. As you meander through the caves and even as you board a boat and explore The Lake of Venus, you'll only have torches and lanterns to guide you.

When you see Howe Caverns in its most natural state, obscured in shadow, the dark recesses of the caves exude both mystery and beauty. The glimmering rock formations and immense galleries become even more dramatic under the flicker of lantern light. Imaginative and inspiring, the Lantern Tour is an exceptional underground experience you don't want to miss.

Tour Rate and Times

• $35 per person (plus tax)
• No discounts are available for Lantern Tours.
• April 1st - October Fri. and Sat. evenings at 6:30 PM
• November 1st - March: Fri. and Sat. evenings at 5:30 PM

Reservations Required

Reservations are required and can be made by calling Howe Caverns at 518-296-8900. Cancellations must be made 24 hours prior to your tour or you will be charged.

Want to Stay Overnight?

For those of you who would like to stay over at Howe Caverns after your evening tour, we've created the Lantern Tour Package to accommodate you. When you take advantage of our affordable vacation packages, you get more time to enjoy all that Howe Caverns has to offer, including The Cave House Museum of Mining & Geology, gemstone mining, scenic bike rides, nearby hiking trails, and other Upstate NY attractions. For overnight stays call our Motel at 518-296-8950.

Other Tours Available

In addition to our Lantern Tour, we have our Traditional Tour for all ages and our one of a kind Adventure Tour if you're a spelunker at heart and want to twist and crawl your way through the caverns.

Things to Remember

Please dress appropriately for maximum comfort during your tour. Bring a light jacket and wear comfortable shoes that give you a good level of traction. The cavern environment is a constant 52° Fahrenheit / 12° Celsius and 70-75% humidity, year round.

For the safety of our guests and preservation of the cavern, large bags, backpacks, food and beverages, etc. are not permitted underground.

To help protect the cave environment, touching rocks and formations is prohibited. Some cave formations are very fragile to the touch and may break easier than you might think. Also the oils in your skin may stop the growth of cave formations.

Wheeled devices and strollers are not permitted in the cavern. Above ground areas are accessible to mobility impaired visitors. A 25 minute video of the cavern tour is available for those who cannot tour the cave.

There are no restrooms in the cavern. Please remember to use the facilities above ground prior to your tour departure. You will be underground for 80 minutes.

If you have any questions or concerns, always feel free to contact us before you plan to visit. For more information about Howe Caverns, please call 518-296-8900. We look forward to seeing you!