If you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary adventure, nothing beats taking a guided tour down a mysterious cave. While we have several that are fairly close to Buffalo, we highly recommend taking a little road trip over to Howes Cave and checking out Secret Caverns. It's an experience like no other.
Secret Caverns is located at 571 Caverns Road in Howes Cave.
It's about a 3.5-hour drive from Buffalo, so you'll want to leave early.
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While there are other attractions on the property (including Howe Caverns), Secret Caverns is the only one with an underground waterfall.
You'll take a guided, hour-long trip through a prehistoric passageway.
Founded by local civil engineer Roger Mallery, the caverns have hosted roadside travelers since their discovery in 1928.
The tour culminates when you reach the world famous 100-foot underground waterfall.
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It's not every day you see an underground waterfall in a cave!
If you need to beat the summer heat, look no further.
The caverns maintain a year-round temperature of about 50 degrees, so you'll want to bring a jacket.
Guided groups enter the caverns every 15-20 minutes throughout the day.
The cost of a cave tour is $18 for adults and $8 for kids. Children under 6 get in for free, and special group rates are available.
While it may be a bit of a drive to reach Secret Caverns, the destination is so worth the journey and it's a must-see spot for Buffalonians - and everyone else, for that matter. It's just close enough to make it doable in a day, so get out there and start exploring!
Have you visited Secret Caverns and the amazing underground waterfall hiding inside? Let us know in the comments below!
Secret Caverns may be spectacular, but it's not the only cool cave nearby. If you don't have time to make the drive over to Howes Cave, check out one of these local caves instead!
This All-Day Tubing Trip Will Make Your Buffalo Summer Complete
Adventure Calls Outfitters offers exciting river tubing and rafting experiences near Buffalo, New York, with options for both thrill-seekers and those seeking relaxation.
Tubing in Buffalo, New York is a great option whether you're an adrenaline junkie or looking for the perfect lazy river to find some relaxation. While some residents may solely be interested in kayaking along the city's waterfront, others are looking to turn the excitement into a true wilderness adventure! Found just to the east of Buffalo in one of our favorite state parks, an all-day fun Buffalo river tubing adventure awaits for you when you book a trip with Adventure Calls Outfitters!
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Adventure Calls Outfitters has been operating in Western New York for roughly 40 years, with locations taking you along both the Salmon River in Pulaski and the Genesee River in Wyoming County.
Be sure to wear appropriate clothing. At Adventure Calls Outfitters, proper footwear is required.
While we certainly love enjoying the views that the Salmon River has to offer, for Buffalonians, Adventure Calls Outfitters’ location inside Letchworth State Park is the closest and most exciting option that we have.
Find friendly and highly experienced staff at Adventure Calls Outfitters.
Adventurers will meet up with their guide first before beginning their adventure for the day. After a short review of safety guidelines, you’ll enjoy a quick and easy 10-minute walk out to the banks of the Genesee River.
Safety is the key to a good time at Adventure Calls Outfitters! The company does a great job at upgrading equipment and setting a high standard of safety.
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Generally speaking, your adventure on the Genesee River will last about 2.5 hours.
Let knowledgeable and state-licensed guides take you on the ride of a lifetime!
The trip travels through a deep gorge known as the Grand Canyon of the East, and you’ll travel more than five miles along the river - where you’ll be greeted by exciting rapids.
It's always a great idea to check river conditions prior to your planned trip.
This is more than just an incredible rafting adventure though!
Find many other rafting tours offered through Adventure Calls Outfitters. There is something for everyone, ranging from rough rapids to lazy river tubing.
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During the summer when the days are long and hot, you'll stop at "The Leap of Faith," a beautiful waterfall along the river that’s so fun to cool off in.
Surrounding The Leap of Faith, you’ll find shallow pools to sit down and relax in, making for the most wonderful waterfront pit stop that you’ve ever experienced in Western New York.
After your day out on the water, a bus will be waiting for you at the take-out point along the river to bring you back to the office where you can change into dry clothes and enjoy a snack before heading back home to the Queen City.
Who knew such an exciting rafting adventure existed only 60 miles east of Buffalo?
If you want to make this adventure even easier on yourself, you’ll be glad to hear that Adventure Calls Outfitters even offers specials and packages where you can choose to add on things like hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, strip steaks, and other tasty options.
In addition, they offer packages where you can enjoy a day of rafting, dinner, and a night of tent camping all in one! If this sounds like your type of adventure, book a trip with Adventure Calls Outfitters before their operating season passes you by.
After a day at Adventure Calls Outfitters, you are sure to never look at lazy river tubing the same way again.
Now that you know where to go tubing in Buffalo, New York, you can stop searching "river tubing near me!" There's just something wonderful about getting out in nature and experiencing the beautiful waterways in the Buffalo area. Visit Adventure Calls Outfitters to book your next water sports activity!
Looking for a more easygoing adventure than this river tubing near Buffalo? Then take a look at this short hike near Buffalo! And take a look at our list of must-haves for hiking, such as this hiking backpack to make sure you're fully prepared.
What are some of your favorite watersport activities in the state? There are so many options in New York, we'd love to hear yours! Be sure to comment below.
The calendars still may not say we've hit winter in Buffalo until late December, but if you take a look outside your window here in the Queen City and surrounding areas in Western New York, you'll find that winter has clearly arrived. The region is notorious for heavy snowfall even very early in the season and it can be a little discouraging how quickly the weather goes from temperate to isolating. But never fear! Here in Buffalo we've got several surefire ways to combat the cold weather woes. From the frigid drop in temperatures to all of the snow we've already begun to receive, it's time to grab your favorite tube and start making the most of this season! When it comes to snow tubing near Buffalo, this is the place to be.
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Only minutes outside of the heart of Buffalo, Chestnut Ridge Park has officially begun to turn into a winter wonderland. We've seen more and more snow and our favorite parks gearing up for this thrilling season.
While we love to stroll through these green spaces during the nice weather, there's something magical about parks during the colder months when snow is thick on the ground and everything is quiet.
Quiet that is until people start flying down hills on tubes, having the absolute time of their lives.
Generally speaking, you might be used to enjoying other activities in this park, like hiking to one of our most epic waterfalls or going for a ride down the historic toboggan chutes.
Don't worry though Buffalonians! If you don't have your own toboggan, there's still plenty of ways to have fun here.
Grab a sled from home, any will do although we find the large cushiony tubes makes for the best rides, and head to the hill.
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On the other side of Chestnut Ridge's famous hill, you'll find the never-ending sight of fresh powdered snow for you to fly across with your favorite tube.
Everyone's got a different technique, some people like to take a running start, others like a good push to get the momentum going, and some people prefer to start off softly, dipping off the edge of the hill and gaining speed along the way.
All Buffalonians need to do is bundle up and head on over to Chestnut Ridge Park to enjoy winter's sweetest and most fun gift.
After a long day of tubing on this epic hill, you can head inside the Commissioner's Cabin to grab some hot drinks and snacks or even get cozy by the fireplace that will help warm you up.
If you're planning an all day sledding affair, come in to the Cabin for a midday break and then head back out to the hill refreshed and renewed.
Open every day of the week as long as the weather permits, the next time you find yourself bored and surrounded by snow, remember to go have some fun at Chestnut Ridge Park. It brings back the magic of winter and the fun side of what can feel like a long and oppressive season.
Bonus? From the top of the hill, you'll have an amazing view of Buffalo's skyline that you won't be able to get enough of. It's Instagram gold. The sledding hill at Chestnut Ridge Park is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is located at 6121 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Orchard Park, NY 14127. To find out more information, visit the Chestnut Ridge Park website.