ADK Talks
ADK Talks brings you the stories behind the people, places, and things to do in the Adirondack Park of New York State. With 6 million acres, the Adirondacks are the ultimate playground.
We take you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of one of America's most breathtaking regions. Just like we do on our website, adktaste.com, our podcast uncovers the hidden gems of the Adirondacks, offering hand-picked recommendations for the best places to stay, eat, shop and do in the Adirondack Park.
But this isn't just about places. It's about the people who make the Adirondacks so special and unique. In each episode, we talk to people from all walks of life—restauranteurs, farmers, innkeepers, historians, artists, local leaders, writers, hikers, and more. Hear real stories about what they do, their passions, and how they found their way here.
And they'll share their insider tips on the best things to see and do in the Adirondacks – insights you won't find anywhere else.
So subscribe now to ADK Talks to get real stories from real people, sharing the real Adirondacks.
You can also visit us online at adktaste.com.
ADK Talks
Trolls, Treetops & 20 Years of Wonder: The Wild Center in Tupper Lake
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode of ADK Talks, we head to Tupper Lake to celebrate 20 years of The Wild Center with Nick Gunn, Director of Marketing and Visitor Experience.
Part natural history museum, part science center, part aquarium, part outdoor adventure, The Wild Center has become one of the Adirondacks’ signature destinations. Nick shares how the idea grew from post-ice storm interpretive exhibits into a nationally recognized museum rooted in the Adirondack landscape.
We talk about why Tupper Lake became the perfect home, how Wild Walk changed everything, and why experiences like Wild Lights, Forest Music, Raquette River Roll, and the new Trolls: Save the Humans exhibit help visitors connect with nature in playful, memorable ways.
What you’ll hear in this episode
- How The Wild Center began and why Tupper Lake was the right fit.
- Why Wild Walk helped launch the museum into a new era of national recognition.
- How Wild Lights turned winter into one of The Wild Center’s busiest seasons.
- What visitors can expect from Thomas Dambo’s giant recycled-material trolls.
- Nick’s insider tips for visiting The Wild Center, exploring Tupper Lake, and finding his favorite Adirondack walk.
Resources:
- The Wild Center
- The Wild Center in Tupper Lake
- TROLLS: Save the Humans at The Wild Center
- Wild Lights at The Wild Center
- The Wild Center 20th Anniversary Celebration
- Thomas Dambo
Produced by NOVA