Trolls, Treetops & 20 Years of Wonder: Inside The Wild Center in Tupper Lake
One of Thomas Dambo’s magnificent troll installations.
What do giant Trolls, a treetop walkway, playful river runs, and one of America's top-ranked science museums have in common? They're all waiting in the heart of the Adirondacks at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake.
On the latest episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve sit down with Nick Gunn, Director of Marketing & Visitor Experience at The Wild Center, for a conversation that goes well beyond a museum anniversary. As The Wild Center celebrates its 20th year—and prepares to welcome TROLLS: Save the Humans, an internationally acclaimed outdoor exhibition by Danish artist Thomas Dambo—listeners get an inside look at one of the Adirondacks' most innovative destinations and why it continues to redefine how people experience nature.
Whether you're planning a family getaway to the Tri-Lakes, a weekend exploring Tupper Lake, or simply looking for your next unforgettable Adirondack experience, this episode offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a place that's become much more than a museum.
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What you'll hear.
Why The Wild Center was built in Tupper Lake—and why that decision helped shape its success
How Wild Walk transformed the museum into a nationally recognized destination
The story behind bringing Thomas Dambo's giant Trolls to the Adirondacks
Why one mother's email about teenagers not looking at their phones became one of The Wild Center's proudest moments
Nick Gunn's favorite hidden spots around Tupper Lake—and the one Wild Center trail most visitors accidentally skip
The Wild Center in the heart of the Adirondacks.
More than a museum.
Ask Nick Gunn what The Wild Center is, and even he admits it's difficult to describe.
Natural history museum.
Science center.
Aquarium.
Outdoor attraction.
Nature preserve.
Playground.
The truth is, it's all of those things—and that's precisely what makes it special.
Situated on 115 acres in Tupper Lake, The Wild Center blends indoor exhibits with immersive outdoor experiences that encourage visitors to explore, play, and connect with the Adirondack landscape. It's a place where children can scramble across giant spiderwebs suspended in the trees, adults can quietly wander through towering white pines while surrounded by music, and everyone can discover something unexpected about the natural world.
Why Tupper Lake?
One of the most interesting moments in the conversation comes when Nick explains why The Wild Center was built in Tupper Lake instead of another Adirondack community.
The answer wasn't accidental.
Lake Placid already had its Olympic identity.
Saranac Lake had an established arts culture.
Tupper Lake became the "Goldilocks zone"—large enough to support a world-class institution while remaining deeply connected to the landscape it was created to interpret. Twenty years later, that vision has paid off, helping transform both the museum and the community around it.
Everyone loves the Trolls.
Trolls arrive in the Adirondacks.
This summer marks one of the biggest attractions in The Wild Center's history.
Opening on June 1, visitors can encounter TROLLS: Save the Humans, six giant folklore-inspired sculptures created by internationally acclaimed artist Thomas Dambo entirely from reclaimed materials.
But as Nick explains, the Trolls are much more than oversized photo opportunities.
Each sculpture tells a story about sustainability, creativity, and our relationship with nature—values that align perfectly with The Wild Center's mission to inspire people to become better stewards of the Earth. The result is an exhibition that's equally captivating for young children, serious art lovers, and anyone who appreciates imaginative outdoor experiences.
Small moments. Lasting impact.
The episode's most memorable stories aren't necessarily about headline attractions.
Nick shares the story of a mother who wrote after visiting the Wild Center's Raquette River Roll. During an afternoon in the woods, her teenage daughter and friends never once reached for their phones.
He also recalls hearing from a grandmother who couldn't visit her family in the Adirondacks during the pandemic. Instead, they watched The Wild Center's daily online programs together from opposite sides of the country before calling one another to talk about what they'd learned.
Those stories reveal something deeper than attendance numbers or awards.
They're reminders that meaningful experiences often happen when people slow down, look around, and reconnect—with nature and with one another.
Looking toward the next 20 years.
While this episode celebrates two decades of achievement, it's equally focused on the future.
Nick discusses new ideas, expanded programming, and The Wild Center's continuing ambition to become an even stronger gathering place for both visitors and Adirondack communities.
His observation may be the best summary of the entire conversation:
"There are six million acres in the Adirondacks. There are six million different stories to tell."
For travelers planning a visit to Tupper Lake—or longtime Adirondack residents looking to rediscover one of the region's signature attractions—this conversation offers plenty of inspiration.
Listen now.
Whether you're curious about the Trolls, celebrating The Wild Center's 20th anniversary, or simply looking for your next Adirondack adventure, this episode is worth the trip.
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