While New Yorkers are used to skyscrapers towering over them, a different kind of giant is set to arrive in the Adirondack wilderness. Starting this June, six massive, hand-built trolls will call The Wild Center home as part of the limited-time exhibition, TROLLS: Save the Humans.
🌿 A Sustainable Fairytale in the Mountains
Created by world-renowned recycle artist Thomas Dambo, these aren’t your average garden gnomes. Standing stories tall and built entirely from reclaimed materials, these folklore-inspired sculptures are part of a global phenomenon.
Dambo’s trolls are hidden in forests from Denmark to South Korea, drawing “troll hunters” from all over the world. This summer, you only have to travel a few hours north of Manhattan to join the hunt.
The installation, TROLLS: Save the Humans, blends whimsy with a mission: the trolls have come to help humans rediscover nature and inspire us to be better stewards of the earth.
👣 Meet the Six Giants
Each troll has a distinct personality and a specific lesson to teach visitors about the environment:
- Sofus Lotus: the introverted listener who hears every “crackle, thud, and buzz” in the woods
- Rosa Sunfinger: a healer who brings life back to abandoned places using native plants
- Ronja Redeye: the small-but-mighty leader who speaks from the heart
- Kamma Can: the master creator who turns human “trash” into artistic treasure
- Ibbi Pip: the optimist who builds colorful birdhouses to keep hope alive
- Basse Buller: the “wild child” artist who finds his calm while painting with mud
🏔️ Why It’s the Ultimate Summer Getaway
The exhibition is hosted at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, which was voted the #1 Science Museum in the country in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024.
Between the giant trolls and the museum’s famous Wild Walk–a massive elevated boardwalk that lets you walk among the treetops–it feels less like a museum visit and more like stepping into a fantasy novel.
It’s the perfect “cool-cation” for New Yorkers looking to swap subway humidity for crisp mountain air.
📅 Plan Your Trip: Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Entry to the TROLLS exhibit is included with general admission. Booking online in advance is recommend
- Dates: June 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026
- Location: The Wild Center, Tupper Lake, NY
- Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily (Extended until 7 pm in July & August)
🚗 Getting There from NYC
Getting to The Wild Center from NYC takes a bit of planning, but the journey is part of the adventure–especially as the scenery shifts from city skyline to rugged Adirondack wilderness.
🚗 By car (best option):
Driving is the most direct and flexible way to get there, taking about 5 to 6 hours depending on traffic.
From NYC, take the George Washington Bridge to I-87 North (the Adirondack Northway), then continue toward Tupper Lake via Route 30–widely considered one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the Northeast. It’s a straightforward route, and once you’re off the highway, expect a scenic drive through forests, lakes, and small mountain towns.
🚆 By train + car:
You can take an Amtrak train from NYC to stations like Westport or Plattsburgh, which are the closest stops to Tupper Lake.
From there, you’ll need to rent a car or arrange a ride–Tupper Lake is about 2 to 2.5 hours away by driving.
🚍 By bus:
Bus options are more limited, but you can take a Greyhound or Trailways bus from NYC to nearby towns like Saranac Lake or Lake Placid, then complete the final leg by taxi or rental car (about 30-45 minutes to Tupper Lake).
No matter how you get there, the final stretch into the Adirondacks is incredibly scenic–so give yourself extra time to enjoy the views.
