Sightseeing in Phillipsburg

Despite being open to the public since 1930, Lost River Caverns has been kept in immaculate condition, retaining a youthful character that belies its close to 250,000-year existence. Step underground and peer at the profusion of stalactites, stalagmites, fluorescent minerals, and other natural crystal formations filling the cavern’s five chambers—including the Crystal Chapel, which radiates with residual love from the more than 80 wedding ceremonies it’s hosted since 1949. As dripping sounds echo in the distance, you’ll encounter the eponymous lost river, whose waters originate from an unknown source before disappearing back into Earth’s great Fiji bottle. You’ll also get wise to the Lost River Caverns’ colorful history and the odd ways it’s been used by bootleggers, college fraternities, and fantasy fellowships looking to level up by fighting the caverns’ many tonberries. Once you emerge back into daylight, ogle the rare fossils, unique minerals, and gems that abound inside the Gilman Museum before relaxing over a bite in Picnic Grove, whose covered bridge overlooks the leisurely flowing Silver Creek.