Museums & Sculpture Parks in The Hudson Valley

A roundup of where to see art outside the city.

I grew up going to lots of museums and galleries as a kid. My dad was an art dealer, and at the time it felt like I was being dragged. But something must have clicked because right out of college, my first jobs were in museums. So it's no wonder that I, too, dragged my kids when they were little. And we continue to visit together whenever we can. Contrary to many assumptions, you do not need to go into the city! Westchester and the Hudson Valley are loaded with interesting museums, galleries and sculpture parks. Here’s a roundup of some impressive art destinations scattered beyond the city ready for you to explore.

Storm King Art Center - New Windsor
This was our go-to when my girls were little. It's perfect when you’re desperate for a museum experience but also want to be outside. We’ve spent countless days rolling down the hills, climbing on a Richard Serra, jumping off a Mark di Suvero, posing in the negative space of an Alexander Calder, sitting in a Nogucci or pretending to hold Suspended by Menashe Kadishman. I'm pretty sure you can’t actually climb on the art anymore, but it's still a super fun outing and a great way to experience large-scale outdoor sculptures on over 500 acres of gorgeous rolling hills.

Left: Learning about Bisa Butler from docent Bonni Stanley. Right: Admiring Wu Chi-Tsung

Katonah Museum of Art - Katonah
This is a true “Kunsthalle” – a German word which means they do not have a permanent collection, but instead bring in world class exhibitions across artistic disciplines and historical periods. Every show that I have been to has been totally awesome. I highly recommend the daily docent-led tours (try to get Bonni!) at 2:30 daily included with the price of admission. Everytime I go, I leave being more knowledgeable and have a new favorite artist. Some recents exhibits were Bisa Butler and Wu Chi-Tsung.

Magazino Italian Art - Cold Spring Located just outside of Cold Spring, Magazzino is a hidden gem, dedicated to advancing Italian postwar and contemporary art in the US. Aside from the permanent Arte Povera Collection, there are rotating exhibitions of contemporary Italian paintings and sculpture. The museum’s programming is constantly growing. “Cinema in Piazza '' is a successful outdoor movie series every summer hosting Italian Classics. A big new wing just opened last week. There are also donkeys on the grounds. The backstory here is that in 2017, a few months after the opening four donkeys from the owner's hometown in Sardinia arrived. The stables sit on the hilltop of Magazzino’s property and today the group has grown to include 14 donkeys. When you visit Magazzino, be sure to stop by and say hi, they are generally pretty friendly and like visitors!

Wassaic Art Project - Wassaic
The Wassaic Project had been on my bucket list for many years, and I finally made a visit at this year's Upstate Art Weekend. (Check back for an upcoming post on #UPSAW23) Housed in a former iron factory and grain mill, the museum feels very DIY. It’s not at all polished – clearly someone is committed to making a museum with very little funding. Run by art school graduates, the non profit focuses on emerging artists and fostering community engagement through art. They also offer residency programs and grants, and provide artists from around the world with studios and living spaces on the grounds. There isn’t much in this tiny town but The Lantern Inn (pizza, hamburgers) and The Wassaic Commons (coffee,bakery) is all you need for an excellent day.

Art Omi - Ghent
This is an outdoor sculpture park with over 50 site-specific sculptures across 120 acres. The non-profit also provides artists with a supportive environment to create across many disciplines, including visual arts, writing, music, and dance. Olaf Breuning's Clouds tower at the entrance wows you off the bat, while the more tucked away works by Dennis Oppenheim, Mel Kendrick and Beverly Pepper make you feel like you are on a scavenger hunt, making your way through woods and fields searching for the next prize. Download the easy-to-navigate map so you make sure not to miss anything. Because it is entirely outside this is a museum that is perfect for kids (and adults!) to run around

Hudson Valley MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) - Peekeskill
Located right in the middle of Peekskill in a former factory, HV MOCA is a destination for contemporary art lovers. There’s a vibe like the museum recently opened, but it’s actually been around since 2004. The rotating exhibitions feature emerging artists shown side by side with established international names like Louise Bourgeois, Claes Oldenburg, Jenny Holzer, Nam June Paik and more.

Dia Beacon - Beacon
This museum, in the renovated Nabisco cookie box-printing factory is one of the largest exhibition spaces in the country for modern and contemporary art. With over 60,000 square feet and tons of natural light, it’s ideal for large-scale installations of artists like Richard Serra, Dan Flavin, John Chamberlin, Sol Lewitt and so many others. Bonus: it’s so easy to get to from MetroNorth. And then you can spend the day walking around shopping and eating in Beacon. Check out The Beacon Loop, a free bus, making stops at the train station, Dia and Main Street.

Hudson River Museum - Yonkers
The beauty of the HRM is that it is like three museums in one, somehow somehow managing to blend art, science and history on one not-so-large campus. The art focuses on both emerging local talent and established Hudson River School painters. HRM also has the only museum planetarium in The Hudson Valley, with astronomy shows for kids and adults. Also on the property is the Glenview House, a restored Gilded Age historic home, where you can explore the furnishings, decorative objects, artwork, woodwork and magnificent architectural features. It is consistently ranked as one of the most important early Gilded Age residences open for tours. HBO The Gilded Age fans: Mrs Astor’s home was filmed here!

Auguste Rodin, Alexander Calder and Henri Moore at the Pepsico Gallery

Pepsico Gallery, A.K.A. The Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens, Purchase
The Sculpture Gardens on Pepsico's corporate headquarters are an impressive collection of 45 outdoor sculptures. With a big bright orange Calder greeting you at the entrance, it almost feels like a much much smaller Storm King. Wind your way through the perfectly manicured gardens and you’ll feel as if you’re in a world-class museum. The collection includes works from major modern artists, such as Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, Claes Oldenburg and Juan Miro.

The Hessel Museum of Art - Annandale-on-Hudson
Located at Bard College which is right on the river, the museum’s permanent collection includes works by a range of contemporary American and international artists in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, and video. My first visit there was during Upstate Art Weekend 2022 and I was completely blown away at how this impressive, seemingly big city museum is in the tiny town of Annandale-on-Hudson.

The Design Gallery at Manitoga Design Center 📸: @visitmanitoga

Manitoga Design Center - Garrison
Perched above an abandoned quarry in Garrison, incorporating 75 acres of woodland trails, Dragon Rock was the home and studio of industrial designer Russel Wright. Known best for his melamine china, Wright believed everyday objects should be beautiful and that “Good design is for everyone.” His home and studio are furnished with his original mid-century furniture. In 2021, the Design Gallery (formerly a room in his house) opened to the public, showcasing a permanent onsite display of Wrights’ groundbreaking designs from the 1930-50s American home. Tickets are required to tour the home, studio and museum; you’re also free to hike the grounds.

Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden - North Salem
The Hammond Museum’s stated mission is to stimulate interest in the artistic traditions of Eastern culture. One highlight is a 3.5-acre Japanese stroll garden that serves as a model for teaching visitors about the environment, horticultural design and Japanese traditions. Although it's particularly special during cherry blossom season, it’s also a tranquil place to take a walk anytime of the year. Also on the grounds is a traditional Japanese tea room, that is used for tea ceremonies and private events. Check their website for events.

Gabriel Dawe’s installation at the Bruce Museum

The Bruce Museum - Greenwich, CT Technically, this one doesn't belong on a Hudson Valley list, but since Greenwich is so close and the museum recently underwent a major renovation, I opted to include it. What used to be a sort of random mix of Connecticut artists and science projects now feels like a proper, curated museum experience. The building itself is beautiful and I think the museum has great potential.

The art scene around here has definitely grown and offers a variety of experiences that rival those found in major cities. Even my dad would approve/And now, when my kids are home from college, they are always excited to come along. So, the next time you're needing a little art inspiration, consider exploring Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Here are a few more that I plan to visit for the first time this year. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Edward Hopper House, Nyack

The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Poughkeepsie

Neuberger Museum of Art Purchase

Have I missed any? What are your favorites? What should I see next?

**Please check each location for hours and what's currently on view!