10 Places to Experience Hudson Valley Arts & Culture This Summer
America’s First Artistic Movement Began Here, and its Influence Continues to Inspire Artists and Makers
Don’t wait for a rainy day, pack some water, snacks and hit the road to check out these incredible arts and culture centers and historic homes that speak to the might, majesty and magic of the Empire State’s alluring Hudson River Valley.
Our top 10 places to visit this summer include:
1. Mummies, American Girl, and Victorian Fashion at the Albany Institute of History & Art – Located on Washington Ave., this bastion of art displays an astonishing variety of artwork and artifacts for the public’s perusal. Your young American Girl fans will delight at the exhibition of Paintings of Addy: Dahl Taylor’s Original Illustrations for American Girl, on display through June 17. On display through June 10 is Hiroshige’s Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido, a series of masterworks in the ukiyo-e genre. Other exhibits include Ancient Egypt, Hudson River School landscapes, and so much more.
2. Costumes, Architecture, and Priceless Paintings at Olana State Historic Site in Hudson – Once the home of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church, Olana rises from a hilltop along the Hudson River. This jewel of the Hudson Valley is part museum, part workshop, and full on experience-oriented.
3. Poetry, Andy Warhol, and Sun Tunnels at Dia Art Foundation in Beacon – Take a guided tour through exhibits alight with energy, color, sound and inspiration.
4. Kinectic Acrobats, Tap Virtuosos and Exploratory Dance at LUMBERYARD in Catskill – The new home of the American Dance Institute, LUMBERYARD will host a series of events this summer, including STREB, a gravity-defying performance, Truck, a performance under the stars, and Savion Glover’s iconic tap dancing.
5. Man-Made Meets Nature at Storm King Art Center in New Windsor – One of the world’s best sculpture parks, Storm King’s grounds feature permanent installations, and guests can enjoy tours and unique programming, such as wand making workshops, yoga, beekeeper tours and lessons in how to make sun prints.
6. Experimental Home Meets Dragon Rock at Manitoga, the Russel Wright Design Center in Garrison – “Good Design is for Everyone,” is the ruling philosophy of this incredible historic home. Open to the public for tours and special events, Manitoga is the former home of American Industrial Designer Russel Wright who popularized easy, informal living through design. His home is a masterpiece of architectural vision, and guests enjoy tours of Wright’s modernist home, studio and woodland garden.
7. Theater, Live Music, Comedians at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy – The acoustics of this historic performing arts center are legendary. In fact, they are nearly perfect. Catch a performance from Andrew Bird, Steve Martin, and John Prine on the same stage where legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sergei Rachmaninoff performed.
8. Creative Communication and Connections at Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center in Nyack – American Realist painter and printmaker Edward Hopper is as famous for his artwork as he is for being enigmatic. A visit to his restored family home is likely to feature weekend workshops for families, musical concerts and films performed in the garden, and more.
9. Abandoned Quarry as Opus in Saugerties – Opus 40 Sculpture Park & Museum is an immersive artistic environment feature acres of bluestone sculpture created by sculptor Harvey Fite. The park took nearly 40 years to create, and offers a unique experience for explorers of all ages.
10. Suburban Art House Cinema at Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville – This indie film house brings educational, inspirational, and dialogue diverse films to its five screens. Catch the latest Wes Anderson, or a documentary, music performance, and more.
Discover the rich variety of the Hudson River Valley and start planning your trip today.