For this post, I will do next to the impossible. I will sell you the idea of this place without posting any pictures of its artwork. What? Yes. They have an insane rule that you cannot publicly post any pics that you took of their artwork. So what I will do instead is post pictures of the natural beauty that can be found here, and we can pretend for a moment that this place is just a large park.
The Storm King Art Center is a 500 acre outdoor sculpture park dotted with gigantic modern art sculptures. The sculptures are made by various artists, some of them quite famous. The only word I would use to describe them is “bizarre.” But then again, I find modern art to be bizarre in general. Many of the sculptures are part of their permanent collection. Currently, they have a temporary site-specific work at the south end of the park designed by Maya Lin. Called Wavefield, this piece was easily my favorite in the park. You can see a NY Times article about it (with pictures) here.
The park is a must-see, even without the promise of sculptures hidden at every bend that tower over you and dazzle the eyes. The park is so vast and of such varying landscape that it is perfect for several hours of exploration. You will find hills, forest, lakes, flat meadows, and a roaring creek. You will also find a wooded trail that wraps around half the park and gives you glimpses of the creek. Here are a few pictures to whet your appetite. Who says you even need the art?
This is from one of the viewing platforms in the park.
This is a little stream that runs through part of the southern end. The more impressive big creek is coming up.
Get some shade in the woods.
The creek!
One of two lakes.
Ferns everywhere.
Time to go home.
The Storm King is located in Mountainville, NY. This year, it is open until November 14th, then it will reopen on April 1st of next year. Hours are 10am to 5pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The entrance fee is $12 per person. No dogs or bikes allowed. They will rent you a bike for $20 for 2 hours. If biking is not your thing, you should explore by foot (give yourself 3-4 hours and make sure you have water on you). There’s also a free trolley that picks you up and drops you off throughout the park.
You can either take a private bus or drive there. The Coach USA/Shortline bus ride is $45 roundtrip. If you drive, it will take about an hour from the city, not counting traffic. Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway north to the Bear Mountain traffic circle; take Route 9W north 11 miles to Quaker Avenue exit. Make a left off the exit onto Route 107 to the light. Make a right on Route 32, then left after the green bridge, then follow the blue and white signs.
