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The "Kengo Kito: Unity on the Hudson" exhibit displays thousands of colorful hula hoops. Photo by Steve Paneccasio

What’s New at the Hudson River Museum

Unless you have visited the Hudson River Museum this summer, you haven’t seen its latest addition, the West Wing. Opened in June, the West Wing expands the museum by more than 12,000 square feet, including more than 3,000 square feet of exhibition galleries. And the wing opened with two spectacular new exhibits, currently still on display. 

Spanning three exhibition galleries, Kengo Kito: Unity on the Hudson transforms nearly 2,500 colorful hula hoops into a dazzling, eye-popping structure, symbolizing humanity’s interconnectedness and our relationship to the Hudson River. And each gallery presents a different setting in which to view and appreciate the work, including an interactive room with activities for children. This exhibit is open through September 24.

Sylvia Sleigh: Invitation to a Voyage is a colorful, whimsical panoramic painting that depicts a summer gathering of friends along the banks of the Hudson River. This expansive painting encompasses 14 panels totaling 70 feet in length. This exhibit is open through October 15.

Must See Exhibits at the Hudson River Museum and Hudson River Museum Planetarium

Truly a feast for the eyes, the Hudson River Museum’s permanent collection contains artwork in multiple forms, including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photographs, costumes, graphic design, historical objects, and more.

In the category of “you have to see it to believe it” is Red Grooms’ The Bookstore, a life-sized, immersive sculpto-pictorama that actually functioned as the museum’s gift shop for many years while simultaneously serving as a spectacular piece of art. Spend time strolling through this colorful exhibit and you will encounter a cast of characters engaged in everyday, often humorous scenarios.

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The Glenview Historic Home is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of The Glenview Historic Home, an 1877 Gilded Age home on the National Register of Historic Places. As you tour through six beautifully restored rooms, you will encounter one of the largest dollhouses you have ever seen, Nybelwyck Hall. The house stands 8 feet wide, 2 feet deep, and 3.5 feet (or 4 stories) high. Inside there are 20 Van Nybelwyck family members and friends, with over 900 custom-built interior objects.

No visit to the museum could be complete without taking in a show at the Hudson River Museum Planetarium, which offers space-themed programming for all ages, from 4 to adult. The planetarium even offers live, interactive shows, during which visitors explore what the sky will look like that night. The planetarium is also available for birthday parties and rentals.

Other exhibit highlights include An Exaltation of Flowers, Abstraction (1950–1980), The Art of Skywatching, and The Hudson River School, which features landscapes depicting the wild beauty of nature from the Hudson Valley and throughout the United States.

Special Events and Programs at the Hudson River Museum

Two fun and educational family workshops currently running on weekends, offer children the opportunity to express their creativity. Best of all, both are included with the price of admission. In Family Science Workshop: Hudson River Food Web, children can gain an understanding of this vast ecosystem by making a dreamcatcher that incorporates animals and other components of the web. In Family Art Workshop: Threading Connections, children use thread on a circular loom to weave a piece of artwork representing the connections in their life.

You can enjoy free general admission from 5-7pm every Friday through August 25 with Feel Good Fridays. In addition to touring all the exhibits, you can relax with a drink, including beer and wine, in the museum lobby (cash bar), and enjoy the outdoor courtyard with games for all ages.

Take a trip through time and space as the Planetarium presents Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, celebrating the 50^th anniversary of one of rock’s most iconic albums. The show runs on Fridays at 6pm through August. Tickets are $20 ($15 for members), and advance reservations are strongly encouraged.

Know Before You Go to the Hudson River Museum

(All details listed below are accurate as of August 2023; check “Plan Your Visit” on the museum’s website before going)

• Admission to the museum and all its galleries is as follows: Adults $13, Youth (3–18) $8, Seniors (65+) $9, Students (with valid ID) $9, Veterans $9 and Children (under 3) Free.
• A separate admission is required for both the Planetarium and Glenview Historic Home. Admission to each of these is as follows: Adults $7; Youth (3–18) $5; Seniors (65+) $6 each; Students (with valid ID) $6 each; Veterans $6; Children under 3 Free
• Membership to the Hudson River Museum is a really great deal, especially for families. A family membership includes unlimited free admission to all galleries, the Planetarium, and Glenview Historic Home for two adults and up to six children under 18 living in the same household, all for just $110 for an entire year!
• The Hudson River Museum is open Thursdays an Fridays from noon–5pm, and Saturdays & Sundays from 11am–5pm.  Planetarium shows are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30, 2, and 3:30pm. Tours of Glenview are offered on Thursdays and Fridays at 1pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 3pm. 
• There are no restaurants or snack bars at the museum. A limited selection of beverages and snacks are available for purchase in the Museum Shop. Weather permitting, visitors may enjoy a picnic on the lawn with their own mat or blanket. However, no food or beverages are allowed in the museum.