Lots of museums claim to have something for everyone, but The Hudson River Museum truly does. Kids, parents, and grandparents will have plenty to see and do at this community museum, which is part historic mansion, part art gallery, and part science exhibition space and planetarium.
When it opened in 1924, the Victorian-style Glenview Mansion housed the museum, a creation of John Trevor, a Renaissance man who loved both art and astronomy. The planetarium used to be in the dining room. Now, six rooms of the mansion have been meticulously restored with period furnishings on permanent loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Paintings from the Hudson River School decorate the walls. Delicately painted tiles on a faux fireplace depict fairy tales—entertainment for children a century ago. And in the billiard room, kids today can play with 19th-century versions of dominoes and pickup sticks.
Head into the main museum building, which dates from the late 1960s, to check out the rotating displays of contemporary art. Neon lighting, interpretive videos, and Tiffany lamps have at some point all found a home in this space. Regional artists are often featured. But the true highlight here is science, not art.
The dynamic, interactive Hudson Riverama offers an intimate portrait of New York City’s favorite river. Screens display video panoramas of various sites along the 315-mile-long body of water that stretches from the Big Apple up to Albany and beyond, into the Adirondacks. Put on headphones to listen to songs about the Hudson. Pick up binoculars and look out the window at the river itself. Peer into aquariums to see what swims beneath the surface. (Who knew that seahorses lived in the Hudson?)
Kids will appreciate the simplified descriptions of the river and its creatures that appear at their eye level, beneath the usual text placards. They can also get worksheets to fill with rubber stamps of animals as they walk through the exhibit (adults can do it, too).
The biggest star of this museum is the 128-seat Andrus Planetarium. In addition to general audience shows about celestial events, the Hudson River’s formation, and Native American legends, the planetarium puts on age-specific shows for preschoolers and young readers. The free Friday-night presentations in the summer are popular with teens looking for a dark, cozy, and cheap date.
Don’t forget to admire the views outside the museum, too. The museum’s tranquil setting on a hill overlooking its namesake makes it seem a lot farther than 45 minutes away from the city. It’s small enough to see in a few hours, but the planetarium alone might have the kids asking to return soon.
TRANSIT FACTS & GETTING AROUND
Sit on the left side of the train (facing forward) on the ride from NYC for fabulous views of the Hudson. From Glenwood Station, exit on Glenwood Avenue and make a left onto Ravine Avenue, which leads to Trevor Park. Walk up through the park to the museum. You can also take MetroNorth’s Hudson train line to the Yonkers station.
Trains run often, but you’ll need to take a taxi to the museum. The ride will only set you back about $5, but taxis aren’t readily available from the station and can be tough to spot since they’re often unmarked. This might be a good time to call a car service if you don’t feel like walking and want more train time options.
WHERE TO EAT
Museum Cafe: Stop for a bite to eat and to watch the boats sailing by on the Hudson. A variety of low-priced options are available, from hummus to grilled cheese to chicken parmesan. Wed–Thurs noon–3pm; Fri–Sun noon–4pm.
WHERE TO SHOP
Hudson River Museum Gift Shop: For many years, the gift shop was in the colorfully zany mock-up of a bookstore created by the artist Red Grooms. Now the shop’s amazing selection of merchandise takes center stage and you can see Grooms’s art inside the museum. Leave some time to browse among the many and varied gifts, including astronomy books, educational toys, decorative mirrors, embroidered pillows, and cool greeting cards.
COVID 19 INFO:
- Face masks are required for visitors older than two years old and for all staff members.
- All visitors and staff must adhere to social-distancing guidelines and use hand sanitizer upon entry to the Museum.
- All visitors must follow a set, one-way route through the Museum.
- No food or drink is allowed in the Lobby or Galleries.
- If you are feeling ill, we ask that you please wait to visit the Museum at a later date.
