A trip to a museum can be an adventurous learning experience for everyone in the family. We’ve chosen several museums across a wide area of subjects, from nature to military history to art. The Hudson Valley is home to many museums, historic sites, and learning centers—these are just a few to get you started.
**Check operating hours and days before visiting. NOT all museums may be open year round**
World Awareness Children's Museum
89 Warren St., Glens Falls, NY
518-793-2773
An interactive, hands-on Children's Museum designed for families to enjoy. Their mission is to bring our diverse world to children. September thru June: Open Thursday through Monday, 10am-3pm.
Samuel
Dorsky Museum of Art
State University of New York at New Paltz
1 Hawk Dr., New Paltz, NY
845-257-3844
This Museum has a special commitment to collecting important works of art
created by artists that have lived and worked in the Hudson Valley and Catskill
regions. “Children are welcome at the Dorsky Museum—it’s never too early to
introduce a child to the experience of looking at art!” says Sara Pasti, the
Dorsky Museum’s director. The museum also offers Family Days: Exhibition-inspired activities for children and their families. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, holidays, and intersession
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum
Outdoor Discovery Center
120 Muser Dr., Cornwall, NY
845-534-5506
The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum is a center for nature. Its mission is to develop responsible caretakers of the natural world through its special focus on Environmental Education. It uses its living collections of native animals, natural habitats and trails to present a wide variety of programs for people of all ages at its two locations. Grasshopper Grove is Saturdays and Sundays mid-April -mid-November from 10am-4pm. Hiking trails daily from dawn to dusk (unless otherwise noted) 365 days a year. Wildlife Education Center hours are Saturdays and Sundays 12pm -4pm unless otherwise noted.
Dia:Beacon
3 Beekman St., Beacon, NY
845-440-0100
Located in a former Nabisco box-printing factory, Dia Beacon presents Dia’s collection of art from the 1960s to the present as well as special exhibitions and public programs. Dia Beacon provides public tours every Saturday and Sunday at 12pm and 1:30pm. Tours are free with admission. Friday–Monday, 10 am–4 pm. Advanced reservations suggested.
Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site
84 Liberty St., Newburgh, NY
(845) 562-1195
Visit the nation's first publicly owned historic site and tour the rooms where American history was made. While visiting Washington's Headquarters explore the Museum, take a tour of the Tower of Victory and climb the steps to the newly restored belvedere. Current Hours (through mid-April 2025): Fridays and Saturdays, 11am–3pm and Tuesdays through Saturdays by appointment.
West Point Museum
United States Military Academy
2110 New South Post
Rd., West Point, NY
845-938-3590
The West Point Museum
houses what is considered the oldest and largest diversified public collection
of military relics in the Western Hemisphere. “We are very appealing to
families. We have something for all ages,” says the museum’s executive director, David
Reel. Admission is free. The Visitors Center and West Point Museum are open to
the general public. Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30am-4:15pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's Day.
FASNY Museum of Firefighting
117 Harry Howard Ave., Hudson, NY
518-822-1875
Kids learn best by doing, even more so when it’s fun. At the FASNY Museum of Firefighting, there’s plenty to do. The Museum offers a variety of immersive hands-on learning and creative play experiences to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–4:30pm.
Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum (MHDM)
75 North Water St.,
Poughkeepsie, NY
845-471-0589
MHDM is an ideal destination for families with children ages
0-12. With exhibits that focus on early literacy, art, early STEM, health and the local community, the museum welcomes 80,000 visitors each year and provides an educationally rich environment through which children have the opportunity to develop foundational skills, to engage in purposeful play, and to develop interpersonal connections. MHDM provides early learners impactful and nurturing programs and spaces that help foster imagination, creativity, socialization skills and the ability to understand the world around them. Tuesday–Saturday: 9:30am–5pm, Sunday: 11am–5pm.
Museum Village
1010 State Rte. 17M,
Monroe, NY
845-782-8248
Museum Village offers
visitors the opportunity to explore vignettes of 19th century American life.
Using a large collection of eclectic artifacts, the museum provides hands-on
educational experiences and exhibits that illustrate the transition from a
rural to an industrial culture and economy in America. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-4pm. Closes Nov. 12. Reopens in spring.
Time and the Valleys Museum
322 Main St., Grahamsville, NY
845-985-7700
Connecting water, people and the Catskills, the Time and the
Valleys Museum offers families interactive exhibits on NYC’s Water System,
local history and a 1930s Catskill farm, with a farmhouse, milk house, barn,
working water wheel and much more. Exhibits include activities, puzzles
computer games and hands- on experiences for children. Open Saturday's & Sunday's 12pm to 4pm, Memorial Day to the end of Septemberby appointment.
Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame
240 Main St., Goshen NY
845-294-6330
Drive a sulky to the
finish line in the 3-D simulator. Riveting state-of-the-art and interactive
exhibits. Call and judge a race. Theaters tell the fascinating history of
America’s first sport. Home of the largest collection of Currier & Ives
trotting prints. Changing art exhibits. Group tours, conference and private
party facilities. Museum Galleries & Gift Shop: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm.
Samuel Morse House at Locust Grove
2683 South Rd.,
Poughkeepsie NY
845-454-4500
The not-for-profit Locust Grove Estate features
a historic Italianate mansion open for tours with original collections of fine
and decorative arts assembled by the Young family in the early twentieth
century. In the Visitor Center, a permanent exhibit explores Samuel Morse's
careers as an artist and inventor of the telegraph and Morse Code. Locust Grove
also offers numerous special events throughout the year, many for children and
families as well as beautiful grounds for hiking and walking, a museum shop, mansion
tours and visitor center. Check their website for hours and times for all attractions.
Updated 11/14/2024
Other articles by HVP Top Lists