Storm King was a name I had heard from friends and a sign I had seen in passing while wandering around New York. I didn't know a ton about it but I knew 1) it's an outdoor sculpture park you can walk around 2) you can rent bikes and enjoy the art center on two wheels 3) it seemed like a quaint way to enjoy the outdoors and art. So now that I've been, I can tell you what exactly is Storm King Art Center is (a 500-acre outdoor museum open rain or shine) and how much I enjoyed it (10/10, will be back).

Let me start by saying that I am not a big "art person". I will quickly cruise through an art museum if you ask me to go but it isn't my preferred outing. I figured I would like this larger art form, especially in this outdoor setting with some physical activity involved. The art center is about 2.5 hours from home on the Connecticut Shoreline so while it's a doable day trip, it is a longer one. Storm King was on my list for a bit and when work asked if I would visit an office literally next door, I happily said yes, excited to finally experience the sculpture park.

Mirror Fence, 2003, Alyson Shotz - my favorite piece at the park

Bathroom view

Fall Views of Storm King

Storm King Welcome Center and Ticket Booth

From the moment I pulled into the parking lot, I was impressed. You are greeted by the beautiful welcome center building and you immediately understand that everything about this art center was thought out and planned. The bathrooms were stunning, with a gorgeous modern structures and open air style that was truly like an art piece in itself.

I visited the art center on a rainy day in the end of September and I am so glad I didn't let the rain scare me away because it set me up for the perfect day. It was a Thursday and the day went on with a light drizzle but warm humid temperatures. Because I was alone, I decided to forgo the bike and turn my outing into a trail run through the park which basically turned into a private viewing. In a normally crowded art center (especially in the fall season), I only saw two couples and I was able to enjoy the park in all its beauty and quiet. The moody lighting and clouds really set the scene and I felt so calm and rejuvenated, enjoying the quiet and the beautiful art throughout the park. There were beautiful willows, fields, ponds and bridges, benches everywhere, and the park landscape itself is beautiful. The large form art dispersed throughout the park elevates the experience even further.

Gravel trails through Storm King

Joel Shapiro, Untitled, 1994


Zhang Huan, Three Legged Buddha, 2007

If you visit the park, you have a few options. You can walk the paved paths and choose the paved roads, wooded trails, or gravel options throughout the park. You can rent bikes from the park (you cannot bring your own), and access the park on a bike. You can also hop on and off a trolley and visit the art and sculptures without having to walk the entire park. You can grab a map to help navigate and all of the sculptures have a naming plaque where you can read more about the art in your brochure.

A visit to Storm King would make an amazing date day, a great girls trip with a picnic (or stop at the cafe for lunch), or even a fun way to get kids into art in a more active and outdoor setting. You are free to wander and play and it feels like a great way to get kids outside and around art in a fun and low key setting. The art is also interactive and you can walk underneath and through the structures, a playful way to enjoy the outdoors and the creativity of the artists features at the art center. Plan a trip in the fall and you can enjoy the beauty of the park through the lens of a Northeast Autumn.

Storm King Map

Visiting Storm King

Contents: Over 250 works of contemporary outdoor sculpture, said to be the "possibly the largest collection of contemporary outdoor sculptures in the United States"

Highlights: Includes large-scale sculptures and site-specific commissions

Established: Founded in 1960

Visiting: open year round - Closed Tuesdays (check out their hours here)
Open rain or shine and entirely outdoors (except for a small museum building) - dress accordingly!

Bike rentals: No outside bikes allowed, two-wheeled and three-wheeled bikes, as well as kids tag-along bikes and kids trailers or strollers are available to rent

Terrain: Paved roads (no cars except for the trolley), gravel roads, fields/lawns, and wooded trails

Bathrooms: There are indoor bathrooms throughout the park as well as port-o-pottys at sections of the park

Cafe: You can bring outside food or enjoy food at the ourdoor cafe.

Kids: If you are walking, you can bring your own stroller to the park. There is also an option to hop on and off the trolley to access the park and sculptures.

Fee: As of 2025, adult price is $25 weekday, $28 weekend