Storm King Art Center

Description

The Storm King Art Center is located in New Windsor, New York. There are several, gravel-packed, parking lots.  Each has some accessible spaces. The parking lot closest to visitor center has the most accessible spaces.  If those are taken, parking can be made available in staff parking spots.

There is a ramp to the single door, visitor center entrance.  The second floor is accessible only by stairs.

The main restrooms are located about 1/10 mile to the left of the visitor center. You will find multi-stall restrooms with a large accessible stall and baby-changing station. Other restrooms on the property consist of groups of porta-sans, sitting on well-packed gravel. Included are handicapped-accessible units.

The Storm King Cafe is located near the North Parking Lot. It is one step up from the parkinig lot to the hilly path to the cafe. If that step is a problem, go to the left of the restrooms to find a path that doesn't require the step. These restrooms are porta-san style.

Wheelchair accessible trams provide travel around the venue. One can get off at any of the stops, look around, and get back on the next tram. One can remain in a wheelchair, which gets locked in place on the tram.  Benches are  located at each tram stop and strategically placed around the venue.

This venue is very hilly.  Many paths are paved, some are gravel. Bicycles can be rented here.

Checklist

Attraction Type:  museum/park
Surface of lot:  hard-packed gravel
Distance to venue:  na
Transportation to venue offered:  a tram
Terrain:  hilly
Places to rest:  benches at each tram stop and a few others throughout the grounds
Paths and walkways:  most are paved
Doors:  single door
Number of floors:  2
Elevators:  none
Ramps:  to main entrance
Steps and staircases:  to second floor
Width of aisles:  adequate
Places to sit:  benches outside visitor center
Location of restrooms:  **
Type of restroom:  main restrooms are multi-stall, with large, accessible stall and sink
Ease of entry and exit:  ok
Baby changing station:  yes
Available food services:  Storm King Cafe
Friendliness of staff:  pleasant and helpful
Notes:  *There are several parking lots. All have several accessible spaces. The lot closest to the visitor center has the most accessible spaces. If those are taken parking can be made available in staff parking spaces. **Restrooms near the visitor center are multi-stall, handicapped-accessible, with baby-changing stations.Restrooms in other areas are groups of porta-sans, sitting on gravel, that include accessible units.

Read More

We have not been to the Storm King Art Center since well before Covid.

Having several hours to spare on our trip back from Vermont on a beautiful September day, we decided to visit.  Fall was not in full bloom yet, the tress just beginning to show some color. 

Storm King is one of the world’s leading sculpture parks, a “…500 acre landscape of fields, hills and woodlands that provides the setting for a collection of more than 100 carefully sited sculptures and installations created by some of the most acclaimed artist of our time…” (website)  It has been open since 1960 and continues to grow and evolve.

After paying our admission we were directed to the south parking lot. There are several parking areas in this vast complex. Each lot has several accessible spaces. We were told that the lot closest to the visitors’ center has the most accessible spaces. If those are taken, parking will be made available in staff spots. How nice!  The parking lots are well-packed gravel. Baby carriages we saw did not seem to have any difficulty maneuvering. The wide paths throughout are paved. The area is hilly, which can be a challenge.

Each parking area is a “tram stop.” There are seven stops throughout the venue. Each of the stops has benches, in case you have to wait. On our past visits, we had taken the tram on a narrated, informative 45 minute ride around the property. It is a great way to get an overview of what is offered here. After once around, we would disembark at a stop, visit an area without having a long walk or having to traverse the hills, get back on another tram and continue to the next location. The trams are wheelchair accessible. A ramp at the front car allows easy access. One can remain in his/her wheelchair, which then gets locked in place.

On this trip, we were quite disappointed to find out that the narrated tour is no longer given. One can still get on and travel completely around, or get off and on wherever you desire. I was able to have a conversation with one of the educators, who assured me that by next spring there will be accommodations in place to assist those with mobility challenges in a better way than they are doing now. My fingers are crossed that they will get it done!

Even without the narration, we were able to use a combination of a paper map and a QR code to access information about each of the installations – something that was not available the last time we were here. 

We made our way around -enjoying some installations we remembered from our last visit, as well as some new ones.

The visitor center is located in the area called “Museum Hill.” There is a ramp to the single-door entrance. Inside, there is a small gift-shop, and admission desk, as well as an exhibit by a guest artist. Only the main floor of this building is accessible. Temporary installations are generally set in this area, around the mansion. If you can manage it, walking tours are available. 

The main restroom is located on Museum Hill, about 1/10 mile to the left of the visitor center. Multi-stall restooms, with a large accessible stall have a baby-changing station. Benches are located just outside of the restrooms. Take note- the restrooms in other locations are groups of porte-sans, including accessible ones, that sit on gravel. They do not have any water in them.

Before leaving, we stopped for a snack and drink at the Storm King Cafe, an open-air cafe, located near the north parking lot. It is one step up from the parking lot to the hilly path to the cafe. If that step is a problem, go to the left of the restrooms, where you will find a path that doesn’t require the step. The restrooms located here are the porta-san variety.

Each time we visit, we marvel at what an amazing venue this is. Depending on the time of day, weather, or season, the sculptures take on different looks and even seemingly different colors. We observed families enjoying the space in various ways. We saw bicycle riders (they can be rented here) as well as hikers. We saw people sitting on some of the strategically positioned benches to view the art. We saw baby-carriages, several people with walkers, and one wheelchair user. 

Even without the narrated tour, Storm King Art Center is a “must!”

As always, we at Destination Accessible, advise you to visit a venue’s website, www.stormking.org, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.” 

Location

Nearby