Everyone knows about the famous Woodstock festival of 1969. But did you know that the concert didn’t actually take place in Woodstock? You can visit the site in Bethel, NY and walk the grounds where the concert actually took place. Plus, the Museum at Bethel Woods is located there and is dedicated to everything Woodstock.
Where is the Museum at Bethel Woods?
The Museum at Bethel Woods is located in Bethel, NY at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Bethel is a small town in Sullivan County, a little over a 2 hour drive from New York City. Not only does this site host the museum, but they also have music concerts, workshops, outdoor movie screenings, farmers markets and other fun experiences throughout the year.
What Will I Find at the Museum?
The Museum at Bethel Woods takes you back in time. The exhibit opens by setting the scene of the 1960’s. It showcases the political and cultural events taking place that led up to famous music festival. You learn about the planning of the concert, see actual artifacts and read and hear actual accounts from attendees.
There is even a giant bus on display, where in non-COVID times you can sit and watch a video.
There are many videos throughout the exhibit and several interactive experiences that were turned off, due to COVID, during our visit.
You could spend hours just reading about all of the artists who performed and seeing their set list from the Woodstock concert.
The museum is two floors with the bottom gallery reserved for special exhibits. Currently on display is Lights, Color, Fashion: Psychedelic Posters and Patterns of 1960’s San Francisco. The exhibit includes displays of clothing, posters and more.
The museum also has an outdoor Woodstock Festival Augmented Reality Tour Experience for an additional $5 with a museum ticket or $8 as a standalone experience. It was pretty chilly the day of our visit and we weren’t dressed to spend a lengthy amount of time outside, so we did not do the AR experience or hike on the trails.
Is the museum kid-friendly?
The museum has a scavenger hunt booklet for children to help keep their interest. Kids will likely enjoy the the bright colors of the exhibits and the music from the videos.
How Long Should I Plan My Visit?
If you are bringing children, your visit will likely be shorter than if you are visiting without. Timing really depends on whether you watch all of the videos playing, including the 21 minute Woodstock: The Music in the theater. You may also want to make more of a day by walking the outdoor Bindy Bazaar Trails. I’d recommend planning a minimum of 1.5 hours for a visit.
Is there food available?
Yasgur’s Farm Cafe is located in the building and serves a limited menu of prepackaged soup, sandwiches and salads, 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM daily.
The Details:
The Museum At Bethel Woods
200 Hurd Road
Bethel, NY 12720
(845) 583-2000
website
Hours: Open 7 days a week 10 AM – 5 PM, April 3 through December 31
Parking: Free parking
Admission: Tickets purchased in advance online are cheaper than purchasing at the door.
Online: $17/adult, $15/senior, $8/youth (6 -17), $5/special exhibit only
In-Person: $19.69/adult, $17/senior, $10/youth (6-17), $5/special exhibit only
*Guided docent tours are available Friday – Sunday for an additional $5/ticket
*There is a gift shop where you can buy apparel, memorabilia and other gifts
*Masks are required during your visit
*Most of the interactive displays are currently turned off
*While you are there, be sure to take a picture with the Peace Dove, one of the 50 painted doves located throughout Sullivan County!
