Situated in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, the Museum at Bethel Woods is a perfect day-trip destination for travelers coming from New York City, New Jersey, or Connecticut. For discounted admission, purchase your ticket online in advance. Visitors with tickets to a concert at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts also enjoy a discount—explore the museum before the show. A free docent-led tour of the main exhibit is included.
The historic and scenic Bethel Woods is a must for music lovers and American history buffs.
The museum is accessible to wheelchairs.
The most convenient way to reach Bethel Woods is by car. If you’re driving the 90 miles (145 kilometers) from New York City, get on I-87 North to NY-17 West. Take exit 104 and continue on to Bethel Woods, located on Hurd Road. You’ll find free parking across from the museum. If you go when there’s a concert, follow the signs to the designated parking area for museum guests.
In summer, the museum is open daily from 10am to 7pm; the rest of the year, it’s open Thursday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. The Woodstock festival grounds open on May 1, and are most pleasant to explore in the summer months.
Don’t forget to stop by the famed site of the Woodstock festival, which is open during regular museum hours. See the festival monument located at the intersection of Hurd Road and West Shore Road, then stroll the grounds, an old festival map in hand. As you wander, check out the original stage, the performers pavilion, and the campgrounds.
