Well, it wasn't my most recent birthday (thanks corona) but my 28th birthday that I got the opportunity to visit this wonderful location. People are said to come from all over to witness its beauty! Lucky for me I live in the Hudson Valley, so I can visit almost any time I'd like! I say almost any time because Opus 40 is only open to the public 5 days a week from April - November. Private events are offered all year round. Please note that all photos and experiences were had in June 2019. I have no idea what Covid-19 has changed about visiting this location. For full detail I recommend checking out Opus 40's Website for accurate information on visiting and safety precautions that are necessary for visiting. Opus 40 is located in Saugerties, NY Their website is https://opus40.org Set the scene to late June of 2019, an absolutely beautiful warm sunny day in the Catskills. We tried to arrive early but I had to have my birthday breakfast and coffee!
I loved looking at the old tools and small items inside the museum here! I love museums, so I always make sure I check them out! So of course I'd recommend for you to check it out while you're visiting as well. There is just something about weathered old red wooden buildings that I just love! As with most locations, you arrive, you park, you pay, and you enjoy! Sometimes not in that exact order lol but that was the case for us. The educational video was pretty cool, I'd recommend checking it out. I learned a lot about Opus 40! Although this is an outside art structure, it is relatively easy to get around, so footwear wise you can wear most anything you'd feel comfortable in. I of course wore my vans, easy and comfortable. Personally, I find Opus 40 to be a lovely location to do photo-shoots. Keep in mind, as mentioned - it is outside so I'd still recommend wearing sneakers or bringing a pair of comfy walking shoes. Better to be prepared than not! Also WATER!!! It is an easy enough walk, perfect for a relaxing stroll, good for children. I saw a lot of people having lunch on the grass, or people relaxing, reading books in chairs. This is a great location to make a day trip out of. We didn't think too far ahead to make lunches so we ended up driving a little and ate at the Phoenicia Diner. Highly recommend if you are in the area and don't mind a little more driving.
I absolutely loved this decor! Very pleasing.
All of my photos from the indoors of the museum unfortunately ended up being taken on the wrong camera setting ( it happens!) so those blurry memories will stay in the handy ol' external hard drive!
Guess you'll just have to go and check it out yourself!
The iconic main sculpture of Opus 40 is beautiful and very large, this makes it easy to get caught up looking in awe at it. Truly a magnificent work of art. I was fortunate enough to be able to find a moment of solitude to capture the sculptures beauty without having people in the shot. Something difficult to do when you end up not arriving as early as anticipated. Keep in mind, this can be a very busy location. As with everything I recommend arriving early!! I managed to not get a lot of people in my photos but some still managed to make their way in. Just because you don't see them, doesn't mean they weren't there!
Very happy with how this photograph came out! I had a rather large group of people just out of the frame in this one! Writing this sentence in 2020 is a bit weird though! The thought of a large group of people feels so strange these days.
Up close and personal. Proud of myself for managing to get a lot of different angles of this behemoth of a statue.
The view looking up at the structure from my arms stretched out (it is difficult to get the angle you want when you're not tall!)
Look at those beautiful mountains in the background! Gosh, I absolutely adore the Catskill Mountain range.
Here is the view from the backside of the structure. Backside from the museum perspective at least.
Personally, my favorite spot was the lower part of the path. The tall wall of rocks made for a much needed cool down. Seriously the temperature drop was wild! Out of the sun and into the spiders! I wish I was kidding, so, so many spiders! but don't let that take away from the experience! I HATE spiders but I was still awestruck by the wonderment of this location.
I took one of my favorite photos of my boyfriend at this spot!
Just look at all of those rocks! The amount of work that it must have taken to get this place finished is just mind blowing! Very thankful that I got to see it up close! Details are very important after all!
I'd love to visit again sometime soon! Hopefully I can make that happen, but the Hudson Valley is a vast and beautiful place that I'm lucky to call home. I have many more new experiences and adventures to go on! and so do you!!
Don't mind the IPhone photo and instagram filter! I took this from the car as we were leaving, couldn't help myself, the Catskill Mountains look so good!! I wish you happy, fun, and safe Hudson Valley adventures! Remember to bring water!!