Kaatskill Kaleidoscope

We have done this at least three times — in fact, if we are in the area we will head in because it is quite unique, and the shops (including an extensive selection of hand made kaleidoscopes form $ 10 up to $ 3,500+) are a nice break from all the outdoor stuff. Plus it’s $ 5.
It is pretty cool, and the current program offers four (4) separate tracks of music to accompany the show. You can stand or (as we have done) lay down on the floor for the best experience.

Is it amazing? No. But it’s pretty cool and I think kids would get a kick out of it. Maybe not the destination for a cross-​county trip, but more of an «if you’re in the area» thing.

The «world’s largest kaleidoscope» was not a kaleidoscope at all but just an imitation kaleidoscope light show projected on the top of a cylinder 3 or 4 stories high. The themes seemed to be patriotic kitsch and 60’s nostalgia. No way I would have made a trip to see this if I had known what it was in fact. I’d give thumbs up to the attached shop, however. It had a number of beautiful kaleidoscopes from a variety of craftsmen.

Never thought I’d come here because it’s in the middle of nowhere, but low and behold a day came where we just wanted to do something so away we went. I was definitely expecting the kaleidoscope to be bigger, however it was something to say you saw. You pay $ 5 for a 10 minute show of trippy kaleidoscope images. There are these seats you stand up and lean back on, but it’s recommend to lay on the floor, so we did.
Pretty patriotic with images of presidents, indians, and eagles.
The gift shop was something to see. All different types of kaleidoscopes, glass, hand made, and unique. They also had some other antique shops in the building with unique pieces, as well as jewelry.

Although i was here a few years ago, places like this don’t seem to change that much. Not only cant you find a great big Kaleidoscope inside a silo-​shaped building very often, but the mere fact that one of them still stands about a good 1+ ½ hours away from my home, is an experience in itself. Although i wasn’t too pleased with having to lean my head backwards onto these headrest things the employee told us we should use to view the show (kink in my neck following the show), but also this was Mothers day weekend when you’d expect a few more people would join in. But no one else joined in, and we 6 were all alone in this dark room with the scope above our heads.
Personally, if I’m ever in the mountains and need a place to go, id rather go somewhere else. But this place is enjoyable for a first-​time visitor.
The fact that the price of admission tells you wonders about this place, is more than proof to show you that this place is not too cool for eventual return trips once you’ve been here before.

The Katskill Kaleidoscope is the centerpiece of Catskill Corners, and should definitely be checked out if you’re in the area. The giant kaleidoscope is fun and spacy — and actually made me laugh out loud a couple of times at what they were showing me. I joked afterwards that it would be perfect with a Pink Floyd soundtrack. Ok, I was half serious that it would be perfect with a Pink Floyd soundtrack.
The Kaleidoscope Museum is FANTASTIC. These things are genuine works of art in a field that you might not have realized WAS an art. Many of them are beautiful and original and work in ways that you never dreamed a kaleidoscope could work. You can buy them too. Yes, some are a thousand dollars (and worth it, if you actually HAVE a thousand dollars to spend on a kaleidoscope, which I don’t), but many are more normal ones, sold at normal prices. I bought a kaleidoscope that was built into a baseball.
The Catskill Corners has other interesting shops filled with interesting stuff. The walls are an art gallery. There is citrine and quartz and beautiful rocks. A genuine gourmet food coffee shop. You can spend quite a long time in here finding more things to look at.
Oh — the people. Lovely people, who were all very helpful and very interesting, with a real passion for what they are doing. Even though we came before they were open, someone saw us at the door and let us in, and they were all wonderful. People like that make a place a like this.
If you are in wonderful Shandaken, NY (Phoenicia, Mt. Tremper, Big Indian, whatever) DO check it out.

Kaatskill Kaleidoscope is home of the world’s largest kaleidoscope. That sounded exciting to me, so we ventured out there. Ya, it’s big, but not exciting. You go in the silo thing and lay on the floor to watch the kaleidescope. It has 37 large mirrors or something. To me, it just looked like I was laying on the floor watching a movie of a kaleidoscope. If you’re really into kaleidoscopes, they have a great gift shop full of expensive fancy kaleidoscopes.