Bethel Woods, New York: Where the Spirit of Woodstock Lives On

Nothing celebrates the cultural phenomenon of Woodstock quite like The Museum at Bethel Woods. Take time to explore the main exhibit area featuring 21 short films, interactive exhibits, a psychedelic bus, fascinating artifacts and first-person accounts. What resonates most is how Woodstock showed the world just how transformative music can be. Visit the annual Special Exhibits, which dive deeper into the stories of the 1960s. After you tour The Museum, shop for tie-dye T-shirts and festival memorabilia at the Bindy Bazaar Museum Shop, then hit Yasgur’s Farm Cafe, a farm-inspired eatery named after Max Yasgur, the farmer who agreed to lease his land for the festival. After your meal, wander the original festival site including the new woodland walking trail, where you can still see remnants of the Bindy Bazaar (the original festival’s marketplace).

A monument marks the National Register Historic Site, where almost half a million people gathered for three days of peace, love and music – and where visitors of all ages still travel from around the world to reflect on what happened here. With a legacy that remains relevant today, Woodstock’s legendary lineup included Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, Santana and The Who, among myriad others. Gazing across the grassy expanse, it’s amazing to think that this serene locale was home to one of the biggest cultural events to define the 1960s and beyond. Wandering the grounds, accompanied only by the sound of the breeze, you can almost hear Jimi Hendrix riffing his rock rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Organizers were overwhelmed by the unanticipated size of the crowd, but attendees responded with peace and love, forming a community that would define the spirit of Woodstock and ensure its lasting impact.

Bethel Woods’ gorgeous scenery also offers an idyllic backdrop for scores of concerts, family programs and food and beverage festivals. After all, it’s easy to draw top acts here. Who wouldn’t want to play at the hallowed grounds of the original Woodstock festival? In addition to modern popular artists, original Woodstock performers such as Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Santana, Joe Cocker, and members of The Grateful Dead and The Who have all played at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Visitors to the center can also plan trips to coincide with events celebrating music, film, food and creativity. These include seasonal, family-friendly festivals celebrating everything from Halloween to the harvest, art classes and after-hours experiences at the museum. After all, you don’t have to be a 1960s flower child to make your own history at this special place.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is located in Bethel, part of the Sullivan County Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York. It can be reached easily by car in about two hours from New York City.