The Gigantic Kaleiedoscope

The World's Largest Kaleidoscope is located in an old grain silo.

Like, far out, man.

Since we were just down the road from Woodstock, NY, we just couldn't pass up the chance to visit a psychedelic roadside attraction. Billed as the World's Largest Kaleidoscope (and recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records), the Kaatskill Kaleidoscope in Mt. Tremper is housed in a 60-foot tall former grain silo. The $250,000 kaleidoscope was designed in the 1960s  by artist Isaac Abrams and his son Raphael and was completed in 1996. About 20 people can fit into the silo at a time. Visitors must lean back against sloping padded boards with sliding neck supports, allowing an easy view up through the kaleidoscope in the silo. The day we visited, Paula and I were the only ones there, so the attendant let us lay on the floor. There are three different shows, all accompanied by music written by a local composer, that last about 10 minutes. I must say, laying on the floor listening to psychedelic music and looking up at the show in the kaleidoscope really was a groovy way to spend an afternoon. Peace.