Entry No. 70 — the New York City file — filed under: art-immersive
World's Largest Kaleidoscope
Built inside a 56-foot former grain silo at the Emerson Resort, this is certified as the world's largest kaleidoscope. You walk in, lie back on the floor or lean against the wall, and stare up at a roughly 20-minute psychedelic show of swirling color and imagery projected through the giant mirrored tube. Admission runs only a few dollars, and the adjoining shops are stuffed with handheld kaleidoscopes.
The story
Tucked inside a converted 56-to-60-foot farm silo at the Emerson Resort along Route 28 in Mount Tremper sits a legitimate certified world record hiding in plain sight. Instead of storing grain, this massive cylinder was hollowed out, lined with multi-story mirrors, and fitted with a high-powered projection system aimed straight up at the apex.
You step off a quiet Catskills highway into what looks like a standard country store complex, but once you enter the base of the silo, the room goes dark. A roughly 20-minute light and sound show begins, projecting swirling geometric patterns, video feeds, and saturated colors up through the giant mirrored shaft to create a hypnotic, constantly shifting mandala far above your head.
It's a bizarre slice of retro psychedelic spectacle embedded inside an upscale Hudson Valley resort. You didn't come to the Catskills expecting to lie flat on a carpeted silo floor staring into a three-story optical tube, but that's precisely why it works.
What it's like
You'll purchase a cheap ticket inside the Emerson Country Stores complex and walk through to the base of the silo. There are no traditional theater seats inside—most people simply lean against the circular wall or lie straight back on the carpeted floor to look directly upward into the mirrors. The sound booms, the lights shift overhead, and for a bit under twenty minutes you're entirely lost in the geometry. Tip: call ahead (845-688-2828) before making the drive, as showtimes and daily operating hours fluctuate based on resort schedules. Afterwards, browse the attached shop, which stocks an unexpected variety of handheld optical kaleidoscopes.
The move: Lie down side by side on the silo floor and watch the full kaleidoscope show overhead, then browse the kaleidoscope shop afterward.
📍 Before you go Hours vary day to day; call the Emerson Resort (845-688-2828) to confirm show times. Inexpensive admission, free for young kids.
- 📍 Mount Tremper
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 5340 Route 28, Mount Tremper, NY 12457
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Opus 40 — Pair this indoor visual spectacle with a trip 13 miles east to wander Harvey Fite's hand-carved, six-acre bluestone stone maze in Saugerties.
- Taconic Sculpture Park — Head east across the river to complement the kaleidoscope's optical geometry with Roy Kanwit's surreal, oversized mythological statues scattered across a hillside.
- Secret Caverns — Drive north to double down on upstate road-trip oddities with a descent into a cave famous for its hand-painted folk-art billboards.
Good to know
Where is the kaleidoscope located?
It is located at 5340 Route 28 in Mount Tremper, New York, on the grounds of the Emerson Resort & Spa in Ulster County.
How big is the silo?
The converted grain silo stands between 56 and 60 feet tall and measures approximately 38 feet in diameter.
How long is the show and do I need reservations?
The show lasts roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Admission is just a few dollars (and free for young children), bought on-site, though calling ahead to confirm showtimes is strongly recommended.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: emersonresort.com · Roadside America · Wikipedia · visitulstercountyny.com
last checked: 2026-06-23