The Kaatskill Kaleidoscope at Emerson Place - A great Catskill destination
Written: Aug 17 '05 (Updated Feb 02 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: One-of-a-kind Destination, Unique Catskill Destination, Close to Phoenicia
Cons: Pricey
The Bottom Line: If you're in the area and want to see something you won’t see anywhere else, consider stopping by Emerson Place and taking a look into the Kaatskill Kaleidoscope
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| jps246's Full Review: Kaatskill Kaleidoscope |
If you’re in the northern Catskills and you’re looking for a fun place to spend a few hours, you should check out Emerson Place (formerly Catskill Corners), home to the world’s largest kaleidoscope and to several different shops that showcase local products from the Catskill Mountain region.
The world’s largest kaleidoscope you laugh? It’s more interesting than it sounds – or at the very least, it’s an experience that for the few dollars of admission is something that is quite amazing and is definitely something you can tell others about when you get back from your trip. I for one thoroughly enjoy telling people I’ve seen the world’s largest kaleidoscope and seeing their reactions.
Where is it?
The Kaatskill Kaleidoscope (the official name of the kaleidoscope) is within Emerson Place, which is located in Mount Tremper, New York right off of NY Route 28. From the south Emerson Place is about a half an hour from Kingston and the NY State Thurway and from the north, about 10 minutes south of the town of Phoenicia.
It’s almost impossible to miss the Emerson Place complex – there are large signs when you get there and it is one of the few developed areas along this section of Route 28. There is ample free parking available.
What is there?
Besides the Kaatskill Kaleidoscope, Emerson Place is home to several different shops, a day-spa, a lodge and both a coffee-house and a sit-down restaurant. The shops each emphasize different products – there are food-stuffs, skin and body care products, country furniture and a gift shop for the Kaatskill Kaleidoscope itself. The shops try to showcase locally made goods as much as possible, which makes it one of the few areas in the Catskills where it’s fairly easy to find local products.
The coffee-house serves Starbucks, which makes it, I think, probably the only Starbucks in the Catskill Mountain region. From that alone, you can probably tell that Emerson Place tends to cater to there’s a bit of a expensive taste to this place – it definitely caters to more high-end clientele. The coffee-house serves various coffee drinks, teas and other beverages along with some basic pastries and cookies.
The restaurant at Emerson Place is located within the Lodge and provides both inside and outside dining. The outside dining is on a porch overlooking the Esopus River.
The lodge at Emerson Place provides lodging along the banks of the Esopus River and most of the rooms are multi-room suites. In addition to lodging, the Lodge at Emerson Place is able to handle weddings and conferences.
What about the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope?
While many probably travel to Emerson Place to spend a night, dine by the river or get some shopping in, the big reason many people come is the Kaatskill Kaleidoscope. Measuring in at 50 feet in diameter and about 38 feet in height, this Kaleidoscope is big and instead of looking through an eye-piece, you stand within the Kaleidoscope and look upwards at the amazing sights.
Not only that, the Kaleidoscope is really quite high-tech. Video images can be projected within the Kaleidoscope and sound is provided along with the show by specially designed surround-sound system.
Each show is set to music and is an amazing collection of sights and sounds that make for quite an experience. The shows are even tailored throughout the year to match the seasons and the holidays – so if you are visiting in the summer, the show will be different then if you visit around Christmastime.
While I doubt I would visit the Kaleidoscope every time I visit Emerson Place, it is something that I take people who are new to the Catskills to and even though elements of the show are somewhat similar over time, it never ceases to amaze me.
The show lasts for about 10 minutes and for an adult (anyone over 12), the cost of admission is $8.00. For children under 12, there is no admission fee. Each show can hold around 10 to 15 people, so at busier times, there may be a wait to get in. The entire complex, including the Kaleidoscope itself is handicap accessible.
Want your own Kaleidoscope?
The Kaatskill Kaleidoscope is surrounded by its own shop, specializing in various kaleidoscopes. The kaleidoscopes range from the very small and simple to larger and more complex (and more expensive) in the store and they are available to try out.
FYI
Emerson Place maintains a fairly detailed website that gives an overview of all of the facilities on the site including the Kaleidoscope. You can also make room reservations at the lodge. The site is:
http://www.emersonplace.com/default.htm
Overall
Emerson Place and the Kaatskill Kaleidoscope are an interesting destination for anyone in the Catskill Mountain region. The complex is centrally located along Route 28 and is easily accessed from the NY State Thruway and from the rest of the Catskills. The village of Woodstock is about a ½ an hour away, as are the ski towns of Hunter and Windham (Windham is slightly further).
While the entire place tends to cater towards a more high-end group of people, I think most anyone would find the Kaatskill Kaleidoscope interesting at the very least. At $8 per person, some will find it pricey, but it’s an experience that can’t be repeated elsewhere and is something you won’t forget.
Having grown from the original Catskill Corners, which was basically a showcase for the Kaatskill Kaleidoscope, Emerson Place has made itself into a destination worthy of a visit and for some into a destination unto itself with the lodge, spa, dining and shopping opportunities.
Final Thoughts
For most, I wouldn’t make a special trip to see the Kaatskill Kaleidoscope, but if you are in the area and want to see something you won’t see anywhere else, consider stopping by Emerson Place and taking a look into the Kaatskill Kaleidoscope. I’m quite sure you’ll be happy that you did.
Catskill Resources
The Catskills
Woodstock
Hunter, Tannersville and Haines Falls
Phoenicia
Hunter Mountain Wild Forest
Westkill Mountain Wilderness Area
Tremper Mountain Fire Tower
Hunter Mountain Fire Tower
Woodland Valley Campground
Devil's Tombstone Campground and Day-Use Area
Hunter Mountain Ski Resort
Ski Windham Ski Resort
Belleayre Mountain Ski Resort
Catskill Trails Map Set
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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