If this were James Cameron’s world, following a dreary winter and a rainy spring day like today, the line for flights to Pandora would be considerably long.
But he’s only got real clout in the film world, so we earthlings must set our sights on the next best thing. The setting in mind, 60 minutes north of Manhattan in the Hudson Valley, is 500 undulating acres of lush land filled with striking pieces of art. Here, you may think you’re high even if you don’t touch the stuff. Storm King Art Center is one of those places you hope will remain unfettered, and this warm Thursday, April 1, the outdoor museum reopens for a monumental season. On June 5, it will celebrate 50 years with two new exhibits—5+5: New Perspectives and an indoor tribute, The View from Here: Storm King at Fifty.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest sculpture parks on the planet, 10 artists loaned 12 new works, six of which were specially created for the event. Storm King director and curator David R. Collens has brought in such pieces as Darrell Petit’s Kiss, involving a 25-ton granite element measuring 17 feet high, Stephen Talasnik’s Stream: A Folded Drawing comprised of 3,000 bamboo poles tied together, standing 12 feet high yet seemingly ready to roll down the hill, and Chakaia Booker’s sculpture made out of car tires that have been cut, twisted, and looped.
For more information on Storm King Art Center, read offManhattan’s review or visit the destination’s website below.
How to get there: Coach USA (formerly Short Line Bus) offers a day tour package leaving from Port Authority with direct drop-off at the park. For a bus schedule and to purchase tickets visit coachusa.com. Storm King Hours: April 1 to October 31, 2009, Wednesday through Sunday (10am-5:30pm). November 1 to November 15, 2009, Wednesday through Sunday (10am-5pm). Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, open until 8 pm. Holiday Mondays (10am-5:30pm). Closed to public from November 16 to March 31. Fees: Roundtrip bus transportation and museum admission for adults—$44.00, Children ages five to eleven—$22.00.
(Storm King Art Center, Old Pleasant Hill Road, Mountainville, New York. 845.534.3115, stormking.org)
The co-founder and editor-at-large at offMetro, Lauren is a sustainable travel specialist and freelance journalist with frequent bylines in National Geographic, Bicycling Magazine and Shape. Follow Lauren’s adventures at @laurenmati.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram