A mini “Bilbao Guggenheim” in New York’s Hudson Valley

This past summer, while I was in New York City with my family, my older son and I took a driving trip up to the beautiful Hudson Valley to look at colleges and enjoy the beauty of this upstate New York region.

While there, we were impressed to see The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Bard College. The auditorium was built by star architect Frank Gehry, and since we were visiting the stunning Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain a summer earlier, we couldn’t help nicknaming it the mini-Guggenheim.

You can see my earlier blog post on the Bilbao Guggenheim with its sinuous lines and curving, titanum exteriors.

The Bard College auditorium, built in 2003, was reminiscent of that grander structure on a picturesque Hudson Valley campus. Lucky theatre students who get to perform here!

My son and I enjoyed seeing this modern architectural gem in its bucolic surroundings. As we were turning around to trek back to our car, we almost stumbled over a beaver … something far, far less common in the Big Apple.

If you’re in tiny Annandale-on-Hudson, be sure to see this stunning Gehry-designed auditorium … especially if you’ve seen its big brother in Bilbao.

And while you’re there, stop off at the great Bard College farm stand to bring back your fresh produce. We’ll definitely be back the next time we’re in the Hudson Valley.