Miguel Luciano, Pimp My Piragua, 2008
Courtesy of the artist

Want a weekend getaway within spitting distance of NYC? Throw your bike on Metro North (yes, lame-o bike permit still necessary) and head up to Branchville and then bike in the last three miles to the Aldrich Museum at 258 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

While their current show, Bike Rides, is not as comprehensive as it could be (e.g. Where are Taliah Lempert’s beautiful oil paintings? Her coloring books are in the gift shop.), it's still good fun. The Puerto Rican Schwinn Club bikes finally get the recognition they are due and there are also some great short films on cycling from around the world.

The museum itself is a beautiful space, the original bits of which were built in 1783, renovated and expanded in 2003-2004. Part farmhouse, part glass and granite, the Aldrich boasts of being one of the few “non-collecting” museums in the United States.

After you get through exploring the bikes, check out the other two shows upstairs or head into town where the town center features the requisite New England-y mix of restaurants, cafes and candy stores.

Enjoy!

Posted by: dls