New Yorker’s no longer have to travel upstate to peer through a massive kaleidoscope–one measuring a whopping 37 feet long has just landed on the Greenway in Battery Park City, and peering inside won’t cost you a single cent.
Titled “Kaleidoscope of US: Celebrating 250 Years of America,” this sprawling public art piece sits right at Little West Street and 2nd Place. Created by artists Dan Going, Roberto Montenegro, and Mitchel Lathrop, the giant wooden structure measures an impressive 37.5 feet long, 11 feet high, and 10 feet wide.
Unlike standard pocket-sized scopes—or even the ceiling-focused show upstate—this installation invites viewers to take full control of the experience:
- Two Interactive Ends: Walk up to either side of the structure to peer down the long visual tunnel
- Hands-On Wheels: Massive, turnable plexiglass wheels let you physically spin the artwork to alter the shapes and colors inside
- Vibrant Symbolism: As you rotate the wheels, you’ll spot floating birds, insects, and marine life representing regional cultures and historical migration paths across the country
It’s every bit as trippy as a kaleidoscope sounds—just on a much bigger scale.
Pro-Tip for Visiting: Head over during the afternoon for crisp, sunlight-drenched colors, then double back after dark. The nighttime experience transforms the Greenway with illuminated visual projections that give the installation an entirely different, glowing, psychedelic vibe.
Even though they were invented over 200 years ago, kaleidoscopes still hold so much wonder for kids and adults alike.
Seeing reflected colored pieces completely change shape as you twist and turn the scope is quite trippy in and of itself—and now, you don’t even have to leave the city to experience one on a massive scale!
Fast Facts & Location
- Where: Greenway at Little West St. & 2nd Place, Battery Park City
- On view: Now through September 21, 2026
- Cost: 100% free and open to the public