The best art day trips from NYC

3hrs 45mins by car, 6hrs 30mins by train

Located in North Adams, Massachusetts amid the rolling countryside of Berkshire County, Mass MoCA takes up a rambling complex of former 19^th-century factory buildings spread across 13 acres. Nearly 200,000 square feet is given over to exhibition space for contemporary art, but that’s not all: There’s an 850-seat theater, an outdoor concert area that can accommodate upwards of 9,000 people, plus an amphitheater, various rehearsal studios and artists’ workshops. That’s all on top of additional 200,000 square feet of space for “commercial tenants in creative industries.” In other words, there’s a lot of room for stuff to happen and it does with numerous shows, performance events, films and concerts. You'll want to check out "Glenn Kaino: In the Light of a Shadow," an immersive installation inside its football-field-sized Building 5 gallery that explores the power of collective action in forging a more just world.

Open Wednesdays-Mondays, 10am-5pm. 1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA (massmoca.org, 413-662-2111)

1hr by car, 1hr 45mins by train

This 500-acre landscape of fields, hills and woodlands is home to one of the finest sculpture parks anywhere, boasting a collection of more than 100 outdoor works by some of the biggest names, including Louise Bourgeois, Mark di Suvero and David Smith. This spring, check out indoor and outdoor installations by artist Sarah Sze to coincide with the unveiling of Sze’s Fallen Sky, a major new site-specific commission by the artist that will become part of Storm King’s permanent collection. You'll want to see Sarah Sze's works before they leave at the end of June and new, otherworldly installations from Brandon Ndife and Wangechi Mutu (pictured).

Wednesdays-Mondays, 10am-5:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays only from May 27 to September 3, 2022, 10am-7:30pm, 1 Museum Rd, New Windsor, NY (stormking.org, 845-534-3115)

35mins by car, 55mins by train

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center in the Bronx overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades, Wave Hill offers many natural pleasures, including a magnificent stand of pines, a formal garden and a hiking trail running through the woods. But there’s also art, which can be found on the grounds or in Wave Hill’s main space, the Glyndor Gallery. There are also additional exhibition areas, including the Sunroom Project Space and Wave Hill House. See timely exhibits, "The Nature of Family Portraits" from artists Destiny Belgrave, Sean-Kierre Lyons, Devin Osorio, Maia Cruz Palileo until July 11, and works from Heidi Norton July 16-August 28.

Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm. W 249th St and Independence Ave, Bronx, NY (wavehill.org, 718-549-3200)

1hr 20min by car and train

Grounds For Sculpture was founded by artist and philanthropist Seward Johnson and opened in 1992 on what used to be the New Jersey State Fairgrounds and was a natural extension of its predecessor, The Johnson Atelier. Across 42 verdant acres, there are about 300 contemporary sculptures and indoors, six galleries hold temporary exhibitions. More than 700 artists have shown their work here and the permanent collection has about 150 artists on view, including Clement Meadmore, Anthony Caro, Beverly Pepper, Kiki Smith, George Segal, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Isaac Witkin, Joyce J. Scott, Willie Cole, and founder Seward Johnson. See "Roberto Lugo: The Village Potter" and "Fragile: Earth" this summer.

It's open 10am-6pm every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 80 Sculptors Way Hamilton, NJ 08619 (groundsforsculpture.org, 609-586-0616)

2hr 41min by car

Art Omi sits on 120 acres in the Hudson Valley and peppered over its landscape are large-scale works and a 1,500-square-foot gallery. The Sculpture & Architecture Park currently offers more than 60 works by artists and architects that are changed each year. Accessing the museum is free (donations welcome) but you'll have to register ahead of time on weekends. So far, Art Omi has hosted more than 2,000 artists from over 100 countries. Walk around the outdoor art maze "Alicja Kwade: TunnelTeller" and check out the striking "Magnetic Z" by Cameron Wu.

Open daily from dawn to dusk. The Benenson Center is open daily from 9am-5pm. 1405 County Route 22, Ghent, NY 12075 (artomi.org, 518-392-4747)

1hr 30mins by car, 2hrs by train

The aptly name Dia: Beacon is indeed a signal destination for fans of contemporary art—or anyone else, for that matter. Located just up the river from New York in Dutchess County, Dia: Beacon (which is housed in a 300,000-square-foot facility that was once Nabisco’s box printing factory), serves as the sprawling showcase for the Dia Art Foundation’s unparalleled collection of Minimalist Art. It also features temporary exhibitions by some of today’s leading artists, including "Andy Warhol: Shadows" and "After Mirage (Cones/May Windows)" and "The Shape, the Scent, the Feel of Things" by Joan Jonas.

It's open Friday–Monday, 10am–5pm. 3 Beekman St, Beacon, NY (diaart.org/sites/main/beacon, 845-440-0100)

2hr 20min by car

This stunning home that used to belong to artist and explorer Frederic Church will stop you in your tracks. Olana, which is the "old Latin name for a place in Persia, to which the artist’s home bears some resemblance in situation," was where Church lived full time in the 1890s and painted during and after his training with artist Thomas Cole. Now, a National Historic Landmark within the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, Olana hosts tours, events and exhibitions—you see its exciting programming here.

It's open daily, 8am to sunset. 5720 State Route 9G, Hudson, NY 12534 (olana.org, 518-828-1872)

2hr 25min by car

Founded in 1898 by Samuel Longstreth Parrish as a one-room exhibition hall in Southampton Village, this major art museum in the Hamptons is now a massive facility in Water Mill that presents about 15 temporary exhibitions each year, or about 3,000 works, including special exhibitions and group shows. You won't be able to drive by because its "Field of Dreams" exhibit in front of its building will call your attention. Stop in to see "Set it Off" curated by Deux Femmes Noires.

279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, Ny 11976 (parrishart.org, 631-283-2118)

2hrs by car, 2hrs by train

It’s not every institution that can claim an association with Sylvester Stallone and Marcel Duchamp, but Philly’s premier museum is able to do just that. Thousands of visitors come each year just to snap their picture on PMA’s “Rocky” steps as the entrance is now known thanks to its appearance in the movie that launched Stallone’s career. As for Duchamp, the museum owns two of his enigmatic masterpieces “The Large Glass” and “Étant donnés,” which you could say respectively represent the Mona Lisa and Sistine Ceiling of 20th-century Conceptual Art. The museum is just as renowned for its other holdings, which, like The Met’s in New York, is encyclopedic in scope. Don't miss "Sean Scully: The Shape of Ideas" through July 31 and "Rodin’s Hands." 

 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA (philamuseum.org, 215-763-8100)

3hrs by car, 3hrs by train

Located in an old firehouse that also once housed a Baptist church, The Dan Flavin Art Institute is one of several artist-project sites maintained by the Dia Art Foundation across the country. It is, as the name suggests, dedicated to Dan Flavin (1933–1996) the sculptor known for creating spectacularly colorful installations out of fluorescent light fixtures. Some of his earliest works, a series dating from 1961 to 1964 called “Icons,” is currently on view. The Dan Flavin Art Institute also mounts exhibitions of other artists’ work.

Open Sundays noon-6pm, closed 3–3:30 pm daily. Corwith Avenue off Main Street, Bridgehampton, NY. (diaart.org, 631-537-1476)

1hr 30mins by car, 2hrs by train

The fall, leaf-peeping season is the time most people think of going to Ridgefield, CT, but summer is just as lovely, and it’s worth the trip just to visit this museum devoted to contemporary art—one the first of its kind in the country. It was founded in 1964 by fashion designer Larry Aldrich (1906–2001), who sold his collection of Picasso, Miró, Chagall, Paul Klee among others to pay for the property: A former church and general store dating from the 18th century. A major renovation and expansion opened in 2004. The museum offers a roster of multiple exhibitions, with the highlight this season being "52 Artists: A Feminist Milestone" opening in June.

Open noon-5pm daily, except on Tuesdays. 258 Main St, Ridgefield, CT (aldrichart.org, 203-438-4519)

4hrs 15min by car

Founded in 1951, the Corning Museum of Glass wows visitors with more than 50,000 glass objects in its collection, some over 3,500 years old. The many galleries showcase works from almost every country in the world, and represent glassmaking from antiquity through the present day. Contemporary artworks include pieces by significant artists such as Klaus Moje, Karen LaMonte, Bruno Pedrosa, Dale Chihuly, Libenský / Brychtová and Josiah McElheny. You'll also want to see items from the show Blown Away, and an exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of Corelle. Guests can also watch live glassmaking demonstrations or even learn to make glass at the museum.

Open daily, 9am-5pm. One Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830 (cmog.org, 607-937-5371) 

1hr by car 1hr 30min by train

The home of famous painter Edward Hopper is open to the public. Built in 1858 by his maternal grandfather, it served as his primary residence until 1910. After his death, the house fell into disrepair, but was saved from demolition and restored by members of the local community. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can tour the home, which includes his work, belongings, notes from his family members, and exhibitions of work by other artists inspired by Hopper.

Open Friday, 1-5pm, Saturday and Sunday, noon-5pm. 82 North Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960 (edwardhopperhouse.org, 845-358-0774)

2hrs by car, 1hr 30mins by train

The Barnes Foundation describes itself as “the greatest private collection of post-impressionist and early-modern art” and it's hard to argue with that, not only because its holdings of Cézannes, Matisses, Picassos and Renoirs represent quality but also quantity, with the Renoirs alone adding up to 181 pieces. Originally housed in the stately home of founder Albert C. Barnes in nearby Merion, PA, the collection relocated in 2012 to a new building in Philadelphia designed by Williams and Billie Tsien, the same team behind the now lost American Folk Art Museum. The original Merion location remains open to the public and features a 12-acre arboretum.

It's open Thursday to Monday, 11am–5pm. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA (barnesfoundation.org, 215-278-7000)

1hr 50mins by car, 2hrs by train

The Yale University Art Gallery is actually one of two museums housed on the campus of the venerable Ivy League institution, the other being the Yale Center for British Art, which is currently undergoing an extensive renovation (it remains closed until 2016). The Gallery’s permanent collection and a new installation featuring highlights from its extraordinary collection of ancient glass are worth checking out.

The Gallery is open Tuesday–Friday 10am–5pm, Thursday (Sept.–June) 10am–8pm, and Saturday–Sunday 11am–5pm. 1111 Chapel St, New Haven, CT (artgallery.yale.edu, 203-432-0600)

1hr 15min by car, 2hrs by train

Besides being the owner of such publication as Interview and Art In America, Peter Brandt, whose name is on the door here, is probably best known for his on-again, off-again marriage to former supermodel, Stephanie Seymour, which has landed the couple in the tabloids. Still, Brant is one of the art world’s biggest collectors, big enough that he started his own museum in 2010 dedicated to artists he loves (most of whom qualify for the bad-boy label) such as Urs Fischer, Dan Colen and Rob Pruitt. If you’re looking for recent trendsetters in art, this is a good place to start. On view now: "Spencer Sweeney: Perfect."

Guided tours are offered daily Tuesday-Friday. Guests are welcome any time between 12pm – 3pm for a self-guided visit. 941 North Street, Greenwich, CT (brantfoundation.org, 203-869-0611) 

2hrs by car

Generally thought of as one of the earliest examples of Earth Art, art, OPUS 40 is a wonder to behold: The work of one man, Harvey Fite, who labored on the piece for 37 years, starting in 1938, when he purchased an abandoned quarry in Saugerties, New York (best known as the site of Woodstock). The result is a winding “total artistic environment” comprising six-and-a-half acres of bluestone blocks fitted together with a technique Fite borrowed from ancient Mayan temples. In fact, Opus 40 resembles nothing so much as mysterious edifice left by a forgotten civilization or, perhaps, extraterrestrial visitors. The grounds also include a museum devoted to quarryman tools that Fite found around the site.

50 Fite Road, Saugerties, NY (opus40.org, 845-246-3400)

2hrs 30mins by car, 3hrs by train

One of the most interesting things about the live/work homestead shared by AbEx great Jackson Pollock and his wife, the painter Lee Krasner, is how small the studio that birthed Pollock’s game-changing “drip” paintings actually is: The floor on which Pollock spread out his canvases to make his paintings is only barely larger than the works themselves (for comparison, one of Pollock’s larger compositions, One: Number 31 (1950), measures roughly nine by 18 feet). The House is a modest cedar-shingled affair typical of the old fishermen residencies that still dot the Hamptons, as is the adjacent barn that contains the studio. There, you’ll find a display of artifacts—Pollock’s paint-splattered shoes, paint cans and brushes—and of course, the aforementioned floor, which retains the spattered vestiges of some of history’s most famous artworks. 

This summer, see exhibits featuring the work of their friends—Terence Netter (through July 31) and Harold Lehman (August 4 - October 30).

830 Springs-Fireplace Road East Hampton, NY (stonybrook.edu/pkhouse/, 631-324-4929)