From world-famous museums to charming small town galleries, every corner of New York State offers endless opportunities to experience art! Journey into the rolling hills that once inspired Mark Twain, tour the historic home of a Hudson River School painter, or admire art along the Erie Canal. Your next artistic adventure awaits! Check out these 11 hidden gem art destinations throughout the state.
Elmira (Finger Lakes)
From 1871 to 1889, Mark Twain, (whose real name was Samuel Clemens) and his family spent their summers at Quarry Farm in Elmira, where Twain crafted some of his most notable works including “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” “The Prince and the Pauper,” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Kick off your journey into Twain Country with a self-guided tour of his famed octagonal study (pictured), now found on the Elmira College campus. Dive deeper into the writer’s legacy and the area’s rich history at the Chemung Valley History Museum. Pay a visit to Elmira’s Woodlawn Cemetery, home to one of the finest memorial architecture in the nation as well as Twain’s gravesite. Catch a diverse lineup of Broadway productions, musicals, and plays at the Clemens Center. The Arnot Art Museum is also a must-visit, housed in the original 1833 Greek Revival-style home with a late-20th-century gallery addition, featuring 17th and 19th-century European paintings and 19th and 20th-century American art. Plan to visit in June for the Elmira Street Painting Festival, when artists adorn the streets with beautiful chalk masterpieces alongside live music and a craft fair.
Glens Falls (Adirondacks)
A journey along the Adirondack Regional Art Trail will land you in this lively city, rich in history, culture, and art. Kick off your trip with a stroll through the vibrant Glens Falls Art District, where you’ll find beautiful public murals, shops and boutiques, and an array of museums and art galleries like The Saunders Gallery of Fine Arts, North Country Arts Gallery, and LARAC’s Lapham Gallery. A visit to the Hyde Collection is a must, boasting an extraordinary collection of European and American art that includes works by Sandro Botticelli, Pablo Picasso, George Bellows, and more. Go museum hopping and add the Chapman Museum to your itinerary. Explore changing exhibits displaying the history of the area or take a guided tour of the restored Victorian-era home. Prepare to be dazzled at Charles R. Wood Theater or The Park Theater, both featuring a wide array of performances from musicals to film festivals to dance productions. Treat your ears to a performance by the nationally-recognized Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra. Their annual July 4th summer Pops concert is not to be missed!
Woodstock (Catskills)
CREDIT: DION OGUST/WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL
CREDIT: DION OGUST/WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL
Although the famous festival that borrowed the town’s name actually took place about an hour west at what is now Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the art, music, culture, and spirit of Woodstock is still alive in this Catskill town. This arts community has been a hub for creativity since the early 1900s, so start your visit with a stroll down Tinker Street, which is filled with all kinds of fun shops, boutiques, and art galleries. Dive into contemporary and creative photography at the Center of Photography at Woodstock. Admire the beautiful artwork of local and Woodstock Art Colony artists at the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum, or pay a visit to the oldest continuing arts and crafts colony in the United States, The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild. If you’re a film buff, you’ve come to the right place! Each October, Woodstock hosts their annual film festival, where you can catch a variety of independent films and may even see some celebrities. For live performances in music, dance, theater, and film, make your way to the Woodstock Playhouse (pictured) or Bearsville Theater.
Lockport (Greater Niagara)
Credit: @spotlightsojourns on Instagram
Credit: @spotlightsojourns on Instagram
Just 20 miles from Niagara Falls is the charming city of Lockport, where art flourishes along the historic Erie Canal. Take a stroll down the vibrant main street and pop into some of the shops selling everything from handmade jewelry and clothing to home decor and antiques. Lockport is home to the famous Flight of Five Locks, so head to the Erie Canal Discovery Center and Lock District Museum to learn about its history throughout the city. After, experience the canal for yourself on a Lockport Locks boat tour. Get to know Lockport’s artistic side and experience the two art galleries at Art247, where you’ll find nearly 40 artist studios to explore. Surround yourself with history as you watch live theater at the Lockport Palace Theatre, a gorgeous nearly century-old proscenium-arch style theater. Stop at the “cultural heart” of the community, the Kenan Center. Located on a historic 25-acre campus, this center hosts a variety of diverse visual and performing arts offerings, including a fine arts gallery, theater, formal gardens, sports arena, and annual craft show.
Troy (Capital-Saratoga)
Credit: @sandrafoyt on Instagram
Credit: @sandrafoyt on Instagram
Albany is without a doubt a hub for all things arts and culture, but did you know that its next door neighbor, Troy, is also home to an up-and-coming arts scene? Take a stroll through the historic and walkable downtown, where you’ll find local boutiques, businesses, and art galleries such as Martinez Gallery, Two Selves Gallery, Broken Mold Studio, and The Studio. The Arts Center of the Capital Region is a must-stop, home to all kinds of amazing public art and exhibitions. Be sure to check the schedule for current showings, exciting annual events and festivals, and public classes in subjects like pottery, oil painting, stained glass, and more. Take a trip back in time at the Hart-Cluett Museum and explore exhibits showcasing the history of Troy, including how it was nicknamed “The Collar City.” Lovers of live performances are spoiled for choice with three breathtaking venues; the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is known for its grand architecture and amazing acoustics, the Troy Foundry Theatre explores current social issues through immersive live theater, and technology and arts converge at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s EMPAC, showcasing experimental media, dance, music, theater, and film.
Brooklyn (New York City)
Credit: @janetthegeneral on Instagram
Credit: @janetthegeneral on Instagram
With esteemed artist galleries, rich cultural museums, and performing arts galore, Brooklyn’s flourishing art scene is a must-add for your next trip to the Big Apple. Pay a visit to one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country, the Brooklyn Museum, showcasing world-renowned permanent collections that represent a wide range of cultures. Get to know some of the community’s distinguished art galleries such as A.I.R Gallery, Theodore:Art, or Luhring Augustine Gallery. Prepare to be entertained at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), which hosts more than 200 stage performances annually, as well as a four-screen cinema. Local art groups and large-scale popular entertainment can be found at the 3,000-seat Kings Theater, the largest of its kind in Brooklyn. Explore the borough’s creativity and diversity at BRIC, featuring robust contemporary arts exhibits, TV and film programs, and the city’s longest-running free performing arts festival. The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MOCADA) is the first of its kind in New York, highlighting visual, literary, and performing arts that focus on amplifying Black voices and experiences.
Clayton (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
Rated one of the top ten best small town art scenes in the US for 2023 by USA Today’s 10Best, plan your next artistic getaway to Clayton! Go for a relaxing stroll through the riverside village, where you’ll find local art galleries such as Tisa Gallery, Michael Springer Galleries, and Kelly Curry Studios (St. Lawrence Pottery). Make a stop at the Thousand Islands Arts Center, showcasing a vast 20th century North American textile collection, a variety of ever-changing art exhibitions, and classes in weaving, pottery, painting, soap making, and more. The Clayton Opera House hosts an impressive lineup of year-round performances ranging from theatrical productions to live music. Dive into the region’s riverside history throughout the permanent and rotating exhibits at the Thousand Islands Museum. Did you know that one of the largest collections of antique and classic boats in North America can be found right here in Clayton? Stop by the Antique Boat Museum and explore more than 300 unique and beautifully-preserved vessels.
Hudson (Hudson Valley)
Credit: @coureuses_de_jupons on Instagram
Credit:
From Hudson River School Paintings to emerging artistic talent, Hudson has been a renowned artistic destination for decades, so why not experience it for yourself? A brief stroll on Hudson’s vibrant Warren Street will put you in a wonderland of art galleries such as 510 Warren Street Gallery, Carrie Haddad Gallery, Pamela Salisbury Gallery, and Caldwell Gallery. You can’t visit this city without touring one of Frederic Edwin Church’s greatest masterpieces, Olana. The 250-acre landscape features a beautiful Persian-inspired house, boasting unrivaled views of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley, annual exhibitions, and a gallery of Church’s art and collections. For genre-pushing music festivals, film screenings, and intriguing public installations, head to Basilica Hudson. Witness live music, art exhibits, and more at the Park Theater, found in a restored historic theater. Hudson is also home to the state’s oldest surviving theater, Hudson Hall, housed in what was once the city’s town hall. Check the schedule for a variety of events ranging from concerts, exhibitions, dance presentations, and the Hudson Jazz Festival, taking place in October.
Huntington (Long Island)
Credit: @ambientevents on Instagram
Credit: @ambientevents on Instagram
Nestled along Long Island’s north shore is the colorful town Huntington, steeped in a rich tradition of art and culture. Enjoy a warm welcome and explore Huntington’s lively downtown along the waterfront, packed with trendy restaurants, specialty stores, and art galleries like Fotofoto Gallery, B.J. Spoke Gallery, and D. Velez Art Gallery. The star of this town’s art scene is the Heckscher Museum of Art, showcasing a collection of more than 2,500 works ranging from the 16th to 20th century, including European and American painting, sculpture, photography, and more. Experience Long Island’s famed Gold Coast at Oheka Castle (pictured), a breathtakingly-beautiful historic mansion. Watch well-known performers and bands from a variety of genres hit the stage at The Paramount. For the ultimate Huntington music experience, head to Heckscher Park for the Huntington Summer Arts Festival, where nearly 50 performers, ranging from symphony orchestras to jazz bands to folk singer-songwriters take the stage from June through August.
Jamestown (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
As the hometown of comedy queen Lucille Ball, Jamestown is well-known for those looking to experience the art of comedy, but did you know that it’s also the hometown of artist and naturalist Roger Tory Peterson? Journey through the largest collection of Peterson’s original works at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. This year, the institute celebrates the 90th Anniversary of first Peterson Field Guide and the 40th Anniversary of the founding of RTPI with an exciting lineup of exhibitions, events, and programs. Get to know some of the area’s best artists through the fine art and artisan crafts at the Chautauqua Art Gallery, or witness a theatrical production at the Lucille Ball Little Theater. Have a seat in the gorgeous historic theater at Reg Lenna (pictured) for an unforgettable performance. Admire the beauty of an 1863 Italianate Villa mansion at the Fenton Historical Center, full of exhibits portraying the rich history of the region from the Underground Railroad to Lucille Ball. Just 20 minutes outside of Jamestown is the world-renowned Chautauqua Institution, celebrating its 150th Anniversary summer season with fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs, and recreational activities.
Cazenovia (Central New York)
Credit: @katymatic on Instagram
Credit: @katymatic on Instagram
Set amongst the rolling hills and sprawling countryside of Central New York is the village of Cazenovia. Stroll through the vibrant downtown, where streets are lined with boutiques, specialty shops, museums, and art galleries such as Cazenovia Artisans. Pay a visit to the 1840s Williams’ Gothic revival house that houses the Cazenovia Museum, featuring exhibits on local culture and an Egyptian Tomb with a complete mummy. Or take a tour of a neoclassical mansion at the Lorenzo State Historic Site, which offers a variety of public programs, special events, and seasonal festivals. Explore the sculptures throughout the 104-acre Stone Quarry Hill Art Park and admire the unique relationship between art and nature. CazArts is the village’s hub for all things art, culture, and heritage, so be sure to check their calendar for a full lineup of exciting events. If you aren’t already convinced, Cazenovia also celebrates local artists each September along the Cazenovia Art Trail, where you can take a self-guided tour of artists’ studios!
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