Storm King Art Center

New York City is a hub for art but if you want to get out of the city for a day or weekend, there are some great outdoor sculpture parks within a two-hour radius of the city. It’s hard to describe the feeling of wandering around these giant landscapes and spotting the curious mirage-like works of art in the distance as you make your way to get a closer look. These New York sculpture parks (and one in New Jersey!) bring you to artful destinations and are still only a day trip away. Just head to the Hudson Valley, drive a bit upstate to Saugerties or out to the New Jersey countryside…even hop the Long Island Railroad over to Nassau County or further and be home the same day.

1. Long House Reserve, East Hampton, NY

Buckminster Fuller, Fly's Eye Dome at longhouse reserve, one of many New York Sculpture parks
Photo Courtesy of Richard Lewin

LongHouse Reserve was created by the late Jack Lenor Larsen, an internationally known textile designer, author, and collector. The Reserve sits on land that surrounds Larsen’s modernist home and gardens. Spread out over 16 acres, there are nearly 60 works of art from famous names like Buckminster Fuller, Yoko Ono, and Willem de Kooning. You can visit April through December, Wednesdays through Sundays from 12:30 and 5 PM. It is encouraged that tickets be purchased in advance.