Amy S
When most people think of New York, they probably think of New York City, the former capital of our nation and one of the world’s hubs for great arts and culture. However, New York is a big state, with over 54,000 square miles and a population of nearly 20 million people. And while the state is known for many things, including agriculture, big business, and of course tourism, one of New York’s best assets is its diversity in the arts.
What’s more, the art scene in New York isn’t strictly limited to New York City. If you get up into the Hudson Valley and beyond to the western part of the state, you’ll find many great cities, all with their own bustling and thriving art scene. In fact, you could take a fantastic art trip through the Empire State and not even cross a bridge or tunnel into the Big Apple.
If you’re planning a trip to the east coast and want to get your fix of some of the best arts and culture in the region, take note: here are the top five cities in New York for art lovers.
5. Buffalo
The Nickel City may be known for being a real rust belt type of town, with thousands of manufacturing jobs that slowly but surely left the city in the last quarter of the 20th Century. Still, Buffalo is a big college town, and it’s the second largest city in New York, and its arts offerings are exciting and plentiful. For starters, there’s the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in the city’s Delaware Park, along with the Burchfield Penney Art Center on the campus of Buffalo State College. You’ll also find more than four dozen smaller art galleries sprinkled throughout the city.
If you’re more interested in the performing arts, Buffalo is home to more than 20 theatre companies. And if you love classical music, there’s the always inspiring Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Or, if you’d prefer outdoor art, Buffalo is home to some of the region’s most stunning architecture, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House, considered by many to be one of the famed architects best designs. Finally, if you find yourself in Buffalo during the second weekend of June, check out the Allentown Art Festival for work by over 400 artists.
4. Beacon
The city of Beacon, located in the Hudson Valley on the eastern banks of the Hudson River, has made quite a comeback in recent years, thanks in large part to the resurgence of the community’s arts scene. It’s predominantly been fueled by the opening of The Dia Foundation’s Dia:Beacon contemporary art museum in 2003. Located in an old Nabisco box factory, Dia:Beacon boasts a stunning collection of large scale artwork by well regarded names in the art world.
More than that, though, Beacon is home to lots of galleries in its small but vibrant downtown. Nationally known performers often come through the Beacon Theatre, and there are numerous parks and outdoor spaces containing sculptures and seasonal exhibitions. It’s a small city, for sure, but it has a cool vibe that draws art lovers from all over.
3. Saratoga Springs
This awesomely artsy city just north of Albany has long been a favorite weekend getaway spot for city dwellers, thanks to its many cultural institutions, lovely downtown, and impressive number of things to do. The Saratoga Race Course certainly has a lot of appeal for tourists, but the number of arts and cultural opportunities in Saratoga Springs is impressive. In addition to seasonal outdoor art exhibits, like 2007’s smattering of painted fiberglass horses around the city’s main streets, there are nine museums in the city. These include the Schick Art Gallery, the Saratoga Springs History Museum, the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, and the Saratoga Arts Center.
Performing arts about as well, with the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Opera Saratoga, and a professional theatre company, all right in town. And of course, it wouldn’t be Saratoga Springs without the area’s naturally occurring springs. While these themselves aren’t necessarily art, their natural beauty are a big draw for the city’s tourists.
2. Woodstock
Located in the Catskills, Woodstock may share the same name and vibe of peace and love as the big 1969 music festival, but it’s a city that has really come to be known all on its own as a hub of arts and cultural activity. Many summertime artist colonies pop up there during the warmer months, thanks to the start of both Byrdcliffe and the Summer School of the Art Students League of New York, back at the start of the 20th Century. The Woodstock Artists Association and Museum is located there, as is the Woodstock School of Art. And, for artists who die in Woodstock, there’s even an artists’ cemetery.
Music is, of course, a big part of what makes Woodstock so great. Concerts of all musical genres take place on a regular basis, especially in the summers. A few different theatre companies regularly take to the stage throughout the year, and the whole town just has a laid back, artsy feel to it. Throw in gorgeous natural surroundings and a vibrant local food scene, and you’ve got a real mecca for art in New York.
1. New York City
What can we say? It’s impossible to mention the best cities for art lovers in New York without mentioning New York City. It’s the ne plus ultra of cultural urban centers, with dozens of internationally known art museums, theater galore, symphonic music, concerts featuring every other genre of music, dance and ballet, small and private galleries, and so much more. In fact, it’s more or less impossible to take a trip into NYC and not have an encounter with the arts.
As for favorite stops for the arts in the Big Apple, that’s a whole other list. Highlights include, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum of Art, the Modern Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of Art, the New Museum, the Frick Collection, the Metropolitan Opera House, the New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, and theatres both on and off Broadway. However much time you plan to spend taking in the arts in NYC won’t be enough — that’s how much there is to see and do and experience. Still, you’ll have a marvelous time trying to fit in as much as possible.
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