FOLLOW THE ARTISTS

Fly into: JFK International Airport, New York (JFK)

Check out: The Hudson Valley

The lure: Art meets nature. Starting just a half-hour north of the city, you can admire the scenery that inspired the 19th-century Hudson River School of painters—and discover important contemporary artworks.

The experience: Manhattan empties out on summer weekends, when locals head to the Hamptons or Europe. Forgo the beach for the greenery (and scant crowds) of the Hudson Valley. Quite close to the city, the region has a number of quiet towns and art sites worth exploring. Drive north along the river, stopping at the Storm King Art Center in Mountainville with its 500-acre sculpture park (pictured), the Olana State Historic Site (Hudson River artist Frederick Church's mansion turned museum), the antique stores in the town of Hudson, and the über-modern installments at the Dia in Beacon—an art museum that stands in stark contrast to the bucolic landscapes of the Hudson River School. And staying at the Castle on the Hudson in Tarrytown (which, yes, looks like one) means you'll be close to the area's best restaurant, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, known for ingredients grown on its own farm.

Oh, and: Why not spend the last night in Manhattan? It'll be easier to fly out in the morning, and it's a chance to stay at a trendy spot like the Bryant Park Hotel—where the crowd and stylish decor will be a nice contrast to the down-to-earth attitudes you just experienced.

Castle on the Hudson
Tel: 800 616 4487
Doubles from $340

Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Tel: 914 366 9600

Bryant Park Hotel
Tel: 877 640 9300
Doubles from $365

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