To celebrate World Art Day on April 15th, we’re featuring the best art focused American road trips connecting the nation’s cultural capitals. Each journey combines breathtaking scenery, exceptional accommodations, and unforgettable art experiences.
1. The Northeast Art Corridor: New York to Boston
Begin at The Frick Collection in NYC, followed by a private tour of MoMA. Stay at The Mark Hotel on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Drive to New Haven for the Yale University Art Gallery, then continue to the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA. End in Boston with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and stay at the XV Beacon hotel with its own art collection.
Luxury touch: Book a chauffeured Bentley to navigate the route while you enjoy the scenery.
2. California Art & Wine Trail: San Francisco to Los Angeles
Start at SFMOMA with a curator-led experience and stay at the St. Regis San Francisco. Visit the renowned art collection at Hearst Castle en route.
When it reopens, explore the Getty Villa in Malibu with reserved entry. End at The Broad in downtown LA and stay at Hotel Bel-Air or the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.
Luxury touch: Schedule private wine tastings at exclusive vineyards along the central coast, featuring limited-edition artist-designed labels.
3. Southern Heritage & Contemporary Art: New Orleans to Miami
Start with a private collection tour in New Orleans’ Garden District. Book a stay at Maison Métier or The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans and visit the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.
Continue to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. Finish your arty American road trip at the Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Rubell Museum. Stay at the stunning Faena Hotel Miami Beach.
Luxury touch: Arrange helicopter transfers between select cities to maximize time at each artistic destination.
4. Desert Modernism: Santa Fe to Palm Springs
Begin at SITE Santa Fe and then the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Stay at the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado.
Visit Scottsdale’s impressive public art installations and tour the extraordinary collections at Phoenix Art Museum. End at the Palm Springs Art Museum and book a stay at the Parker Palm Springs.
Luxury touch: Coordinate with galleries for private viewings and artist meet-and-greets in each location.
5. Great Lakes Art Adventure: Chicago to Detroit
Start at the Art Institute of Chicago with an exclusive skip-the-line guided tour. Check out some of the most photogenic Chicago sights and stay at The Peninsula Chicago or The Blackstone.
Next, visit the Milwaukee Art Museum’s architectural marvel. Tour the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. End at the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Stay at the Book the Detroit Foundation Hotel.
Luxury touch: Enjoy a private boat tour of Lake Michigan featuring architectural highlights and waterfront sculpture parks.
6. Pacific Northwest Art Odyssey: Portland to Vancouver
Begin your journey at the Portland Art Museum with its impressive Native American collection. Stay at The Nines hotel, itself a showcase for local artists.
Drive north to Seattle’s Olympic Sculpture Park with its stunning Puget Sound backdrop. Visit the Seattle Art Museum for its exemplary Asian art collections.
Continue to the breathtaking Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle. Cross the border to Vancouver for the Vancouver Art Gallery and Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. Conclude your stay at the Fairmont Pacific Rim with its own impressive art program.
Luxury touch: Charter a seaplane between Seattle and Vancouver for magnificent aerial views of the cascading landscapes that inspire regional artists.
7. Rocky Mountain Art Expedition: Denver to Santa Fe
Start at the Denver Art Museum with its striking Daniel Libeskind architecture and renowned American Indian collection. Stay at The Art Hotel Denver, where each floor is curated as its own gallery.
Wind through the mountains to Aspen to visit the Aspen Art Museum. Continue to Taos to explore its historic art colony at Taos Historic Museums and Millicent Rogers Museum in El Prado.
Complete your journey in Santa Fe at Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return immersive art installation. Rest at The Inn of the Five Graces with its intricate artisanal decor.
Luxury touch: Engage a professional photographer to document your journey through these dramatically beautiful landscapes and artistic venues.
8. Mid-Atlantic Heritage Route: Washington DC to Hudson Valley
Begin with privileged access to the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. Stay at the Jefferson Hotel with its collection of original documents and artwork.
Drive to Baltimore for the American Visionary Art Museum’s unique outsider art collection. Continue to Philadelphia for the Barnes Foundation’s unparalleled Impressionist works.
Journey to the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford to explore the Wyeth family legacy. Conclude in New York’s Hudson Valley at the spectacular Dia Beacon and Storm King Art Center.
Stay at Glenmere Mansion, a Relais & Châteaux property filled with fine art.
Luxury touch: Reserve a table at Blue Hill at Stone Barns for an artistic culinary experience that complements your art tour.
9. Southern Music & Visual Arts Trail: Nashville to Memphis
Commence your artistic journey in Nashville at the Frist Art Museum housed in a stunning Art Deco building. Stay at the 21c Museum Hotel, where contemporary art gallery meets luxury accommodation.
Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame for its cultural artifacts. Drive to Memphis to explore the Brooks Museum of Art and its impressive collection spanning 5,000 years.
Experience the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. Stay at The Memphian, The Peabody or the River Inn of Harbor Town with its classic Mississippi River views.
Luxury touch: Arrange for a private studio session with renowned Nashville session musicians, creating your own artistic souvenir.
10. Texas Triangle Art Circuit: Dallas to Austin to Houston
Begin in Dallas at the Dallas Museum of Art and the adjacent Nasher Sculpture Center. Stay at The Joule hotel with its impressive contemporary art collection.
Drive to Fort Worth for the Kimbell Art Museum and its Louis Kahn architecture. Continue to Austin for the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas and the modern art scene at The Contemporary Austin.
Finish in Houston at the Museum of Fine Arts, the remarkable Menil Collection and nearby Rothko Chapel. Stay at The Post Oak Hotel with its multi-million-dollar art collection.
Luxury touch: Commission a custom piece from a Texas artist encountered along your journey, creating a lasting memory of your art exploration.
For each road trip, consider engaging a personal art consultant who can arrange behind-the-scenes access, introduce you to gallery owners, and provide expert context as you move between destinations. The most luxurious art road trips are those that offer not just comfort, but connection – to artists, collectors, and the stories behind American masterpieces.
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