For art advisors, travel is more than a leisure pursuit — it’s an essential part of engaging with the evolving landscape of contemporary art. From museum-quality outdoor installations to intimate private collections, these five U.S. destinations offer immersive experiences that inspire both connoisseurship and connection. Below, we’ve paired each stop with Art Market Liaison’s favorite hotel and restaurant to elevate your stay.
Where are you traveling this summer?
1. Donum Estate (Sonoma, California)
Why Go: An internationally renowned 200-acre winery and one of the largest private sculpture parks within the United States, Donum Estate offers an unforgettable blend of contemporary art, stunning landscape design, and fine wine. With works by Ai Weiwei, Doug Aitken, and Louise Bourgeois installed across the site, this is a dream destination for collectors who appreciate immersive experiences and the finer things in life. Don’t miss the latest installation Oracle by Sanford Biggers, unveiling officially for the first time this summer.
Art Market Liaison recommends:
- Hotel: The Estate Yountville – Located just a short drive from Sonoma, this luxe Napa Valley resort combines contemporary comfort with wine country charm. Its serene setting, lush gardens, and central location make it a perfect home base for collectors exploring the region.
- Restaurant: SingleThread – A three-Michelin-star restaurant in nearby Healdsburg, offering a Japanese-influenced farm-to-table tasting menu curated with artistic precision.
2. Glenstone (Potomac, Maryland)
Why Go: Known for its contemplative atmosphere, Glenstone is a destination for those who value deep engagement with postwar and contemporary art. Located just a short drive outside of Washington, D.C., its serene, nature-integrated pavilions display work by Agnes Martin, Charles Ray, and Richard Serra, with no wall text or distractions — just art, architecture, and space to think.
Art Market Liaison recommends:
- Hotel: The Line DC – Set in a 110-year-old church in Adams Morgan, this art-savvy hotel reflects D.C.’s creative energy and is a short drive from Glenstone.
- Restaurant: Reverie – A Michelin-starred gem tucked away in Georgetown offering contemporary fine dining that feels both intimate and adventurous — perfect for post-museum reflection.
3. Storm King (New Windsor, New York)
Why Go: Just over an hour from NYC, Storm King is one of the most celebrated sculpture parks in the world, with works by Mark di Suvero, Ursula von Rydingsvard, and Maya Lin spread across 500 bucolic acres. It’s an essential destination for advisors working with clients interested in commissioning large-scale work or investing in public art – especially now following its $53 million expansion that was unveiled in May 2025.
Art Market Liaison recommends:
- Hotel: Deer Mountain Inn – While located in Tannersville, NY, about a 45-minute scenic drive from Storm King, this intimate Catskills lodge is the perfect romantic getaway. Stretch your legs across its 168-acre property and scenic abode.
- Restaurant: Swoon – Locally sourced, inventive New American cuisine from a husband-wife team in a lively, upscale space based in Hudson, NY.
4. Palm Springs Architecture & Design Center (Palm Springs, California)
Why Go: Palm Springs boasts the largest concentration of mid-century modern architecture in the United States, with over 2,000 Desert Modernist homes and landmark buildings by visionaries like Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, Donald Wexler, William Krisel, and John Lautner. The city’s Architecture & Design Center is a treasure trove for anyone in art collecting or interior design seeking clean lines, open spaces, and desert aesthetics that harmonize art, architecture, and environment.
Art Market Liaison recommends:
- Hotel: Ingleside Estate – A historic Spanish-Revival mansion transformed into an intimate boutique retreat in downtown Palm Springs. It offers quietly luxurious villas and common spaces that evoke the region’s design legacy
- Restaurant: Bar Cecil – An exuberant cocktail lounge with sumptuous design, bold patterns, and a curated modern art collection featuring works reminiscent of Calder and Warhol.
5. Casa Wabi, Oaxaca, Mexico
Why Go: Set on the Pacific coast of Mexico, Casa Wabi is a foundation, residency, and architectural marvel created by artist Bosco Sodi and designed by Tadao Ando. Combining contemporary art programming with a strong commitment to local community engagement, Casa Wabi draws serious collectors, curators, and art advisors from around the world. Its striking brutalist architecture, rotating exhibitions, and connection to the surrounding natural environment make it a standout destination for those interested in how art collecting can intersect with philanthropy, experimentation, and cultural dialogue.
Art Market Liaison recommends:
- Hotel: Hotel Escondido – One of the first properties to emerge in tandem with Casa Wabi, this off-grid boutique retreat features 16 secluded beachfront bungalows surrounded by forest. Designed with sustainability and refined minimalism, it’s ideal for contemplative stays.
- Restaurant: Kakurega Omakase – A hidden gem located nearby at Punta Pájaros, offering a 12-seat omakase experience blending Japanese precision with Oaxacan ingredients. Reservations are intimate and exclusive, mirroring the curated ethos of Casa Wabi.
