For some of us, the idea of a summer vacation is a fantastical memory from childhood, now seeming a far cry from demanding jobs and lack of PTO. But the same cultural rejuvenation can be yours—if only for a day. Whether by bus, train or if you want to get fancy and rent a car, an art-filled daycation could be just what you need this summer to get that vacation glow. From Jackson Pollock’s Hamptons studio and Dia Beacon’s minimalist art collection to the Rockefeller family’s historic mansion Kykuit and the Gilded Age ruins of Bannerman Castle, we’ve rounded up 10 artsy day trips that are just a stone’s throw from NYC.

Architecture, Green Design

Steven Holl’s ‘Writing With Light House’ Plays with the Light That Filters through Its Wooden Skin

Steven Holl, wooden house, seaside home, Writing With Light House, Jackson Pollock, Long Island, wood and glass

American architect and watercolorist Steven Holl was inspired by Jackson Pollock’s 1949 ‘Seven in Eight’ paintings when designing this stunning property. Called the ‘Writing With Light House’, it stands near the former abstract expressionist painter’s studio on Long Island and features wide-open interiors brightened with natural light. Boasting a striking linear wooden skin that lets the elements filter through, the power of this design can be best appreciated when the light lines inside play with the spaces throughout the day.

Learn more about this playful wooden house

Celebrities, Cool Listings, Greenwich Village, Interiors

Jackson Pollock’s Former Greenwich Village Apartment Hits the Market for $1.25M

46 Carmine Street, Jackson Pollock, Luis D. Ortiz

You won’t find any paint-splattered masterpieces here, but you will get the exclusive bragging rights of saying you live in the former home of Jackson Pollock at 46 Carmine Street. And if that wasn’t enough of a conversation starter, the Greenwich Village building was once owned by Aaron Burr.

Million Dollar Listing New York star Luis D. Ortiz announced the $1.25 million listing via Instagram, which is not surprising considering how photogenic this one-bedroom, top-floor unit is. The 800-square-foot home boats 14-foot, Tudor-style beamed ceilings with skylights; exposed whitewashed brick walls; and a cozy fireplace.

Tour the former Pollock pad