The Hamptons have a rich artistic heritage and there is no better time to visit than the early autumn when the foliage is beginning to change color and the natural beauty of the East End of Long Island is uncluttered by summer crowds. (See Summer’s Best Kept Secret). It is an easy day trip or overnight visit from NYC. There are several key destinations to anchor your visit and many galleries in the area to fill out your itinerary. Here are some of the highlights:

• Pollack Krasner House & Study Center, Springs, East Hampton: The former home and studio of abstract expressionist Jackson Pollack and his wife Lee Krasner, which includes a guided tour (by appointment/reservation) and exhibition on their lives and work plus visiting temporary exhibitions, currently 15 Minutes: Homage to Andy Warhol;
• LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton: Arboretum and sculpture gardens designed by Jack Lenor Larsen and dedicated to the fusion of art and nature, with a special emphasis on landscape as an art form;
• Guild Hall Museum, East Hampton:  Current exhibition by Richard Prince showing a new body of work based upon photographs of Jackson Pollack at work;
• The Dan Flavin Art Institue, Bridgehampton: Renovated firehouse housing a permanent installation of works in fluorescent light created by Dan Flavin, with a gallery for visiting temporary exhibitions, currently Koo Jeong A: Constellation Congress; and
• Parrish Art Museum, Southampton: Museum of American art with a particular focus on the East End of Long Island, with a current juried exhibition of work by local artists entitled Artists Choose Artists.