Five art galleries to visit on the Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is a canvas of creative inspiration where prestigious galleries showcase a blend of cutting-edge talent and timeless masterpieces. It’s a neighborhood that’s always evolving, perfect for those with a passion for creativity.

Every season unveils something new: exclusive exhibitions, private sales, and emerging spaces that keep the city’s creative pulse alive. New York thrives on this ever-changing artistic landscape and we're here to help you tap into its energy with a few of our favorite local art spots.

Even better, all these galleries are just steps from The Surrey, making it easy to wander through them at your own pace or plan a leisurely art-filled afternoon.

1. Richard Gray - for the innovative visualist

Building on the legacy of Chicago collector Richard Gray, the GRAY team brings over 60 years of adventurous collecting and artistic exploration. Expect reappraisals of modern masters (think Alexander Calder or Alex Katz) and shows featuring upcoming talents who will soon join the pantheon.

Recent shows highlight the gallery's commitment to diversity, ranging from a full-scale David Hockney gallery takeover to a fresh soundscape installation by New Yorker Torkwase Dyson.

Richard Gray's New York showroom is situated on Madison Avenue. You can visit any time from Sunday to Friday - although we recommend a private appointment on Saturday. That's the best time to savor every artwork with minimal distractions.

2. Helly Nahmad Gallery - for the admirers of the renowned 

Founded in 2001, Helly Nahmad is the place to encounter legends. The gallery has a distinguished roster of previous exhibitors, from Chagall and de Chirico to Kandinsky, Ernst, and Pablo Picasso. While the gallery is intimate and exclusive, the content is on par with the Metropolitan and other renowned museums - a perfect situation for true art lovers.

Exhibitions at Helly Nahmad are never sprawling. The curators keep things tightly focused, choosing pieces with precision. They also provide plenty of context to unveil the creative process and explain how these artistic masterpieces came to be.

There's no better place to learn about the fractured visions of Calder and Picasso or the dialogue between modernism and ancient Greece. But we're happy to visit for a casual browse. The gallery is located at 975 Madison, not far from the Surrey and well within reach for an afternoon visit.

3. Acquavella Galleries - for lovers of Italy's past 

New York and Italy are intertwined, whether you're wrapping linguine around your fork or watching the latest Scorsese movie. And that's no different in the highest echelons of the Upper East Side art world.

Acquavella is the product of a three-generation love affair with Italian art. Started in the 1920s (and still run by the Acquavella family), the East 79th Street gallery offers a cornucopia of Renaissance beauty.

But Bella Italia isn't the end of the story. Recent years have seen Acquavella branch out, acquiring a stunning collection of Cubist, surrealist, and post-impressionist works. Anticipate glimpses of 20th-century masters like Léger and Klee alongside venerated New Yorkers like Basquiat.

Acquavella also regularly handles sales for major collectors and high-profile legacies. So while you enjoy the latest collections, you may also discover pieces to revitalize your collection. In any case, this is an unmissable Upper East Side art destination.

4. Nicholas Hall Gallery - for the old soul 

The Upper East Side attracts art from every age, from the ancients to the hyper-moderns. However, few collections match the richness and beauty of the Old Masters at the Nicholas Hall Gallery.

Old Masters encompass European works produced from around 1300 through to 1750. That's a huge spread, and it's easy to create stale shows featuring sub-standard filler pieces. This never happens at Nicholas Hall.

Halle's gallery hosts museum-quality exhibitions before venerated works reach the Guggenheim or the Met. For instance, visitors have had the chance to wonder at Fontana's "Marriage Feast at Cana" before arrival at LA's Getty Museum.

Every season, countless masterworks hang in the tranquil gallery, a world away from museum crowds. Doesn't that sound sublime? Even better, the East 76th Street location is a few minutes from The Surrey's lobby. 

5. Skarstedt Gallery - for the eclectic eye

Our final choice ranges widely to deliver unconventional works that challenge the eye. The Skarstedt Gallery on East 79th Street reflects New York's restless desire to shape the world. It's a place to encounter the surprising and - sometimes - unsettling works that tackle contemporary themes.

Recent shows have included a radical reimagining of graffiti tags by New Yorker KAWS, Cristina BanBan's deconstructions of modern femininity, and astonishing abstract works from Secundo Hernández. Expect radical energy, vibrant color, and pure audacity with every opening.