In a country as large and diverse as the United States, it’s no surprise that it’s rich in art and artists. Almost anywhere you go, you can enjoy local and regional art in museums, shows, and other display venues. So what are the best cities for art? Following are 12 must-visits for any art lover.
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New York, NY
The Big Apple is not only America’s art capital but one of the world’s most renowned cities for its art scene. Museums and galleries abound, including the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art.
Austin, TX
The capital of Texas bills itself as the live music capital of the world, but it’s also a top city for the arts overall. A top attraction is the Blanton Museum of Art, and you can also enjoy outdoor exhibitions and street art.
Los Angeles, CA
The contemporary art scene makes L.A. a premier art city, and a great place to experience it is the Getty Center. There are many other galleries and museums, and the climate supports a thriving street art scene,
San Francisco, CA
This famous city is California’s epicenter of the arts and cultural diversity. Galleries, museums, and other art institutions abound and display traditional and modern art from all over the world. Two of the most famous are the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the de Young Museum.
Berkeley, CA
In terms of art-related businesses relative to the city population, Berkeley actually beats out L.A. and San Francisco. Don’t miss the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archives, an art museum, archive, and movie theater all in one.
Chicago, IL
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s largest and best art museums, with works by renowned artists from all over the world. Art festivals occur throughout the year in the Windy City, and numerous small and independent galleries showcase local talent.
New Orleans, LA
The Big Easy is known around the world for its incredible art and music scene. Get started at the New Orleans Museum of Art, but then start exploring the many other museums and galleries while also taking in the festivals and street art. New Orleans is also one of the best cities in the country, and really the world, for dining, so take the time to enjoy some gumbo, jambalaya, and other Cajun and Creole dishes that are better here than they are anywhere else.
Santa Fe, NM
If New York is the nation’s art capital, then Santa Fe is the art capital of the Southwest. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty that served as the inspiration for much of the work of Georgia O’Keefe, the city is home to several galleries and art festivals. It’s also noteworthy for its historic buildings and churches showing Spanish and Native American influence.
Charleston, SC
The cultural capital of the South, Charleston is a draw for its charm, elegance, weather, proximity to the sea, and art scene. On Gallery Row alone, there are more than 50 galleries and exhibition spaces among the cobblestone streets.
Savannah, GA
Not far down the coast from Charleston is Savannah, and no trip to one is complete without a visit to the other. There are 23 museums in this mid-sized city and also 1 art-related business for every 2,525 people.
Miami, FL
Every year, thousands of people attend the Famous Art Basel at Miami Beach, where cutting-edge contemporary works are on display. Other sites not to miss include the Perez Art Museum Miami and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
The “Venice of America” is home to a vibrant arts community. Check out the NSU Art Museum and the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. The latter preserves the estate of Chicago-born artist Frederic Clay Bartlett, who lived there (the estate) with his wife Evelyn.
Discover the 12 Most Popular Museums in the World
Whether you want to glimpse our history, appreciate fine art, or learn about our universe, the museum is the place to go. There are many all over the world, but here are some of the most popular.
Discover the 12 Most Popular Museums in the World
20 Most Popular Museums in the U.S. to Visit in 2023
“The only way to understand painting is to go and look at it.
And if out of a million visitors there is even one to whom art means something, that is enough to justify museums.”
—Pierre-Auguste Renoir
It is inspiring that the words of a French painter born in the 1800s ring true today. Museums, whether they house art, science, history, or ideas, hold keys to our past and future. Museums are wonderful places for a variety of reasons, allowing us to open our minds to explore history, culture, art, and science. They are also powerful economic engines fueling America with over 726,000 jobs and contributing $50 billion to the U.S. economy annually. Museums are great places to bring the family, go on a first date, take a classroom full of curious minds, or escape for an afternoon.
Take a few minutes from your hectic day and click through our slideshow to find a museum that sparks your interest. Go out and join the millions of people who visit museums each year. You never know what you might discover.
20 Most Popular Museums in the U.S. to Visit in 2023
Unleash Your Inner History Buff: 27 Fascinating Washington DC Museums
Washington DC museums are plentiful and offer a variety of exciting learning experiences. Whether you’re interested in art, espionage, history, science, the Armed Forces, or natural history, there’s a museum to satisfy your curiosity.
Museum lovers can plan an entire day, or even multiple days, exploring all the excellent options in the area. And many of these museums offer free admission!
From life-size dinosaur skeletons at the Natural History Museum to the beautiful sculptures at the National Gallery of Art, these museums give you a glimpse into human history and culture from multiple perspectives. Below, we’ll explore several Washington DC museums you can tour while visiting the nation’s capital.
Unleash Your Inner History Buff: 27 Fascinating Washington DC Museums
This article was produced by Our Woven Journey.