As we are in the midst of Summer 2023, art enthusiasts across the country are making the most of the remaining warm days to explore some of the most captivating art destinations in the United States. From the sun-kissed coasts of California to the vibrant landscapes of New York, the country is brimming with artistic treasures waiting to be discovered.
We have curated a list of the top art destinations that are a must-visit for every art lover. These destinations offer a unique blend of modern and contemporary art, promising an enriching and immersive experience.
The Getty Center, California
Perched atop the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles, the Getty Center is more than just an art museum; it’s a cultural oasis that offers breathtaking views of the city and the Pacific Ocean. The museum is renowned for its extensive collection of European paintings, sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, and decorative arts. It also houses an impressive collection of American and European photographs. The architecture of the Getty Center itself, designed by Richard Meier, is a modernist masterpiece that complements the art within. The museum’s Central Garden, a living sculpture created by artist Robert Irwin, is a must-see.
The National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
Located in the heart of the nation’s capital, the National Gallery of Art is a treasure trove of artistic wonders. The museum’s collection spans centuries and continents, featuring works from the Middle Ages to the present, from Europe, North America, and beyond. The museum’s collection includes masterpieces by artists such as Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh. The National Gallery of Art is also home to the Sculpture Garden, where visitors can enjoy large-scale works in an outdoor setting. The museum’s East Building, designed by I.M. Pei, is a work of art in itself, featuring a dramatic angular design that stands out among Washington’s classical architecture.
The Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois
Situated in Chicago’s Grant Park, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. The museum’s collection is extraordinarily diverse, encompassing ancient artifacts, Old Master paintings, contemporary art, and more. It is particularly renowned for its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, including Grant Wood’s iconic “American Gothic.” The museum’s Modern Wing, designed by Renzo Piano, houses the museum’s collection of 20th and 21st-century art, and offers stunning views of the Chicago skyline and Millennium Park, including the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as “The Bean.”
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Known affectionately as “the Met,” the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is one of the world’s most famous art museums. The museum’s collection spans 5,000 years and includes art from every corner of the globe. From ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary photography, the Met offers something for every art lover. The museum’s European Paintings department includes works by masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh, while the American Wing features iconic works from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The Met’s rooftop garden offers rotating installations and panoramic views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, with its iconic steps made famous by the movie “Rocky,” is one of the largest art museums in the United States. The museum’s collection spans more than 2,000 years and includes a wide range of art, from Asian and European masterpieces to contemporary works. The museum is particularly known for its collection of armor, its American art, and its Modern and Contemporary departments. The museum’s main building is a neoclassical masterpiece, offering stunning views of the Philadelphia skyline from its east entrance. The museum’s Perelman Building, located across the street, houses the museum’s collections of costume and textiles, prints, drawings, and photographs.
Other top museums
- The Seattle Art Museum, Washington: Located in the heart of downtown Seattle, the Seattle Art Museum, often referred to as SAM, is a hub for art enthusiasts. The museum’s collection is diverse, featuring art from around the world, including European and Asian art, contemporary and modern art, as well as an extensive collection of Native American works. The museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park, located on the waterfront, offers large-scale outdoor sculptures against the backdrop of the stunning Seattle skyline and Elliott Bay. The Seattle Asian Art Museum, a branch of SAM located in Volunteer Park, houses the museum’s Asian art collection in a historic Art Deco building.
- The Denver Art Museum, Colorado: The Denver Art Museum, known for its distinctive architecture and expansive collections, is one of the largest art museums between the West Coast and Chicago. The museum is renowned for its collection of American Indian Art, which spans nearly 2,000 years and includes over 16,000 art objects from tribes across North America. The museum also offers a wide range of other collections, including modern and contemporary art, European and American painting and sculpture, and a vast collection of pre-Columbian and Spanish Colonial art. The museum’s Hamilton Building, designed by Daniel Libeskind, is a work of art in itself, with its bold, geometric design.
- The Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio: Located in the vibrant University Circle neighborhood, the Cleveland Museum of Art is one of the most visited art museums in the world. The museum’s collection is vast and varied, featuring more than 61,000 works from all periods and genres, including Asian and Egyptian art, medieval European art, and a vast array of American art. The museum’s recent renovation and expansion, completed in 2013, added a new glass atrium, creating a stunning light-filled space that is one of the largest of its kind in the United States.
- The Menil Collection, Texas: Nestled in the heart of Houston, the Menil Collection is a unique art museum that houses the personal art collection of founders John and Dominique de Menil. The museum’s collection includes approximately 17,000 artworks, ranging from antiquity to the present day. The collection is particularly strong in Surrealist art, European modernism, contemporary and modern art, and the arts of Africa, Oceania, and the American Pacific Northwest. The museum’s main building, designed by Renzo Piano, is a masterpiece of museum design, providing an intimate and tranquil setting for viewing art.
- The Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabama: Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the Birmingham Museum of Art is one of the Southeast’s premier cultural institutions. The museum’s collection is diverse, featuring more than 27,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and decorative arts. The museum is known for its collection of Asian art, which is the most comprehensive in the Southeast, as well as its collection of European and American decorative arts. The museum’s eight-acre outdoor sculpture garden offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city.
- The Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona: The Phoenix Art Museum, located in Phoenix, Arizona, is the largest art museum in the Southwestern United States. The museum’s collection includes more than 20,000 objects, with a particular emphasis on American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The museum’s Thorne Miniature Rooms, a collection of intricately detailed miniature rooms, is a visitor favorite.
- The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Arkansas: Nestled in the Ozark woods in Bentonville, Arkansas, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art houses a remarkable collection of American art from the colonial era to the present. The museum’s architecture, designed by Moshe Safdie, integrates seamlessly with the surrounding natural landscape, with pavilions arranged around two spring-fed ponds.
- The Portland Museum of Art, Maine: Located in the heart of downtown Portland, Maine, the Portland Museum of Art is the largest and oldest public art institution in the state. The museum’s collection includes more than 22,000 artworks, ranging from 18th-century European paintings to contemporary art. The museum’s Winslow Homer Studio, located on the rugged coast of Prouts Neck, Maine, is a unique historic site where the artist lived and worked.
- The St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri: Perched atop Art Hill in St. Louis’s historic Forest Park, the St. Louis Art Museum is one of the leading comprehensive art museums in the country. The museum’s collection includes more than 34,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of history. The museum’s collection of modern and contemporary art includes significant works by artists such as Jackson Pollock, Gerhard Richter, and Andy Warhol.
- The Honolulu Museum of Art, Hawaii: Located in the heart of Honolulu, the Honolulu Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the state of Hawaii. The museum’s collection includes more than 50,000 works, with a particular emphasis on Asian art, European and American painting and decorative arts, textiles, and traditional works from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.
As summer fades into fall, these art destinations offer a perfect getaway, promising a blend of culture, history, and beauty. So, pack your bags and set off on an artistic adventure that promises to be both enlightening and inspiring.