15 Incredible Art Museums Across America You Need to Visit
Art is capable of uplifting, inspiring, and amazing us. An American art critic, Jerry Saltz, says, “Don’t go to a museum with a destination. Museums are wormholes to other worlds. They are ecstasy machines. Follow your eyes to wherever they lead you…and the world should begin to change for you.”
Museums in America do this exceptionally well! For ancient treasure buffs or lovers of cutting-edge contemporary pieces, these 15 art museums promise unforgettable experiences.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), New York
Discover the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s oldest and most famous museums. According to its official website, it has over 5,000 years of art!
The Met has it all: works of ancient Egyptian artifacts, European masterpieces, and modern American art. Make sure to catch the Temple of Dendur or Van Gogh’s Wheat Field with Cypresses.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City
Love modern art? This is your spot. This museum’s collection incorporates contemporary and modern art. It has incredible masterpieces dating from the 1880s to the present.
Works by Picasso, Warhol, and Kahlo are found at MoMA. Van Gogh’s Starry Night is a must-see!
The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago
Are you an art enthusiast? This museum is a paradise for art lovers! It has thousands of artworks collected from all over the world.
View American Gothic by Grant Wood and A Sunday on La Grande Jatte by Seurat. Their Impressionist collection is legendary.
The National Gallery of Art, Washington
It is a gold mine of Western art. The Gallery’s collection has 141,000 paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, decorative arts, and new media that showcase the evolution of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present- Visit Washington DC.
See Vermeer, Monet, and Rembrandt − walk through and marvel at their galleries. I.M. Pei’s East Building is an architectural masterpiece.
Getty Center, Los Angeles
Located high above L.A., this museum is stunning in more ways than one. This iconic museum attracts nearly one and a half million visitors worldwide, and international visitors account for 25%.
There are European paintings, decorative arts, and magnificent gardens. The view? It’s certainly worth the trip!
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Los Angeles
LACMA’s eclectic collection spans the globe. It understands how to represent the unique and diverse Los Angeles population.
Marvel at state-of-the-art ancient artifacts and contemporary art. Once there, you also can catch a selfie with Chris Burden’s Urban Light installation.
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City
Discover modern and contemporary American art. Its official website says, “Today, our collection features works by over 4,000 artists, including luminaries like Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alexander Calder, and Faith Ringgold.”
Edward Hopper’s Early Sunday Morning will definitely enchant you! The museum also features exhibits for emerging artists; don’t miss them!
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), San Francisco
Modern art is all this West Coast gem is about. Enjoy galleries featuring Rothko, Kahlo, and incredible photography.
After enjoying the iconic artworks, you can relax at the rooftop sculpture garden and be awed by the living wall- these are masterpieces too!
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia
Yes, it’s the home of the “Rocky Steps,” the 72 iconic steps leading up to the museum’s entrance that were featured in the 1976 Oscar-winning film Rocky. The museum has 240,000 artworks! See European paintings, Asian art, and stunning modern works.
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland
This museum’s collection is encyclopedic, spanning thousands of years. According to its official website, It is renowned for its impeccable collection which has more than 66,500 artworks that showcase 6,000 years of art.
Enjoy ancient Egyptian artifacts, Asian ceramics, and European masterpieces. Plus, it’s free to enter!
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City
It is recognizable by its iconic “Shuttlecocks” sculptures on the lawn. It has artwork dated back to 5,000 years! You’ll explore and interact with remarkable Asian art and contemporary photography.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville
This museum centers on American art and has a natural setting. The architecture is spectacular- it blends really well with the surroundings.
In 2023, the museum had nearly 785,000 visitors. Some of the highlights are works by Norman Rockwell and Asher B. Durand.
Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas
This museum’s collection covers continents and centuries. Dallas Arts District notes that the global collection has over 24,000 works of art ranging from 5,000 years ago.
Here, you’ll see African sculptures, Asian scrolls, and modern installations. It’s definitely a must-visit in Texas.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington
Two words best describe the museum: avant-garde and unforgettable. The Hirshhorn Museum celebrates modern and contemporary art.
You will be amazed by the bold installations and stunning outdoor sculptures, which are one of the reasons it’s so famous among art lovers.
The Frick Collection, New York City
The Frick feels intimate and elegant. Visiting there will have you feeling like you are taking a step into another era.
Masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Gainsborough will keep you amazed throughout the visit. The building has a unique charm that makes the museum experience incomparable!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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