Unearth The Voyage
America is home to some of the world’s most incredible art museums, each offering a unique window into human creativity across centuries and cultures. Whether you’re drawn to ancient treasures, modern masterpieces, or contemporary installations, these institutions provide unforgettable experiences that inspire and educate.
From coast to coast, these fifteen museums stand out as must-visit destinations for anyone who loves art and wants to explore the very best collections the country has to offer.
1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) – New York City, NY
Walking through 5,000 years of human creativity in a single afternoon is exactly what The Met offers, a mind-blowing journey, with collections spanning ancient Egypt, European paintings, American decorative arts, and so much more.
With two locations in New York City, this museum gives you endless opportunities to explore different cultures and time periods. You could spend weeks here and still discover something new every visit.
Plan to wear comfortable shoes because the galleries stretch on for what feels like miles, each room more fascinating than the last.
2. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) – New York City, NY
Van Gogh’s Starry Night hangs here, along with works by Picasso, Warhol, and countless other artists who changed how we see the world. MoMA is where you come face-to-face with the paintings and sculptures you’ve seen in textbooks your whole life.
The museum regularly rotates its collection displays, so repeat visitors always find fresh perspectives. Special exhibitions bring in groundbreaking contemporary work from around the globe.
Don’t skip the design and architecture galleries, where everyday objects are celebrated as art forms worth studying and appreciating.
3. Art Institute of Chicago – Chicago, IL
Right on Michigan Avenue sits one of America’s most treasured art destinations, home to Grant Wood’s American Gothic and Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. These iconic works alone make the visit worthwhile, but they’re just the beginning.
The collection reaches across continents and centuries, from ancient artifacts to cutting-edge contemporary pieces. The museum’s location makes it easy to combine your art adventure with exploring downtown Chicago.
Families love the interactive spaces designed to help younger visitors connect with art in hands-on, memorable ways.
4. National Gallery of Art – Washington, DC
Here’s something amazing: you can explore world-class art from the Renaissance to today without paying a single penny for admission. The National Gallery offers free entry to everyone, making great art accessible to all visitors.
Two main buildings plus a beautiful Sculpture Garden give you plenty of space to wander and discover. The West Building showcases older European and American works, while the East Building focuses on modern and contemporary pieces.
Pack a lunch and enjoy the outdoor sculptures between gallery visits for a perfect museum day.
5. The Getty Center – Los Angeles, CA
Perched high in the hills above Los Angeles, the Getty Center combines stunning European art with breathtaking architecture and gardens that overlook the city below. The building itself feels like a work of art, with travertine stone walls glowing in the California sunshine.
Inside, you’ll find paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts spanning centuries of European creativity. Special exhibitions bring in remarkable works from collections worldwide.
Arrive early to enjoy the gardens before they get crowded, and don’t forget your camera for those incredible views.
6. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) – Los Angeles, CA
Chris Burden’s Urban Light installation, with its forest of vintage street lamps, has become one of LA’s most photographed landmarks. But step inside LACMA and you’ll discover galleries packed with art from across the globe and throughout history.
The collection ranges from ancient times to contemporary works, with particularly strong holdings in Latin American, Asian, and modern art. Outdoor installations dot the campus, turning the museum grounds into an open-air gallery.
Visit during evening hours when the street lamps glow and the whole place takes on a magical atmosphere.
7. The Broad – Los Angeles, CA
Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms draw massive crowds, and for good reason: stepping into those endlessly reflecting spaces feels like entering another dimension. The Broad specializes in postwar and contemporary art, showcasing bold, often provocative works that spark conversation.
General admission is free, though you’ll want to reserve tickets in advance for popular exhibitions. The building’s honeycomb exterior is itself a contemporary architectural statement in downtown LA.
Book your Infinity Room time slot early because these installations fill up fast, sometimes weeks ahead.
8. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) – Boston, MA
With nearly 500,000 works of art, the MFA offers one of the most comprehensive collections in America. Ancient Egyptian treasures sit near American colonial portraits, while Asian art galleries showcase centuries of creativity from across the continent.
The museum regularly hosts blockbuster special exhibitions that draw visitors from around the world. Its research and conservation work helps preserve artworks for future generations to enjoy and study.
Allow at least half a day to explore properly, though art lovers could easily spend multiple visits discovering new favorites.
9. Philadelphia Museum of Art – Philadelphia, PA
Yes, these are the Rocky steps, where Sylvester Stallone ran in the famous movie training montage. But once you climb them and head inside, you’ll find a world-class museum with major collections spanning centuries and continents.
From medieval armor to Impressionist masterpieces to contemporary installations, the galleries offer something for every art interest. The building itself, with its grand Beaux-Arts architecture, creates a stunning backdrop for the collections within.
Time your visit to catch both the permanent collection highlights and whatever special exhibition is currently drawing crowds.
10. The Barnes Foundation – Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Albert Barnes arranged his collection in dense, symmetrical wall displays that mix paintings with decorative metalwork and furniture in ways you won’t see anywhere else. This unique installation style, preserved exactly as Barnes intended, makes visiting feel like stepping into his personal vision.
The collection is particularly rich in Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early modern works, with major holdings of Renoir, Cezanne, and Matisse. Every wall tells a visual story through carefully chosen groupings.
Audio guides help explain Barnes’s distinctive arrangement philosophy and the relationships he saw between different objects and artworks.
11. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) – San Francisco, CA
After a massive expansion, SFMOMA became one of the largest modern and contemporary art museums in the country. Seven floors of galleries showcase photography, painting, sculpture, and media arts from the last hundred-plus years.
The building itself is an architectural marvel, with a distinctive rippled facade and soaring interior spaces flooded with natural light. Strong holdings in Bay Area artists complement works by internationally renowned creators.
Check the schedule for artist talks, film screenings, and performances that bring contemporary art to life beyond the gallery walls.
12. The Menil Collection – Houston, TX
Natural light filters through the ceiling louvers, creating the perfect atmosphere for viewing art in these peaceful, understated galleries. The Menil offers free admission and a calm, contemplative visiting experience quite different from larger, busier museums.
The collection spans from ancient to contemporary, with particular strengths in Surrealist works, tribal arts, and Byzantine pieces. Several satellite buildings on the campus house special collections and changing exhibitions.
The surrounding neighborhood, with its bungalow-style buildings painted in soft grays, extends the museum’s serene aesthetic beyond its walls.
13. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art – Bentonville, AR
Set in a wooded valley in northwest Arkansas, this museum proves that world-class art institutions can thrive outside major coastal cities. The building’s glass and wood pavilions nestle into the landscape, connected by bridges spanning natural ponds.
The collection focuses exclusively on American art, from colonial times through contemporary works. Free admission removes barriers, welcoming everyone to experience masterworks in this unexpected location.
Walking trails wind through the surrounding forest and sculpture grounds, letting you combine art appreciation with outdoor exploration in a single visit.
14. Cleveland Museum of Art – Cleveland, OH
Free general admission opens the doors to one of America’s finest encyclopedic art collections, spanning 6,000 years of human creativity. From ancient Greek sculptures to cutting-edge contemporary installations, the galleries take you on a journey through time and across cultures.
Recent renovations created bright, welcoming spaces that showcase the art beautifully. The museum’s commitment to access means everyone can enjoy masterworks regardless of their ability to pay.
Wednesday evenings often feature special programming, from live music to artist demonstrations, adding extra dimension to your museum experience.
15. Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) – Detroit, MI
Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals alone justify a visit to this Midwest treasure. These massive frescoes, covering the walls of an entire courtyard, depict Detroit’s industrial workers and manufacturing might in stunning detail and vibrant color.
Beyond Rivera’s masterwork, the DIA holds strong collections across many periods and cultures. Ongoing gallery improvements mean the museum continues evolving to serve visitors better.
Before you go, check the museum’s website to see which galleries are currently open and what special exhibitions might enhance your visit during this period of renovations.
