Do your kids love mummies and brightly colored sculptures? Are you intrigued by the world of ancient Greece or the counter-culture art studios of the 1960s? Then it might be time to indulge your inner artist and expand your family’s artistic horizons with our collection of top art museums in the U.S., where you’ll find Old World masterpieces, contemporary creations and plenty of pieces that intrigue and inspire.
Vote for the best art museum once per day until polls close on February 27 at noon ET. The 10 winners will be announced on March 6. Have questions? Read the official Readers’ Choice rules.
American Folk Art Museum | New York, NY
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There’s no limit to the creativity you’ll find at the American Folk Art Museum near Lincoln Center in NYC. Self-taught artists, regional art styles and cultural expression are all celebrated here with displays ranging from decorative weather vanes and quilts to 19th-century photography and paintings. And the best part? Admission is free!
Corning Museum of Glass | Corning, NY
Photo courtesy of Corning Museum of Glass
Art, science and history melt together at the Corning Museum of Glass, a monument to glassmaking with the world’s largest collection of glass. After you’ve marveled at the ancient Egyptian and Roman glassworks, stroll into the future at the Innovation Center, where you’ll learn how technology is advancing the science of glassmaking. If you feel inspired after your tour, sign up for a class to make your own masterpiece.
Getty Center | Los Angeles, CA
Photo courtesy of the Getty Center
Known for its ever-evolving gardens with fountains, sculptures and a bird’s-eye view of the L.A. hills, the Getty Center elevates nature to an art form. Step inside to see ancient Greek works, medieval manuscripts and 19th-century photography as well as paintings by Degas and Van Gogh. And with lots of free workshops, performances and themed tours, you’ll never run out of ways to experience the Getty.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art | Madison, WI
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Free to the public, MMoCA in downtown Madison boasts famous art from Mexican artists like Frida Kahlo and one of the best collections of Chicago Imagist works. And it’s also home to Wisconsin artists, local arts and crafts shows, and the popular Art Fair on the Square, which draws hundreds of thousands of art lovers each summer to Wisconsin’s capital.
Milwaukee Art Museum | Milwaukee, WI
Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Art Museum
The shores of Lake Michigan make a grand backdrop for the Milwaukee Art Museum, which houses one of Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE statues along with ancient mummy coffins, works from Europeans masters, like Albrecht Dürer, and even a collection of art deco and mid-century modern furniture. The museum is family friendly too with hands-on art projects, a story time and art contests.
Museum of Fine Arts Boston (MFA) | Boston, MA
Photo courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Showcasing Old World and New World masters, MFA Boston houses some of the planet’s greatest art. This highly respected museum is also popular for its Egyptian mummy collection and Art of the Americas exhibit, which spans 3,000 years of art history across North, Central and South America. Create your own masterpiece with a studio class, or listen to audible art at the museum’s summer concert series.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum | Oklahoma City, OK
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Affectionately known as The Cowboy, this unique museum explores the triumphs and tragedies of the native tribes, pioneers and settlers who shaped the American West. Take in the grit and glory of the American rodeo, connect to history through tribal artifacts and frontier art, and admire one of the nation’s finest collections of historical firearms. And you can learn to make cowboy boots or check out a festival while visiting.
National Gallery of Art | Washington, D.C.
Photo courtesy of National Gallery of Art
From the European masters Da Vinci and Vermeer to the American artistic genius of Whistler and Sargent, the National Gallery of Art treats visitors to a free tour of the art world in the U.S. capital. Escape the bustle of D.C. among the wildly creative sculptures—including a giant blue rooster—in the garden, and then stroll beneath the mesmerizing patterned lights that line the underground walkway between the museum’s two buildings.
Seattle Art Museum | Seattle, WA
Photo courtesy of Seattle Art Museum
You can explore three museums for the price of one at the Seattle Art Museum. The main campus, along with the Seattle Asian Art Museum and Olympic Sculpture Park, takes you on a visual journey across the globe, from ancient Chinese statues and Nigerian headdresses to 18th-century British tea kettles and the majestic Eagle sculpture. Love what you see? The museum sells local artwork and pieces inspired by its collections.
The Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago. Modern Wing Entrance and Modern Shop.
Van Gogh, Seurat, Picasso, Matisse, O’Keefe, Monet, Renoir—the Art Institute of Chicago has the icons of the art world on display. After taking in Pollack and Warhol paintings and the famous American Gothic, step back in time to ancient Egypt or see the light through the gorgeous Chagall windows. There’s so much art and history to discover; take a free guided tour to get the most out of your visit.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens | San Marino, CA
Photo courtesy of the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
While the Huntington is perhaps most famous for its collection of papers from America’s founding fathers, it offers much more to explore. You’ll find one of the most significant collections of British art outside the U.K. alongside ancient Japanese ceramics, Tiffany lamps and furniture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Save some time to stroll through the Huntington’s living art museum: the botanical gardens, home to over 80,000 plants.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) | New York, NY
Photo by Matthieu Joannon on Unsplash
One of the largest and most prestigious museums in the world, the Met is home to artwork that transcends history and culture, such as Washington Crossing the Delaware and self-portraits of Van Gogh and Rembrandt. But you’ll also find fascinating exhibits about costumes, ancient musical instruments and 19th-century artifacts from the Pacific Islands. From the famous to the obscure, the Met’s massive collections will have you returning again and again.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) | New York, NY
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From some of the most recognized artwork on the globe, such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Monet’s Water Lilies, to the rising stars of modern art, the world-famous MoMA in NYC tells a boundary-pushing story on every gallery wall. When you’re not contemplating the abstract work of Jackson Pollock, inspire your palate at the museum’s Michelin-star restaurant or one of the cafés that overlook the sculpture garden.
Whitney Museum of American Art | New York, NY
Photo courtesy of Whitney Museum of American Art
Proudly featuring only American art and artists, the Whitney shines a light on modernist national treasures like Georgia O’Keefe, Mark Rothko and Edward Hopper as well as up-and-coming artists. This unique Manhattan museum beside the banks of the Hudson River also offers prints from many of its artists, perfect for taking home an artful slice of American life.
Whitney Western Art Museum | Cody, WY
Examining Frederic Remington’s Coming Through the Rye, Whitney Western Art Museum, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Wyoming, USA. (Frederic Remington bronze, Coming Through the Rye. Gift of Barbara S. Leggett. 5.66)
Near the rugged mountains of Yellowstone you’ll find the Whitney Western Art Museum, a world-class celebration of the American West through paintings, sculptures and artifacts. Take in the sweeping 19th-century landscapes of Bierstadt and Moran before reflecting on modern works by famed Native American artist T.C. Cannon. Your ticket also lets you explore four other museums within the same complex—a bargain for so much Western culture in one place.
About Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards
Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at [email protected].
Our Featured Panelists
Nancy Monson is a writer, artist and teacher who frequently writes about travel, wellness, spas and creativity. Her articles have been published in over 30 national magazines and websites from AARP to Fodors.com, Glamour, NextAvenue.org, RD.com, Saturdayeveningpost.com, Shape, USA Today, Woman’s Day and Women’s Health. She is also the author of Craft to Heal: Soothing Your Soul with Sewing, Painting, and Other Pastimes, which explores how to use creative hobbies to improve your mental health. Connect with her on Instagram and see her art on her website.
Sherry Spitsnaugle is a Denver-based, award-winning travel writer and guidebook author who loves exploring the world and writing about her adventures. Her bylines have recently appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, GoWorldTravel and more. Born and raised in a western Kansas town of 2,000, where her father helped found the Historical Society, Sherry has a fondness for both history and small towns. Follow her at sherryspitsnaugle.com and on Instagram @sherryspitsnaugle.
Susan R. Pollack is an award-winning freelance travel writer and photographer with decades of experience. She worked 36 years at The Detroit News and has freelanced for publications including the Dallas News, Toronto Star, Delta Sky, Golf for Women, Midwest Living, Lakeland Boating, Jetsetter (HK), Michigan Blue, quirkycruise.com, WanderwithWonder.com, thewinebuzz.com and others. An avid golfer, foodie, museum buff and mahjong maven, she has visited six continents and all 50 states from her home base in Metro Detroit. Susan is also a copy editor for Jonglez Publishing’s “Secret” guide series, including Singapore, Los Angeles, Boston and Kuala Lumpur. Follow her on Facebook.
Sharon Kurtz is a freelance travel writer/photographer and passionate explorer of the world. Through her lively tales, she takes readers on delightful journeys, uncovering diverse cultures and savoring scrumptious cuisines. From luxurious cruises to thrilling outdoor adventures and once in-a-lifetime bucket-list experiences, Sharon’s award-winning articles ignite wanderlust and inspire authentic, independent travel. When not traversing the globe, this adventurous baby boomer hangs out in her hometown of Austin, Texas, seeking out the city’s finest BBQ and eclectic music hot spots. Follow her travels @shar_kurtz or visit her website, Sharonkkurtz.com, for engaging stories and invaluable travel tips.
Penny Sadler is a freelance writer covering wine, food, travel and lifestyle topics. Currently residing in the Lone Star State, her glass is always full, preferably of something white and sparkling. Her work has appeared in Culture Cheese Magazine, Cheese Professor, Matador Network, Inside Hook, Alcohol Professor, Vintner Project, and elsewhere. Penny has appeared on numerous broadcasts as an expert on topics ranging from wine tourism to skin cancer to packing for international travel. She is a Wine Spirits Education Trust certified wine specialist and a member of SATW. Read more at www.adventuresofacarryon.com.
Rose Palmer believes life is a patchwork of experiences. She is a retired PhD chemist, and traveling the world is one of her deepest passions, which continues to add to her ever-growing quilt of life experiences. She likes to focus her traveling lens on history, art, architecture, nature, cruising and soft adventures with a touch of luxury. She loves the challenge of taking beautiful photos that capture the essence of the locations she visits and likes to make quilts inspired by her travels. Follow her travels at quiltripping.com.
Mary Jo Manzanares is a digital travel content creator, author and avid traveler. She’s at home in Seattle, with bags packed, ready for the next great adventure. She writes at www.travelingwithmj.com and is a member of SATW.
Mary Farah is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. In addition to her own website, Along Comes Mary, she contributes to Go World Travel Magazine; Food, Wine Travel Magazine; Ventura County Mom Collective; and Big Blend Radio Magazine. She is a proud member and former executive board member of IFWTWA, the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association. Follow along with her adventures on her website, www.alongcomesmaryblog.com.
Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.