Top 10 Best US Cities for Art Lovers - Must-Visit Art Destinations

The United States is a treasure hub for art enthusiasts all over the world. From iconic museums and dynamic local galleries to street art havens, the United States offers a vibrant and diverse art scene. While renowned cities like New York and Los Angeles often take center stage, the art world thrives in unexpected places too. 

One such wild card is Cave Creek, Arizona, home to the Miguel Camarena Art Gallery, a hidden gem showcasing vibrant works with a unique Southwestern flair. Through thorough research, we have curated a list for the best art cities in the US. 

Top 10 Best US Cities For Art Lovers

New York City, New York

New York City is the cultural capital of the US. It has an international presence for many creative sectors including art. New York City's art community spans from Chelsea's world-class galleries to Bushwick's street art and Broadway's theaters.

Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh – Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Key Art Attractions in New York City

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art 
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• Guggenheim Museum.

Best Art in New York City

• Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh – Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze – The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Composition VIII by Wassily Kandinsky – Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Los Angeles, California

Renowned for Hollywood, Los Angeles also nurtures a vibrant and innovative art vibe. This includes lively street art in Downtown LA and Venice, plus a modern and ever-growing art group.

Infinity Mirrored Room by Yayoi Kusama – The Broad

Key Art Attractions in Los Angeles

• The Getty Center
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
• The Broad

Best Art in Los Angeles

• Irises by Vincent van Gogh – The Getty Center
• The Treachery of Images by René Magritte – Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
• Infinity Mirrored Room by Yayoi Kusama – The Broad

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix has a vibrant mix of art galleries and street art. Throughout the year, Phoenix also hosts many cultural festivals celebrating the Southwest’s artistic heritage. Miguel Camarena Art Gallery is a key art attraction in the Phoenix area.

Red & Blue Sunset by Miguel Camarena – Miguel Camarena Art Gallery

Key Art Attractions in Phoenix

• Miguel Camarena Art Gallery
• Phoenix Art Museum
• Heard Museum
• Roosevelt Row Arts District

Best Art in Phoenix

• Red & Blue Sunset by Miguel Camarena – Miguel Camarena Art Gallery
• Cowboys Crossing the Desert by Lon Megargee – Phoenix Art Museum
• We Are Still Here by Tony Abeyta – Heard Museum

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, a city renowned for its iconic skyline and rich history, is also a center for art and culture. It’s renowned for modern art and architecture tours. There are many famous art attractions and paintings in Chicago.

A Sunday on La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat – Art Institute of Chicago

Key Art Attractions in Chicago

• Art Institute of Chicago
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Millennium Park's public art (e.g., "The Bean")

Best Art in Chicago

• A Sunday on La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat – Art Institute of Chicago
• Nighthawks by Edward Hopper – Art Institute of Chicago
• American Gothic by Grant Wood – Art Institute of Chicago

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, also known as Silicon Valley, is home to the headquarters of some of the biggest companies. Hence, the art vibe in San Francisco consists of a mix of traditional and tech-inspired modern art.

Frederick Douglass by Kehinde Wiley – de Young Museum

Key Art Attractions in San Francisco

• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
• de Young Museum
• Asian Art Museum.

Best Art in San Francisco

• Woman with a Hat by Henri Matisse – San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
• Frederick Douglass by Kehinde Wiley – de Young Museum
• The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai – Asian Art Museum

Miami, Florida

Miami's dynamic art scene has transformed the city into an international art destination. Its vibrant street art and world-renowned art fairs have transformed neighborhoods and attracted a diverse community of artists, collectors, and art lovers.   

Key Art Attractions in Miami

• Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
• Wynwood Walls
• Art Basel Miami Beach

Best Art in Miami

• The Hands of God by Salvador Dalí – Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
• Urban Street Murals by Various Artists – Wynwood Walls
• Forms in Space...by Light by Olafur Eliasson – PAMM

Washington, DC

Washington, D.C., offers free access to numerous world-class art institutions, making it a cultural hub for art lovers. As the capital of the United States, it fosters a healthy art community that is enriched by iconic museums that have many classical masterpieces.

Key Art Attractions in Washington

• National Gallery of Art 
• Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Hirshhorn Museum

Best Art in Washington

• Ginevra de' Benci by Leonardo da Vinci – National Gallery of Art
• The Japanese Footbridge by Claude Monet – National Gallery of Art
• The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo – Smithsonian American Art Museum

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe is a great art destination that celebrates Native American and Southwestern art, offering a rich cultural experience. With its renowned galleries, art markets and museums, it’s a haven for art enthusiasts.

Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 by Georgia O’Keeffe – Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Key Art Attractions in Santa Fe

• Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
• Canyon Road Art District
• Meow Wolf

Best Art in Santa Fe

• Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 by Georgia O’Keeffe – Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
• Dance at Cochiti by Julian Martinez – Heard Museum (often loans art to Santa Fe)
• Rainbow Trail by Emil Bisttram – New Mexico Museum of Art

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston has a mix of historical art and cutting-edge exhibits, making it a dynamic destination for art lovers. Home to institutions and museums, the city bridges the past and the present in its vibrant art scene.

Key Art Attractions in Boston

• Museum of Fine Arts
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
• Institute of Contemporary Art

Best Art in Boston

• The Rape of Europa by Titian – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
• The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit by John Singer Sargent – Museum of Fine Arts
• Dance at Bougival by Pierre-Auguste Renoir – Museum of Fine Arts

Seattle, Washington

Seattle is home to innovative tech-inspired art and thriving gallery districts, reflecting its creative and forward-thinking spirit. With many key art attractions, this city offers a unique blend of modernity and artistic expression.

Puget Sound on the Pacific Coast by Albert Bierstadt – Seattle Art Museum

Key Art Attractions in Seattle

• Seattle Art Museum
• Chihuly Garden and Glass
• Olympic Sculpture Park

Best Art in Seattle

• Puget Sound on the Pacific Coast by Albert Bierstadt – Seattle Art Museum
• Glass Forest by Dale Chihuly – Chihuly Garden and Glass
• Echo by Jaume Plensa – Olympic Sculpture Park

Parting Thoughts

While Europe is known for pioneering many art movements, the United States is also home to a thriving art community. Being the global hub of many industries, the US has attracted some of the world’s best art museums, galleries, artists and artworks. Whether you’re a US local or visiting the US as a tourist, see which of these best art destinations can you visit.