Art Aficionados: These Are Your Can't-Miss Vacations
Is an afternoon at an art gallery your idea of a good time? Do you plan your trips around the latest exhibits? If so, you're more than an average art-lover. Make the most of your passion for art by planning your next get away to these must-see cities for art aficionados.
1. City of Angels
Los Angeles might be known for beaches and movies, but it also hosts a lively art scene. Contemporary art lovers will want to explore The Broad, a sleek art museum showcasing works by modern luminaries like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. It is free to visit but reservations are required and the wait list is lengthy. Looking for a comprehensive art collection? The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the west and features everything from ancient Greek ceramics to modern Japanese silk prints. For an inclusive art experience, you might want to visit the Getty Center. Here you can see exhibits, explore intricate gardens and view architectural wonders.
2. Something Different
Santa Fe is known for its bounty of Southwestern American art and has become one of the preeminent art destinations in the world. Start your trip at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum which details the life of this beloved artist and features over 900 pieces of her work. Art lovers interested in learning about tribes of the Southwest will want to visit the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture which showcases ceramics, jewelry and baskets. If you’re looking for a local touch, plan to visit the New Mexico Museum of Art which features modern and contemporary works from resident artists.
3. Windy City
Chicago is home to some of the most renowned museums in the world, making it a required stop for true art lovers. You can visit the Art Institute of Chicago and cast your gaze upon iconic masterpieces like "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" by Georges Seurat and "American Gothic" by Grant Wood. Those looking for modern classics can take a trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and explore edgy work in films, sculptures, paintings, photographs and drawings. And of course, no trip would be complete without visiting the National Museum of Mexican Art. Here you’ll be treated to 3,000 years of native artistic expression through folk arts, prints, sculptures and more.
4. City That Never Sleeps
New York City boasts some of the top art collections in the world. In fact, it’s home to one of the nation’s largest art museums, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Here you’ll find everything from 3rd century Chinese pendants to experimental Jackson Pollocks pieces from the 20th century. Those that love contemporary art will want to tour the Museum of Modern Art where you can spend hours gazing upon works like Van Gogh’s hypnotic "Starry Night." And if you're intrigued by architecture and art you'll want to make time for the Guggemheim. Not only can you see world class art, but the building itself is a masterpiece created by the visionary Frank Lloyd Wright
5. The Capitol City
Washington, D.C. is known for its 19 Smithsonian museums and galleries, all of which are free to the public. One of the most popular venues is the National Museum of American History. Here you can see items pivotal to America’s culture like Dorothy’s ruby red slippers from "The Wizard of Oz," Abraham Lincoln’s stovepipe hat and Archie Bunker’s favorite lounge chair. You can also visit the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution and see memorabilia from the history of flight and space travel. You can check out historic aircraft and interesting items like the Wright Brothers’ 1903 flyer and Apollo lunar modules.
6. Off the Beaten Path in Asheville
Nestled in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the quaint town of Asheville offers a thriving arts scene. Start your day at the Folk Art Center and explore a variety of Southern Appalachian arts and crafts like authentic pottery and baskets. Those looking to admire American artwork from the 20th and 21st centuries will want to tour the Asheville Art Museum. Here you can see works by Josef Albers, Bernard Brussel-Smith and Valdir Cruz. And if local is your style, the River Arts Districts is a must-see. This area is home to more than 200 working artists and features an array of studios and galleries.
Ready for an artsy getaway? Find hotels in Los Angeles, Santa Fe, Chicago, New York City, Washington, D.C., Asheville.
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