Want to add a creative spark to your weekend escape? These art museums offer stunning architecture, intimate galleries, and world-class collections to explore together.
If you are in a hurry, I recommend:
Unique Art Museums:
1. Washington D.C. – The National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. has a beautiful sculpture garden where you can skate in the winter and listen to outdoor concerts in the summer.
The museum houses paintings by Raphael, Ban Gogh, Rubens, Monet, Picasso, Titian and many other masters. This art museum located in the nation's capital should be on every art lover's list.
6th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20565, Phone: 202-737-4215
2. New York City – The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most impressive art museums in the world, housing famous paintings, ancient artifacts and modern exhibits. Regardless of your interest, you can spend several days at this museum without seeing the same exhibit twice.
Other stunning museums to visit in New York City include the Guggenheim with its famous spiral facade, MoMA, Brooklyn Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art. You should plan to spend at least half a day in each so that you don't feel rushed.
1000 Fifth Avenue, New York city, New York 10028, hone: 212-535-7710
Review:★★★★★ "I had an awesome time at The Met in NYC! The Egyptian Art exhibit was definitely my favorite. Seeing the ancient artifacts up close was incredible. The sculptures and mummies were more preserved than I expected. I also loved exploring the European paintings. It almost felt like I was in Florence, Italy. I just wich I could spend more time there next time."
3. Miami - Perez Art Museum Miami
Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is a modern and contemporary art museum which opened in 2013. Located in a $131-million Art Deco-style building designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, the museum houses 20th and 21th century art from around the world.
Visitors enjoy stunning views of Biscayne Bay from the museum gardens and indoor exhibit spaces.
1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Florida 33132, Phone: 305-375-3000
4. Raleigh - North Carolina Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh houses diverse art, dating from ancient Greece through the late 20th century. The permanent collection includes European paintings, American and international art.
The museum is set on 164 acres, complete with beautiful art integrated into the outdoor park. The museum commissions artists to create works of art which fit into the natural surroundings.
You can take a self-guided tour on the paved and unpaved trails which take you though the outdoor exhibit.
2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, Phone: 919-839-6262
5. Santa Fe – Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico houses over 1,000 pieces of art by O’Keeffe, the world’s largest.
Paintings date from 1901 to 1984 and include flowers, landscapes, cityscapes, abstractions and other subjects.
The museum is also home to nearly two thousand other works of art, including Authur Dove, Ansel Adams and many others.
217 Johnson Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, Phone: 505-946-1098
Must-visit Art Museums:
6. Maine – Colby College Museum of Art
If you are planning a romantic trip to Maine, stop at the Colby Museum of Art in Waterville which features more than 8,000 works of art from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
Major artists include Georgia O’Keeffe, John Singleton Copley and Winslow Homer. The museum collection also includes Chinese ceramics, 300 etchings and lithographs by James McNeill Whistler, and nearly 900 Alex Katz workss.
5600 Mayflower Hill Dr, Waterville, Maine 04901, Phone: 207-859-5600
7. Philadelphia - The Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is located in an easily recognizable building with giant Greek-style columns in Philadelphia. The museum is home to fine art from around the world. You can immerse yourself in Japanese culture if you visit the Japanese ceremonial teahouse, or head to the French cloister to feel like you’ve just traveled to Paris.
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130, Phone: 215-763-8100
8. Arkansas - Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville is housed in a stunning structure built over the water, surrounded by 120 natural acres. The permanent collection features art from Colonial times through present.
Walk along the trails to view outdoor art, landscaping and The Way of Color, a structure by artist James Turrell with a unique sky viewing chamber. General admission is free.
600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712, Phone: 479-418-5700, Video
9. Seattle - Frye Art Museum
The Frye Art Museum in Seattle houses a collection of European paintings as well as 19th and 20th century American art. Admission to the museum is free of charge for all visitors, including guided tours, lectures and workshops.
704 Terry Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98104, Phone: 206-622-9250
10. Michigan - Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum
Located at Michigan State University, the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum exhibits Modern art along with artifacts from the Greek and Roman times, and Renaissance works. The 46,000-square-foot museum features diverse exhibitions which highlight modern life as well as showcase art from around the world.
Go for a romantic walk through the sculpture garden where you can admire the museum’s stunning façade along with contemporary art pieces like Roxy Paine’s Containment and Vestigial Block by Jonathan Prince.
547 E Circle Dr, East Lansing, Minnesota 48824, Phone: 517-884-4800
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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Question: What can you do on a romantic weekend getaway involving art?
Answer: You can visit beautiful art museums, stroll through exhibits, and admire the genius of human creativity. -
Question: What are some notable museums included in the list?
Answer: Notable museums include The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the new PAMM in Miami. -
Question: What type of museums can visitors expect to find?
Answer: The list includes both world-famous institutions and smaller museums with unique art collections that inspire and delight. -
Question: What activities can complement a museum visit during a weekend trip?
Answer: You can combine a museum visit with dining at great restaurants, shopping, and relaxing at day spas. -
Question: Where can you plan a romantic weekend getaway?
Answer: Plan a getaway to a city near you or fly across the country to visit beautiful art museums.
Map:
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