The cultural tourism market is worth more than 30 billion dollars. That’s because more and more travelers are drawn to explore their own nation’s heritage, historical landmarks, and regional traditions. As their interest — and interest in exploring other cultures — continues to grow, experts say it may overtake other previously popular travel themes.
Many people travel to see famous artworks and engage in public art installations. Although some look to the hip, emerging art cities when planning their trips, you shouldn’t discount the nation’s brightest stars.
Visit Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles for the Arts
New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles may seem a bit too trendy, but they’re the nation’s best art destinations.
I grew up in Chicago, lived in Los Angeles for 10 years, and visited New York numerous times.
While these three cities appear on nearly every traveler’s must-visit list for numerous reasons, I will highlight why they’re ideal destinations for art lovers.
Cities House Some of World’s Most Famous Artworks
To see world-renowned artists’ most famous paintings, tourists must travel to Paris, Florence, and Rome — or Chicago, New York, and LA.
The Art Institute of Chicago features Under the Wave off Kanagawa (also known as The Great Wave off Kanagawa) by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, and A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat. The museum also houses one of North America’s most extensive collections of impressionist paintings. The impressive contemporary art wing holds works by Jackson Pollack, William de Kooning, and Andy Warhol.
New York City’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) features Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, one of the most famous works on American soil. MoMA is also home to Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans and Joan Mitchell’s Ladybug. Another iconic museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), houses nearly 500,000 objects from various cultures and eras. Here, you can view self-portraits of Rembrandt and Van Gogh, Claude Monet’s Water Lillies, and John Singer Sargent’s Portrait of Madame X.
California’s Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) contains more than 150,000 objects from six centuries of human expression. The collection includes Pablo Picasso’s Weeping Woman with Handkerchief, Paul Cezanne’s Sous-Bous, and Chris Burden’s Urban Light, the iconic light post display outside the complex.
The Broad in downtown LA showcases some of the most famous examples of contemporary art, including Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog (blue) and Roy Lichtenstein’s’ Reflections on “Interior with Girl Drawing.” The Getty Center near Santa Monica features a wide range of Renaissance and Impressionist works.
Celebrate New and Emerging Artists
Travelers more interested in new and emerging artists can find gallery spaces, art walks, and events in all three iconic cities.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago routinely hosts special exhibitions, events, and workshops celebrating working artists. Suburban spots regularly host art fairs, Plein Air competitions, and special events promoting local artists.
New York hosts an affordable art fair each year to help new collectors get their start. MoMA PS1 in Queens offers a unique look into the contemporary art world. The museum hosts programs, events, and activities throughout the year to connect locals (and visitors) with the newest trends in expression from up-and-coming artists.
On Los Angeles’ self-guided downtown art walk, tourists can engage in the local art scene daily. Many surrounding cities, like Long Beach and Laguna Beach, host their own monthly art walks to showcase local artists.
All three cities feature a wide range of art galleries, from high-end galleries showcasing prestigious artists to smaller galleries highlighting the work of emerging artists. Some offer artist talks and workshops, allowing visitors to connect with the artists.
Public Art
Each of the big three cities hosts an array of public arts, ranging from murals to street art and everything in between.
Chicago has, of course, its iconic bean (named Cloud Gate) in Millennial Park. The Daley Center also has Chicago Picasso, a massive wolf-like outdoor sculpture, as well as Alexander Calder’s Flamingo, the iconic orange arches outside the Federal Plaza. Neighborhoods throughout the city celebrate the arts with murals. Pilsen, a historically poor southside neighborhood, is reinventing itself through the Pilsen Arts & Community House and an explosion of colorful murals decorating its buildings.
Los Angeles’s thriving Venice Beach bursts with street performers, local artisans selling handcrafted wares, and public art installations abound. Visit the sculpture comprising old airplane parts near the Museum of Contemporary Arts or wander the city to glimpse numerous murals and installations scattered throughout. Even Banksy left their mark on the Windy City; you can find the anonymous graffiti artist’s Park on Broadway.
New York City embraces public arts in the city streets and throughout its extensive subway system. The Metropolitan Transit System (MTA) has a public art department dedicated to enhancing users’ experience through visual and performance arts. Subway riders can enjoy more than 350 permanent artworks, special exhibitions, and live performances during their journey. The streets above host hundreds of public art displays, like the iconic Charging Bull in front of the New York Stock Exchange and The Sphere. The latter, damaged in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, now resides in Liberty Park.
Enjoy the Big Three Art Cities
Though some travelers may scoff at the idea of visiting America’s trendiest cities, they’re popular for a reason. There’s so much more to discover in each; plan your trip and see why millions of tourists choose Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles each year.
