Art can transform communities, enhance our travels, and give us insight into a city’s personality. So, we set out to find the most remarkable art experiences across the United States: the best art museums, immersive experiences, sculpture parks, arts districts, small-town art scenes, and cities for street art.
A panel of experts made their nominee selections across six art-filled categories, then we asked our readers to vote for their favorites — and the results are in.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Best Art Museum: Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit Institute of Arts wins Best Art Museum for second year in a row — Photo courtesy of Eric Wheeler/Detroit Institute of Arts
Housed within a Beaux-Arts building, the Detroit Institute of Arts maintains a collection of more than 65,000 works — among the largest and most comprehensive in the United States. Visitors can enjoy human creativity from across the globe as they explore more than 100 galleries, including the Center for African American Art, one of the first collections devoted to African American art at a major museum.
Full list of winners: Best Art Museum »
Best Arts District: Dallas Arts District in Dallas, Texas
The sprawling Dallas Arts District offers so much for art lovers — Photo courtesy of Joseph Haubert / Dallas Arts District
At 118 acres, the Dallas Arts District at the northeast corner of downtown is the largest contiguous urban arts district in the nation. This neighborhood has more buildings designed by Pritzker award-winning architects than anywhere else in the world. Among its many museums, galleries, and performance halls are the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, Crow Museum of Asian Art, Winspear Opera House, and the Meyerson Symphony Center.
Full list of winners: Best Arts District »
Best City for Street Art: Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio, is a major destination for street art in 2024 — Photo courtesy of Miles J. Wolf for ArtWorks. Cincinnati Toy Heritage mural designed by Jonathan Queen.
ArtWorks Cincinnati has created more than 300 public murals throughout the Ohio city. Some favorites include “Mr. Tarbell Tips His Hat,” “The Golden Muse,” “Mr. Dynamite,” and “Ice Cream Daydream.”
Full list of winners: Best City for Street Art »
Best Immersive Art Experience: Color Factory – Multiple locations
A visit to Color Factory is worth the trip — Photo courtesy of Matt Haas for Color Factory
Become one with color at the Color Factory, where you can participate in more than a dozen immersive art exhibits. With locations in Chicago, Houston, and New York City, visitors can enjoy engaging their senses and indulging in play. You even get sweet treats, city keepsakes, and digital images throughout your journey.
Full list of winners: Best Immersive Art Experience »
Best Sculpture Park: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park wins Best Sculpture Park for second consecutive year — Photo courtesy of Michael Moran, courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Spanning 158 acres in Grand Rapids, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park hosts outdoor gardens and a five-floor, 15,000-square-foot Tropical Conservatory. The permanent sculpture collection features more than 200 works, many of which are displayed across the 30-acre sculpture park.
Full list of winners: Best Sculpture Park »
Best Small Town Arts Scene: Lucas, Kansas
Head to Lucas, Kansas, in the Midwest for an amazing small-town art experience — Photo courtesy of Lucas
Lucas, the “Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas,” showcases the ingenuity of largely self-taught artists. Start at the Grassroots Arts Center for an introduction before wandering through the funky sculpture garden known as the Garden of Eden. Other points of interest include Fork Art Park, Bowl Plaza, and Miller’s Park.
Full list of winners: Best Small Town Arts Scene »
Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.usatoday.com daily to vote in our other Readers’ Choice Awards contests.
