12 Most Appealing US Destinations for Art Lovers
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If you’re into art in a big way, you might want to plan your next city break accordingly. Art lovers can find the most appealing destinations to fulfill their interests dotted all over the land. Here are 12 of the best places in the US to visit, including a few you might not have expected.
Miami, Florida
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Of course, Miami’s arty draws include the annual Art Basel Miami Beach event. Pérez Art Museum Miami also provides a reason to visit at any time of the year and is all about promoting new talent. Other noteworthy Miami venues include the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Wolfsonian Museum at Florida International University, and the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami.
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Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, also in Florida, can undoubtedly give Miami a run for its money when it comes to the arts scene. It’s the perfect destination for cash-strapped art fans, as the city is dedicated to providing free public galleries. Make sure to include Flagler Arts and Technology Village on your itinerary. The monthly Art Walk festival and the yearly Art Fort Lauderdale fair also thrive.
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Boulder, Colorado
Like other college towns, Boulder is a mecca for arty folks. There’s the CU Heritage Center, the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Dairy Arts Center here – a tempting trio for any fan of creativity. Visitors can also drop into the city’s Open Studios, home to more than 130 local artists.
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New York, New York
It may be an obvious choice. But with around a third of the country’s galleries, no self-respecting art fan can miss the Big Apple. It’s arguably the biggest hub of creativity in the US, with plenty to see and do should you tire of endless exhibitions and installations.
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Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a real artists’ hub, not just for those who like to draw or paint. The performing arts are also big news in this college city. Don’t miss the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre if you enjoy being thoroughly entertained.
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Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati isn’t only for baseball fans. The Cincinnati Art Museum, dating from 1881, houses 88 individual galleries. Other reasons to visit include thriving community art programs, the Taft Museum of Art, and the Contemporary Arts Center.
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San Francisco, California
San Fran, or the city by the bay, has long been known as one of the most creative places in the entire US. It’s also easy to combine San Francisco with a visit to Berkeley, as the cities are under 15 miles apart. If you do, dozens of museums and galleries await.
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Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is already well-known for its aesthetic appeal. But did you know it also has one of the best art scenes in the US? The Gallery Row area offers over 50 galleries and exhibition spaces – enough to amuse any art fan for days.
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New Orleans, Louisiana
With around a dozen galleries, New Orleans has lots to offer fans of art in all its forms. But the biggest draw is the clutch of tiny art boutiques here, with contemporary pieces a particular specialty. The city-wide Prospect New Orleans also takes place every three years, packing even more art into the city per square meter.
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Richmond, Virginia
If it’s street art you want to see, then Richmond in Virginia is a must. There are nearly 100 dotted around town, and the Richmond Mural Project means more are constantly added. The fact that the city is home to Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts also helps to pin it on the map.
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Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City has long been a favorite of art fans around the country and, indeed, the world. You may not even need to venture beyond the Art Institute of Chicago, but the Magnificent Mile area offers plenty of arty opportunities if you do.
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Savannah, Georgia
The south’s oldest art museum, the Telfair Museum of Art, dates back to 1886 and is one of a handful in this gracious seaside city. Much of the city’s success as an arty destination is down to the Savannah College of Art and Design, America’s biggest art institution. Savannah is a great place to see African and African-American art, too.
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