My Top 7 Favorite Art Museums

One of my favorite activities to indulge in while traveling is visiting art museums and galleries. I’m lucky and privileged to have visited so many marvelous art museums, and I finally compiled a list of some of my favorites. Without further ado, here are my top 7 favorite art museums:

National Portrait Gallery – Washington, D.C.

I visited the National Portrait Gallery during a weekend trip to Washington, D.C., in 2019 – mainly to see Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of former President Barack Obama and Amy Sherald’s portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama. I am a huge fan of both artists, and getting the opportunity to see these iconic portraits in person was glorious. These pieces are part of the museum’s permanent collection, however it is important to note that the pieces are featured in The Obama Portraits Tour and will return to the National Portrait Gallery in November 2022. There is still so much to see and enjoy at the National Portrait Gallery in their absence, though.

Another great permanent exhibition at the museum is the 20th Century Americans exhibition, which showcases major figures from cultural and political landmark events of the 20th and 21st centuries. 

If visiting Washington, D.C., you must take an afternoon to enjoy the National Portrait Gallery. I am certainly glad I did, and I am eager to return on my next visit to the nation’s capitol city. 

Address:

8th and G Streets NW

Washington, DC 20001

 

Hours (current as of 2/28/22):

Thursday–Sunday

11:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

 

Prices:

Admission is free.

 

Contact:

(202) 633-8300

@smithsoniannpg on Instagram

@smithsoniannpg on Twitter

National Portrait Gallery on Facebook

 

Rijksmuseum – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Home to over 1 million objects, the Rijksmuseum is truly incredible both in size and in scope. Of course, not all 1 million objects are on display at the same time but there are still roughly 8,000 pieces on display at the museum for visitors to enjoy. More than enough to fill an entire day (or two) at the museum.

Fans of Dutch art and history will fall in love with the Rijksmuseum. Not only are the pieces in the collection magnificent, but so too are the grounds on which they are housed. I recommend dedicating a full day to this museum. Any less and you might feel rushed or overwhelmed. Regardless, no visit to Amsterdam is complete without stopping by the Rijksmuseum. 

Address:

Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands

 

Hours (current as of 2/28/22):

Visitors are required to book an entrance time (only Friends of the Museum can enter without booking ahead).

Open daily

9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

 

Prices:

Adults – €20

18 and under – Free

Friends of the Rijksmuseum – Free

Amsterdam City Card I, ICOM, Vereniging Rembrandt, KOG, VVAK, BankGiro Loterij VIP-KAART – Free

Half-price for CJP and EYCA members – €10

 

Contact:

+31 (0) 20 6747 000

@rijksmuseum on Instagram

@rijksmuseum on Twitter

Rijksmuseum on Facebook

 

Van Gogh Museum – Amsterdam, Netherlands

While in the neighborhood of the Rijksmuseum, you must also stop by the Van Gogh Museum. The Van Gogh Museum is actually just a 6-minute walk down the street from the Rijksmuseum. A visit to the Van Gogh Museum won’t need a full day, but plan to dedicate a few hours to this museum at the least to get the full experience. 

This museum features the world’s largest Vincent van Gogh collection. Highlights on view include Sunflowers (1889), Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat (1887), and Almond Blossom (1890). Another favorite of mine on view at the Van Gogh museum is the collection of letters authored by Vincent van Gogh addressing several key figures in his life including Theo van Gogh and Willemien van Gogh. 

This is a great museum to visit if you are eager to learn more about the famous painter’s life and influences, or to simply enjoy his beautiful art. Just like the Rijksmuseum, visitors will need to book a timed entrance ticket to enter the museum. Once inside, though, you can take as long as you’d like to indulge in the artwork during museum operating hours. 

Address:

Museumplein 6 

1071 DJ Amsterdam

 

Hours (current as of 2/28/22):

Until March 6, 2022:

Monday through Thursday: open from 9 am to 5 pm.

Friday through Sunday: open from 9 am to 6 pm.

 

March 7 through 31, 2022:

Monday through Thursday: open from 9 am to 5 pm.

Friday: open from 10 am to 9 pm. 

Saturday and Sunday: open from 10 am to 6 pm.

 

Prices:

All visitors are required to book a timed entry ticket.

Adults – €19

Visitors under 18 – free (school groups excluded)

Students – €10 (Must present your student card or proof of enrollment. The student ticket is only valid for visits from Monday to Friday, with the exception of Dutch public holidays.)

Museumkaart, Vincent’s Friends, VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART, ICOM card, Rembrandt card, Stadspass holders – free

 

Contact:

+31 20 570 5200

@vangoghmuseum on Instagram

@vangoghmuseum on Twitter

Van Gogh Museum on Facebook

 

ModeMuseum (MoMu) – Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp is widely known as the fashion capital of Belgium, and ModeMuseum features the largest collection of contemporary Belgian fashion in the world. The MoMu is dedicated to the exploration of how fashion is influenced by societal and cultural events, and vice versa. This museum is a must-visit spot for fashion lovers visiting Antwerp. 

Not only is the concept of fashion dissected through the exhibitions on display, but the raw definition of “fashion” is challenged and made more accessible through the examination of themes and ideas present within the fashion world. 

Currently, the MoMu is closed for technical modifications until September 29, 2022. 

Address:

Nationalestraat 28

2000 Antwerp

Belgium

 

Hours (current as of 2/28/22):

The ModeMuseum is closed until September 29, 2022, for technical modifications.

Visit the official website upon reopening to inquire about visiting hours.

 

Contact:

+32 (0) 3 470 2770

@momuantwerp on Instagram

@MoMuAntwerp on Twitter

MoMu Fashion Museum Antwerp on Facebook

 

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – New York, New York

Located on the Upper East Side, this museum showcases both modern and contemporary art in a building that is a masterpiece in its own right. The building was built in 1959 and designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019.

I last visited the Guggenheim in the summer of 2019 to see the exhibition “Basquiat’s “Defacement”: The Untold Story”. 

Artworks from artists such as Willem de Kooning, Yves Klein, and Gabriele Münter are all part of the Guggenheim’s collection. Though there are dozens of incredible museums in Manhattan, the Guggenheim is by far my favorite. I will be in New York later this month, and I hope to make another stop at the Guggenheim to enjoy the exhibition centered around Vasily Kandinsky’s artworks. This exhibition is on display through September 5, 2022.

To visit the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, you must book a timed entry ticket.

Address:

1071 5th Ave, 

New York, NY 10128

 

Hours (current as of 2/28/22):

Thursday through Monday

11:00 am–6:00 pm

 

Beginning April 1, 2022, the Guggenheim will be open:

Sunday–Monday and Wednesday–Friday, 11 am–6 pm

Saturday 11 am–8 pm

Closed on Tuesday

 

Prices:

Adults – $25

Students and Seniors 65+ (with ID) – $18

Visitors with disabilities – $18 (Caregiver free of charge)

Members – Free

Children under 12 – Free

The Guggenheim also hosts Pay-What-You-Wish Admission on Saturdays from 4 pm–6 pm. Beginning Saturday April 2, 2022, Pay-What-You-Wish Admission will be on Saturdays from 6 pm–8 pm. You must still reserve tickets for Pay-What-You-Wish Admission. These tickets are released the preceding Monday at 12pm EST, and are capped at limited capacity.

 

Contact:

(212)-423-3500

@guggenheim on Instagram

@Guggenheim on Twitter

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on Facebook

 

The Ringling – Sarasota, FL

The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art is another one of my favorite museums, and visitors should plan to dedicate several hours, if not a full day, to exploring the museum and its grounds. 

The Ringling features the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, the Bayfront Gardens, and Ca’ d’Zan. Important to note is that general admission does not include admission to Ca’ d’Zan, and visitors will need to purchase admission to Ca’ d’Zan in addition to the price of a general admission ticket. Based on my personal experience, I do believe it is well-worth the extra admission fee to have full access to every feature of The Ringling. 

Part of what makes this museum so unique, and why it is one of my favorites, is that there is a wide variety of artwork and history to explore. From architecture to a miniature model circus, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. 

Address:

5401 Bay Shore Road

Sarasota, FL 34243

 

Hours (current as of 2/28/22):

Open Daily 

10:00 AM- 5:00 PM

 

Prices:

General Admission (Includes admission to the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, the Bayfront Gardens. Does not include admission to Ca’ d’Zan):

Adult – $25 

Senior (65+) – $23

Child (6-17) – $5 

Children 5 and under – Free 

Members – Free

 

For admission to the first floor of Ca’ d’Zan:

Price of General Museum Admission + $10

Members – Free

 

The Museum of Art and Bayfront Gardens are free to the public on Mondays.

 

Contact:

(941)-359-5700

@theringling on Instagram

@TheRingling on Twitter

The Ringling on Facebook

 

Musée d’Orsay – Paris, France

Perhaps my favorite museum in all of Paris is the Musée d’Orsay. The museum is housed in the former Gare d’Orsay, a railway station built in the late 1890s. While walking through the museum you can catch glimpses of the Seine as you indulge in French art and history. 

Though not quite as large as The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay is still one of the largest museums in Europe and boasts the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist artworks in the world. I’ve visited this museum three times and I am positive I still haven’t seen it all. That’s how big this museum is. 

Perhaps my favorite architectural feature of this museum is the giant clock that overlooks the Seine. Psst… it is the perfect spot for aesthetically pleasing photo opps!

Address:

1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 

75007 Paris, France

 

Hours (current as of 2/28/22):

Closed on Mondays

Tuesday through Wednesday 

9:30am – 6:00pm

Thursday 

9:30am – 9:45pm

Friday through Sunday 

9:30am – 6:00pm

 

Prices:

General Admission – €11 to €16

Visit the museum’s official website for more information regarding ticket prices.

 

Contact:

+33 1 40 49 48 14

@museeorsay on Instagram

@MuseeOrsay on Twitter

Musée d’Orsay on Facebook

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Did you see any of your favorites on my list? What are some of your favorite art museums that weren’t featured here? Let me know by leaving a comment below!