ART MUSEUMS · THE USA
Every trip has one gallery day too few. These 15 art museum tours in the USA justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get on with the rest of it.
Visit MoMA in Midtown with a one-day ticket covering the permanent collection and special exhibitions. See Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Warhol, and contemporary artists across six floors. Use the free multilingual audio guide on your phone, then linger over films, design, and the sculpture garden.
“Lovely Museum. So much to see, it felt Like time went by so fast 😭”
Visit New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum for one day of access to its permanent collection and special exhibitions. You’ll explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s spiral building, use a multilingual audio guide on your smartphone, and see modern and contemporary art, including the Thannhauser Collection.
“Just love the atmosphere at the Guggenheim. A pretty special place for reflection.”
Walk through a 5,000-square-foot Medieval Torture Museum at your own pace with a phone-based audio guide. Add an augmented-reality ghost hunt and a tiny art gallery filled with miniature art. Plan for about one to two hours, and note that the subject matter is not suited to young children.
“The audio guide was great. Very cool at your own pace tour.. my daughter, and I had the best time strolling through discussing time periods between the Renaissance and medieval periods. I’m grateful most of these methods are not used today.!”
Enter MoMA through a private early-morning entrance and spend an hour with an English-speaking art historian before the crowds arrive. See works by Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Warhol, and others, then explore MoMA’s six floors and use your included admission to MoMA PS1.
“This is an absolute must! You’ll never see the galleries this empty, with no people around—it’s such a rare and unforgettable experience. The art historian was amazing, so passionate and knowledgeable, and she really brought the tour to life. It’s completely worth the price. Being there before the museum opened was so peaceful and quiet, and once the crowds started pouring in, the difference was so striking—it made those early moments feel even more special. Having no crowds in the gallery full of Monet’s Water Lillies really allowed you to take in those amazing, and massive works of art. Hope to do this again someday!”
Walk from the Theatre of the Living Arts through South Street, Bella Vista, and Queen Village with guides such as Carla, Chuck, Heather, or Marty. See public art, visit Da Vinci Art Alliance, and finish with free admission to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.
“Excellent tour of the wonderful mosaics of South Street! A great way to expand the knowledge of the artistic side of this surprisingly fascinating historical city.”
Spend 2.5 hours with a guide at Washington’s National Gallery of Art, following a focused route through works by da Vinci, Van Gogh, Monet, Raphael, Pollock, and more. Choose a private or semi-private format, ask for your interests, and expect lively art stories, close looking, and a quick introduction to both museum wings.
“Leigh our tour guide was possibly the most knowledgeable & engaging fine arts tour guide ever. I’ve done tours in three countries & this was by far the best explained. My teenage son commented after on how it really made the gallery visit a better experience. This was a bit pricey compared to others, but worth the money.”
Spend 2.5 hours walking Wynwood with a guide such as Mirka, Ria, Jennifer, or Gabriela. Enter Wynwood Walls, learn how Miami street art developed, and stop for generous tastings at breweries, taquerias, Asian-inspired eateries, Spanish food shops, and Night Owl Cookies.
“Ria is a very personable guide with a wealth of knowledge about the history and culture Wynwood area. She provided insights into the artists, their techniques and works. The tour was well organized and well paced. A nice selection of local cuisine. Come hungry.”
Spend 2.5 hours with a professional guide such as Leigh, Amanda, or Rebecca, following the National Gallery’s major works from Renaissance art to modern painters. The group never exceeds eight, and the tour ends at the museum so you can keep exploring on your own.
“Our guide Amanda was very knowledgeable and made sure we saw all of the exhibits we were interested in. She covered so much in the time we were together. If you only have a few hours to see the National Gallery, Amanda is the guide you want.”
Join a small, English-language walking tour of Little Havana led by Cuban guide Angel. Over about 2.5 hours, you’ll sample Cuban food, coffee, pastries, and ice cream, watch cigar rolling, visit art and music venues, and learn the story behind Calle Ocho and Domino Park.
“Angel was an amazing guide and we really feel we hit on history, culture and food. What an incredible experience!”
Enter Seattle Art Museum at 1st and Union, one block from Pike Place Market, with a one-day general admission ticket. Explore art from Africa, Asia, Australia, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific Northwest, then stop at Market Seattle and the SAM Shop.
“The Museum was intresting and the collections as well...!!!”
Spend one day exploring 1,120 acres at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. Visit the museum, restored slave cabins, gardens, family graves, trails, and Jackson’s tomb. The $21 Grounds Pass excludes the mansion interior, but you can upgrade at the Ticket Office for $7. English and Spanish assistance is available.
“We learned so much about this president, both good and bad. There was no erasing of history here! Wonderful exhibits and the grounds with their reconstructed outbuildings were very impressive! The love he had for his wife was undeniable and the gardens in which he and his wife, as well as some of his family are buried is amazing!”
Join licensed NYC guide and art critic Merrily for a two-hour walk through about seven Chelsea galleries. You will see changing exhibitions in many media, from graphite and oil to steel installations, with time to ask questions in a group capped at 10.
“The galleries were interesting and diverse. It would be good to get more in-depth explanations about the art”
Join Ariel Coello, also known as Ari, for a private two-hour walk through DUMBO’s murals, old warehouses, artisan shops, and bridge viewpoints. You’ll learn how Brooklyn’s street art developed, stop for personal photos, then finish with snacks and drinks on a rooftop deck.
“Amazing Street Art Virtual Tour in Brooklyn. Ariel is a Super Street Art Guide and a very very nice virtual host. Very informative, with a lot of insights about the NYC and Brooklyn street art scene. I had the opportunity to learn more about The Bushwick Collective. The presentation was very well structured using videos and images of a set of murals created by fascinating artists. I look forward for more virtual tours from other parts of NYC. Thank you Ariel. A Big Hug from Lisbon!”
Spend about an hour at Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, located in the Promenade shops across from the main pool entrance. The current Soulful Creatures exhibit presents nearly 100 Egyptian animal mummies and related artifacts, with CT scans and x-rays. Admission also puts you near Picasso and Chihuly works inside Bellagio.
“The art was good but there were only about 10 in the the whole gallery for the size of the museum it should have been a free exhibit.”
Meet Lindsey or another local guide for a 90-minute private walk through Key West art and culture. Start with 35 minutes at the Custom House museum, then visit local galleries and shops before ending at The Studios of Key West. Museum admission is included.
“My husband and I wanted to get an insider’s perspective on the beautiful community that is Key West, and Lindsey totally delivered! We saw some beautiful art, both from past and present artists living on the island, we chatted with an artist at Read more”
Pick a collection, a city, or a way through the door.
