ART MUSEUMS · THE USA
Every trip has one gallery day too few. These 10 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 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 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”
Spend 5.5 hours with a guide at the National Archives and National Portrait Gallery, including the Magna Carta, founding documents, presidential portraits, Obama portraits, Warhol, and American art. The group is limited to eight, with guides such as Annemarie and Brenda leading the visit.
“Guide was excellent- great stories, pick very interesting exhibits to highlight for us. Great pace for the tour one of the best of the week.”
Spend about 2.5 hours at the National Gallery of Art with Tosca, an art historian shaped by years in Paris, Italy, and London. You’ll connect works by Leonardo, Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, Monet, and Degas to the lives and ideas behind them, with admission included.
“Tosca is an amazing guide! She is so knowledgeable. She easily gives you a tour well worth the money you pay. She’s fantastic! I strongly recommend this tour.”
Pick a collection, a city, or a way through the door.
