The best museums in the USA, according to social media
With so many cultures and beliefs embedded in US history, it makes sense that there are thousands of great art museums across the country.
But which one is the best? Whilst art is subjective, by pulling data from Instagram and TikTok, we’ve uncovered the top museums in the USA according to social media, so read on to discover where they are, and start adding some of them to your bucket list…
1. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, California – 942,891,437 posts and views
Cited as the largest art museum in the west, LACMA has comfortably made it into first place as the top museum in the USA, with 1,200% more engagements than the museum in second position.
From classic paintings through to photography, ceramics, and installation exhibitions; whatever your preferences in art is, you’re sure to enjoy a visit to LACMA – just don’t forget to take some great shots for the ‘gram!
2. Museum of Ice Cream, New York and Chicago – 72,422,000 posts and views
An Instagrammer’s dream, the Museum of Ice Cream is known for its immersive experiences, which has earned it the title of “the selfie museum”.
Here, you can spend your day playing in the sprinkle pool and eating unlimited ice cream… whilst posing in front of all the aesthetically pleasing backdrops on offer, of course!
3. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York – 30,676,000 posts and views
A truly iconic institution, live your best Gossip Girl life as you pose sat on the steps, before heading inside and perusing one of the many art and fashion-related exhibits.
However, what The Met is perhaps most well-known for, is its world-renowned Gala, and the amazing outfits that guests unveil; with Heavenly Bodies, and In America: A Lexicon of Fashion two of the more recent themes.
4. Brooklyn Museum, New York – 13,354,000 posts and views
Located at the edge of Prospect Park, Brooklyn Museum has climbed into a very respectable fourth position, as one of the top museums in the USA, according to social media. Its mission is to bring people together through art that inspires celebration and courage, with one of its current exhibitions a dedication to the late Virgil Abloh, with “Figures of Speech”.
Once you’ve finished, have a stroll around the park, visit the zoo, or visit the Brooklyn Public Library.
5. The Broad, California – 11,952,969 posts and views
Making up the top five is The Broad, a contemporary art museum based in downtown LA.
Whilst it’s home to over 2,000 works of post-war and contemporary art, what it’s perhaps most well-known for, is its unusual exterior, designed by leading architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, which really divides opinions.
6. Guggenheim, New York – 8,901,700 posts and views
Another architectural masterpiece, the Guggenheim was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and houses a collection of modern and contemporary art, with its many exhibitions. Perhaps the most Instagrammable thing about the Guggenheim though, is its iconic spiral ramp, which you walk around to slowly reach the top.
Situated on Fifth Avenue, once you’ve finished appreciating the art, head to the nearby Smithsonian Design Museum, or cross over into Central Park, and enjoy a stroll around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.
7. Museum of Contemporary Art, California – 7,417,000 posts and views
Los Angeles clearly is a hotbed for iconic art museums, with the third one in the city making it onto our list – this time, MOCA. Interestingly, this is the only museum in the city that was founded by artists, and is home to around 7,500 different objects, all of which are dated from 1940 and onwards.
The Broad is just a block and a half away if you want to combine two Instagrammable museums in a day, alongside the downtown LA art walk.
8. Huntington Library, California – 6,567,884 posts and views
Housed within a beautiful botanical garden, the Bonsai Court, Japanese Gardens and Lilly Ponds should give you plenty of content for Instagram and TikTok alone! However, if you head into Huntington Library itself, you’ll be walking amongst over 11 million items, some of which date all the way back to the 11th century.
The adjoining art museum features American, Asian, and European artwork, featuring paintings, photography, sculptures and more, so you really do need to set aside a full day for it.
9. Museum of Modern Art, New York – 3,900,000 posts and views
Situated right in the heart of Manhattan’s Midtown, MoMA has rightfully earned its place as the ninth best art museum in the USA and is visited by thousands of tourists and New Yorkers every single day.
Opening its doors in 1929 with just eight prints and one drawing, MoMA is now home to around 200,000 drawings, paintings, sculptures, media, and performance artworks; and its library stocks over 320,000 books, files, and other objects.
10. San Francisco Modern Art Museum, California – 3,502,593 posts and views
Rounding off our top 10 list, is the San Francisco Modern Art Museum. Situated in the Bay Area, SFMOMA takes up seven floors, spanning 45,000 square feet, which houses a variety of exhibitions, in addition to a well-stocked shop and café.
One of our favorite Instagrammable spots is the Living Wall. Located outside on floor three, it’s the largest of its kind in the US, with over 19,000 plants on display, making it the perfect backdrop for your next Insta post.
Whilst the top 10 featured New York and California exclusively (with the exception of the Museum of Ice Cream’s Chicago branch), it’s definitely worth noting that there are so many amazing museums all across the USA. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Missouri, for example, made it into 12th place, with an impressive 2,607,000 posts and views.
Also making it into the top 15 are Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas, the High Museum of Art in Georgia, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. So, whether you want to book a city break based on the best art, or you just want to explore your local area, rest assured there are so many great museums across the country for you to discover.
And, if you’d like to introduce some more art into your home, you’re in luck. At SINGULART, we have a range of wall art from some extremely talented artists. So, whether you’re looking for an abstract painting, digital photography masterpiece, or anything in between, simply browse our range to find your perfect piece. Alternatively, for more art and styling inspiration, head on over to our blog.
