Exploring Four Must-See Art Museums of the Midwest

Aug 14, 2024

Turning off your brain with a little R&R at the beach can be a wonderful, and of course much needed break from the hustle and bustle of the typical American’s day. However, there’s something to be said for a vacation that also gives us a chance to learn, explore, and immerse ourselves in the history of our country and global cultures. Today’s blog is dedicated to exploring different art museums that are just a short road trip away from Waukegan!

Check out these incredible institutions and challenge yourself to see the world through someone else’s eyes, learn a little bit about how art reflects the human experiences, and get in touch with your creative side! Here are four must-see Art Museums you should visit this summer and fall!

Art Institute of Chicago

Our very own home state of Illinois is home to one of the most world-renowned museums, and the second largest in the US. It was founded in 1879 and is located at the Art Institute of Chicago’s Grant Park building,! The Art Institute of Chicago houses more than 300,000 pieces of art and a jampacked schedule of events and special limited exhibitions. Its collection includes Vincent Van Gogh’s “The Bedroom”, Grant Wood’s “American Gothic”, El Greco’s “The Assumption of the Virgin” and a whole lot more. You’ll want to allow at least 3 to 4 hours for your visit, though most visitors say they spend their entire day here due to the expansive collection of fascinating historical and cultural exhibits.

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Established in 1967 on the North Side of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is classed as one of the world’s largest venues for contemporary art. All of the pieces you’ll see here are created from 1945 and beyond, as well as special performance art pieces from around the globe. The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive is that the museum building itself is a striking work of art, designed by renowned architect Josef Paul Kleihues; the architecture works in tandem with each gallery of artwork to create a seamless, holistic experience for viewers. You don’t want to miss the permanent collection featuring Icons of Modern Art including the infamous Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock, among others. Most visitors recommend spending at least 1 to 3 hours here, but your mileage may vary depending on special exhibitions on display and what areas interest you the most.

Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo

While Toledo may seem an unlikely place to find a world-renowned art museum, its collection of 30,000 artworks tells a different story. Featuring artwork from places as far reaching as Egypt, Greece, Rome, and parts of Asia, as well as European and American paintings, this is a truly varied art experience. The museum is also the “birthplace” of the Studio Glass Movement, and thus holds one of the most expansive and comprehensive collections of glass objects in the world; make sure that you catch one of the highlighted daily glassblowing demonstrations for an unforgettable experience. There is also an outstanding Sculpture garden featuring works from Ellsworth Kelly, Jaume Plensa, Alexander Calder, Deborah Butterfield, and more.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville

Situated on 120 acres of land in the Ozarks with 5 wooded hiking trails, this gorgeous piece of architecture is a true masterpiece of blending art and nature. The Art Trail features beautiful sculptures, native plants, and waterways and connects the museum’s south entrance to the Crystal Bridges Trail. The East Terrace Switchback features a sculpture by Celeste Roberge and a zig-zagging trail through wildflowers, flowering shrubbery, and beautiful trees. It’s a certified and accredited arboretum, focusing on native plants and natural landscaping. The rest of the museum itself showcases American Artworks and Artists from all different time periods. Also worth visiting on the same property is The Frank Lloyd Write “Bachman-Wilson House”, relocated to the grounds in 2015. You’ll want to spend at least two to three hours here, bare minimum, but you can easily spend at least a whole day exploring the trails and sculptures and architecture.

Other museums worthy of a road trip include: