The Top Ranked East Coast Cities For Art Lovers To Visit

Full of cities that have unique cultures, the United States is for art lovers. While most of the West Coast shares many traits from top to bottom, the East Coast has several smaller states with more diverse characteristics. From historic New England to the tropical coast of Florida, distinct regions have emerged over time and the local art naturally reflects that.

Creativity often runs rampant where culture is concentrated. So cities like Miami and New York City, which both have established ethnic neighborhoods and emerging communities, are shining stars for art on the East Coast. While the artistic nature of these major U.S. cities may not come as a surprise, some of the smaller, lesser-known cities that share the same coast have more to offer in the way of creative talent than you may believe. Art lovers traveling down the East Coast shouldn't sleep on these vibrant and inspiring cities.

Boston is a major city for history buffs, especially those interested in early American history. The city is also, however, quite the destination for those with a penchant for arts, and boasts a full spectrum between classic and new-age styles. From traditional art museums to vibrant street art, creativity shines throughout one of America's most historic cities.

When you really get down to its most basic level, art is another way in which we capture history, and Boston's Museum of Fine Arts has a pretty comprehensive collection of works that showcase the human condition as it was at the time of their creation. With over 100 galleries that showcase art from all over the world and throughout time, there is a whole lot to glean from the canvases and sculptures here. The Museum of Bad Art, on the other hand, bizarrely offers some of the same insights through pieces celebrated for being so bad you can't help but admire them.

Once you look past the red-bricked facade of Boston, you will see modern art around every corner. As you walk the Freedom Trail that routinely takes visitors through the most iconic parts of the city, keep an eye out for some of the street art that gives Boston a bit of color. The murals at Rose Kennedy Greenway are a good place to start, as the public works of art here aim to create a sense of unity among people.

Philly is all about eclectic art, which can come as a shock for those who see the city from purely a historical standpoint. While attractions like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are major attractions for a lot of visitors coming to the birthplace of the United States, the art here is electric and the people of Philly pride themselves on creativity that knows no bounds.

As one of the most affordable major cities in the United States, a lot of the art in Philadelphia is accessible. Even the most elaborate and all-consuming works come with a reasonable price tag, with a lot of art museums offering free admission. The Fabric Workshop and Museum as well as the Institute of Contemporary Art are always free for all — a bone thrown to all the starving artists out there looking for inspiration.

One of the most awe-inspiring collections of art in Philly isn't found in a museum, but rather a maze of mosaics that take up three city blocks. Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is not only impressive, but almost inconceivable as a work of art, as the tedious installation of tiny mirrors, bottles, and tiles was largely done by one artist alone. The name says it all, as walking through the complicated gallery is nothing short of magical.

While not quite rivaling New York City, the capital of the U.S. is quite rich in museums. Art plays a big role in Washington, D.C. from world-famous paintings and sculptures to live performances and street art.

The National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum are both big players in Washington, D.C.'s museum scene with works important to the country's art history and culture. Lovers of performance art have plenty of venues to patronize as well, including the Kennedy Center, which hosts a range of performances from traditional theater and orchestras to immersive exhibits. For those art aficionados who like large-scale pieces, murals dress the city in color and make exploring the streets of D.C., a treat — U Street is a great place to find culturally significant street art.

While you may think of them solely as important historical landmarks, it's important to remember that the iconic monuments found around Washington, D.C. are works of art in their own right. The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and yes, even the White House itself, are all structural marvels and deserve to be seen for their artistic value in addition to the political relevance they have in American culture. The grandiose monuments certainly give the capital a unique appearance, turning the city itself into something of a work of art.

Most visit Norfolk either for its beaches or its massive naval base, but the coastal town is also a haven for artists and art lovers. Public art is big here, and it's rare to walk through the city streets without catching a few unique mural sightings.

Though colorful murals can be spotted throughout the city, the Neon District sees a higher concentration as the central art scene hub of the city. These central large-scale pieces include an "Animal Farm"-inspired painting that uses an old barn shed as a canvas, a fanged smile amongst roses, and a simple, yet powerful labor of love.

If inventiveness runs through the veins of the city, Norfolk's central Neon District is where its heart starts pumping. Not only is the area packed with murals, but it's also where visitors can find live music, art installations, art studios, and boutique businesses. The Chrysler Museum Of Art and D'Art Center are both located here as well, strengthening that art anchor and fuelling more creativity among locals.

As the capital for Black American culture in the United States, the art scene in Atlanta very much aligns with Black culture, reflecting both the city's heritage and current political landscape. Artists in this southern city are not afraid to insert powerful statements into their art, and the result is a city that has a long and continuous history of activism.

Street art is widely used in Atlanta to commemorate the civil rights movement and to comment on more recent social and political events. Tributes to figures like John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr. can be seen painted larger than life on the side of buildings. Positive affirmations and diverse representation are common as well, like the many contributions to the city from the Living Walls organization.

While many consider Nashville the music capital of the South, Atlanta remains a giant in the music industry. Rap, Hip Hop, and R&B have major markets in the city, but other genres like gospel, indie, and country have their place here as well. Whether you're into making music or just listening to it, one of Atlanta's live music venues — like Eddie's Attic — would be a great place to spend an evening.

Although they share the East Coast, that's practically the only thing tropical Miami, Florida and a place like Portland, Maine have in common. The two starkly different cities are the perfect example of how culturally and biologically distinct the United States can be. There are creative cities throughout the East Coast, but there's no place doing things quite like Miami.

The city's many micro-ethnic neighborhoods flourish, keeping traditions and customs intact while also promoting creativity, innovation, and the creation of authentic art. Head to downtown Miami to see the meshing of cultures in a live performance taking place in a cargo container. Though MicroTheater is mostly Spanish-speaking, you don't need to understand the language to have an enlightened experience here.

Probably the most iconic of the coastal city's art scene, it's nearly impossible to ignore the Art Deco architecture along Miami Beach. The district of pastel-colored and geometrical buildings is one of the most extensive collections of this historic style and driving down the strip of timeless buildings is like being transported to the early 1900s.