Art has the power to transform communities, enhance our travels, and give us insight into a city’s personality. So, we set out to find the top spots to enjoy art in myriad ways across the country: the best immersive experiences, sculpture parks, arts districts, small-town arts scenes, and cities for street art. We asked our readers to vote for their favorites across five categories – and the results are in.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Best Arts District: Northeast Minneapolis Arts District in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Northeast Minneapolis Arts District wins for second consecutive year — Photo courtesy of Mural by Roco Drilo, photo courtesy Lisa Roy Photography
Centered around the Northrup King Building, the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District is home to 18 artist studio buildings where 1,200 artists work. The district’s signature event, Art-A-Whirl, brings together over 1,000 participating artists each year.
Full list of winners: Best Arts District »
Best City for Street Art: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
See thousands of murals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — Photo courtesy of Visit Philadelphia
Mural Arts Philadelphia was founded in 1984 to empower professional artists to showcase their talents. Since then, the organization has produced more than 4,000 murals, many of which are still on display. A highlight is the Love Letter project, a series of 50 rooftop murals visible from the Market-Frankford elevated line.
Full list of winners: Best City for Street Art »
Best Immersive Art Experience: Wonderspaces – Multiple locations
Find Wonderspaces in a city near you — Photo courtesy of Photo of Parastella by Christopher Schardt, Photo by Patrick Darby
As an interactive and immersive art show, Wonderspaces aims to empower people to connect with art and each other. It does this by collaborating with artists and setting up their shows in places that aren’t traditionally created to display art, serving those who wouldn’t otherwise seek art. They can be found in multiple cities such as Scottsdale, Philadelphia, San Diego and Austin.
Full list of winners: Best Immersive Art Experience »
Best Sculpture Park: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is home to the best sculpture park in the U.S. — Photo courtesy of Michael Moran, courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Spanning 158 acres in Grand Rapids, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park features outdoor gardens and a five-floor, 15,000-square-foot Tropical Conservatory. The permanent sculpture collection features more than 200 works, many of which are displayed across the 30-acre sculpture park.
Full list of winners: Best Sculpture Park »
Best Small Town Arts Scene: Tubac, Arizona
Tubac, Arizona wins for third year in a row — Photo courtesy of Arizona Office of Tourism
Tubac was founded in the 1700s as Arizona’s first European settlement. Today, this sleepy town and artists’ colony outside of Tucson is a popular destination for shoppers, who come for the 100-plus shops and galleries specializing in colorful arts and crafts.
Full list of winners: Best Small Town Arts Scene »
Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.com daily to vote in our Readers’ Choice contests.