Want to explore America’s greatest art museums without leaving home? Thanks to free virtual museum tours in the USA, you can now walk through world-class galleries, admire masterpieces, and discover famous collections entirely online.
From the largest art museums in the United States to intimate mansion collections and sculpture gardens, these institutions offer online art museum tours, virtual gallery visits, and free digital exhibitions that make cultural travel accessible anywhere. Whether you’re planning a future trip or simply love visiting museums online, this list delivers inspiration that never expires.
I’ve also published a detailed guide to the top European art museums with free virtual tours, and I created this U.S. edition because not everyone can visit every museum in person. Even when you do, virtual tours reveal extra details – I personally rediscovered works at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay this way. Physical and virtual visits offer different experiences, and both are valuable.
Note: Some museums offer full walk-through virtual tours, while others provide interactive online collection viewing. Where multiple official resources exist, I’ve listed them as direct text links to keep the article readable – simply copy and open them in a new tab.
Now, let’s start exploring.
1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, New York)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the United States, spanning ancient civilizations, European masterpieces, and global decorative arts. Highlights range from Egyptian temples and medieval armor to Impressionist painting and modern design.
Its Met 360° Project offers free cinematic virtual tours through iconic galleries and architectural spaces.
Virtual tour:
- https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/met-360-project – a series of videos
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-metropolitan-museum-of-art . Don’t miss the 360° view of the Temple of Dendur; it’s the closest you can get to standing in the massive glass wing without other tourists in your shot.
Planning a real visit?
Read my complete guide to New York City’s must-see attractions.
2. Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the best art museums in the USA and home to America’s most celebrated Impressionist collection (I love Impressionism!). It also houses iconic works like Grant Wood’s American Gothic and Hopper’s Nighthawks.
The museum provides free virtual gallery tours and online collection explorations.
Virtual visit:
- https://www.artic.edu/visit-us-virtually
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-art-institute-of-chicago
Heading to Chicago someday?
Here’s my Chicago travel guide and itinerary.
3. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (Hartford, Connecticut)
The Wadsworth Atheneum is the oldest continuously operating public art museum in America, renowned for European and American masterpieces. Its collection includes Baroque painting, Hudson River School landscapes, and modernist works.
Its site features free virtual tours of permanent galleries and exhibitions.
Virtual tour:
- https://www.thewadsworth.org/virtual-tours
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/wadsworth-atheneum-museum-of-art
4. Museum of Modern Art – MoMA (New York City, New York)
MoMA is the most influential modern art museum in the United States and a global leader in contemporary culture. It is home to Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Warhol’s pop art, and cutting-edge media installations.
It offers free virtual exhibition views and digital gallery experiences.
Virtual visit:
- https://www.moma.org/calendar/groups/58 but I recommend
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/moma-the-museum-of-modern-art – my tip: use the zoom option to see the paint brush stroke details – I am always surprised when visiting museums about these, but you cannot get too close to the paintings. Online, the zoom option helps you!
5. Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas, Texas)
The Dallas Museum of Art is one of the largest encyclopedic art museums in the southern United States. Its holdings span ancient Mediterranean artifacts, African sculpture, American painting, and contemporary installations.
Its collections are available through free Google Arts & Culture virtual galleries.
Virtual tour:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/dallas-museum-of-art
6. The J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles, California)
The Getty Museum is one of the most famous art museums in Los Angeles, celebrated for European painting and classical antiquities. The hilltop complex is also admired for its architecture and panoramic city views.
Virtual tour:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-j-paul-getty-museum
7. Barnes Foundation (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
The Barnes Foundation houses one of the greatest private art collections in the world, rich in Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso. Its galleries are arranged in intimate room ensembles designed by founder Albert Barnes himself.
It offers free online gallery experiences and collection highlights.
Virtual visit:
- https://www.barnesfoundation.org/whats-on/online – specifically https://collection.barnesfoundation.org/
Planning a trip to Philadelphia?
Read this Philadelphia visitor guide and find out everything you need to know.
8. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Boston, Massachusetts)
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is one of the largest art museums in the United States, spanning ancient, European, Asian, and American collections. Highlights range from Egyptian mummies and Japanese prints to Impressionist masterpieces and contemporary photography.
Its collections are accessible through free Google Arts & Culture virtual galleries:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/museum-of-fine-arts-boston – prepare to spend a lot of time here 🙂
Visiting Boston in the future?
Explore my Boston city guide with top things to do.
9. Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the most visited art museums in America, known for its grand architecture and sweeping global collections. Visitors find European masters, Asian antiquities, American painting, and modern installations.
It offers free virtual access through Google Arts & Culture. Virtual tour:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/philadelphia-museum-of-art
10. Meadows Museum (Dallas, Texas)
The Meadows Museum holds the finest Spanish art collection outside Spain, featuring Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. Its focused galleries make it a hidden gem for lovers of European painting.
It features a free 360° virtual tour of gallery spaces:
- https://meadowsmuseumdallas.org/virtual-360-tour
11. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York City, New York)
The Guggenheim is New York’s most iconic modern art museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Inside the spiral rotunda, visitors encounter Kandinsky, Picasso, and contemporary installations.
Explore the museum through a free Google Arts & Culture walkthrough:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/solomon-r-guggenheim-museum
12. National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.)
The National Gallery of Art is America’s national art museum, housing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to modern painting. Its highlights include Leonardo da Vinci’s Ginevra de’ Benci and works by Monet, Rothko, and Calder.
Its collections are available through free Google Arts & Culture galleries.
Virtual tour:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-gallery-of-art-washington-dc – I saw so many wonderful paintings! Make sure you take your time!
13. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Bentonville, Arkansas)
Crystal Bridges is the most important museum dedicated to American art outside major cities. Its collection spans colonial portraiture, modernism, and contemporary American painting.
Virtual visit:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/crystal-bridges-museum-of-american-art
14. Los Angeles County Museum of Art – LACMA (Los Angeles, California)
LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States. Its collections range from ancient artifacts to contemporary art and outdoor sculpture installations.
It offers free online collection galleries and digital exhibitions.
Virtual visit:
- The collection is here https://collections.lacma.org/
- And here is a virtual tour of one of the exhibits + the collection: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/los-angeles-county-museum-of-art
15. Minneapolis Institute of Art (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
MIA is one of the largest art museums in the Midwest, covering 5,000 years of art history. Its strengths include Asian art, African sculpture, and American decorative arts.
Virtual tour and collections:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/minneapolis-institute-of-arts
16. Morgan Library & Museum (New York City, New York)
The Morgan Library is a world-class museum of manuscripts, drawings, and rare books. Its treasures include medieval illuminated texts, Michelangelo sketches, and historic literary archives.
Virtual visits:
- https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/online
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-morgan-library-museum
17. Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, D.C.)
SAAM is the nation’s flagship museum for American art. Its collection covers colonial portraiture, modern American painting, and contemporary installations.
Its website features free digital exhibitions and collection access.
Virtual visit:
- https://americanart.si.edu/art
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/smithsonian-american-art-museum
18. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, Massachusetts)
This museum is as much a work of art as the pieces it holds. Modeled after a Venetian palazzo, it features a stunning interior courtyard – the online tour starts in the garden.
It’s also famous for the 1990 art heist – the empty frames still hang on the walls in hopes of the art’s return – the story is on the website (of the heist, of the founder, and more).
Virtual visit:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/isabella-stewart-gardner-museum
- https://www.gardnermuseum.org/experience/collection
19. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Houston, Texas)
One of the largest museums in the US, its collection is massive. It is particularly known for its Latin American art, Italian Renaissance paintings, and French Impressionist works.
Virtual tour:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-museum-of-fine-arts-houston
20. Cincinnati Art Museum (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Founded in 1881, this is one of the oldest art museums in the country. It boasts an incredibly diverse collection of over 67,000 works spanning 6,000 years of human history.
Virtual visit:
- https://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/art/exhibitions/online-exhibitions/
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/cincinnati-art-museum
21. The Dalí Museum (St. Petersburg, Florida)
This museum holds the largest collection of Salvador Dalí’s works outside of Europe. The building itself is a surrealist marvel with a “Glass Enigma” bubble bursting from its side.
Virtual tour:
- https://thedali.org/virtual-tour/
22. Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery (Washington, D.C.)
Located in the historic Old Patent Office Building, this museum tells the story of America through the people who shaped it – from presidents and activists to actors and athletes.
Virtual visit:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-portrait-gallery
- https://npg.si.edu/portraits
23. Madison Museum of Contemporary Art – MMoCA (Madison, Wisconsin)
A gem of the Midwest, MMoCA provides excellent 3D virtual tours of its recent exhibitions.
It focuses heavily on modern and contemporary art with a strong emphasis on regional artists.
Virtual tours:
- https://www.mmoca.org/programs/virtual-tours/
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/madison-museum-of-contemporary-art
24. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – VMFA (Richmond, Virginia)
The VMFA is known for its world-class collection of Fabergé eggs, English silver, and one of the best collections of South Asian art in the United States.
Virtual visit:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/virginia-museum-of-fine-arts
25. Nasher Sculpture Center (Dallas, Texas)
The Nasher is one of the leading sculpture museums in the United States. Its collection features works by Giacometti, Serra, and modern sculptors in a serene garden setting.
It offers free virtual exhibitions and sculpture garden views.
Virtual visit:
- https://www.nashersculpturecenter.org/art/collection?_gl=1*188uz1d*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTkxNTQ5ODE3NC4xNzY5MjYyMjg2*_ga_MERRZQZVMX*czE3NjkyNjIyODYkbzEkZzEkdDE3NjkyNjIzMjAkajI2JGwwJGgxOTc2MzczOTY1JGRmc3A2TlN0QmVNVmVGZUNSRWdEeXVZNW92QWdJMFJUeTln
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/nasher-sculpture-center
26. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (San Francisco, California)
SFMOMA is the leading modern art museum on the U.S. West Coast. Its collection features contemporary photography, large-scale installations, and postwar American art.
It provides free digital exhibitions and online gallery experiences.
Virtual collection:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/san-francisco-museum-of-modern-art-sfmoma
Thinking of visiting San Francisco soon? Read this local’s guide to San Francisco and discover the top attractions, off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, where to eat, and practical tips.
27. Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan)
The Detroit Institute of Arts is famous for Diego Rivera’s monumental Detroit Industry murals. Its collection also includes African art, European masters, and American realism.
Its collections are available through free Google Arts & Culture galleries.
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/detroit-institute-of-arts
28. Whitney Museum of American Art (New York City, New York)
The Whitney is the premier museum for American contemporary art. It focuses on living artists and innovative exhibitions reflecting modern American culture.
Virtual visit:
- The collection is here https://artsandculture.google.com/explore/collections/whitney-museum-of-american-art
29. Cleveland Museum of Art (Cleveland, Ohio)
The Cleveland Museum of Art is one of the best free art museums in the United States, with an encyclopedic collection. Visitors find Egyptian relics, Asian ceramics, European paintings, and American decorative arts.
You can see the collection here:
- https://www.clevelandart.org/art/collection/online
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/cleveland-art
30. High Museum of Art (Atlanta, Georgia)
The High Museum is the leading art museum of the American South. Its collection features American art, European painting, photography, and rotating contemporary exhibitions.
See the collection online:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/high-museum-of-art
31. Portland Art Museum (Portland, Oregon)
The Portland Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums on the U.S. West Coast. It is known for Native American collections, Northwest landscape painting, and contemporary craft.
Its collections are available through free Google Arts & Culture galleries:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/portland-art-museum
32. Denver Art Museum (Denver, Colorado)
The Denver Art Museum is renowned for Native American and Western art collections. It also features contemporary installations and bold architectural design.
Virtual visit:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/denver-art-museum
33. Toledo Museum of Art (Toledo, Ohio)
The Toledo Museum of Art is internationally known for its glass art collection. It also houses European painting, American art, and a dedicated Glass Pavilion.
Virtual visit:
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-toledo-museum-of-art
34. Seattle Art Museum (Seattle, Washington)
The Seattle Art Museum is the cultural heart of the Pacific Northwest art scene. Its collections include Asian art, Indigenous works, and contemporary exhibitions.
Its site offers a free collection exploration:
- https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/art-and-artists/sams-collection
35. Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, Connecticut)
Yale’s gallery is the oldest university art museum in the United States. Its collection spans global antiquities, Renaissance painting, and modern American art.
Its collections are available here:
- https://artgallery.yale.edu/collection
36. Frick Collection (New York City, New York)
The Frick Collection is one of the most elegant European art museums in America, displayed in a historic mansion. Visitors find Rembrandt, Vermeer, Goya, and Whistler in intimate gallery rooms.
It offers free digital collection viewing:
- https://www.frick.org/art
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-frick-collection
37. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
Dedicated to the “Mother of American Modernism,” this museum offers a deep dive into O’Keeffe’s iconic desert landscapes and flower paintings. It captures the unique light and spirit of the American Southwest.
Virtual visit:
- https://collections.okeeffemuseum.org/object/#subquery=gok
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/georgia-o-keeffe-museum
38. Norton Simon Museum (Pasadena, California)
This private collection is world-renowned for its European paintings and South Asian sculpture.
It houses masterpieces by Rembrandt, Degas, and Picasso in a very peaceful, intimate setting.
Virtual visit:
- https://www.nortonsimon.org/art/explore-the-collection
What To Do Next?
These free virtual museum tours make America’s best art museums accessible from anywhere. Whether you’re searching for online art gallery tours, planning cultural travel, or simply exploring from home, these digital visits deliver world-class inspiration without borders.
You can also use them as inspiration to add them on your itineraries for when you visit the cities they are in.
When you’re ready to plan trips or just want to test your knowledge, continue with:
- Must-Visit U.S. Cities Once in a Lifetime
- Famous Buildings and Monuments in the United States
- Travel Trivia: Around the Planet in 75 Superlatives
- 150 U.S. Travel Trivia Questions with Answers
Your next museum journey – virtual or physical – starts here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Virtual Museum Tours
Are virtual museum tours really free?
Yes! All the museums listed above offer their digital collections and 360-degree walkthroughs at no cost, though some offer “Premium” guided virtual events for a fee.
What is the best way to view a virtual art museum?
For the best experience, use a desktop computer or a tablet to see fine details. Many of these tours are compatible with VR headsets for a truly immersive “walking” experience.
What is Google Arts & Culture, and how does it work?
Many of the museums on this list partner with Google Arts & Culture. It is a free platform that uses “Street View” technology to let you virtually walk through museum halls. You can zoom in on high-resolution images to see individual brushstrokes that are often invisible to the naked eye during a physical visit.
Can I use virtual tours for school projects or homeschooling?
Absolutely! Most museums provide these resources specifically for education. Websites like the Smithsonian and The Met offer additional “Learning” sections with lesson plans, high-res downloads, and historical context perfect for students of all ages.
Why are some artworks “missing” or blurred in virtual tours?
You might occasionally see a blurred frame or a “content not available” message. This is usually due to copyright restrictions (especially for modern art) or because a piece is on loan from a private collection that hasn’t authorized digital broadcasting.
Do I need a VR headset to enjoy these tours?
No, a headset is not required. While some tours (like the 360° videos at The Met or the Dalí Museum) are “VR-ready” for an immersive experience, they are all designed to work perfectly on a standard smartphone, tablet, or laptop browser.
Can virtual tours replace a real-life visit?
Think of a virtual tour as a “trailer” or a “deep dive.” It’s great for seeing details up close or visiting places you can’t travel to right now. However, nothing beats the scale and atmosphere of standing in front of a massive canvas like Nighthawks or walking through the Guggenheim’s spiral in person.
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