Art is a global force everyone should appreciate and enjoy.

But why travel far and wide for your creative fix when you can see some of the best pieces in the neighboring United States? – here are five fabulous art galleries in striking distance for Ontario travelers.

1.Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) – New York

The Met is the largest art museum in the US, spanning three sites across New York City (Fifth Avenue, Breuer and Cloisters).

Current exciting exhibitions include Play It Loud, which showcases rock and roll instruments, and Epic Abstraction, which explores abstract art from the 1940s to the present day.

With more than 2 million pieces divided among 17 curatorial departments and charting 5,000 years of art, there’s so much to see –make sure you allow yourself plenty of time when visiting.

2.Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) – Boston

With nearly 500,000 art works from ancient Egyptian to contemporary eras, there’s something for everyone at the Museum of Fine Arts.

The MFA also offers fun interactive educational programs to visitors, in the form of guided tours, film, art classes and much more. And 2010 saw the opening of the Art of America’s wing, consisting of four levels of amazing American art from across history – it’s a must-see.

3.National Gallery of Art – Washington

The National Gallery of Art was a gift to the people of the United States from philanthropist Andrew W. Mellon, who wanted the country to have an art gallery equal to those in other nations.

The museum is split between two buildings, the East Building which houses American and European collections, and the West Building which contains mostly modern art and special exhibitions. There’s also a super Sculpture garden where visitors can relax and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.

4.Museum of Modern Art – New York (MoMA)

MoMA is home to some of the most thought-provoking modern and contemporary art in the world.

The collection is set to grow, with the opening of an expanded gallery spaces in October. This extension will include the groundbreaking Marie José and Henry Kravis Studio – the world’s first dedicated space for performance and time-based art to be centrally integrated within a museum gallery.

5. Art Institute of Chicago – Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is home to a diverse collection featuring works from world-renowned icons such as Van Gogh, as well as interesting pieces from lesser-known artists.

One of the most exciting current exhibitions is Rembrandt portraits, which explores what defines the portraiture form. The exhibit includes two visiting Rembrandt paintings, ‘Portrait of a Boy’ and ‘Self-Portrait’, alongside the gallery’s own ‘Old Man with a Gold Chain’ and ‘Young Woman at an Open Half-Door’.

Travel
To fully appreciate art, you need to be in a positive headspace. So if you’re traveling by plane on your art adventure,driving to the airport is the best option.

Find fab deals on Ontario Airport parking at Looking4.com and free yourself from the chaos and confines of public transport and get yourself in culture vulture mode.

That’s our list! Share your favorite art galleries in the comments section.