Don't get me wrong, because I love the Detroit Institute of Arts [DIA]. I visit it at least twenty-five times a year, I have been a paying member for years, and the Kresge Court is one of my favorite regular hang outs in the D. I could guide one through the DIA blindfolded.

But I have also visited other great museums here and abroad and, No. 1 in the USA? according to this Free Press/USA TODAY Article, well, uh uh. As much of a Detroit loyalist as I am that is a stretch too far. The Metropolitan in NYC, the Chicago Art Institute, even Cleveland, yes Cleveland, have to rank ahead. In most other polls Detroit ranks around No. 5, a lofty and very respectable position.

Their list of top ten museums is an eccentric list of wonderful sites, but undeserving of ranking above the mighty collections mentioned above to which should be added Washington's National Gallery, Boston, Philadelphia, even Buffalo's museums.

The top 10 best art museum list

  1. Detroit Institute of Arts - Detroit
  2. American Visionary Art Museum - Baltimore
  3. IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts - Santa Fe, New Mexico
  4. Andy Warhol Museum - Pittsburgh
  5. National Museum of Wildlife Art - Jackson, Wyoming
  6. Newfields - Indianapolis
  7. Booth Western Art Museum - Cartersville, Georgia
  8. Heard Museum - Phoenix
  9. Getty Center - Los Angeles
  10. Museum of International Folk Art - Santa Fe, New Mexico