Need an escape from the pollen-filled air or the millions of cicadas in your neighborhood? Pay a visit to the nation’s fourth-best free museum, right here in Cincinnati.
“10 Best,” USA Today’s travel information hub that frequently relies on reader input, ranked the Cincinnati Art Museum (CAM) among the country’s top ten free museums. Readers voted for the CAM and other nominees earlier this month after a panel of judges had culled the initial nominee list.
The CAM edged out the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution, among others, for the fourth spot on USA Today’s list. The National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center in Columbus, Georgia was No. 1.
The CAM's ranking comes after the museum also was considered a finalist for the 2021 Institute of Museum and Library Services Medal, according to a press release. The museum also topped a number of categories in CityBeat's own "Best of Cincinnati 2021" issue, including as the No. 1 art museum, No. 1 for place for arts and crafts classes, Nos. 1 and 2 museum exhibits, No. 1 gift shop and No. 2 podcast.
The CAM opened its doors in 1886, making it the oldest art museum west of the Allegheny Mountains, according to the CAM website. The museum now has more than 67,000 items that date back to more than 6,000 years ago.
Cincinnati has received a number of honors from USA Today’s “10 Best” recently; Smale Riverfront Park was named among the nation’s best river walks, while Fountain Square is listed as a top public square.
