Page 47 - DreamScapes Magazine | Winter 2024/2025

U S A J O U R N E Y S
Art Meets Fun
Dive into Museums and
Creative Trails American-Style
BY JOSEPHINE MATYAS
A dive into the arts can include much more
than traditional “highbrow” galleries.
Think the art of laughter, pop culture,
hands-on activities, glass and topiary sculp-
tures. The possibilities are endless.
In under a four-hour drive from Toronto,
the National Comedy Center in
Jamestown, New York is an interactive
museum of comedy history with exclusive
collections, state-of-the-art exhibits, and
more than 50 immersive experiences. Join
in the funniest scenes from TV and movies
in a green screen experience dubbed “Act the
Part,” or perform stand-up routines in the
Comedy Karaoke Lounge.
ARTSY TOUCH Visitors can create their “Sense
of Humor Profile,” which is stored on a
LaughBand, a personalized digital band
that scans content based on comedy
preferences. ComedyCenter.org
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the
world’s great art museums, renowned for
its iconic collection of 300,000 works
representing 5,000 years of human creativity.
Engaging programs include artist talks, hands-
on art making and in-gallery discussions that
connect visitors to innovative storytelling and
groundbreaking research.
ARTSY TOUCH My Museum Tour is a new tool
that allows visitors to create personal
experiences that empower. artic.edu
There are more than 100 art stops along Myrtle
Beach’s Grand Strand, including outstanding
galleries, unique museums, and art-filled
attractions like Brookgreen Gardens, with the
largest collection of figurative sculptures in
the U.S. The Beach’s 14 communities are filled
with hidden gems, including awe-inspiring
oceanfront sculptures, enormous alleyway
murals, and secret underground passages
filled with art.
ARTSY TOUCH The Myrtle Beach Arts and
Gallery Trail is a unique way to explore the
amazing art installations and collections
along the entire Grand Strand.
visitmyrtlebeach.com/art-gallery-trail
For those with a passion for pop culture,
Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) is
an unparalleled journey through music, film
and gaming, housed in a striking building
designed by renowned architect, Frank Gehry.
Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the
vibrant colours and intricate glass sculptures
of legendary artist Dale Chihuly at Chihuly
Garden and Glass, located next to the city’s
iconic Space Needle.
ARTSY TOUCH Get the most bang for your
buck during Seattle Museum Month. Each
February, guests staying at one of 70+
participating downtown hotels get 50
per cent off admission to dozens of world-
class museums and cultural institutions.
seattlemuseummonth.com
In Greater Fort Lauderdale, the NSU Art
Museum Fort Lauderdale (look for the
dripping neon paint exterior!) celebrates the
visual history of civilization with over
7,500 sculptures, paintings and multimedia
pieces in its outstanding collection. The
museum’s permanent collection contains a
large array of Latin American and Cuban
modern and contemporary art, and post-war,
avant-garde pieces by European Cobra artists.
visitlauderdale.com/listing/nsu-art-museum-
fort-lauderdale/1959/
ARTSY TOUCH The first Thursday of the
month is known as Sunny Days/Starry
Nights. It’s free admission, drinks are two-
for-one, and it’s part of the museum’s goal
to make art accessible to all. DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
Discover more information on travel to the USA at visittheusa.ca
WINTER 2024/2025 DREAMSCAPES 47