#2 Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale’s Main Street is bursting with art galleries and public art, including Colores by Wilde Meyer gallery, which features Doug Weigel’s brightly painted steel sculpture “Doug’s Gang” out front. Photography by Pamela Parisi

Commonly known as “The West’s Most Western Town,” Scottsdale could also be called “The Land of Art Galleries,” since it seems like a new one is added to the 125-plus list every day.

“Scottsdale has the most beautiful art galleries in the country,” wrote reader Linda Homonoff, of Barrington R.I., in casting her vote. It’s a “great art community and shows great contemporary art in a traditionally Western town,” agreed Wendy Haas, of Tempe, Ariz.

The city boasts a popular Thursday evening ArtWalk, established by the Scottsdale Gallery Association 30 years ago. Downtown hotspots include Main Street, Marshall Way, Old Town and Fifth Avenue, which offer an eclectic mix of galleries, studios, restaurants and shops. Be prepared to experience it all—everything from Native American craft to edgy, contemporary art is offered downtown.

The Scottsdale Public Art Program commissions art installations and works with developers to fund art projects throughout the year. Most recently, it has worked with the developers of the $250 million Scottsdale Waterfront to permanently install Donald Lipski’s gigantic walk-in kaleidoscope “The Doors.” The program has also seen the city cast in Jell-O, watched the RedBall Project bounce through its streets and seen Audio Ballerinas perform at the Scottsdale Arts Festival in March.

The Heard Museum North Scottsdale has also undergone dramatic changes. It moved to a new 11,000-squarefoot facility last year, opening two galleries to showcase both its permanent collection and special exhibitions, an outdoor sculpture garden, cafe and museum store.