Chicago's Art Institute named top museum in the world on TripAdvisor

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Art Institute of Chicago has been named the top museum in the country and in the world by TripAdvisor.

The popular travel web site names its Travelers' Choice awards based on the millions of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for museums worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

"The building itself is architecturally significant and breathtaking," one TripAdvisor reviewer noted. "The collections are world-renowned."

Additionally, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago was named the number 16 in the list of top museums in the nation.

PHOTOS: TripAdvisor names top museums in the U.S., world

The top five museums in the U.S. and the world include:

Top 5 Museums in the U.S.

1. Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

2. The Getty Center, Los Angeles, CA

3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY

4. The National WWII Museum, New Orleans, LA

5. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Top 5 Museums in the World

1. Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA

2. National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropologia), Mexico City, Mexico

3. State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia

4. The Getty Center, Los Angeles, CA USA

5. Galleria dell'Accademia/Statue of David, Florence, Italy

Additionally, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago was named the #16th top museum in the nation.

For the complete list of the 509 winners from the 2014 Travelers' Choice Museums: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Attractions-cMuseums.