When parked at 41st St and Miami Avenune in the Design District, the Museum Garage above us caught our attention. Just outside of the fancy Design District, there is one block with three great art moments. First, there are several large, sculptural artworks covering the facade of the 7 story parking garage. Across the street, you can visit two free art institutions: the de la Cruz Collection and the ICA.

After visiting the de la Cruz Collection, which I wrote about here, we had time to pop into the ICA. Both are smaller institutions than your typical encyclopedic museum. When we visit a new city, I look for these smaller institutions rather than big art museums with entrance fees. I never know what to expect when I walk into an art gallery with my children, so I like places where there are fewer choices about what to see. And if we need to bail (because it’s not our day), then I don’t regret dropping cash on entrance fees. Plus it is easier to dash to the door when crazy hits.

The ICA has two floors and a wonderful garden. You cannot take strollers into the gallery, but they do offer a kids toy bag. This was the kind of day that the sculpture garden with a bag full of art toys was just the right speed. The youngest of our crew talked with George Segal’s “Three Figures and Four Benches” most of the time. Then we both puzzled over the half a bulldozer by Allora & Calzadilla called “Unspecified Promise.” We’ve looked at a lot of trucks together but  never imagined cutting one in half.  That caused us to ask a few questions.

Sometimes it isn’t about how much we see, but that we see art institutions as places where we can question and be together.