Best museum destinations in North America
Best museum destinations in North America
Major aviation history exhibits and contemporary collection spaces in North America
North America's museum offer is anchored by some of the world's most significant permanent collections, built during periods of concentrated private philanthropy and institutional ambition that brought extraordinary holdings across art, natural history, science and culture into public access. The continent's major cities have developed museum districts and cultural campuses that concentrate multiple institutions within walkable areas, supporting dedicated multi-day museum itineraries in the strongest markets.
Natural history and science museum infrastructure is particularly strong, with several institutions holding collections of global scientific significance alongside public programming of considerable ambition. The continent's Indigenous cultural collections have undergone significant repatriation and reinterpretation in recent years, with many institutions working with native communities to present material in ways that reflect living cultural relationships rather than purely historical display.
Admission costs vary considerably, with some of the world's greatest collections available for free while others charge substantial fees. Advance booking for blockbuster exhibitions is essential and timed entry is standard at the most visited institutions. Late opening programmes at major museums deliver a different atmosphere to daytime visits and are worth building into any dedicated itinerary. Museum membership schemes at frequently visited institutions represent strong value and typically include reciprocal access across multiple partner institutions.
Lists by region
City in United States
New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA and the Guggenheim are the big name museums in this vast city. The American Museum of Natural History and the Whitney Museum add variety. Museum Mile lines Fifth Avenue beside Central Park. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum adds a moving visit.
City in United States
Denver
Sunshine, Culture and Rocky Peaks
The Denver Art Museum's angular Hamilton Building was designed by Daniel Libeskind. The Clyfford Still Museum shows a huge collection of his abstract paintings. Visitors can see the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Molly Brown House. History Colorado Center tells the story of the Rocky Mountain region.
City in United States
Monterey (California)
Where Land, Sea and History Meet
A world class aquarium on Cannery Row features giant kelp forest exhibits in this bayside town. The Monterey Museum of Art and historic Custom House add culture. Visitors can walk Cannery Row, the setting for John Steinbeck's novels. Old adobes and Fisherman's Wharf add local history.
City in United States
Miami
Vibrant City of Sun and Fun
The Pérez Art Museum Miami sits on Biscayne Bay with hanging gardens. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a grand Italian style villa. Wynwood Walls shows large street art murals and the Frost Museum of Science adds a family friendly stop. Art Deco architecture in South Beach adds a stylish backdrop.
City in Canada
Montreal
A city of festivals, food and culture
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is Canada's oldest art museum. Pointe à Callière is an archaeology museum on the site of the city's founding. Visitors can see the McCord Stewart Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. The Biodome and Planetarium sit by Olympic Park.
City in United States
Houston
Space City with Southern Charm
The Museum District has 19 museums in a walkable area near Hermann Park. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science and Menil Collection are top sights. The Rothko Chapel offers quiet contemplation. Space Center Houston nearby shows real spacecraft and space suits.
City in Canada
Victoria
Garden city by the Pacific
The Royal BC Museum has a mammoth, First Peoples gallery and a walk through history. Craigdarroch Castle is a Victorian mansion. Visitors can see the Maritime Museum of British Columbia and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Butchart Gardens lie a short drive away from downtown.
City in United States
San Diego
California's perfect weather playground
Balboa Park holds 17 museums in one green park. The San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Air and Space Museum and Fleet Science Center are top sights. Visitors can also tour the USS Midway Museum. Spanish colonial buildings add grandeur to the park's gardens and plazas.
City in United States
Milwaukee
Beer, bikes and Lake Michigan vibes
The Milwaukee Art Museum has a Calatrava designed wing with moving sunshade wings. The Harley Davidson Museum shows motorcycles from the brand's history. Visitors can see the Milwaukee Public Museum with its large dinosaur exhibit. Discovery World and lakefront paths add variety to a rainy day.
City in Canada
Halifax
Seaside history and lively culture
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic displays Titanic artefacts and Halifax Explosion exhibits. Pier 21 is the Canadian Museum of Immigration at the old immigration shed. Visitors can climb Citadel Hill and see the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The waterfront boardwalk ties the sights together.
City in United States
Dallas
Big City Vibes, Southern Charm
The Dallas Arts District is one of the largest urban arts districts in the United States. The Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center and Crow Museum of Asian Art line the streets. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza covers the Kennedy assassination. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science suits families.
City in Canada
Quebec City
Old World Charm in North America
The Musée national des beaux arts du Québec and Musée de la civilisation are major museums in this walled city. The Citadelle and Musée de l'Amérique francophone tell French Canadian history. The Château Frontenac towers over the old town. Old Quebec is UNESCO listed and lovely to walk.
City in United States
Boston
Historic charm meets modern innovation
The Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum are top museums in this historic city. The Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium suit families. Freedom Trail sites add American Revolution history. Harvard museums in nearby Cambridge add collections of art and natural history.
City in United States
St. Louis
Gateway to the West's Soul
The Gateway Arch has an underground museum about westward expansion. The Saint Louis Art Museum and Saint Louis Science Center offer free admission. Forest Park holds several museums and a zoo. The City Museum is a quirky playground made from salvaged building pieces and old factory parts.
City in United States
Philadelphia
History, art and cheesesteaks collide
Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the Museum of the American Revolution tell the story of American independence. The Philadelphia Museum of Art and Barnes Foundation hold top art. The Franklin Institute and Mütter Museum suit science fans. Rodin Museum adds sculpture and a peaceful garden near the Parkway.
City in United States
Washington, D.C.
Capital of History and Culture
The Smithsonian museums on the National Mall are the big draw of this capital. The National Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum and American History Museum are free. The National Gallery of Art and Holocaust Memorial Museum add depth. Monuments and memorials fill the evenings.
City in United States
Atlanta
A City of Southern Charm and Surprises
Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca Cola and the Center for Civil and Human Rights sit near Centennial Olympic Park. The High Museum of Art in Midtown holds American and European works. Fernbank Museum of Natural History adds dinosaurs. Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park shows the civil rights leader's neighbourhood.
City in Canada
Toronto
A vibrant mix of cultures and skyline
The Royal Ontario Museum and Art Gallery of Ontario are the big name museums in this large city. The Gardiner Museum shows ceramics and the Bata Shoe Museum shows footwear. The Hockey Hall of Fame adds sports history. The CN Tower adds skyline views over the lake.
City in United States
Santa Fe (New Mexico)
Ancient adobe charm meets artistic soul
The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum shows the painter's desert landscapes and flowers. The Museum of International Folk Art has one of the world's largest folk art collections. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture sits on Museum Hill. Canyon Road has dozens of galleries and adobe buildings.
City in Mexico
Mexico City
Vibrant Culture, History and Street Food
The National Museum of Anthropology, Frida Kahlo Museum and Museo Soumaya are the big name museums in this huge capital. Palacio de Bellas Artes holds murals by Diego Rivera. The city has more than 150 museums. The Templo Mayor shows Aztec ruins beside the main square.
City in United States
San Francisco
Iconic bridges, rolling hills and vibrant culture
The de Young Museum, Legion of Honor and SFMOMA are the big name museums in this hilly city. The Exploratorium and California Academy of Sciences suit families. The Asian Art Museum holds a large collection. The Walt Disney Family Museum sits in the Presidio near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Library in Washington, D.C.
Library of Congress
Vast Treasury of Knowledge and History
The world's largest library holds over 170 million items in Washington DC. The ornate Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building has marble, murals and a Gutenberg Bible on display. Visitors can look into the Main Reading Room from a gallery. Admission is free and timed entry helps avoid queues.
City in United States
Nashville
Music, hot chicken and honky tonks
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum shows guitars, costumes and records. The Ryman Auditorium is known as the mother church of country music. Visitors can tour the Johnny Cash Museum and the Frist Art Museum. The Parthenon replica in Centennial Park adds an unusual sight.
Art Gallery in Toronto
Art Gallery of Ontario
Toronto’s Artistic Treasure Trove
A Frank Gehry redesign gives this Toronto gallery a spiralling wooden staircase and a glass front. The collection holds Group of Seven paintings, Inuit art and European masters. It has one of the largest public collections of sculpture by Henry Moore. Visitors can enjoy Galleria Italia and nearby Grange Park.
City in United States
Chicago
Skyline, Deep-Dish and Jazz Nights
The Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry are the big name museums here. Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium share Museum Campus on Lake Michigan. The Museum of Contemporary Art adds modern works. Architecture boat tours and deep dish pizza fill free time.
Landmark in San Francisco
Alcatraz Island
San Francisco’s Infamous Prison Island
A former federal prison on an island in San Francisco Bay held inmates from 1934 to 1963. An audio tour narrated by former guards and inmates leads through the cell blocks. Visitors can see Al Capone's cell block and the recreation yard. Ferries leave from Pier 33 and tickets sell out early.
Historic Building in Philadelphia
Independence Hall
Birthplace of American freedom
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated and signed in this Georgian brick building. Visitors can tour the Assembly Room with its famous Rising Sun chair. Free timed tickets help manage the crowds. The Liberty Bell Center and Independence National Historical Park sit close by.
Art Gallery in Ottawa
National Gallery of Canada
Canada's Premier Art Destination
A glass tower above the Ottawa River houses Canada's national art collection. Louise Bourgeois's giant spider sculpture Maman waits outside. Visitors can see Canadian and Indigenous art, European old masters and the interior of a historic chapel. The gallery sits near Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market.
Art Museum in Washington, D.C.
National Gallery of Art
Masterpieces Across Centuries
Leonardo da Vinci's Ginevra de' Benci, a rare Leonardo in the Americas, hangs in this free National Mall museum. The collection spans Vermeer, Monet, Van Gogh and American art. The East Building holds modern art and a large sculpture garden. Visitors can easily combine it with nearby Smithsonian museums.
Museum in Chicago
Field Museum
Chicago’s Natural History Wonder
Sue, one of the most complete T rex skeletons ever found, stands in this Museum Campus landmark. The museum overlooks Lake Michigan next to Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. Visitors can see Egyptian mummies, Pacific cultures and the Maximo titanosaur cast. The Evolving Planet exhibit tells four billion years of life.
City in United States
Los Angeles
The city of stars, beaches and dreams
The Getty Center and Getty Villa, LACMA and The Broad are major art museums in this sprawling city. The Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits cover science. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures celebrates film. Griffith Observatory adds city views and a planetarium.
City in United States
Pittsburgh
Steel City Reborn with Culture & Views
The Andy Warhol Museum is among the largest US museums dedicated to a single artist. The Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History sit together with a famous dinosaur hall. Visitors can see the Carnegie Science Center and the Heinz History Center. Steel city history fills many galleries.
City in United States
Cleveland
Rock Legends, Lake Views, Local Grit
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sits on the shore of Lake Erie in this Ohio city. The Cleveland Museum of Art offers free general admission and a strong collection. Visitors can see Balto the sled dog at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. University Circle holds many museums within walking distance.
City in Canada
Ottawa
Canada's green and cultural capital
The National Gallery of Canada, Canadian War Museum and Canada Science and Technology Museum are in this capital city. The Canadian Museum of History lies across the river in Gatineau. Visitors can see Indigenous art and Canadian history in one trip. Many museums cluster near Parliament Hill.
Museum in Chicago
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago’s Interactive Science Playground
A captured German U 505 submarine and an Apollo 8 spacecraft are on display inside this huge science museum. It is one of the largest science museums in the world. Visitors can walk through a coal mine replica and a giant model railway. The museum is housed in a palace from the 1893 World's Fair.
City in United States
Williamsburg
Colonial History Comes Alive Daily
Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum with costumed interpreters in a restored colonial capital. Visitors can see the Governor's Palace, the Capitol and Bruton Parish Church. The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum holds fine furniture. Jamestown and Yorktown nearby complete the Historic Triangle of colonial Virginia.
City in United States
Charlottesville
History, Vineyards and Blue Ridge Views
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, a UNESCO listed home, stands near this Virginia college town. The University of Virginia Rotunda and Lawn are also UNESCO listed. Visitors can see James Monroe's Highland and the Fralin Museum of Art. Wineries and mountain views add to a history filled visit.
Museum in Honolulu
Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum
Windows to Hawaiian Heritage
Hawaii's largest museum was founded in 1889 and holds Hawaiian and Pacific treasures. Feather cloaks and royal artefacts fill the three story Hawaiian Hall. Visitors can see volcano exhibits and watch planetarium shows. Hula and cultural demonstrations bring the collection to life at weekends for visitors.
Museum in Washington, D.C.
International Spy Museum
Dive Into Espionage History
Interactive exhibits on real spy gadgets, disguises and famous operations fill this museum at L'Enfant Plaza. Visitors can try spy missions, see Cold War bugs and view an Aston Martin from Goldfinger. Exhibits explain how real spies worked. It is a fun stop for families.
Art Museum in New York City
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
World's Premier Art Collection
Over 1.5 million works span 5,000 years of art at this museum on Fifth Avenue. The Temple of Dendur, European paintings and the Costume Institute are major highlights. Visitors can see Washington Crossing the Delaware and the rooftop garden in summer. It overlooks Central Park and sits on Museum Mile.
Government Building in Washington, D.C.
United States Capitol
Heart of American Democracy
The seat of the US Congress rises under a 288 foot cast iron dome on Capitol Hill. Visitors can take free guided tours booked in advance and see the Rotunda and Statuary Hall. The Visitor Center includes Emancipation Hall and a dome replica. The National Mall, Library of Congress and Supreme Court stand close by.
Museum in Washington, D.C.
Smithsonian Institution
World's Largest Museum Complex
A giant museum, education and research complex runs 21 museums in Washington DC. The National Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum with the Hope Diamond and American History Museum are top sights. Admission to the museums is free. Visitors can spend several days exploring the National Mall museums.
Museum in Toronto
Royal Ontario Museum
Fusion of history and art
Canada's largest museum of world cultures and natural history has a crystal shaped addition in Toronto. Dinosaur skeletons, Egyptian mummies and Chinese temple art fill the galleries. Visitors can see Burgess Shale fossils and large Indigenous collections. The museum sits near Yorkville and the University of Toronto.
Museum in San Francisco
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
West Coast’s modern art powerhouse
One of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States stands in San Francisco's SoMa district. Works by Frida Kahlo, Warhol, Matisse and Rothko fill seven floors of galleries. A Snøhetta designed expansion opened in 2016. Free ground floor galleries and a rooftop sculpture garden add variety.
Museum in Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory
Gateway to the Cosmos & Views
A free public observatory on Mount Hollywood gives views of the Hollywood Sign and the whole Los Angeles basin. Visitors can see a show in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium and watch the Foucault pendulum swing. Telescopes on the lawn and roof offer free night sky viewing. Art Deco design adds to the setting.
Historic Site in Philadelphia
Eastern State Penitentiary
Haunting historic prison experience
A Gothic style prison opened in 1829 and pioneered solitary confinement. Visitors can tour crumbling cell blocks and see Al Capone's cell. An audio tour narrated by Steve Buscemi tells the stories of inmates and guards. Halloween events add a haunted house each autumn for thrill seekers.
Art Museum in New York City
MoMA
Modern Art's New York Landmark
Van Gogh's The Starry Night and Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon hang in this Midtown Manhattan museum of modern art. The collection spans paintings, sculpture, film, design and photography from the 1880s to today. Visitors can see Warhol, Monet's Water Lilies and Dalí's The Persistence of Memory. A quiet sculpture garden offers a break.
Art Museum in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Epic art and iconic steps
A Greek revival museum sits at the top of the Rocky Steps on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The collection includes Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Cézanne's Bathers and a large Duchamp collection. Visitors can run the famous steps and pose with the Rocky statue. Nearby museums and the Schuylkill River trail add a full day.
Museum in San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences
Earth’s wonders under one roof
An aquarium, planetarium, rainforest dome and natural history museum share one building under a living roof in Golden Gate Park. Visitors can walk through a four story rainforest and see the Steinhart Aquarium. Morrison Planetarium shows the night sky on a large dome. Thursday NightLife events add music and drinks.
Historical Building in Honolulu
Iolani Palace
Royal Legacy in Hawaiian Heart
The royal residence of King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani stands in downtown Honolulu. It had electric lights before the White House. Visitors can take guided or self guided tours of the Throne Room and royal bedrooms. Nearby King Kamehameha's statue adds to the historic district.
Museum in Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago
A Treasure Trove of Artistic Masterpieces
Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Hopper's Nighthawks and Grant Wood's American Gothic hang in this Chicago museum. Bronze lion statues guard the front steps on Michigan Avenue. Visitors can see the Modern Wing designed by Renzo Piano and large Impressionist galleries. Millennium Park is next door.
Museum in Los Angeles
La Brea Tar Pits
A Window into the Ice Age
Ice age fossils bubble from natural asphalt pits in the middle of Los Angeles. Excavations have found sabre toothed cats, dire wolves and mammoths. Visitors can watch scientists clean fossils in the Fossil Lab and explore the Page Museum. Mammoth statues at the Lake Pit make a popular photo.
Museum in Ottawa
Canadian War Museum
Canada's Premier Military History Museum
Canada's military history from early conflicts to modern peacekeeping is told in this Ottawa museum. Exhibits include tanks, artillery and personal stories from both World Wars. Visitors can enter Regeneration Hall and see the jagged green roofed building on LeBreton Flats. The museum sits near Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River.
Museum in Mexico City
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Mexico's Cultural and Artistic Jewel
A white marble palace with Art Nouveau and Art Deco design hosts murals by Diego Rivera, Orozco and Siqueiros. Rivera's Man at the Crossroads is a highlight. Visitors can see a Tiffany glass curtain and Ballet Folklórico performances. The building sits by Alameda Central in the historic centre.
Historic Site in United States
Pearl Harbor
Historic WWII Memorial and Tribute
The USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri and two museums share this historic site on Oahu. Visitors take a short boat ride to the memorial over the sunken battleship. Free tickets book up early so reserve in advance. Plan a full day to see all sites.
Art Museum in Los Angeles
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
West Coast's Premier Art Museum
Urban Light, a field of restored street lamps, greets visitors at this Wilshire Boulevard museum. It is the largest art museum in the western United States. The collection covers Latin American, Islamic and Asian art and the Levitated Mass boulder by Michael Heizer. The La Brea Tar Pits and Petersen Automotive Museum are close.
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