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Best museum destinations in North America

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New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
9.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌃 Visit Times Square at night for unforgettable neon views
  • 🎭 Watch a Broadway musical in the Theater District
  • 🏙️ Admire skyline views from the Top of a skyscraper
Washington, D.C.
Capital of History and Culture
8.8
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.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Explore the Smithsonian museums along the National Mall
  • 🕊️ Visit the Lincoln Memorial and reflect by the Reflecting Pool
  • 🏛️ Tour the U.S. Capitol and see American democracy in action
Mexico City
Vibrant Culture, History and Street Food
8.3
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Visit Frida Kahlo’s Blue House in Coyoacán
  • 🏛️ Wander through the historic center and Zócalo Square
  • 🏯 Explore the ancient ruins of Teotihuacán’s pyramids
Boston
Historic charm meets modern innovation
8.3
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌳 Explore the Boston Common and Public Garden
  • 🎓 Tour Harvard University’s famous campus in Cambridge
  • 🚶‍♂️ Walk the historic Freedom Trail through downtown Boston
Toronto
A vibrant mix of cultures and skyline
8.2
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.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Visit Ripley’s Aquarium and walk through the underwater tunnel
  • 🏺 Explore historic Distillery District’s cobblestone lanes and galleries
  • 🌆 Take in skyline views from the top of CN Tower
Denver
Sunshine, Culture and Rocky Peaks
7.2
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.
Highlights:
  • 🍽️ Stroll along Larimer Square and enjoy local dining and shops
  • 🖼️ Visit the Denver Art Museum and see modern masterpieces
  • 🎶 Explore the Red Rocks Amphitheatre and catch a live concert
Philadelphia
History, art and cheesesteaks collide
7.2
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Stroll through the Philadelphia Museum of Art and run the Rocky Steps
  • 🥪 Eat a Philly cheesesteak from Pat's or Geno's
  • 🔔 Visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
Monterey (California)
Where Land, Sea and History Meet
8.1
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.
Highlights:
  • 🦦 Spot sea otters, seals, and whales from the shoreline
  • 🚗 Drive the scenic 17-Mile Drive along the Pacific coast
  • 🐠 Visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row
Santa Fe (New Mexico)
Ancient adobe charm meets artistic soul
7.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and explore her iconic works
  • 🏡 Admire traditional adobe architecture along Canyon Road
  • 🎨 Stroll through the historic Santa Fe Plaza and browse local art
St. Louis
Gateway to the West's Soul
7.3
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏗️ Explore the quirky City Museum built from reclaimed materials
  • 🖼️ Visit the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park
  • 🌆 Ride to the top of the Gateway Arch for city views
San Francisco
Iconic bridges, rolling hills and vibrant culture
8.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏝️ Explore Alcatraz Island and tour the former prison
  • 🚋 Ride a classic cable car through steep hills
  • 🌉 Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
Chicago
Skyline, Deep-Dish and Jazz Nights
8.2
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.
Highlights:
  • ⛴️ Take an architecture boat tour on the river
  • 🚶‍♀️ Stroll along the scenic Chicago Riverwalk
  • 🏙️ Admire the skyline from the Willis Tower Skydeck
Los Angeles
The city of stars, beaches and dreams
8.8
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎡 Spend a sunny afternoon at Santa Monica Pier and beach
  • 🥾 Hike to the Hollywood Sign for sweeping city views
  • 🎬 Walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and find your favorite stars
Ottawa
Canada's green and cultural capital
7.6
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.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Explore the vibrant ByWard Market with food and crafts
  • ⛸️ Skate or boat along the scenic Rideau Canal
  • 🏛️ Tour Parliament Hill and experience the Changing of the Guard
Quebec City
Old World Charm in North America
7.4
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Walk along Terrasse Dufferin boardwalk with river views
  • 🏰 Admire Château Frontenac’s iconic castle-like architecture
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll through historic Old Quebec’s charming streets
Victoria
Garden city by the Pacific
7.3
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.
Highlights:
  • 🚶‍♀️ Stroll along the scenic Inner Harbour waterfront
  • 🏛️ Visit the Royal BC Museum to discover regional history
  • 🌸 Explore the beautiful Butchart Gardens and seasonal blooms
Halifax
Seaside history and lively culture
7.1
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.
Highlights:
  • ⚓ Explore maritime heritage at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
  • 🏰 Visit the Halifax Citadel for stunning harbor views and history
  • ⛵ Walk the historic Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk and watch ships dock
Nashville
Music, hot chicken and honky tonks
7.7
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Visit the Parthenon replica in Centennial Park
  • 🎸 Explore music history at the Country Music Hall of Fame
  • 🎤 Experience live music at the legendary Grand Ole Opry
Pittsburgh
Steel City Reborn with Culture & Views
6.8
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌺 Visit Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • 🛍️ Explore vibrant markets and eateries in the Strip District
  • 🚠 Ride the historic Duquesne Incline for city views
Cleveland
Rock Legends, Lake Views, Local Grit
6.7
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.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the Cleveland Museum of Art for world masterpieces
  • 🛒 Shop for fresh and local foods at West Side Market
  • 🎸 Explore the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's iconic exhibits
Charlottesville
History, Vineyards and Blue Ridge Views
7.1
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎓 Explore the University of Virginia, a UNESCO site
  • 🛍️ Stroll and shop along the pedestrian Downtown Mall
  • 🏛️ Tour Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s historic estate
Montreal
A city of festivals, food and culture
8.6
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.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit the breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica and its illuminated interior
  • 🌄 Admire panoramic city views from Mount Royal Park
  • 🏙️ Wander the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal
San Diego
California's perfect weather playground
7.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 🦭 Relax at La Jolla Cove and watch sea lions bask
  • 🚢 Visit the historic USS Midway Museum on Navy Pier
  • 🦓 Explore the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park
Miami
Vibrant City of Sun and Fun
8.4
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌴 Relax on sunny South Beach’s iconic shoreline
  • 🏰 Tour lavish Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
  • 🎨 Explore vibrant street art at Wynwood Walls
Milwaukee
Beer, bikes and Lake Michigan vibes
6.4
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.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the Milwaukee Art Museum and see its winged architecture
  • 🚶‍♀️ Stroll the scenic Milwaukee RiverWalk lined with public art
  • 🏍️ Tour the iconic Harley-Davidson Museum and its legendary motorcycles
Atlanta
A City of Southern Charm and Surprises
7.0
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.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Explore marine life at the Georgia Aquarium, one of the world’s largest
  • 💦 Walk through Centennial Olympic Park and see the Fountain of Rings
  • 🕊️ Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
Houston
Space City with Southern Charm
6.9
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.
Highlights:
  • 🦒 Visit the expansive Houston Zoo in Hermann Park
  • 🦖 Discover fossils and gems at Houston Museum of Natural Science
  • 🚀 Explore Space Center Houston, NASA’s official visitor center
Dallas
Big City Vibes, Southern Charm
7.1
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌺 Stroll through Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
  • 🏛️ Explore the Sixth Floor Museum on JFK assassination
  • 🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from Reunion Tower
Williamsburg
Colonial History Comes Alive Daily
7.4
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Tour the Governor’s Palace and its formal gardens
  • 🔨 Watch blacksmiths and artisans at work in 18th-century workshops
  • 🏛️ Step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg’s historic district
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌳 Stroll the historic Independence National Historical Park grounds
  • 🔔 Examine original documents in the Liberty Bell Center
  • 📜 Tour the room where the Declaration was signed
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌌 Watch a live planetarium show about stars and galaxies
  • 🔭 Explore space exhibits and peer through the Zeiss telescope
  • 🌆 Gaze at the Hollywood Sign and city skyline from the terrace
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.
Highlights:
  • 🔍 Watch paleontologists uncover fossils in the live excavation site
  • 🐘 Explore realistic mammoth displays inside the Page Museum
  • 🦴 See bubbling tar pits where Ice Age fossils were discovered
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.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Attend rotating exhibitions of innovative modern art
  • 📷 Explore contemporary photography at the Pritzker Center
  • 🎨 View iconic works by Warhol, Rothko, and Pollock
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌌 Experience immersive shows at the Morrison Planetarium dome
  • 🐠 Discover marine life in the Steinhart Aquarium exhibits
  • 🌳 Explore the vibrant Osher Rainforest dome full of wildlife
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌍 Learn about famous spies and covert operations worldwide
  • 🎛️ See real espionage gadgets used throughout history
  • 🕵️‍♂️ Test your secret agent skills in interactive spy missions
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.
Highlights:
  • 🚀 Walk through the Air and Space Museum’s legendary exhibits
  • 💎 Admire the Hope Diamond at the Museum of Natural History
  • 🏛️ Explore the vast museums of the Smithsonian complex on the Mall
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌏 Walk through global cultural galleries including Egypt and Asia
  • 💎 Discover rare gems and minerals in Earth's Treasures
  • 🦖 Explore dinosaur fossils and ancient earth history
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌺 Reflect in the Hall of Honour and Remembrance
  • 🚜 Marvel at the extensive collection of military vehicles
  • 🪖 Walk through the immersive WWI trench exhibit
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Relax at the modern outdoor area near the museum entrance
  • 🖼️ Explore the vast collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art
  • 🎨 View iconic works like Grant Wood’s "American Gothic"
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.
Highlights:
  • 🪦 Discover ancient mummies and Egyptian tomb artifacts
  • 🌍 Explore the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet exhibit
  • 🦖 Marvel at Sue, the world's largest T. rex fossil
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.
Highlights:
  • 🧗‍♂️ Climb the interactive structure in the energy exhibit
  • ⛏️ Explore historic Coal Mine exhibit’s underground tunnels
  • 🛝 Slide down the new spiral slide in Powering the Future
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Marvel at the stunning Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture
  • 💃 Attend a vibrant Ballet Folklórico de México performance
  • 🖼️ Admire iconic murals by Diego Rivera and Siqueiros
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Discover Polynesian migration stories in Pacific Hall
  • 🌟 Visit the J. Watumull Planetarium for star shows
  • 🗿 Explore the Hawaiian Hall’s rich cultural artifacts
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Visit the Capitol Visitor Center and see Freedom’s original model
  • 🗽 Explore National Statuary Hall with statues from all states
  • 🎨 Tour the iconic Rotunda with historic frescoes and sculptures
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.
Highlights:
  • 🗺️ Take a guided tour to learn about rare manuscripts and maps
  • 📚 View Thomas Jefferson’s original library collection on display
  • 🏛️ Admire the magnificent architecture of the Jefferson Building’s Great Hall
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌌 Experience Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Room installation
  • 🗿 Marvel at Henry Moore’s extensive sculpture collection
  • 🖼️ View contemporary and Indigenous Canadian artworks
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.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit the Rideau Street Chapel recreated inside the museum
  • 🎨 Explore the Canadian and Indigenous art galleries
  • 🕷️ Admire the iconic spider sculpture, Maman, outside
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎃 Experience the eerie atmosphere during Halloween haunted tours
  • 🎧 Join a guided tour explaining prison history and reform
  • 🚪 Explore cellblocks and hear haunting prisoner stories
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Explore exhibits at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
  • 🎥 Watch the powerful documentary about the 1941 attack
  • ⛴️ Visit the USS Arizona Memorial by boat and reflect
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.
Highlights:
  • 🚲 Discover Duchamp’s provocative Bicycle Wheel sculpture
  • 🖼️ Explore Picasso’s revolutionary Les Demoiselles d’Avignon
  • 🌌 See Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece, The Starry Night
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌆 Attend a rooftop evening event overlooking Central Park
  • 🏺 Explore the Temple of Dendur inside its ancient Egyptian wing
  • 🖼️ Admire world-famous masterpieces by Van Gogh and Monet
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Relax by the museum’s outdoor sculptures and fountains
  • 🖼️ Explore diverse art collections spanning ancient to contemporary works
  • 💡 Pose at the famous Urban Light installation at sunset
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Walk the island trails and see the lighthouse up close
  • 🎧 Tour the historic cellhouse with an insightful audio guide
  • ⛴️ Take the ferry from Pier 33 and enjoy waterfront views
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌳 Stroll the Sculpture Garden’s serene paths and installations
  • 🎨 Explore modern art in the East Building’s galleries
  • 🖼️ Admire Leonardo da Vinci’s only American painting
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Visit the Rodin Museum's impressive outdoor sculpture garden
  • 🖼️ Explore extensive collections of American and European art
  • 🏃‍♂️ Run up the famous "Rocky Steps" for iconic photo
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.
Highlights:
  • 🗝️ Explore exhibits on Hawaiian monarchy and royal relics
  • 👑 See the throne room and grand koa wood staircase
  • 🏰 Take a guided tour through the royal residence rooms
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