12 Best Museums In The United States

For most people, there is nothing better than an afternoon spent at a good museum. It's a good thing the United States is jam-packed with them in every corner of the country, from the Pacific Northwest to the Deep South. Although there are literally hundreds (or even thousands) of amazing choices spanning pretty much every major city in the nation, this list narrows down the best of the best.

Whether you're in New York visiting The Met or in Los Angeles at The Getty Center, or anywhere in between, read on for the inside scoop on which museums you simply have to check out if you love the simple act of learning.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York, New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC is the largest art museum in the United States, housing over 1.5 million works across 5,000 years of human creativity. Here, visitors can explore galleries devoted to subjects like Ancient Egyptian relics, European paintings, Middle Eastern art, American decorative arts, and much more. The museum’s sheer scale and scope make it a comprehensive introduction to numerous genres and interests. Highlights include the Temple of Dendur, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer, and the Arms and Armor collection, a favorite for history buffs.

The museum is adjacent to Central Park, providing easy access to the iconic urban greenspace. General admission includes entry to both the Fifth Avenue location and The Met Cloisters, which specializes in medieval European art and architecture. Advance reservations are recommended, especially during weekends and holidays. After touring the museum, you should also check out the nearby Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum or walk along Fifth Avenue’s historic corridor.

National Air and Space Museum - Washington, D.C.

The National Air and Space Museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, holds the world’s largest collection of aviation and space artifacts. Key exhibits include the 1903 Wright Flyer, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 Command Module, and even a moon rock you can touch! This impressive museum covers the full arc of flight history, from early ballooning to contemporary space exploration. Its various galleries also include immersive displays, full-scale aircraft, and interactive science exhibits geared toward all ages. Perhaps best of all, entry is free, though timed-entry passes are required.

The National Air and Space Museum is on the National Mall, within walking distance of the U.S. Capitol, the National Gallery of Art, and the United States Botanic Garden. After visiting, many also opt to see the other nearby Smithsonian museums or relax along the Reflecting Pool. The museum also operates a second location in Chantilly, Virginia, housing larger aircraft such as the Concorde and the space shuttle Discovery.

The Art Institute of Chicago - Chicago, Illinois

The Art Institute of Chicago is among the country's oldest and most respected art museums, known for its extensive permanent collections and other iconic holdings. While visiting, make sure to see the renowned pieces American Gothic by Grant Wood, Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, and numerous Impressionist works by Monet, Degas, and Renoir. It boasts an extensive assembly of African art, contemporary installations, and architectural drawings as well. On the other hand, the Modern Wing, designed by Renzo Piano, is a fan's favorite, as its more contemporary vibes contrast endearingly with the historic building it sits within.

Sitting near the heart of downtown Chicago, the Art Institute rests right on the edge of Millennium Park, making it easy for you to see some of the city's famous public art installations like Cloud Gate (The Bean) and the Crown Fountain. The nearby Chicago Cultural Center and Symphony Center offer additional cultural experiences for those thirsting for more. You can also walk to Lake Michigan, explore the city’s riverwalk, or shop and dine in the Loop district immediately surrounding the museum.

The Getty Center - Los Angeles, California

The Getty Center is a major research institute and art museum perched on a hilltop in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. It is not only a fun/educational attraction, but also provides some of the city's best views. Here, you will be able to rest your eyes on anything from famous European works and illuminated manuscripts to decorative arts and photography from the 19th and 20th centuries. Notable works include pieces by Van Gogh, Titian, Cézanne, and numerous other masters. Furthermore, the architecture of the building itself, designed by Richard Meier, and the landscaped gardens are key attractions in their own right.

Admission is free, but timed-entry reservations and paid parking are required. A tram transports visitors from the parking area to the hilltop campus, which, as mentioned, offers panoramic views above Los Angeles. Know that the museum is closed on Mondays. Afterwards, take a stroll through the Central Garden, designed by artist Robert Irwin, or enjoy lunch on the outdoor terrace. Nearby destinations also include the Skirball Cultural Center and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, both less than 30 minutes away by car.

The Museum of Fine Arts - Boston, Massachusetts

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is yet another iconic American institution that holds one of the most comprehensive and revered art collections. Its collection includes around 500,000 objects spanning from ancient to contemporary periods.

You can see everything from Egyptian mummies and Greek sculptures to Japanese prints, American colonial portraits, and more works by Van Gogh and Picasso. Moreover, the Art of the Americas Wing features an extensive timeline of North, Central, and South American art, including early Indigenous artifacts and other modernist-type pieces. It is also home to a large number of Impressionist works and decorative arts, usually on some sort of rotation throughout the year.

Located in the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood, the MFA sits near another staple museum in Boston, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, known for its Venetian-style building and being the site of a high-profile art heist in 1990. Stop by the Back Bay Fens as well, a historic park designed by architectural icon Frederick Law Olmsted. The MFA is accessible by public transit, and admission is free on certain days with advanced reservations, so whether you're a resident or frequent visitor to the city, there's little reason not to experience it at some point.

The National WWII Museum - New Orleans, Louisiana

Although there are several excellent World War II-focused museums across the United States, the National WWII Museum in New Orleans offers what might be the most detailed and immersive account of the American experience during the conflict. Its exhibits follow the war chronologically and geographically, from the Home Front to the European and Pacific theaters.

Artifacts within its walls include restored aircraft, military vehicles, personal letters, weapons, and more. Moreover, the museum's “Campaigns of Courage” and “Road to Tokyo” exhibits bring the experience into the modern day with their multimedia and oral history sections. Furthermore, if you've been on your feet all day, you can sit down for a while and see the 4D film Beyond All Boundaries, narrated by Tom Hanks, which runs daily in the Solomon Victory Theater.

This museum occupies a multi-building campus in the city’s Warehouse District, just a short walk from the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and the Contemporary Arts Center. To really flesh out your visit to this city, you can choose to explore the nearby Lafayette Square or head into the French Quarter for dining, music, and additional historic sites.

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation - Dearborn, Michigan

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn takes a deep look at the history of American industry, from transportation to general innovation. Highlights here are the various generations of presidential limousines on display, early steam engines, aviation milestones, and even the chair Abraham Lincoln sat in the night of his assassination!

This large facility also houses the original Rosa Parks bus and a massive collection of Ford vehicles documenting the rise of the automobile, from the simple Model T to modern, cutting-edge race cars. The adjacent Greenfield Village allows you to walk through reconstructed historic buildings, including Thomas Edison’s lab and the Wright brothers’ workshop, with interpreters and working-period machinery spread around.

The Henry Ford is located just west of Detroit and is easily accessible from major highways in the area. When you're done, you can explore the nearby Arab American National Museum or spend time in downtown Dearborn, which is known for its diverse food scene. The complex also offers seasonal events, factory tours, and regularly scheduled educational programming.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia Museum of Art houses over 240,000 works across a highly diverse range of periods and cultures. Its strength rests in European pieces, American art, South Asian sculpture, and modernist design. Here, you will stroll past works by Marcel Duchamp, Mary Cassatt, and Thomas Eakins, along with faithfully reconstructed examples of Japanese teahouses and medieval cloisters.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is also widely recognized for its grand neoclassical façade and the “Rocky Steps,” which were made famous by the Rocky film series. A newly renovated wing, designed by Frank Gehry, also expanded gallery space and has provided improved interior flow for visitors. The museum is lauded for its overlooks near the Schuylkill River, which sits near Fairmount Park, one of the largest urban park systems in the country. While in the area, try walking to the nearby Rodin Museum or exploring Boathouse Row and Kelly Drive, too, on foot or by bike. Museum admission includes access to the Perelman Building across the street, which features rotating exhibitions and collections focused on fashion, photography, and design.

Cleveland Museum of Art - Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland has more in store than the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Cleveland Museum of Art is world-renowned for its encyclopedic collection and free general admission. Its holdings span 6,000 years of art and relics and include standout assemblages of Asian art, medieval armor, and Renaissance era paintings. Parking is available on-site, and guided tours are offered daily.

See works by leaders in their crafts, such as Caravaggio, Turner, and Monet, along with ancient Egyptian artifacts and significant pieces from the ancient Far East. Understand that the museum’s 2009 expansion introduced a central glass atrium and modernized galleries, enhancing accessibility. The institution also integrates technology through its interactive Gallery One space, which allows visitors to explore the collection digitally.

Seated in the University Circle district, the museum is part of a dense cultural zone that is worth exploring as a whole. Other nearby attractions include the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, the Cleveland Botanical Garden, and Severance Music Center, home to the Cleveland Orchestra.

The Museum of Pop Culture - Seattle, Washington

The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle explores music, film, science fiction, gaming, and other facets of modern culture. Founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, this location boasts permanent exhibitions on Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, horror films, fantasy literature, and much more. The museum is also highly interactive, with displays that let you engage in exciting activities like mixing your own music tracks, playing instruments, and exploring genre-defining moments in pop history in-depth.

The building itself is a huge draw for architecture enthusiasts. Designed by Frank Gehry, it is an incredibly picturesque landmark with curved metal forms allegedly inspired by smashed guitars. Sitting in Seattle Center, MoPOP is also steps from other notable structures and landmarks like the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, and the Pacific Science Center. When you're done for the day, it's also recommended to ride the Seattle Center Monorail to downtown or walk to nearby Lake Union Park.

International Spy Museum - Washington, D.C.

The International Spy Museum is dedicated to the craft, technology, and global history of none other than espionage. Its wide assortment of displays covers everything from Cold War surveillance to cyber intelligence, featuring authentic spy gear, declassified gadgets, and real-world spy stories.

Here, you'll get the chance to examine ingeniously designed oddities like lipstick pistols, cipher machines, and disguises used by intelligence agents. At the same time, another unique feature, the museum's digital stations, assigns guests undercover identities to test their spy skills throughout the visit. Interestingly, this museum presents content from a global perspective, with sections on Soviet operations, World War II spy networks, and modern counterterrorism peppered in.

It’s located in L’Enfant Plaza, just south of the National Mall, so when you finish up here, hop over to the Smithsonian Castle, the National Museum of American History, or take a short ride to The Wharf for dining and views of the Potomac River.

The Mob Museum - Las Vegas, Nevada

The Mob Museum, officially the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, presents a detailed history of the American mob and the efforts to combat it. Within its walls are exhibits on Prohibition-era bootlegging, casino skimming, wiretapping operations, and infamous criminal trials. Artifacts include weapons, surveillance equipment, and personal items from major crime figures like Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel!

This destination is housed in the former U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, a building dating back to 1933, where part of the Kefauver hearings on organized crime were held. Another standout feature is the basement-level speakeasy that hosts a working distillery that explores the history of bootleg liquor while providing libations (including moonshine samplers) for visitors of age.

Based in downtown Las Vegas, the Mob Museum sits within walking distance of Fremont Street, a spot lauded for its historic casinos, neon signs, light shows, and bars. If you're not much of a partier, you'll also have a chance to kill time at nearby attractions like the Neon Museum and the Las Vegas Arts District.

Learn Something New, Wherever You Are in the U.S.

With these museum recommendations in mind, you can prepare for a rewarding journey of learning and discovery in many of America’s greatest cities. Each museum offers visitors a unique window into the past, present, and future, from ancient art collections and historic artifacts to modern pop culture and immersive storytelling. So next time you plan a getaway, consider adding one or more of these inspiring institutions to your itinerary. There is truly something fascinating waiting for everyone who walks through their doors.