Museums help bring history to life and allow us to understand our past as we continue to shape our future. For the curious-minded and forever students, these museums will leave you inspired, humbled, and appreciative of life. Explore a handpicked collection of the best museums around the world.
1. Egyptian Museum - Cairo, Egypt
With more than 120,000 pieces, the Egyptian Museum is home to the most extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts. Personal items, artwork, and preserved remains connect visitors to the ancient world—including the remains of King Tutankhamun.
2. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum - Hiroshima, Japan
Visitors can view photos, personal items, and other materials found after the atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima in 1945 at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The museum and adjacent Memorial Park serve as reminders of the destruction that occurred and the importance of world peace.
3. Museo Leonardo Da Vinci - Rome, Italy
A stone's throw from the Vatican, the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum is home to an impressive exhibit featuring Leonardo Da Vinci's inventions. Visitors can also enjoy viewing the collection of his paintings.
4. Museum of Broken Relationships - Zagreb, Croatia
A trip to the Museum of Broken Relationships will leave you laughing, crying, and reminded that life is fragile. Artists have collected personal items and stories representing heartbreak and heartache, from broken heirlooms to love letters and stuffed animals.
5. House of Terror Museum - Budapest, Hungary
The House of Terror Museum also serves as a memorial for the victims of the fascist and communist movements that plagued Hungary during the 20th century. Visitors can view uniforms on display, learn about fascist history, and see the uniquely designed architecture of the museum—reminiscent of propaganda campaigns that existed during this time.
6. Vasa Museum - Stockholm, Sweden
Get up close and personal with the only 17th-century ship, the Vasa, that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. This maritime museum, located on the island of Djurgården, shares the rich history of naval voyaging.
7. National Civil Rights Museum - Memphis, Tennessee
Activist and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life ended at the Lorraine Motel, which later became the National Civil Rights Museum. Visitors can experience oral histories and exhibits and learn about the civil and global human rights movements.
8. Anne Frank House - Amsterdam, Netherlands
People worldwide know of Anne Frank and the diary she kept while she hid from Nazi persecution during World War II. Anne, her family, and other Jewish people hid in what is now the preserved Secret Annex of the Anne Frank House.
9. Musée d'Orsay - Paris, France
If you're an impressionist art fan, you must visit the Musee d'Orsay. It is home to the largest impressionist and post-impressionist collection displayed in a former railway station along the Seine River.
10. War Remnants Museum - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Through research and preservation, items collected during the Vietnam War help tell the story of what wartime was like from the Vietnamese perspective at the War Remnants Museum.
11. Titanic Belfast - Belfast, Ireland
Fans of Titanic will always debate whether there was enough room for Rose and Jack on the door. But the tragedy of the RMS Titanic is one of the worst maritime disasters of the 20th century. Not only was Titanic Belfast constructed to resemble the shape of the ship, but it also sits in the shipyard where RMS Titanic was built.
12. Whitney Plantation Museum - Wallace, Louisiana
As the only museum in Louisiana to focus on sharing the stories of enslaved people in the southern U.S., the Whitney Plantation Museum rests on the west bank of the Mississippi River. For over a century, generations of enslaved people worked on the plantation, maintaining sugar, indigo, and rice. A memorial was erected to remember those who worked at the plantation.
13. Frida Kahlo Museum - Mexico City, Mexico
Also known as the Blue House for its cobalt-painted walls, the Frida Kahlo Museum shares the life and work of one of Mexico's most notable artists. Visitors can walk through the home she shared with her husband, Diego Rivera, and look at clothes, documents, writings, and, of course, her iconic artwork.
14. Musée du Louvre - Paris, France
A must-see stop on any art lover's bucket list, the Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. It's also home to the most extensive art collection, featuring works of art by Van Gogh, da Vinci, and Michelangelo.
15. `Iolani Palace - Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i
`Iolani Palace was once the home of Native Hawaiian ali'i (royal family). The palace is also where Queen Lili'uokalani was imprisoned and unlawfully overthrown by the U.S. government in 1893. Visitors can tour the palace's Throne Room, State Dining Room, and private king and queen suites.
16. Museum of the Future - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This Dubai-based museum is new, but already, it has already attracted the masses. Beyond its gorgeous calligraphy-style exterior, the exhibits within are unique. They include interactive spaces that awaken all your senses. The futuristic showcases are incredible.
17. Topkapi Palace Museum - Istanbul, Turkey
Located within Istanbul's Topkapi Palace complex, this museum experience holds regal status. Not to be missed are the stunning Harem spaces. Those with an interest in Ottoman history are particularly spoiled.
18. National Museum of Scotland - Edinburgh
There's plenty to see at the National Museum of Scotland. This free museum offers a wonderful collection of Viking and Celtic artifacts, the Lewis chessmen, Dolly the Sheep, and an amazing gallery of fashion/style through the ages.
19. The Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York, New York
"The Met" showcases artwork from around the globe -- and it's enormous. It is impossible to see it all in one day.
20. Van Gogh Museum - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dedicated to the beautiful work of Van Gogh, the Van Gogh Museum is popular among travelers. Plan a few hours to wander around before exploring more of Amsterdam.
21. National WWII Museum - New Orleans, Louisiana
This military history museum is an emotional favorite among travelers and locals. The WWII Museum is a must-see for anyone who visits New Orleans.
22. City Museum - St. Louis, Missouri
The City Museum is incredible. The exhibits consist primarily of repurposed objects. You'll have to go back two times on separate trips just to see everything.
23. Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Washington D.C.
The Smithsonian has a little bit of everything. Visitors love the exhibits, and guests are immediately amazed by the giant elephant in the lobby. The Smithsonian is one of the most famous museums in the world.
24. The Neon Museum - Las Vegas, Nevada
Take a tour of the famous boneyard featuring iconic neon signs that have been retired from service around Las Vegas. Guests can see vintage signs from the Moulin Rouge, the Plaza, Hard Rock, and more. A tour at night is the best time to see them all lit up. Be sure to get tickets in advance because they sell out quickly.
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