Museum Travel Destinations Worth Exploring

It’s high time to stop thinking of museum travel as only afield trip destination and to start seeing them as a must-visit stop on your next out-of-town vacation, date, or weekend get-a-way with this list of the top American cities with museums, as per a curated list from The Travel.

Museums are a prime location for sightseeing no matter if you’re interested in the sciences, arts, history, or general oddities. Additionally, each city on this list is a hub of great culture, food, and the general “must-sees” found on any travelor’s itinerary, but it’s the museums and the exhibits and collections within that will be the unforgettable sight you’ll be bragging about experiencing.

New York City

It’s an obvious choice, but New York is a city packed to the brim with all things distracting and life-changing, but particularly it’s the museums that the Big Apple offers you shouldn’t pass up. The largest in the city are those that you’ve heard of before or have seen in film; they’re the American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Guggenheim Museum, and the 9/11 Memorial.Though, if you’re more interested in an off-the-beaten-path stop, try out the Tenement Museum or the New York or the New York Transit Museum.

Washington D.C.

The nation’s capital has plenty of museums for lovers of history and all else as the city is brimming with so many to visit that many often plan entire trips just to stop and see as many exhibits as possible. Some notable locations of course are the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of National History, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. If you’re still craving can’t miss content, then book a your at the White House to top off your educational D.C. trip.

Chicago

The Windy City might be in the middle of the country, but it’s far from the middle of nowhere, and it houses some truly iconic museums. If you’re traveling with a family in particular, then be sure to try out the Field Museum and Sue, its famous exhibit of the largest T-Rex  ever discovered. Other stops you should check out are the Chicago History Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, and especially the Museum of Contemporary Art to round out all the best in learning and culture that Chicago has to offer.

Los Angeles

Heading to the west coast, Los Angeles has a lot to offer in the way of significant museums, and it’s likely that you’ve seen them on the silver screen before. Every traveler in L.A. swears by the Griffith Observatory, and they’re not wrong; it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime sight, especially if you’re able to catch one of their special events sprinkled throughout the year. While in town, be sure to visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum, and the California Science Center for all the history, art, and science that Hollywood has to offer.

Seattle

The Pacific Northwest rounds out this cross-country collection of can’t-miss museum stops, and Seattle is just the progressive, hip city to do so. The Museum of Pop Culture should be at the top of your itinerary for those looking to have their knowledge of what’s been popular across the decades rewarded. Let your inner-nerd flourish with exhibits dedicated to Minecraft, Prince, Pearl Jam, and many more. Moving into the more traditional types of museums you can find in this interesting city, be sure to stop into the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, the Museum of History and Industry, and the Seattle Pinball Museum where your ticket of admission is also an excuse to play any game in sight!

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Weirdest Museums in America

America is known for a lot of things, so it’s no surprise that there is a surplus of weird museums for visitors to see. Mashable shares their favorite “weirdest museums” for all of the road-trippers out there looking to add a little variety to their next adventure.

From Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon, there are plenty of weird museums to fill your daily itinerary and learn some strange facts about American inventions and obsessions. From a Maple Museum to a Toilet Seat Art Museum, there is something out there from everyone.

1.  New England Maple Museum-Weirdest Museum

Located in Vermont (because where else would an American maple museum be located?), you can learn about maple syrup’s history dating back to the Native Americans and leading up to modern day, a 200 year coverage.

Then you can check out the gift shop and take some delicious syrup back home with you!

Address: 4578 U.S. 7, Pittsford, Vermont 05763

Admission: $5

2.  The Museum of Edgar Allan Poe

If you find yourself in Richmond, Virginia, you won’t want to miss this museum!

Dedicated to all things Poe, this museum is also located in the oldest standing building in the city. You can expect to find a huge collections of manuscripts, letters, memorabilia, and experience a realistic example of how Poe lived and worked.

Address: 1914-16 East Main St., Richmond, Virginia 23223

Admission: $6

3.  National Mustard Museum-Weirdest Museum

Love condiments? The mustard museum may be just the place for you! You won’t want to miss this Wisconsin sight.

Here you’ll find more than 5,624 different kinds of mustard from 50 states and 70 countries, you’ll even be able to use a one of a kind mustard vending machine!

Address: 7477 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562

Admission: Free

4.  Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum-Weirdest Museum

Yep, you read that right. Barney Smith, a 98 year old proprietor, has a toilet seat art collection he opens to the public every year in Texas.

With over 1,400 decorated toilet seats, Barney makes a new one yearly for his wife to celebrate their anniversary. Somewhat odd, yet somewhat charming.

Address: 239 Abiso, Alamo Heights, Texas 78209

Admission: Free

5.  Idaho Potato Museum

Fried potatoes, baked potatoes, french fries, hash browns, au gratin – if it’s made with potatoes then they’ve got it.

Located in Blackfoot, Idaho, this museum is for all those potato lovers out there! Learn about the

History of farming potatoes and don’t forget to get a picture with the massive potato replica out front!

Address: 130 NW Main St, Blackfoot, Idaho, 83221

Admission: $3

6.  International Banana Museum-Weirdest Museum

Calling all banana lovers! Check out this museum in Mecca, California and see a world-record of 25,000 banana related items and pictures. Don’t forget to try their homemade banana ice cream or milkshakes and then snap a pic with the massive banana statue!

Address: 98775 State Hwy 111, Mecca, California 92254

Admission: Free

7.  Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey

Most likely the best dinosaur museum in the country, this museum borders the line between awesome and weird. If you find yourself in Colorado, make sure to swing by and check out the animatronic dinosaurs that eat each other, fossil exhibits, and pre-historic records.

Address: 550 Jurassic Court, Fruita, Colorado 81521

Admission: $8.50

8.  Historic Auto Attractions

This isn’t your average car museum.

Here, you can see the car used in the Batman television series, the DMC DeLorean from Back To The Future, and the paddywagon from Ghostbusters. Make sure you don’t miss the collection of presidential and world leaders limousines and Elvis Presley’s personal car.

Address: 13825 Metric Drive, Roscoe, Illinois 61073

Admission: $12

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