10 Best Museums and Galleries in the US

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as the Met, opened in 1870. Since then, it has grown to 2 different sites, The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Both sites house rare and beautiful pieces from around the world.

Some of the collection areas include African Art, The American Wing, and Egyptian Art. There are also several conservation departments such as painting, paper, and photographs. The Met features changing exhibitions and more permanent ones like the African Origin of Civilisation. Be sure to check their website for current exhibits.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is home to the largest collection of aviation and space artefacts and sees more than 8 million visitors a year, all right in the heart of Washington, D.C.

This isn’t just a museum with collections of art. This museum hosts research and outreach programmes. But of course, if galleries are what you’ve come for, there are 8 different ones to wander through, including one dedicated to the Wright Brothers. The Smithsonian Museum also hosts drop-in science experiments and storey time for kids.

The Getty Centre prides itself on preserving art history and sharing it with local Los Angelenos and the entire world. With French porcelain collections and artefacts from Latin America you’ll be hard pressed to find a part of the world that isn’t represented here.

The Getty Centre also features artists from current times, such as the exhibition for Barbara T. Smith, a local performance artist. They hold education events, like The Paper Project, helping curators to enhance their skills. There are even online events for those who can’t make it to the museum.

Founded in 1879, The Art Institute of Chicago houses historical, contemporary, and modern art. Salvador Dali, Van Gogh, and Kwame Brathwaite are just a few of the artists that visitors can find here. This museum’s goal is to share art with as many people around the world as possible.

In the heart of city centre Chicago, The Art Institute has been referred to as the number 1 attraction of Chicago. A free downloadable app is available for visitors and offers various self-guided tours. You can also attend a guided tour during your visit.

The National Portrait Gallery is home to over 23,000 items that tell the history of the United States. A full collection of portraits of past presidents can also be found here. This collection tells the storey of the United States and those that played such a major part in the country’s life.

Permanent exhibits also include portraits of sports figures who had an impact on the country, portraits of those who fought for civil rights, and prominent figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. The gallery hosts events and workshops for adults and children so be sure to check their website for what’s coming up next.

Sunshine, fresh air, and the best street murals you’ve ever seen await you at Wynwood Walls. Started in 2009, Wynwood Walls is an outdoor museum that showcases the best of the best street artists.

Old-school graffiti to new-age artists are selected to add their murals to this gallery each year. There are more than 50 different murals for visitors to view created by artists from Latin America, Asia, and Europe. There are artists from all around the globe showcasing their skills at Wynwood Walls.

At the Kennedy Space Centre, families can get a hands-on look at the history of humans in space. With exhibits arranged in chronological order, visitors can easily follow along from the earliest of space missions to the most current.

With over 50 years of NASA history, there is no shortage of information to take in. Be sure to take the bus tour and have lunch at the Moon Rock Café. There is also the option to book a hotel package which will include accommodation and tickets to the Space Centre.

The Country Music Hall of Fame opened in 1967 and has been referred to as the “Smithsonian of country music.” Located in city centre Nashville on Nashville’s Music Row, this museum stretches across 350,000 square feet and includes galleries, exhibits, and archives and is home to the Taylor Swift Education centre.

This museum doesn’t just hold the history of country music but is also a community and education centre. They offer a range of workshops, creative classes, and other educational programmes for adults and children. Of course, visitors can also learn all about hall of fame legends such as The Roots, Bill Anderson, and Martina McBride.

Opened in 1935, the Griffith Observatory sees visitors from all around the globe. In fact, it is said to be the most popular public observatory in the world. It also houses the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, the third planetarium ever opened in the United States.

At the observatory, visitors can learn all about space travel and what life might be out there in the galaxy. There are public telescopes and daily programmes that show outer space in live action. There is also a selection of films that feature all things space. Make sure to check their website for the times and dates of shows.

A must-see item in New York is the American Museum of Natural History. From dinosaur fossils to human origins, visitors will be amazed by all there is to see and learn in this museum. The Rose Centre for Earth and Space is a favourite among visitors, as is the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, New York’s 33rd Governor and the country’s 26th president.

There are educational programmes of every level, from children’s projects all the way to master’s programmes for adults. You can participate in self-guided or free guided tours. Either way, you’ll want to ensure you make time for a planetarium space show during your visit, and don’t forget to stop by the 94-foot blue whale model.