30 Best Museums in the U.S., Ranked

You have to visit these museums at least once. (And more if you can!)

30 Best Museums in the U.S.

Detroit Institute of Arts, one of the best museums in the U.S.

There are more than 35,000 museums in the United States — an impressive figure, even when considering the massive size of the country. It’s impossible to visit them all, of course, but you can prioritize and conquer the most important ones.

From the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, this list takes you on a tour of the U.S. museums you absolutely have to visit at least once. (And more if you can!)

Some, like the MoMa, are world-renowned, while others are hidden gems. Within each, you’ll gain a breadth of knowledge on subjects as diverse as space, Ancient Egypt, dinosaurs, Renaissance art, World War II and beyond.

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30. Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science - Miami, Florida

While Miami is more known for its art scene — whose Latin American coverage is one of the best in the country — one of the most fun museums you can visit is the Frost Science.

The highly interactive institution covers everything from the environment of the Everglades to the production of electricity and the inner workings of the body. You'll also see a rare model of a dinosaur as they actually were: feathered.

Geared towards children, there is also a three-level aquarium where you can see many species native to South Florida as well as other animals from around the world.

Where to stay: citizenM Miami World Center

Must-See at the Frost Museum: The Mammoths Hall

On the museum's fourth level, you'll find the fossils of mammoths.

You can follow the fascinating history of these giants that once roamed North America and learn about their extinction.

29. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis - Indianapolis, Indiana

No one ever has to wonder what to do on a family trip to Indianapolis, as the state capital has the largest children’s museum in the entire world. (Its size? Nearly half a million square feet.)

Of course, the museum is highly interactive, with kids being encouraged to touch and play with almost everything. Little ones can hunt for fossils at the Dig Site, examine a model mastodont skull, climb rock walls, build toy boats to float in actual water and much (much) more.

Even your antsiest kid will never get bored.

Where to stay: Stone Soup Inn

Must-See at Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: Paleo Prep Lab

Paleo Prep Lab at the Children's museum of Indianapolis

Kids are (finally!) allowed to touch a real T-Rex bone at this interactive lab. How cool is that?

And let’s be real: Adults love it too.

28. Chihuly Garden and Glass - Seattle, Washington

Two hours will be enough to see the entirety of Seattle's Chihuly Garden and Glass. But the unique institution proves that size doesn't always matter.

The entire museum is dedicated to the glasswork of Dale Chihuly, perhaps the best-recognized artist in this medium. But rather than present his beautiful pieces on their own, they are interwoven with the garden, in a way that the line between the natural and the intervened can become blurry.

When you visit Seattle, this is a must-see attraction.

Where to stay: Hyatt House Seattle Downtown

Must-See at Chihuly Garden and Glass: The Glasshouse

A gigantic glasshouse houses hanging glass pieces that are broken into fractals when reflected on the walls.

From the outside, the Glasshouse could easily be confused with a greenhouse. But step inside to see the majestic display of glass on glass on glass.

27. USS Midway - San Diego, California

Right in downtown San Diego, this museum is located on a floating aircraft carrier. Within the large space, there are 60 exhibits, including flight simulators, virtual reality games and restored aircrafts. Its interactive collection was planned with families in mind, as people of all ages find it easy to engage.

The USS Midway also has a beautiful view of the San Diego skyline, which makes for great photo opportunities. And while you're enjoying that, your kids can complete a scavenger hunt to get their wings.

Where to stay: Intercontinental San Diego, An IHG Hotel

Must-See at the USS Midway: Sailor's Bunks

Although it's cool to see things in museums, sometimes it's frustrating not to be able to touch them. At the Enlisted Sailor's Bunks exhibit, you can touch, play and pretend as much as you want.

You are encouraged to lay down in one of the bunks and imagine what it was like for sailors onboard the Midway.

26. The Broad Museum - Los Angeles, California

Opened in 2015 in downtown Los Angeles, the Broad Museum seeks to bring contemporary art to the general public. Because of this, admission is always free for permanent exhibitions.

Its collection counts 2,000 pieces, which is impressive for a museum of its age. You'll find well-known contemporary artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Liechtenstein and Yayoi Kusama. The museum also has the largest Cindy Sherman collection on the planet.

Where to stay: Omni Los Angeles Hotel California Plaza

Must-See at the Broad Museum: Yayoi Kusama's 'Longing for Eternity'

"Longing for Eternity" at the Broad Museum

Inside a seemingly simple white box, you can peer through an entrancing kaleidoscope of colors.

25. Modern Art Museum - Fort Worth, Texas

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is know equally known for its gorgeous exterior as for the quality of works it houses in its interior.

The museum was designed by Tadao Ando, whose use of light, straight lines and a reflecting pool has been applauded. Inside, the collection focuses on post-World War II modern and contemporary art. Featured artists include Picasso, Susan Rothenberg, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami and Mario Garcia Torres.

Where to stay: Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort Worth Cultural District

Must-See at the Modern Art Museum: David Bates' 'The Cleaning Table'

Though not the most famous artwork in the collection, this bold painting was made by Texan artist David Bates. It is celebrated for its broad brushstrokes and is a fine representation of local art.

24. Asian Art Museum - San Francisco, California

If you want to escape Eurocentrism in art galleries, San Francisco has the perfect antidote.

This large collection of Asian art includes pieces from across the entire continent. Some of the works in the collection date back several thousand years, ranging from samurai armor to Hindu deities from Cambodia to ancient Persian ceramics.

Where to stay: San Francisco Proper Hotel

Must-See at Asian Art Museum: Seated Buddha

Seated Buddha at the Asian Museum of Art, San Francisco

Dating all the way back to 338, this is the oldest known Chinese Buddha sculpture. It remains in remarkably good condition considering its age.

23. Greenfield Village - Dearborn, Michigan

Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan

This sadly underrated museum is not as well known as others on this list. However, it is quite significant, considering that it has collected several important artifacts from American history. You can see the bus where Rosa Parks refused to stand up, as well as the Wright Brothers’ bicycle shop and home.

The outdoor museum is part of the Henry Ford Complex and includes his furnished childhood home and prototype garage. Some sections of the village showcase life in different periods of the country, complete with costumed actors demonstrating old-time daily tasks.

Check out this hidden gem before people finally catch on!

Where to stay: The Henry Autograph Collection

Must-See at Greenfield Village: John F. Kennedy Limousine

John F. Kennedy Limousine at Greenfield Village

The limousine President JFK was riding in when he was assassinated makes for a chilling display. In a similar vein, you can also see the theater chair that President Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot.

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

This Smithsonian museum is so gee-whiz exciting that it is loved even by people who generally find museums boring — including but not limited to restless youngsters.

Explore everything related to the magic of taking your feet off the ground, including the Wright Brothers’ earliest flight machines, warplanes used in WWI and the famous “Spirit of St. Louis,” which Charles Lindbergh flew on the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927.

You can also enjoy the space exhibitions featuring several artifacts from the iconic Apollo missions.

Where to stay: Canopy by Hilton Washington DC The Wharf

Must-See at National Air and Space Museum: Lunar Rock

Although other museums have lunar rock samples, you are actually allowed to touch this one. It's the next best thing to actually stepping on the moon.

21. National September 11 Memorial & Museum - New York City, New York

Commemorating the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11 and the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center, this memorial stands as a public statement of resilience.

The museum covers what happened before, during and after these tragic events, always keeping those lost and those who lost someone at the forefront of the narrative. Hundreds of thousands of visitors come each year to pay their respects while exploring powerful exhibits featuring artifacts, photography and archival recordings.

Where to stay: World Center Hotel

Must-See at National September 11 Memorial & Museum: The Survivor Tree

Recovered from the ruins with only one branch alive, this tree also survived a storm that uprooted it while it was being replanted in the Bronx. It now stands tall in the memorial, a symbol of strength and hope.

20. Kennedy Space Center - Titusville, Florida

If you’ve ever dreamed of going to space, or are merely curious to know how it's possible, head to NASA’s Floridian visitor center. Here, you can learn about the physics behind the launches, see moon rocks and maybe even meet some astronauts.

The museum is interactive, has two IMAX theaters and is extremely child-friendly. We don’t want to say it, but this probably beats a visit to Disney.

Where to stay: Rocke

Must-See at Kennedy Space Center: Shuttle Launch

Check this handy schedule to see if your visit coincides with an actual shuttle launch — an amazing experience few people in the world get a chance to witness.

19. Museum of Fine Art - Houston, Texas

As the first and oldest public art museum in Texas, the Museum of Fine Art Houston has a noteworthy selection. The pieces in its collection span over 6,000 years and come from every inhabited continent. You will be able to see ancient decorative arts, classical East Asian paintings as well as modern works by artists like Kandinsky.

The museum also has extensive gardens with sculptures that you can walk through. The gardens are one of the best spots in the museum to take a small break.

Where to stay: The Inn at St Botolph

Must-See at the Museum of Fine Art: James Turrell's 'The Light Inside'

It isn't often that you get to walk through a piece of art, let alone one that seems to transport you to another world of reality. This tunnel made up of brightly colored walls and sharp light lets you connect between two buildings of the museum.

18. The National WWII Museum - New Orleans, Louisiana

World War II has obviously shaped the history and culture of this country in many significant ways, and there’s no better place to learn about it than at this extensive, thoughtful NOLA museum.

Built on a former factory where D-Day boats were made, the museum is heaven for any history buff. To arrive at the entrance, you must board a train car, making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. You can spend the rest of the day walking through the museum’s six acres, listening to oral histories, seeing boats and tanks up close, and even greeting some veteran volunteers happy to tell their stories.

Where to stay: The Higgins Hotel New Orleans, Curio Collection by Hilton

Must-See at National WWII Museum: War-Themed Canteen

Unwind from all the heavy history while still feeling immersed in it at this canteen featuring all-American foods and authentically old-fashioned entertainment (think: swing bands and vocal trios).

17. The Getty Center - Los Angeles, California

One of the best art museums on the West Coast is a piece of modern art unto itself. The undulating and circular structure, designed by legendary architect Richard Meier, is perfectly complemented by 86 acres of manicured gardens, where visitors can stroll after exploring the galleries and gaze out over West L.A.

The collection centers on European art from the Renaissance to modernity but also includes photography, decorative arts, and so much more. Oh, and admission is free!

Where to stay: Palihotel Westwood Village

Must-See at The Getty: Van Gogh’s 'Irises'

Van Gogh painted this beauty, one of his most well-known pieces, just a year before his death.

16. Cleveland Museum of Art - Cleveland, Ohio

With more than 60,000 pieces of art from around the world, this museum is regarded as one of the country’s best. It has an impressive collection of Asian art and a renowned decorative-art wing. Still, perhaps its greatest selling point is its photography wing, featuring powerful pictures of the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression.

Unlike precious few museums on this list, its exhaustive collection is also free an open to the public.

Where to stay: Intercontinental Cleveland, An IHG Hotel

Must-See at Cleveland Museum of Art: Botticelli’s 'Virgin and Child with the Young John the Baptist'

You don’t have to go to Italy to see the works of Renaissance master Botticelli, whose composition skills are gorgeously displayed in this work. But is it really Botticelli’s? Some people believe the piece was actually painted, in part or in full, by Botticelli’s student, Filippino Lippi.

15. Salvador Dalí Museum - St. Petersburg, Florida

No one expects the largest collection of Dalí works outside of Europe to reside in a small beach town on the west coast of Florida. Then again, when has anything related to Dalí been conventional?

The museum was born from the private collection of a couple who decided to share the masterpieces they had in their possession with the world. The building itself is inspired by surrealism and houses drawings, objects, paintings, photographs, prints and even book illustrations made by the artist.

Keep an eye out for the Aphrodisiac Telephone, more commonly known as the Lobster Phone.

Where to stay: The Inn on Third

Must-See at Dalí Museum: 'The Hallucinogenic Toreador'

One of the artist’s most significant masterpieces was inspired by his wife’s distaste for bullfighting. You could spend your entire day staring at its surrealist elements and symbols, trying to parse their meaning.

14. Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania

Mainly housed in a 1928 building, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the best in the city. With more than 225,000 works, the museum's collection is America's largest — certainly a source of pride for locals who love their city's rich history.

The collection spans centuries and includes works from all over the world. You'll see paintings of Benjamin Franklin as well as works by Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso and Duchamp.

Where to stay: Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown

Must-See at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: Jean Metzinger's 'Le Goûter'

Picasso usually takes over the name of Cubism.

If you want to see other masterpieces from the movement, we recommend this gorgeous painting by Jean Metzinger.

13. Detroit Institute of Arts - Detroit, Michigan

Listed as a National Historic Place and as one of the most visited art museums in the world, the DIA is a reminder that Detroit was once a major, thriving American city. (Happily, in recent years, it’s been working to reclaim this mantle.)

As with other large institutes of its kind, the museum covers thousands of years of art history, ranging from Ancient Egyptian encryptions to contemporary art. Of course, you can expect works from the great masters of Western art as well, including bold-face names like Degas and Van Gogh.

Where to stay: The Inn On Ferry Street

Must-See at Detroit Institute of Arts: Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals

Commissioned in the 1930s, this series of murals depicting labor at the Ford Motor Company and the history of Detroit is the artist's personal favorite work.

12. National Portrait Gallery - Washington, D.C.

The National Portrait Gallery houses the portraits of every U.S. president and other important figures of American history. Since Hillary Clinton, the gallery also houses portraits of first ladies.

Whether you love American history or want to learn more about it, it's fascinating to see the portraits that have allowed us to remember prominent faces. At the museum, you can also see daguerreotypes of the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.

Where to stay: Conrad Washington, DC

Must-See at the National Portrait Gallery: Abraham Lincoln Daguerreotype

Though cracked, this plate of a Lincoln daguerreotype is considered priceless. It was done by famed photographer Alexander Gardner in 1865, the same year the president would be assassinated.

This is the last seated portrait of Lincoln before his death.

11. The Whitney Museum of New York - New York City, New York

It's not easy to stand out from the pack in New York City, home to some of the best museums in the world. But the Whitney is very much worth visiting, especially if you want to focus more on modern and contemporary art.

The museum has a collection of over 25,000 works of 20th- and 21st-century art. These include everything from 25,000 paintings to sculptures to films and prints. As one of the most respected institutions in the city, you can count on it to always be excellent.

Where to stay: The Standard High Line

Must-See at the Whitney Museum: Edward Hopper's 'New York Interior'

Hopper's "Nighthawks" (housed in the Art Institute of Chicago) is much more famous than this piece. But "New York Interior" keeps the artist's signature style of looking at intimate moments in the city. An air of loneliness surrounds the painting, even while activity is evident.

Because it peeks inside a bedroom, anyone seeing the painting feels as if they were not meant to see it. And yet you can't take your eyes away from it.

10. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - Washington D.C.

This museum is the nation’s official monument in commemoration of one of the most horrifying tragedies in human history. Upon entering, visitors receive a card with the name and story of a Holocaust victim or survivor, a way to make the almost incomprehensible number of victims less abstract.

Permanent exhibitions containing original letters from victims, audio and visual recordings of their testimonies, and various recovered artifacts further help tell the story, to painful but important effect.

Where to stay: Salamander Washington DC

Must-See at United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: The Hall of Remembrance

An eternal flame burns bright in memory of the victims in this somber hall. Visitors are encouraged to light a candle as a way of paying their respect.

9. The Field Museum - Chicago, Illinois

Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

Though it's not the best natural history museum in the U.S. (that'll be listed later), the Field Museum is still very much worthy of attention.

With museums, fossils and archaeological artifacts from around the world, the Field brings together the past and the present. One of its most interesting aspects is its focus on the effects of climate change and what that means for the current world.

Where to stay: Le Méridien Essex Chicago

Must-See at the Field Museum: Inside Ancient Egypt

Did you know that Egyptians mummified more than humans? At the field museum, you can see over 20 mummies and several mummified animals, who were often beloved pets of rulers.

You can also see authentic hieroglyphics that go back around 5,000 years.

8. Museum of Fine Arts - Boston, Massachussetts

After The Met, this source of pride for all Bostonians boasts the second-largest collection of art in North America, a fact that every local you encounter will happily throw your way.

Though it focuses mostly on European and American art — it even has more Monets than any museum outside Paris — the museum also has more diverse offerings. Its Ancient Egyptian sculptures, in particular, are well worth seeking out.

Where to stay: Sonder at Pierce Boston

Must-See at Museum of Fine Arts: Gilbert Stuart’s 'George Washington'

This unfinished painting of America’s first president is the model that was used for the one-dollar bill.

7. National Museum of African American History and Culture - Washington D.C.

Opened in 2016 to much acclaim, this relatively young Smithsonian museum has enjoyed immense popularity. In fact, it has already earned a place within the country’s 10 most visited museums.

Its collection thoughtfully educates visitors on the history of slavery, segregation and the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the figures who have often been ignored by mainstream history. Photographs, oral histories, clothing and song recordings contribute to an immersive storytelling experience.

Where to stay: JW Marriott Washington, DC

Must-See at National Museum of African American History and Culture: Harriet Tubman’s Personal Items

Learn about the extraordinary woman who helped countless slaves gain their freedom through the use of the underground railroad by exploring a collection of her personal items — including presents given to her by Queen Victoria.

6. National Gallery of Art - Washington D.C.

Located near Capitol Hill, it is difficult to imagine that this expansive gallery started from the donation of a patron’s personal collection. Established in 1937, the museum mainly focuses on European and American art, boasting pieces by the likes of Henri, Monet and Dégas. (Ever heard of them?)

Like most of DC’s museums, this one is also free to explore.

Where to stay: Riggs Washington DC

Must-See at National Gallery of Art: Leonardo da Vinci’s 'Portrait of Ginevra de' Benci'

This stunning oil painting depicting a 15th-century aristocrat is the only da Vinci work on display in all of the Americas.

5. American Museum of Natural History - New York City, New York

Although the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in D.C. is amazing, New York’s first museum steals its spotlight. More than 32 million specimens are preserved within the walls of this magnificent institution, considered one of the best science museums in the world.

You’ll get to see dinosaur fossils, taxidermied elk and underwater creatures from around the world. The museum is interactive, with an extremely fun space wing and 3-D film showings.

Where to stay: Hotel Belleclaire

Must-See at American Museum of Natural History: T-Rex Fossil

T-rex fossil at the American Museum of Natural History

Displayed in a stalking position, this fossil is both awe-inspiring and a little scary. It’s just one part of the museum’s exhaustive collection of fossil mammals and dinosaurs, the largest of its kind in the world.

4. National Museum of American History - Washington D.C.

Fitting the history of a nation within a museum is a difficult task, but the National Museum of American History is more than up to the job.

Exhibits cover different periods, from the life of indigenous communities before European colonization until today. The collection includes original letters from the Civil War, props used in iconic movies, propaganda posters for WWII and even Julia Child’s kitchen.

It doesn’t capture all you need to know about U.S. history, obviously, but the breadth and diversity of its collection wows.

Where to stay: Grand Hyatt Washington

Must-See at National Museum of American History: Original Star Spangled Banner Flag

Located in the center of the second floor, this is the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the poem that would become the country’s stirring anthem.

3. The Art Institute of Chicago - Chicago, Illinois

Holding about 300,000 pieces, the Art Institute of Chicago earns its rank among the world’s great art museums, and touts an enviable location in the city’s Millennium Park to boot.

The museum’s collection covers the span of humanity’s affair with art, beginning with ancient curiosities and ending with contemporary showstoppers. It says something that the museum houses both Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” and Mary Cassat’s “The Child’s Bath,” and neither are what we’re highlighting as the most iconic piece to see.

Where to stay: Kimpton Gray Hotel

Must-See at The Art Institute of Chicago: George Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte”

Perhaps the most recognized work of Pointillism depicts a beautiful day in Paris along the banks of the Seine. This is one of those pieces that it’s easy to get lost in.

2. Museum of Modern Art - New York City, New York

With works like van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” Dali’s “Persistence of Memory” and Frida Kahlo’s “Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair,” the MoMA boasts one of the best collections of modern art in any country. Located right in the center of Manhattan, it is a New York must-see, with patrons often making multiple visits in order to see its 200,000 pieces.

The collection has everything from impressionism to cubism to abstract geometry and boundary-pushing contemporary works. It’s also better than ever, thanks to a just-completed $450 million renovation and expansion that, among other changes, added a new space for live and experimental programming to the mix.

Where to stay: Omni Berkshire Place

Must-See at Museum of Modern Art: Picasso’s 'Les Demoiselles d’Avignon'

One of the artist’s most famous works was crucial to the development of cubism, making it not just riveting, but important.

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York City, New York

The Met is an icon of culture and the largest museum in the U.S. It is impossible to see everything in this vast museum in a visit (or two or even three), as the collection includes an Egyptian temple, ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, Middle Age armor, Nigerian ivory masks, Renaissance paintings, contemporary masterpieces and so (so) much more.

With more than 2 million pieces in its collection, this museum should be on every art and history bucket list. The Met also curates special exhibitions, bringing masterpieces from around the world to New York City, and hosts a wonderful lecture series.

Where to stay: Hotel Belleclaire

Must-See at The Met: Raphael’s 'Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints'

The only altarpiece by the artist in the United States is a beauty. Other must-sees include Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Cow Skull,” van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat” and Monet’s “Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies,” to name just a few of many, many classics on display.