8 Of The Most Beautiful Museums In America That You Need To Visit
Photo by MiracleKilly
Museums are a home to the most famous paintings and sculptures of all time, to ancient artifacts that were once part of someone’s everyday life, to influential documents that set many a ball in motion and still effect the world we live in today. Museums are what ties the past to the present, shedding light on the grand story that humanity has told, and is still telling.
We might think of school field trips and museums going hand-in-hand (and often, they do). But you’re never too old, never too learned, for a trip to the museum. There is always more beauty to marvel at, more of humanity’s plot lines to uncover, more truths to discover.
With this in mind, we’ve gathered a list of the most magnificent museums in America that you’ll want to visit on your next adventure.
01 | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, NY)
The largest art museum in the U.S., there is no place quite like The Met. Located on New York City’s bustling Upper East Side, this museum’s collection spans 5,000 years of culture, making it a must-go. See Michelangelo, Monet, Caravaggio, and so much more.
02 | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (Washington, D.C.)
This impressive museum is home to the world’s most substantial collection of ancient human artifacts and natural history specimens. From dinosaur remains to gemstones to tools used by the earliest humans, there’s surely something for everyone.
03 | The Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
One of the largest and oldest museums in the country, this museum boasts an enormous collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art — but you’ll also find Ancient Greek sculptures and Etruscan pottery.
04 | Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Washington, D.C.)
Looking for the world’s most extensive collection of aircraft, spacecraft, and space artifacts? This is the place for you. Dive into the history of flight and explore the intricacies of space through their telescopes.
05 | The Getty (Los Angeles, CA)
Nestled upon the hills of West Los Angeles, The Getty is a fixture of the city, visible from the 405 freeway. This gorgeous, airy museum holds a plethora of European paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures that will keep you wandering for hours.
06 | American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY)
Is there any museum quite as iconic as this one? The famous setting of Night at the Museum, no trip to New York is complete without a trip to this museum, located on the beautiful Upper West Side. With over 40 galleries containing ancient artifacts, fossils, and specimens, you’ll walk out with a brand new perspective on the incredible planet you inhabit.
07 | Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA)
With more than 450,000 works of art, making it the crown jewel of the Boston art scene, this stunning Neoclassical building has one of the most comprehensive art collections in the Americas. See works by Degas, Rembrandt, van Gogh, and many more.
08 | Biltmore Estate (Asheville, NC)
Explore this whimsical castle, built in 1895 by George Washington Vanderbilt, and set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You’ll feel like royalty as you amble through its gardens and marvel at the neverending collection of antiques and fine art this mansion holds.