Whether you’re looking to admire an Impressionist masterpiece or learn more about your destination’s culture and history, museums all over the world are sure to delight. These iconic buildings are more than just places to display art and artifacts, they offer a glimpse into the human imagination and are an important part of our shared heritage.
Despite their often grand appearance, museums all over the world are incredibly diverse, offering an array of different museum experiences that appeal to a wide variety of travelers. From the Louvre in Paris to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, each museum features unique collections that are sure to leave visitors enchanted.
As you explore these iconic institutions, you’ll find that the stories behind them are just as fascinating as the pieces themselves. You’ll learn how museum founders and designers envisioned these institutions to be more than just repositories for artifacts, but places where people can connect with one another and discover a common humanity through their shared passions.
While museums are often considered cultural sites, they also have a more practical role in society and can be used as catalysts for revitalization and economic development. For example, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain was built to revitalize a run-down area of the city. Its unique architecture and the enviable collection of artwork have drawn tourists from all over the world, making it one of the most popular museums in the world.
Museums can also serve as a focal point for local history, serving as a source of pride for citizens in their hometowns. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is one of the world’s largest art museums, with an enviable collection that includes works by Monet and Van Gogh, and has attracted more than six million visitors in 2020 alone. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, is another top museum in the US that has a rich cultural history dating back to 1778 and is the most-visited art museum in the United States.
The word “museum” comes from the Greek museion, meaning “seat of the Muses.” This is an allusion to a college of scholars where ideas and concepts are exchanged. The museum concept later became more focused on collecting and preserving objects for study and display. Historically, museums have been distinguished from libraries in that they preserve primary tangible evidence of human civilizations and cultures. This distinguishes them from historical societies that may collect items for their own enjoyment or to pass along as family heirlooms.
The world’s best museums showcase a wide range of art and culture, with many focusing on specific subjects. Some have been designed by famous architects, such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the futuristic Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, while others, like the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City, are dedicated to specific artists. Increasingly, museums have also become cultural and scientific research centers where scientists can interact with and learn from the items they have collected.
