Museums create the opportunity to wander through centuries of art, history, science, or music, all under one roof. They serve as a source of education and inspiration for life-long learners of all ages.
Whether you’re planning your next domestic getaway, or looking for an afternoon escape, museums are sure to enrich your next journey.
Here are six must-see museums in the United States, according to Arrangements Abroad staff.
The Tenement Museum, New York, NY
Nestled in the lower east side of Manhattan, NY, the Tenement Museum tells the little known stories of immigrant, migrant, and refugee families from all across the globe. Through a series of 12 exhibitions, visitors are taken through the homes of diverse families as they build a new life in the United States. Immersive tours include the kitchens, hallways, parlors and well-preserved artifacts of everyday people, revealing the complex history of American identity from an inclusive lens.
“It is an experience that takes you to a moment in time, where you can see and feel the immigrant experience that makes New York the great city it is.”
– Shuki Hasson, SVP, Development and Operations
The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, PA
The Barnes Foundation holds a unique collection of European paintings from the Impressionist, Post-impressionist, and Modern art eras. Masterpieces from celebrated artists, including Renoir and Cézanne, are on ongoing display in the Barnes Collection, while archival collections, performances, and seasonal workshops keep museum members and art fanatics coming back time and time again.
According to their website, the museum’s founder, art collector Albert C. Barnes was an advocate of education and believed that “art had the power to improve minds and transform lives.”
“The Barnes Foundation was originally the private art collection of Alfred Barnes and is one of the most stunning groups of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modernist art. Originally located on the Main Line of Pennsylvania, I remember the drama surrounding its move to Center City Philadelphia, but they have done a wonderful job recreating a space that evokes the original museum in Merrion.”
– Kate Otter, Manager, Operations
Iolani Palace, Honolulu, HI
This grand palace was once the official residence of Hawaiian royalty, housing five kings and a number of 18th-century Hawaiian monarchs. After government offices vacated the palace in 1969, extensive restoration and conservation efforts took place and now connects visitors with artifacts and furnishings from its royal past.
“Iolani Palace is truly unlike anything else in the country. The only royal palace on American soil, it was the home of the Hawaiian royal family and seat of power for the Kingdom of Hawaii until the overthrow in 1893. Built in the unique ’American Florentine’ style, it stands as a singular monument in Hawaiian and American history (and it had electricity before the White House). It now stands as a monument of Hawaiian history and culture.”
– Meg Orr, Sponsor Relations Associate
The Met Cloisters, New York, NY
The Met Cloisters were built to resemble French architectural styles from the Romanesque period. This picturesque tribute to medieval European art and architecture sits within Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan, overlooking the Hudson River.
“It has a beautiful setting (very quiet in a park in Northern Manhattan) with a medieval garden and also has some great medieval art and tapestries – including the famous Unicorn Rests in the Garden.”
– Jamie Cox, CFO
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA
Named for the museum’s founder and creator, Isabella Stewart Gardner and her husband, John Gardner, followed their wanderlust across the globe throughout the 1870s, leading them from Asia to Europe. Upon returning to their home in Boston, Isabella began studying art history nearby at Harvard University. When John passed away unexpectedly, Isabella was determined to make their shared dream of creating a museum a reality.
The museum features Isabella’s collection of over 18,000 art and artifacts, ranging from 16th-century Italian textiles to Chinese vases and tea caddies, among other objects originating from five continents.
“The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is in a breathtaking Venetian palace, and there’s nothing I love more than strolling the halls and pretending I’m Venetian nobility while I enjoy the art and the mystery of the empty frames. In recent years, the new wing has added a modern touch with fun new exhibits and opportunities for artist residencies and community collaboration.”
– Katherine Charleton, Manager, Guest Services
Join us in Boston to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum among other landmarks.
Jorge M. Perez Art Museum, Miami, FL
This modern and contemporary art gallery features international art from the 20th and 21st centuries. With a diverse showcase of art from a plethora of mediums, guests can discover abstract paintings, photography, and mixed-media sculptures and wall hangings, all in one place.
The museum holds diverse collections of African and Latin American art, as well as collections from the African and Caribbean diasporas. The institution also supports local Miami-based creators with special artist-in-residence programs, with a curatorial and research platform called the Caribbean Cultural Institute.
“This museum focuses on Latino, African and Caribbean art, with beautiful tropical vibes on the water in Miami.”
– Joseph Vinci, Associate, Development
