Top Museums Guide: The 6 Best Museums in the US

Posted on July 02, 2025

A couple wearing red tops stands closely together, admiring an art gallery wall displaying eight framed paintings. The paintings vary in color and subject, featuring abstract and figurative elements. The couple appears engaged and relaxed, enjoying their art viewing experience.

Love arts and history? If you find joy when looking at fine arts and reminiscing about history, nothing showcases them better than a museum. Highly regarded for their dedication and excellence in preserving and showcasing various types of art and historical artifacts. While museum visits and tours seem boring for some, anyone can have a great time at the right museum.

This guide will cover the things that make a museum great. We will also give you six of the most wonderful museums in the US that you should never miss. Let's explore the wonders of art and history with the top museums in America for all avid museumgoers. Keep reading.

What makes a museum great?

Remarkable storytelling and quality content

The best museums in the United States have a common denominator. More than showcasing extensive art collections, each museum has interesting stories to tell. Every piece of art or artifact curated has a meaning and belongs to certain pages of history. While different museums highlight different pieces, the ones with a focus on artifacts deserve special commendation. This is because most artifacts are known for their high value and fragility, making them more challenging to preserve.

A museum that showcases artifacts has a highly meticulous selection and preservation process. This means that they could cater to the interests of visitors without compromising quality.

A positive and engaging environment for visitors

We all have a favorite museum. In addition to content and unique storytelling, a great museum also houses the best people. Not only do they have knowledgeable and experienced guides, but they also provide phenomenal experiences to visitors.

Dedicated research and preservation efforts

Besides art, history and culture are two elements that take a lot of effort to preserve. A museum that invests in continuous efforts to preserve these three elements is a must-visit. Moreover, art museums and galleries that involve society and people in research and preservation efforts deserve an extra star.

Proper integration of technologies

Like we mentioned earlier, preservation takes a lot of effort. Museums should be capable of integrating advanced technologies to make preservation easier and give visitors a remarkable experience. Technology enhances the way museums curate each item.

Modern-day exhibits and interactive museum visits cater to the needs of newer generations. This will not only enhance the overall visitor experience but will also encourage more people to pay a visit to both permanent and temporary exhibitions across the country.

6 of the best museums in the US you shouldn't miss

1. The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

A young child with short hair and a dark blue vest stands in front of a famous painting of a starry night scene. Swirling patterns create a dynamic night sky filled with bright stars and a shining moon above a peaceful village with a dark cypress tree. The child gazes intently, absorbing the vibrant blues and yellows of the artwork, conveying a sense of wonder and curiosity. The setting is a well-lit gallery with a white wall.

When talking about museums of art, it's impossible to miss the Museum of Modern Art. Based in New York City, MOMA was founded in 1929 and is one of the best art museums in the US.

DID YOU KNOW? MOMA was established by three women: Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, Lillie P. Bliss, and Mary Quinn Sullivan. Talk about girl power.

Featuring over 200,000 works of modern and contemporary art, it's easily one of the world's largest and most influential museums. A walk to its art galleries feels like a walk to history. Why not? MOMA features unmissable works of art led by Van Gogh's The Starry Night, Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Claude Monet's Water Lilies, and Yayoi Kusama’s Accumulation No. 1. From nostalgic paintings to mind-blowing sculptures, MOMA truly deserves a spot on the list of best museums in the world.

2. Madame Tussauds

Three people pose for a selfie in a colorful, vibrant room with geometric patterns on the wall. The person taking the selfie holds up a smartphone, capturing smiles and relaxed poses. In the background, a stack of champagne glasses adds to the festive atmosphere. The room is lit with pink and purple lights, creating a lively and cheerful ambiance.

Have you ever come across a tourist or a local who hasn't visited Madame Tussauds yet? We think not. Arguably one of the most popular museums in the entire country, Madame Tussauds features an extensive collection and display of lifelike wax figures of celebrities, historical figures, and other notable individuals in the world. Currently, Madame Tussauds has five museums in the country, located in Hollywood, Las Vegas, Nashville, New York City, and Orlando.

FUN FACT: Queen Elizabeth II has the most wax figures at Madame Tussauds locations all over the world. That's Her Majesty, for you.

If you're wondering why Madame Tussauds belongs to the list of the best museums in the US, we have one answer: Craftsmanship. The thing that sets Madame Tussauds apart is its high attention to detail, crafting each wax figure with utmost precision. This museum makes art accessible to everyone. And with a permanent collection of wax figures, the next generations will surely enjoy visiting these hyper-realistic art forms.

3. California Academy of Sciences

An albino alligator is resting on a rock in a dark, water-filled enclosure. The alligator's pale skin contrasts with the surrounding environment. The rock is surrounded by water, and the enclosure has various plants and submerged logs, creating a natural habitat. Small fish can be seen swimming in the water nearby.

For those who find history museums kind of lacking in terms of experience, head over to California Academy of Sciences. It one-ups every museum in the US because it packs everything a museumgoer wants. In case you don't know yet, the San Francisco-based institution is a world-class hub that houses an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum in one roof. Simply put, it's a museum that caters to the interests of children and adults.

The Steinhart Aquarium is one of its most notable features, with over 60,000 animals including adorable penguins, various aquatic creatures, and Methuselah, a 92-year-old Australian lungfish. Visitors shouldn’t miss the chance to meet Claude, the museum's beloved albino alligator at The Swamp. And oh, before we forget, the California Academy of Sciences also offers fun sleepovers for kids and a vibrant nightlife. Dare we say they actually have everything?

4. Sherman Library & Gardens

On the left, a group of children sits on a colorful mat outdoors, attentively listening to a woman reading a book aloud. An easel displays a large picture book titled The Little Red Hen. On the right, a vintage black and white photo shows a person inspecting a propeller aircraft on a tarmac.

Another interesting museum is Sherman Library & Gardens. Located in Newport Beach, California, it's a haven for museumgoers who love nature and history. Sherman Library & Gardens offers exclusive botanical garden tours, classes, and more. If you wish to have an interactive experience where you are more than just a spectator, this museum is perfect for you. It's one of the best museums dedicated to nature, arts, and history in the United States.

Apart from interactive activities, Sherman Library & Gardens also features an impressive photography collection. The collection captured places and events in southern California, Arizona, and northern Mexico. It also has a collection of landscape paintings created by artists working in Southern California. Our favorite painting is Newport Fisherman by Phil Dike. Don't forget to view this!

5. theJOYLAB Tours

Three iconic images in a vertical triptych. Left: A black and white photo of two people embracing on a grassy knoll. Center: A historic motorcade with prominent figures and police escorts. Right: A vibrant red Pegasus sign against a modern building, symbolizing a city's iconic landmark.

While most of the museums mentioned on this list boast about the largest collection of photographs and other pieces of art, theJOYLAB Tours offer immersive experiences. What's even better is that every tour is self-guided, which means that you can move at your own pace. theJOYLAB Tours don't channel the vibe of a typical American art museum, but it allows people to drive and experience some of the moments that defined American history.

The self-guided tours are fully narrated, each with an amazing itinerary for a superb experience. No need for extra equipment. With your mobile phone and earphones, you can take a look and immerse yourself in historical events and places. Besides the Dallas sightseeing tour, the JFK Assassination Tour and Bonnie and Clyde Tour are the most popular self-guided tours that theJOYLAB Tours offer.

6. Perot Museum of Nature and Science

A T-Rex skeleton exhibit at a museum shows intricate bone structures and sharp teeth. Next to it, visitors engage with an interactive display. A man writes on a notepad while a woman and child look on, enjoying the educational experience. The setting is well-lit with vibrant informational panels in the background, enhancing the learning atmosphere.

Last but not least, a unique museum that can make traditional museums look meh. Kidding aside, Perot Museum of Nature and Science is absolutely one of the most exciting museums in America. It also has a very interesting history. As a result of a merger between the Dallas Museum of Natural History, The Science Place, and the Dallas Children’s Museum, we have this amazing museum loaded with even more amazing things.

Perot Museum features permanent exhibits and films that dig into the incredible world of animals, insects, and even minerals. Think that's thrilling enough? Wait until you witness the world that bugs built at the Bug Lab Exhibition. If you are fascinated with all things dinosaur, don't miss the film T.Rex. With "Meet the New Boss. Same as the Old Boss" tagline, we just know we're up for another thrilling treat from the king pre-historic baddies.

Have you checked your bucket list yet, museumgoers?

What museum experiences tickle your senses? America houses some of the best museums in the world. From classic museums of American art and awe-inspiring museums of fine arts to well-preserved fragments of culture and history, every visit to these museums is worth it. Check your bucket list today and get ready to explore the top museums in the US.

It's time to get those museum tickets! Treat yourself and your loved ones to educational and immersive experiences like no other. Have a fun and meaningful museum visit, FunExplorers!