13 museums that are fascinating, exquisite, weird, wacky and some are just down-right gruesome! 11 exciting travel bloggers share their favourite museums from around the world. From the exquisite Louvre Abu Dhabi to the wacky Walmart museum. Open air museums such as Port Arthur and 1880 Town, to the gruesome Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. This list has it all!
By Ros Cuthbertson of the Frequent Traveller – inspiring other travellers to live life to the fullest!
Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand has many beautiful museums, but my favourite is the Lanna Folklife Museum, which is located opposite the Three Kings Monument in Chiang Mai’s old city. The museum houses a range of displays that detail the historical traditions of the Lanna people of Northern Thailand. The exhibits are fascinating and give informative explanations into the cultural beliefs and activities that are the cornerstone of Lanna life, past and present.
The Lanna Folklife Museum is housed in the old district court buildings. Walking up the wide staircases, we discovered the symbolism and influence of Buddhist religious life on the Lanna people. We marvelled at the intricate painting process of the stunning temple murals, and we learnt the significance of the lanterns which decorate the city during the Loy Krathong and the Yi Peng Festivals each November.
The displays gave us insight into Lanna music, singing and dancing, our favourite being the exquisite Nail Dance, a dance of beauty and grace which is usually performed at the head of a parade. We learnt about supernatural objects and superstitions, as well as daily life and courting rituals. There were displays of traditional textiles, with the weaving patterns of each ethnic group, as well as an introduction into local culinary delicacies.
Objects of fine art took centre stage, many of them made of gold and silver, offerings donated to the Temple by people wishing to make merit. We enjoyed our visit to the Lanna Folklife Museum in Chiang Mai Thailand, it gave us a new understanding of this fascinating region of the world.
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2. Port Arthur – Tasmania, Australia
By Barry Sproston of Tools of Travel – learn how to travel longer!
Port Arthur is a small town and old convict settlement found in Tasmania, Australia. It’s part of the Australian Convict Sites, a World Heritage property which includes eleven penal sites built within the British Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries and is now an open-air museum.
It is located 97 kilometres from Tasmania’s capital, Hobart and is also well known as being the location of one of the worst mass murders in Australia’s history.
In 1833 Macquarie Harbour Penal Station at Sarah Island closed and Port Arthur became the new destination for the hardest of convicted British criminals. Those who were secondary offenders and re-offended after their arrival in Australia were sent to Port Arthur up until its closure in 1853.
During its operation, Port Arthur had some of the strictest security measures found in the British penal system.
Today visitors can wander around the Historic Site and view over 30 buildings, ruins and restored homes. It takes a few hours to see everything as there are 40 hectares of grounds to cover.
One of the best things about visiting Port Arthur is there’s no rush. Tickets are valid for two consecutive days and include an Introductory Guided Walking Tour, Harbour Cruise, access to Museum, Convict Study Centre and Interpretation Gallery and the site of the Dockyard.
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3. MC Escher Museum in – The Hague, Netherlands
By David, a blogger always travelling elsewhere at Travelsewhere.
One of the biggest draws of visiting the Hague in the Netherlands is the city’s many museums. When planning my trip, there was one that instantly grabbed my attention – the MC Escher Museum. For those who don’t recognise the name, you likely know his work. MC Escher was a Dutch graphic artist famous for mind-bending pieces of art that defied logic.
The museum is housed inside the Lange Voorhout Palace, which means that as you explore the exhibits, you can also admire the various stately rooms they belong to. Each room features a unique chandelier, designs ranging from an umbrella to a skull and crossbones, to an atomic bomb.
The exhibits start with a surprising look at Escher’s landscape drawings, often inspired by his family travels through Italy on holiday. After that, the museum delves into his fascination with animals, self-portraits and you get the first glimpse of his “mindscapes”. It’s a great section to show you more about the artist himself and his natural artistic talent.
The upper levels are dedicated to his insanely detailed fractal patterns, where everything fits together, as well as his mindscapes full of infinite loops and a blurred line between reality and imagination. The top floor includes interactive scenes that allow you to recreate some of his works of art and the illusions they employ. No matter your tastes, you’re bound to find something that intrigues you.
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4. Walmart Museum – Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
By Sage Scott of Everyday Wanderer – for people with wanderlust and a real life!
If you think the current political environment is polarising the United States, you haven’t wandered into a Walmart vs Target debate! But whether you love or hate Walmart, there’s no denying that the company at the top of the Fortune 100 list is an American success story like no other. So, if you find yourself in Bentonville, Arkansas, take an hour to explore the Walmart Museum. After all, it’s not like you’re shopping at a Walmart, and there is no admission fee.
Fun Fact: The galleries of the Walmart Museum were designed by the same team who created the Clinton Presidential Centre, US Holocaust Memorial Museum, and other top museums.
The Walmart Museum shares the story of Sam Walton, from his birth in rural Oklahoma to his service during World War II, from his first Ben Franklin store to nearly 2,000 Walmart stores at the time of his death. But three experiences really stood out to me.
The first was a wall of returns. Walmart has long had a very liberal return policy, accepting returns for all items purchased at Walmart, including the fishing rod that was returned because it didn’t catch any fish!
It was also very inspiring to see the humble office and beat-up pick-up truck of the self-made multi-billionaire. Despite his considerable success, Sam Walton remained a down-to-earth, Midwesterner. He embodied the Ten Rules for Business Success that he shared with others and was quite deserving of his Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Walmart Museum is open daily and there is no admission fee to tour the museum.
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5. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum – Phnom Penh, Cambodia
By Kelly Turpin of Trippin’ Turpins – full-time travellers and sailors!
During Pol Pot’s Khmer Rough regime Toul Sleng, formally a school was converted to S-21(Security Prison 21) a torture, interrogation, and execution centre. It is now a museum that tells, and depicts, what went on at S-21. It is hard to think of it as a ‘tourist attraction’… in fact, I would say it is not an “attraction”. If you want to be entertained in Cambodia, go somewhere else. This museum is confronting and uncomfortable; I’m not ashamed to say it brought me to tears. Horrific, evil, unspeakable and harrowing are just some of the terms I can be used to describe what went on there between 1975 and 1979; a 3 year, 8 months, and 20 day period in Cambodia’s history that decimated the population.
At the Toul Sleng Museum, the buildings are preserved as they were found after the Khmer Rouge were driven out in 1979. Extensive records and thousands of photographs had been retained and are now part of the museum. There are four main buildings (A, B, C & D). Each structure reflects what went on at S-21, for example in Building B you will find galleries of black and white photographs of the estimated 17,000 prisoners who were imprisoned. In other buildings, you will find the rooms sub-divided into small cells for prisoners and other objects including instruments of torture. For more information, including location and click here.
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6. The Louvre – Paris, France
By Tracy of Tracy’s Travels in Time – I dreamt of a life well travelled and that is the life I live!
Visiting Paris inevitably means a few must-do experiences. A stroll around Montmartre, ascending the Eiffel Tower, a breakfast of coffee and fresh croissants and of course a visit to one of the most famous museums in the world – the Louvre.
The Louvre is home to some of the world’s greatest art treasures such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, and everyone wants to see (and photograph) them so be prepared for huge crowds.
The Louvre was once a royal palace and became a museum in 1793. It is situated on the Right Bank of the Seine next to Tuileries Gardens and attracts nearly 10 million visitors a year
I would strongly advise that you pick up a map and pick out what exactly you want to see. I would recommend a visit to Napoleon III’s apartments – seeing those amazingly decorated rooms is one of the most mind-blowing experiences you can have at the museum!
If you are planning to visit the Louvre one tip I will give you is to buy your tickets in advance and online. The museum is always busy, and this is the best strategy to avoid standing to wait in a queue.
For more information including opening hours click here.
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7. Hanoi Museum of Ethnology – Hanoi, Vietnam
By Stephanie, an Expats Adventure from 1Adventure Traveler.
Journey with me to one of my favourite sites, Hanoi Museum of Ethnology. Experience the multi-ethnic county of Vietnam in this fascinating museum. Walk among the artefacts inside, but make sure to step outside to view the open air living quarters. Immerse yourself in the culture, walk up the steps of the house to look inside and see how some Vietnamese lived. See the thatched roofs that covered the houses and the minimal items inside. Look for the hand-carved boat that was used to fish. What an exciting experience there and one I will never forget.
I enjoyed a visit to Hanoi while on a Viking River Cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia. On our stop in Hanoi, I visited the museum which is located several blocks north of the city centre. The museum is worthwhile visiting. With a local tour guide to usher me through the museum, I was able to immerse myself into the culture and learn some very fascinating information. The museum is listed as “#12 of Things to Do in Hanoi” by Trip Advisor, plus, a “Top Choice Museum” to see in Hanoi by Lonely Planet. Make sure to visit and marvel at how impressive and exciting a look back at the different 54 Vietnamese ethnic cultures. Look for me on your visit. I just might be there, spending more time browsing the artefacts inside. For more information including location and cost click here.
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8. 1880 Town – South Dakota, USA
By Travel Lexx who thinks South Dakota is one of the coolest states in the whole of USA.
One of the coolest things about going on a road trip in the United States is the abundance of cool things to see and do along the way. The country is teeming with roadside attractions worth stopping for and exploring. Not many can boast to be as quirky and interesting as the 1880 Town in South Dakota
Visiting 1880 Town is like going back in time as you explore over 30 buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, brought here to provide a snapshot of what a South Dakota town of the period would look like. You’re free to explore the grounds and the buildings assembled here give an incredible insight into an American frontier town. There is a saloon, a town hall, a post office and even a church, all authentically decked out with furniture, items and photos from the time. It really does feel like you’re stepping into something out of a Western movie and you can even hire period costume to explore the town in.
Movie buffs will enjoy a number of props from Kevin Costner’s “Dances With Wolves” and a memorial to one of the horses from the movie, that lived in the town.
1880 Town is unlike any museum I’ve been to before. It really feels like you are wandering through a living and breathing town especially when there is live entertainment in full swing! If you get hungry, you can grab food and milkshakes in an authentic 1950s train car!
1880 Town is located 22 miles west of Murdo, SD at Exit 170 of Interstate 90. For more info visit the website.
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9. The Royal Malaysia Police Museum – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
By Kelly Turpin of Trippin’ Turpins – full-time travellers and sailors!
The evolution of the Malaysian Police Force is actually fascinating. The history of this essential community unit begins with a short video which depicts, and explains, the development of the Royal Malaysia Police in chronological order. You can spend hours looking at the vehicles and weapons used by the police as well as the amazing, and grizzly, display of weapons confiscated during the “Malayan emergency”. This museum will keep the overgrown boys entertain for hours, and it is FREE! Click here for more information.
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10. National Museum of the Philippines – Manilla, Philippines
By Noel Babacungan of Ten Thousand Strangers – stories from the road!
The National Museum of the Philippines operates several museum buildings near the Rizal Park in Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita. Manila. The National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, and National Planetarium. As the name implies, the Nation Museum of Fine Arts houses a collection of painting and sculptures from renown classical Filipino Artists.
Visitors are greeted at the ground floor lobby by the 19th-century painting “Spoliarium” by Juan Luna. This 4.22 meters x 7.675 meters oil-on-canvass painting depicting gladiators being dragged by Roman soldiers was made by the artist as an entry to the prestigious Madrid Art Exposition in 1884 which won for him the First Gold Medal.
Directly facing the Spoliarium is the Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho (The Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace) by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. This famous floor-to-ceiling masterpiece won the artist a Silver Medal during the Madrid Exposition in 1884.
The National Museum of Fine Arts building has three floors and several galleries. My favourite galleries to visit are Gallery XXII, XXIII, XXIV, which are all exhibiting masterpieces from the late Vicente Manansala, National Artist for Visual Arts.
Located in Manila, the gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday and is FREE. Click here for more information.
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11. Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum – Washington DC, USA
Rob + Ann are the husband and wife team of TravelLatte – filling your cup with travel news, stories, and advice from around the world.
If you love museums and galleries, you’ll hit the mother lode in Washington, DC! Of all the private and public museums across the city, our absolute favourite is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
It is the world’s most-visited museum for a good reason: You’ll find the history of flight chronicled here, from the Wright brothers’ 1903 Flyer to Apollo 11 command module and the Space Shuttle Discovery. There’s even a full-size Saturn 5 rocket on display!
Air and Space are actually two museums in one, so it’s great to break up your visit over a couple of days. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is at Dulles International Airport and houses the really big boys, including the space shuttle, the supersonic Concorde, and an SR71 “Blackbird” spy plane.
At the museum on the Mall, you can experience an aircraft carrier flight deck, walk-through Space Lab, and relive the US-Soviet Space Race. Among our favourite displays is the gallery of World War Two Aviation, which includes planes from every theatre and most combatant nations. Another highlight is Boeing’s Milestones of Flight, with the Spirit of St. Louis, and a model of the Star Trek Enterprise used in filming. If it all seems a little overwhelming, or you just can’t decide where to start, take advantage of the free docent-led tours. It’s also a good idea to download the museum’s free app and check the list of prohibited items before you go.
This is Nirvana for aviation buffs, but you don’t have to be a flyboy to love the Smithsonian Air & Space. The buildings are filled with the remnants of history, bits of pop culture, and the promise of the future, in our skies and across the galaxy.
The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museums are free, as are all Smithsonian museums (except for Planetarium and Imax admissions). Parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center is $15 (before 4 pm). The museums are open every day except Christmas, but no matter when you go, plan on a crowd. The Udvar-Hazy Center receives 1.6-million visitors each year, while nearly 7-million people visit the Washington location. Combined, it’s the most visited museum in the world with 8.5-million visitors a year, just edging out Musee du Louvre.
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12. The Louvre Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
By Norman of Années de Pèlerinage – a travel blog of luxury hotels and unforgettable cultural experiences.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi has probably been the most anticipated museum opening of the past decade. I had the unique chance to attend the opening in October 2017 and experienced the outstanding artworks before (almost) everyone else. In all honesty, I was expecting much more gold and over-board Arabian splendour. But boy, was I wrong! The architecture follows simple lines, is all white marble and an architecture lover’s dream come true. One gigantic, seemingly floating dome covers the whole structure. Rays of light are seeping through the latticework creating a feeling much like walking through the fringed palm tree shadows of an oasis.
I can’t recommend it enough as they’ve also pulled off the smartest exhibition spaces I have ever seen… and hey, they have two Da Vinci’s, and so many other outstanding artworks, you really should see once in a lifetime. To read more about The Louvre Abu Dhabi visit Norman’s Guide for Tourists.
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13. South Australian Maritime Museum – Port Adelaide, Australia
By Kelly Turpin of Trippin’ Turpins – full-time travellers and sailors
The South Australian Maritime Museum is displayed in what was once the Bonds and Free Stores, a heritage listed warehouse from 1857, and holds a large replica ketch from the 1800s. As we entered the gallery to explore the ketch, we found ourselves listening to all the sounds of the daily action in an early era port. Seagulls squawked, bells tinkered, and sailors called back and forth to each other, it really did feel like we were getting the real experience!
This museum is packed full of South Australia’s Maritime history including the arrival of people into South Australia from 1836, a display of shipwrecks (over 850 wrecks line the coast of South Australia!) and displays of fishing rods, surfboards, and swimwear from the past. There is a wonderful display about dolphin and in particular the Port River dolphins, including how to discover which dolphin you have spotted in the river by the markings on its fin. This museum is very interactive and great for children. To read more including location and cost click here.
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Get more Information!
FREE? Check out museuly‘s – Top 25 Best Free Museums In New York That Will Save Your Budget
KIDS? Check out Everyday Wanderer’s 5 Tips to Help Kids of All Ages Appreciate Art Museums
Where in the world is your favourite museum? Tell us in the comments below!
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