Our staff list of must-visit museums

One of the great ways to explore a country’s culture is through its museums, so we want to take a moment recognize some of the amazing museums around the world. Whether you have an eye for contemporary artwork or love to step back into history, there’s no shortage of opportunities to see what intrigues you. Read on to discover some staff favorites and start planning your own visit to a gallery that speaks to your interests.

United States

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Boston, Massachusetts

“My favorite museum in the world is right here in Boston. It’s a little oasis filled with beautiful art, history and the unique imprint of its namesake. The building holds a collection inspired by Gardner’s trips abroad and surrounds a glass-covered courtyard. Today, anyone wearing Red Sox gear receives a discounted entrance and anyone named Isabella gets in for free! I could go on and on. It really is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.” —CJ, Events & Communications Manager, Group Sales

Harvard Museum of Natural History Boston, Massachusetts

“To me, this is a must-see if you have some extra time in Boston. It’s small in scale (compared to natural history museums in cities like New York or Chicago), but parts of it are so densely packed it can be almost overwhelming—but in a good way! The collection of glass flowers is beautiful, too.” —Jessie, Senior Copy Editor

Renwick Gallery Washington, D.C.

“I’m not really a big fan of art museums, but this gallery is very, very cool. It’s small, which makes it easy to see all the exhibits and not feel rushed. When I was there they had a room that was full of insects made into designs on the walls and ceilings. One room had mountains made out of paper squares, another was full of wooden nests that you could sit under and there was also a room draped in rainbows with cushions on the ground for people to lie down on and stare up.” —Marissa, Customer Relations Representative

Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“I grew up in Philly, so visiting this iconic art museum was always something we did in the summer or for school trips. Some of the famous exhibits include works by Dalí, Van Gogh and recently added, Cézanne.” —Ashley, Manager of Customer Relations

South America

Museo Evita Buenos Aires, Argentina

“I kind of consider myself a museum nerd and while studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I visited close to 50 different museums! One of my favorites was Museo Evita, which immortalizes the life of Eva Perón. She was more than a political presence, and was one of Argentina’s most-loved first women.” —Julietta, International Sales Associate

Europe

Rodin Museum Paris, France

“A lot of this museum’s art is outside in a sculpture garden, making it a great place to see some famous work and enjoy nice weather. I went while I had a free afternoon on London, Paris & Amsterdam and it’s become my favorite.” —Sarah, Assistant Manager of Travel Operations

Parque de las Ciencias Granada, Spain

“My friends and I felt like kids running around this museum’s interactive exhibits. I really enjoying the Perception Room, which was filled with angled mirrors—it was really cool.”—Jordan, Travel Operations Coordinator

Picasso Museum Barcelona, Spain

“I love this museum’s amazing collection, which features works from throughout Picasso’s entire career. Most people associate the painter with cubism, but the museum shows you his incredible talent across many different styles. You really feel like you can get to know the artist a bit and follow his progression.” —Jessie, Senior Copy Editor

Peggy Guggenheim Collection Venice, Italy

“This collection is housed in Guggenheim’s mansion and is so impressive, I was tempted to drop everything to write a biography on this incredible woman. She was a daring, unconventional collector, and learning about her fascinating friends and the influence they had on her, and the influence she had on them, is worth many days of visits.” —Robin, Director of Group Sales & Marketing

Dublin Writers Museum Dublin, Ireland

“When I was on the Ireland: Traditions of the Emerald Isle tour, I visited this museum in my free time. It’s housed in an 18th-century mansion and features a collection of memorabilia, photos and information about famous Irish writers like Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats and Samuel Beckett. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in the city’s literary history.” —Courtney, Senior Copywriter

Churchill War Rooms London, England

“This site speaks to WWII history buffs, but I think any visitor to London would find it interesting. It’s the actual bunker where Churchill conducted WWII operations for Great Britain. It was abandoned when the war ended and discovered decades later, when it was restored with exhibits, recordings and more.”—Charlie, Product Development Specialist

The Museum of Bags and Purses Amsterdam, The Netherlands

“I love this gallery! It’s located in a beautiful canal house with a tea room, and it’s so neat to see the evolution of an object that’s still used on a daily basis.”—Christie, Faith-Based Tour Specialist

Albertina Museum Vienna, Austria

“The Albertina is magnificent inside and out. The graphic artwork is contemporary and different. The last time I was there I saw a revisit of a famous exhibition called “Drawing Now.” It was spread out over four floors and provided a comprehensive dive into the art of drawing. Head out onto the roof for panoramic views and stroll through the bookstore for goodies from the city.” —Robin, Director of Group Sales & Marketing

Asia

Hakone Open-Air Museum Hakone, Japan

“I saw this museum on the Highlights of Japan: Kyoto to Tokyo tour and it’s my current favorite. One of the best things about experiencing art is the opportunity to interact with it, and this sculpture park allows visitors to get up close. The variety of artwork was unmatched, from a temporary exhibit by a local artist to a huge Picasso collection. The park also provides breathtaking views and even has a natural spring foot bath for those in need of a soak!” —Jessica, Assistant Manager, Denver

What’s your favorite museum that you have visited in your travels? Tell us why it’s your favorite on Facebook!