There is a lot of history to be found in London, and if you are one of many fans of war history museums, you won’t be disappointed by the selection that London has to offer. While there are dozens of smaller war-related musuems across the country, some of the major war history museums to be found in London include:

• The Imperial War Museum has five different branches with the main one in central London, and entry is usually free. Founded back in 1917, it has collections of many different kinds of artifacts related to Britain’s experience of war.
• The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms are housed underground and have recently been expanded to include a section devoted to Winston Churchill.
• Winston Churchill’s Britain at War Experience is an interactive museum located near the London Bridge, giving a somewhat real-life experience of war – for example, you can visit an underground air raid shelter.
• The National Army Museum looks at how the experiences of the British Army reflect the history and character of Britain; it’s divided into four sections, with the most popular being the World Wars (covering 1905-1945) and the Fighting for Peace section which looks at the modern day experience of the British Army.

Photo credit: Bernt Rostad

Looking to keep up to date follow our travel news.

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

London Museums For War History Lovers

Related posts:

1. Museums in London London is the capital of both England and the...
2. Art Galleries in London London is full of famous sightseeing spots, but being...
3. New But Old Roman Dishes Show Up in London Can you believe ancient Roman artifacts are still being discovered?...

At first you may not think of Los Angeles as a place to visit if you want to bone up on your history and explore a large variety of museums, but remember this city is steeped in its own history and reveres its stars in ways that perhaps no other city does. Los Angeles is full of museums with a huge variety that ranges from the traditional national history and art museums to the bizarre tributes to neon art and tolerance.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is the oldest and largest museum of its type in the western United States. The museum features more than 33 million artifacts which cover a huge range of topics from meteorites from Mars to tiny insects. A noted favorite at the museum is the exhibit called Dueling Dinosaurs with a full sized tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops skeleton. There are also a number of temporary exhibits at any point in time.

The Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits

Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles is the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits. This is one of the world’s most famous fossil locations and contains some of the largest, most diverse plant and animal remains from the Ice Age. Visitors to the museum can watch the excavation in progress and view life sized replicas of many o f the animals found in the pits.

Petersen Automotive Museum

The Petersen Automotive Museum started as a dream but in 1994 Margie and Robert E. Petersen realized their dream and started the Petersen Automotive Museum. The museum lets visitors take a deeper look at the automobile and its impact on American life, especially the Los Angeles area. Covering more than 300,000 square feet the museum features dioramas with more than 150 rare and classic automobiles.

Heritage Square Museum

Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles is a living museum depicting the settlement and development of the region from the Civil War to the early 20^th Century. The eight structures in the museum were constructed during the Victorian Era and guided tours are provided regularly

Museum of Neon Art

The Museum of Neon Art was created in 1981 and is located in the main exhibit space in the Renaissance Tower. In addition to the regular tours of the permanent artifacts the museum also hosts more than a handful of temporary exhibits each year, currently more than 400 artists have displayed their works in these special events. The museum also hosts courses in neon design and techniques four times a year.

Hollywood Wax Museum

The Hollywood Wax Museum started as a family business and has become a staple attraction in Hollywood. In fact the museum is the longest running wax museum in the country and has opened several branches across the United States. If you don’t see all of your favorite stars on the streets and cafes of L.A. then stop at the Hollywood Wax Museum and you’ll see them there.

Hammer Museum/Billy Wilder Theater

The Hammer Museum and Billy Wilder Theater is located at UCLA and is designed to recognize the talents of artists in all aspects of culture and society. This museum considers itself on the cutting edge and aspires to connect the classics with contemporary art through its wide range of exhibits, the variety of collections it displays and the provocative programs presented to its audiences. The exhibits and productions change frequently so come often to get a wide variety of museum experiences.

Museum of Tolerance

The Museum of Tolerance is a human rights laboratory and educational center designed to connect visitors with the horrors of the holocaust. The Museum of Tolerance is the first of its kind and was born out of the leadership of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The museum strives to prevent hatred and genocide from every occurring again through dynamic exhibits that will leave an impression for a lifetime.

African American Museum California: Exposition Park Los Angeles

The California African American Museum formally began operations in 1981 but didn’t open to the public until 1984. Within its 44,000 square feet are three full sized galleries, a theater gallery, a sculpture court, a conference center and special events room, an archive and research library, administrative offices and storage. There are a variety of exhibits and collections on hand to celebrate the important contributions of the African American culture.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the western United States and features more than 100,000 objects from ancient times to the present. Through its vast collections, traveling exhibits, public programs and research facility it reaches almost a million people annually and provides inspiration through its art.

J. Paul Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to promote understanding of art and inspiration through its collection of artworks. The museum features paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts and European and American photographs. If you really enjoy the Getty Museum at the Getty Center then the Getty Villa in Malibu might be worth a stop as well.

Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles

Founded in 1979 the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles works to bring awareness to all forms of media produced since 1940. The permanent collection now features more than 5,000 works and is continuously growing. This museum isn’t just for people with an affinity for modern art, it can inspire and educate anyone who takes the time to appreciate the collection.

Pacific Asia Museum

The Pacific Asia Museum in Los Angeles is one of only four institutions in the United States decided to preserving and exhibiting the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The building that houses the museum was built in 1924 by Grace Nicholson who displayed and stored her collection during her lifetime. For a while it also served as the Pasadena Art Museum. Since it has become the Pacific Asia Museum in 1971 it has hosted a number of groundbreaking exhibits including the first North American exhibit of contemporary Chinese art after the revolution and the first exhibit of aboriginal art in the U.S.

Photo credit: angeldye

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in Los Angeles

Related posts:

1. Romantic Destinations in Los Angeles Los Angeles may seem like the perfect place for...
2. Sightseeing in Los Angeles If you’re planning a vacation to Los Angeles, you...
3. Travel Photo of the Day 6/3/2009 is of Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles The Travel Photo of the Day for 6/3/2009 is of...

London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom and has a history of influence and power that reaches back more than two thousand years. It’s no doubt then that a city with as much history as London is full of incredible museums that house relics of the past. The list of London museums below is an abbreviated list with a focus on the most popular ones, there are many more museums in London to explore.

Museum of London

The Museum of London is one of the world’s largest urban history museums and houses more than two million artifacts. The museum tracks the area’s past from prehistoric times all the way to today. The museum first opened in 1976 and was culled from a collection of other museums. The museum is designed so guests must follow the chronological order of events throughout the museum, being taken from the oldest galleries to the most modern exhibits. In addition to the overall Museum of London the museum also is connected to a couple other museums, the Museum of London Docklands which chronicles the history of London’s ports and the Museum of London Archaeology who carries out about two thirds of all excavations in the area. The Museum of London is free to the public.

British Museum

The British Museum began with the physician, naturalist and collector, Sir Hans Sloane. Sloane collected more than 71,000 objects during his lifetime and donated the collection (for a relatively small fee) to King George II to be displayed for the public. The original collection mainly consisted of books, natural specimens, antiquities and ethnographic material. The museum opened in 1759 and has grown in importance and significance since. Some of the highlights of the museum are the Rosetta Stone, the Townley collection of classical scripture and the Parthenon sculptures.

Science Museum

The Science Museum in London is one of the most popular stops for tourists. Founded in 1857 it was originally part of the South Kensington Museum but was broken off in 1958 and was then the Museum of Patents and then in 1863 the Patent Office Museum and finally in 1885 the Science Museum. The museum currently holds more than 300,000 items arranged thematically, some of which are permanent and some are temporary. The galleries include; Power: The East Hall, Exploring Space, Making the Modern World, Flight, Launchpad and a number of touring exhibits. In addition there is an IMAX theater and The Dana Centre bar and café.

Museum of Garden History

The Museum of Garden History in London was established to promote the understanding of the history and changes of gardens and gardening in the region. Founded in 1977 it’s the first museum of its kind in the world. In addition to the great work the museum does in educating the world about London’s gardening past it is also credited with saving the beautiful St. Mary-at-Lambeth from destruction. The church had fallen into disrepair but as the garden group’s founders traced the family tomb of two 17^th plant hunters, the John Tradescants, they discovered the churchyard and it became an important part of the museum and its garden history.

Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum covers Britain’s conflicts from the First World War to present day. The museum was founded in 1917 and has been housed in several different buildings. At present the Imperial War Museum has four branches in addition to the main building, the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, HMS Belfast, Imperial War Museum Duxford, and Imperial War Museum North. The museum attempts to collect every type of evidence to document conflict times from works of art to aircrafts. The thorough collection of artifacts is an interesting trip through time.

Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms

The Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms is one branch of the Imperial War Museum. The Cabinet War Rooms are housed underground and served as the control center throughout World War II. The rooms were abandoned after Japan’s surrender in 1945 but weren’t opened to the public until 1984. The museum was expanded in 2003 and reopened in 2005 with the inclusion of the Winston Churchill exhibits which chronicle his life both public and private.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Located in one of the world’s most famous addresses, 221B Baker Street, the Sherlock Holmes Museum celebrates the fictional life of one of the most beloved characters in modern literature, Sherlock Holmes. The home has been decorated to reflect how it was depicted in the books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and can be toured every day of the year except Christmas. As an interesting side note Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s daughter who objected to a museum that supported the notion that Sherlock Holmes was an actual person and not just her father’s creation. She was asked if she wanted to donate artifacts to a room in honor of her father but she refused.

Design Museum

The Design Museum in London was founded in 1989 and is considered the first museum of modern design. The Design Museum explores design in products, industrial applications, graphics, fashion and architectural design. Not only does this museum seek to educate and enlighten the public on many different aspects of design, it also serves as a location for business meetings, lectures on or by designers, and it can be rented for events such as weddings.

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum in London officially opened to the public in 1937 and details the very long and storied history the region has with the sea. In fact the museum has the world’s largest maritime historical reference library with more than 100,000 volumes which date back to the 15^th century. The museum building is located within the Greenwich Royal Park along with several other buildings including the Queen’s House and Royal Observatory Greenwich. In addition to all of the historical information you’ll gather are the maritime exploits of the region you can also learn a bit about the location and the other buildings housed there. As with many government run museums in London, admission is free.

Photo credit: left-hand

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in London

Related posts:

1. London Museums For War History Lovers There is a lot of history to be found...
2. New But Old Roman Dishes Show Up in London Can you believe ancient Roman artifacts are still being discovered?...
3. Family Attractions in London Sometimes keeping kids occupied on vacation is difficult, especially...

It’s almost hard to fathom, but the city of Berlin is home to more than 170 museums and collections and they offer a foray into virtually every area of art and history. With this in mind it seems as though any trip should be punctuated with trips to a variety of museums that would enhance the visit and give you a deeper understanding of the world around you.

Charlottenburg Palace

Not only is the Charlottenburg Palace a museum with a collection worthy of viewing, but the exterior of this palace is remarkable and deserves more than a second glance. A baroque style castle, the structure took more than 100 years to complete and its central section, which was constructed between 1695-99, features 11 window axes and earned the name Charlottenburg, named after Electress Sophie Charlotte, a summer resident. The interior of the palace is also mainly baroque in nature but also has a fair representation of rococo style as well. One of the most incredible rooms inside the palace is quite possibly one of the most incredible rooms ever created, in fact it’s been named the eighth wonder of the world. The Amber Room features walls completely covered with decorative amber, gold leaf and mirrors. During WWII the room was raided and has never been recovered, but the room has since been restored to almost its original beauty. The grounds and the formal gardens are also quite exquisite and will inspire dreams of large lawns for anyone.

Haus am Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie originally started in 1962 in a small apartment and only occupied two and a half rooms. The popularity of Checkpoint Charlie was immediately evident and by 1963 a new location was opened and dubbed Haus am Checkpoint Charlie. Basically this was a location in the Berlin Wall that was known to be a crossing point for those eastern Berliners looking to escape to the west. For many people Checkpoint Charlie became a symbol of the cold war and an escape to freedom. After the reunification the area became a tourist attraction. It was moved to the Allied Museum in Berlin-Zehlendorf but the original location is still marked by a line of bricks.

Stiftung Topographie des Terrors

It can’t be ignored that one of Germany’s more recent notations in the history of the world is not a very positive one. But the country must be commended in its willingness to embrace the mistakes of their past and push forward toward better understanding of the errors of the past. The Stiftung Topographie des Terrors was one of the central institutions responsible for the policies of the National Socialism from 1933 to 1945. It is perhaps the only remaining site in the world and throughout world history where so much terror and murder were meticulously planned. There are many displays and exhibits, all of them chilling and soul stirring. It’s a site that must be seen by tourists and locals alike.

Pergamon-Museum

The Pergamon-Museum is actually three sub museums rolled into one, the Collection of Classical Antiquities, Museum of the Ancient Near East, and the Museum of Islamic Art. With three incredible museums all rolled up into one destination there is almost too much to see. Some of the highlights that should not be missed are the Zeus Altar, Market Gate of Miletus and the Ishtar Gate. This doesn’t mean the other exhibits aren’t worth exploring but these three will simply blow you away in their enormity, intricacy and celebrated history. To get more out of your experience you should pick up the 30 minute recorded tour for a bit of background on the museum and its exhibits.

Museum fur Naturkunde Berlin

The Museum fur Naturkunde Berlin or Berlin Museum of Natural History houses more than 30 million objects within its zoological, paleontological, geological and mineralogical collections. This amazing collection spans more than 6,000 square meters of exhibit halls and includes two very famous exhibits, the largest mounted dinosaur in the world and an exquisitely preserved bird which is the earliest known one on the planet.

German Historical Museum Berlin

The German Historical Museum in Berlin has a permanent exhibit which unveils the images and artifacts of more than two millennia of German history. But the permanent exhibit isn’t all the German Historical Museum of Berlin has to offer, it also features museum shows which change exhibits regularly and is situated in a remarkable hall designed but famed architect I.M. Pei.

Old National Gallery

Old National Gallery in Berlin was established in 1861 as banker J.H.W. Wagener donated his art collection to the king and a building was established to house his prized works of art. Much of the works of art housed at the Old National Gallery, or Alte Nationalgalerie is 19^th century art and is supported by the Neue Nationalgalerie, or New National Gallery’s 20^th century art works. The museum was severely damaged during the Second World War and has undergone numerous restorations leading to its state today as a leader on Berlin’s Museum Island.

New National Gallery

The New National Gallery in Berlin is also referred to as the Neue Nationalgalerie and features works of art that are mainly 20^th century art works. Throughout the year the gallery switches from special temporary exhibits to their permanent collection so there is usually something new to explore or something old to rediscover. Established in the 1960s the building itself wasn’t erected until 1968 and with famed architect Mies van der Rohe at the helm the building is noted as one of the best examples of modern architecture in the world. The New National Gallery is considered one of the most important museums in Europe with paintings and other art works by some of the best known artists from 1900 through the late 20^th century.

Gemaldegalerie

The Gemaldegalerie or Old Masters Gallery in Berlin is the proud holder of one of the world’s leading collections of European art from the 13^th to 18^th centuries. An unusual approach is taken to the displays of art at the Gemaldegalerie, the artwork arranged so that each room formulates a statement about the artists, the period, or the style contained within. Within the walls of the Old Masters Gallery you can see such noted masters as Albrecht Durer, Lucas Cranach, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer and many others.

Obviously this list just barely touches the extensive depth and breadth of museums and cultural exhibits the city of Berlin has to offer. Open your heart and mind and explore museums you’d never even contemplated to learn the most and grow from your experiences.
photo credit: Wolfgang Staudt

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in Berlin

Related posts:

1. Sightseeing in Berlin Sightseeing in Berlin is exciting, informative and it can...
2. Travel Photo of the Day Berlin Cathedral The Travel Photo of the Day for 10/11/2009 is of...
3. Art Galleries and Museums in Philadelphia If you’re looking for a city that is chock...

When you think of Las Vegas you think of gambling, showgirls, casinos, Cirque du Soleil, drinking and hookers. But Las Vegas actually has lot more to offer the culturally minded soul as the city is full of museums that range from the standard natural history museum to a pinball museum and everything in between. The museums in Las Vegas are truly plentiful and full of information and wonderful artifacts.

Liberace Museum & Foundation

The Liberace Museum & Foundation in Las Vegas was founded in 1979 by Liberace himself. The museum houses many of the performer’s favorite possessions including jewelry, antiques, apparel items, pianos and his custom car collection. The museum features two sections, one is packed with pianos and cars, a full blown explosion of extravagance. The other section is dedicated to costume and jewelry collections, a recreation of Liberace’s Palm Springs bedroom and an awards gallery. A collection of photographs, press clippings, mementos and memorabilia is available to students and researchers upon special request.

Nevada State Museum & Historical Society

The Nevada State Museum & Historical Society is located downtown in Lorenzi Park and features permanent exhibits which display the natural and anthropological history of the region. The highlights of the museum include a 190 million year old ichthyosaur fossil, a Paiute Indian exhibit and displays with pioneers and modern day inhabitants. The museum is rather small but you can extend your visit by taking a walk through the beautiful Lorenzi Park grounds.

Atomic Testing Museum

The Atomic Testing Museum is constantly under development and has been since its inception in 1997. The permanent exhibits show the history of the world through the Nevada Test Site and its programs. There are narratives from people involved in the Nevada Test Site, artifacts, environmental recreations, interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations to bring the message home. The Nevada Test Site was the country’s principal nuclear weapons testing facility from 1951 to 1992. The Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation was established to apprise the public of what happened during nuclear testing, the affects at the time and the current repercussions.

Las Vegas Natural History Museum

The Las Vegas Natural History Museum works to educate visitors about the natural sciences of the past and present. The museum opened to the public in 1991 with a diversified collection of wildlife and prehistoric exhibits. Many of the original exhibits were on loan but since then the museum has been able to collect its own multimillion dollar, world class collection. The collection isn’t simply limited to American southwest and desert inhabitants but reaches from Nevada to Africa, desert to ocean and from modern times all the way back to prehistoric. The interactive exhibits bring the museum to life for visitors and ingrains a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Neon Museum

Las Vegas’s Neon Museum was established in 1996 to collect and exhibit neon signs, claiming they are the classic art form of Las Vegas. More than 150 signs populate the museum and tell the story of Las Vegas through these garish displays of advertising. You can currently visit the neon museum by taking a self guided walking tour any time in the outdoor downtown gallery. The tour begins at the Neonopolis and extends down to 3^rd Street. But most of the Neon Museum’s collection sits in their “boneyard”, a three acre storage area with more than 150 historic, non-restored signs. Guests can view the signs close up and personal. In the upcoming future the museum hopes to have the La Concha Motel lobby restored to serve as their visitor’s center.

Museum of Natural History at the University of Nevada Las Vegas

The University of Nevada Las Vegas’s Museum of Natural History  or the UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum and Xeric Garden is located only miles from the famed Las Vegas strip and features exhibits relating to the cultures and native wildlife of the American Southwest, Mesoamerica and the surrounding area. In the museum you will discover Native American textiles, pottery, basketry and jewelry, ethnographic material from Guatemala and Mexico, artifacts from the cultures of pre-Columbian Latin America and an irrigation system that helps provide for desert plants.

Pinball Museum and Hall of Fame

The Pinball Museum and Hall of Fame was established by the Las Vegas Pinball Collectors Club in an effort to display the world’s largest pinball collection. The games belong to one individual, Tim Arnold, and range in vintage from the 1950s to the 1990s. In the Pinball Hall of Fame all of the pinball games are available to play with any machine older than the 1990s priced at 25 cents a game and the newer models at 50 cents. It’s a fun adventure for everyone in the family and all proceeds go to charity.

Lied Discovery Children’s Museum

The Lied Discovery Children’s Museum opened in 1990 and has become an important educational outlet for children in Las Vegas. More than 1.6 million people have visited the museum and schools use it often for field trips. The 22,000 square foot museum features both permanent and temporary exhibits that give children a hands on learning experience with the arts, sciences, humanities and a deeper understanding of early childhood. There are sections that encourage interaction between children and adults, giving you both a chance to create memories and learn something about the world around you.

Lost City Museum

The Lost City Museum in Overton Nevada displays artifacts excavated from Pueblo Grande de Nevada where the Anasazi Indians once lived. The area was threatened by Lake Mead so excavation began to salvage what they could. The Lost City Museum building is created in the pueblo revival style and constructed of sun dried adobe bricks. Ongoing research and archaeological digs continue in the lost city today and special public programs are held throughout the year if you’re interested in learning more about the dig itself.

In addition to these full fledged museums, many of the casinos are adding museums of their own to highlight certain eras, artworks, collections, and oddities. Some of these museums are ever changing or on temporary loan so check often to see if there’s something in town that appeals to your cultural side.

Photo credit: woofiegrrl

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in Las Vegas

Related posts:

1. Free Things to Do in Las Vegas Las Vegas may have a reputation of being a...
2. Historic Landmarks in Las Vegas Gambling casinos, lavish acts and spectacular shows are the...
3. Las Vegas Takes Corporate Travel Hit Business leaders in Las Vegas, Nevada are up in...

Detroit was founded in 1701 and due to its convenient location became a major port city for the Midwest. Detroit is probably most noted for its contributions to the automobile industry and to Motown, but the city has branches that reach much further and encompass many areas you might not have imagined. A tour of the museums of Detroit will give you a better understanding of what the city has brought to the world and how it chooses to celebrate its past.

Dossin Great Lakes Museum

The Dossin Great Lakes Museum sits on the shore of Belle Isle, a beautiful city park. The view of the Detroit River is exceptional and displays how important this waterway and the city of Detroit once was to the shipping industry. In addition to significant artifacts there is a reconstructed pilot house of the S.S. William Clay Ford and a gigantic collection of scale model ships.

Children’s Museum

The Detroit Children’s Museum dates back to 1917, making it the third oldest children’s museum in the country. Initially the museum was a joint venture between the Detroit Board of Education and the Museum of Art, called the Museum within a Museum. By 1925 the Detroit Board of Education was solely responsible for the museum meaning that the exhibits and activities in the museum are designed to engage children and provide them with lessons in different aspects of learning.

Motown Historical Museum

Detroit’s most popular tourist destination is the Motown Historical Museum, which draws thousands of visitors through its doors annually. The museum was founded in 1985 by Esther Gordy Edwards and seeks to preserve the legacy of the Motown Record Corporation. The museum begins at the beginning of Motown in the small Detroit home of Berry Gordy, Jr.  Once known as Hitsville USA the home is now known at the Motown Historical Museum. Exhibits in the museum include photographs, artwork, music, costumes and other memorabilia in addition to the famous Studio A where some of the greatest hits of the era were recorded.

Museum of Contemporary Art

It seems fitting that the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit was once an auto dealership. The space is open and bland, making it the perfect space and backdrop for contemporary exhibits. In addition to displaying unique works of art the Museum of Contemporary Art Store sells art materials and supplies that are specialized and cannot be found in many traditional art stores. Exhibits change fairly regularly so this museum is definitely one to watch.

Detroit Historical Museum

The Detroit Historical Museum was established in 1921 by Clarence M. Burton who brought together several local historians who were all interested in preserving the city’s history. In 1928 the museum opened in a one room suite on the 23^rd floor of the Barlum Tower, which earned it the nickname the highest museum in the world. In 1951 a new museum was constructed and is considered an important leading cultural institution with frequently changing exhibits. The museum has expanded and now welcomes more than 100,000 visitors each year.

Detroit Institute of Arts

The Detroit Institute of Arts, formerly known as the Detroit Museum of Art, has one of the largest, most significant art collections in the United States. The museum features more than 100 galleries and covers 677,000 square feet. The very first painting was donated to the museum in 1883 and there are currently more than 65,000 works of art. The exhibits do not cover specific areas but rather span artwork from pieces that are thousands of years old to the newest contemporary pieces.

Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum

A Tuskegee museum in Detroit seems a little unusual at first as the airmen were trained in Alabama but a large percent of these men originally came from the Detroit area. The Tuskegee Airmen were America’s first black military airmen and were trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee Alabama. These men made significant contributions to the war effort, but perhaps more importantly they helped break down the wall of racism and change some stereotypical views of blacks in America. Unfortunately after their military service many of the men, and eventually some women, returned to face continued racism and bigotry but their contribution cannot be denied.

Detroit Science Center

The Detroit Science Center is a hands on museum, letting visitors not only learn but experience exhibits in engineering, technology and science. The museum was established in 1970 under the vision of Dexter Ferry but didn’t come to rest in its current home until 1978. The museum has gone through a few expansions since then and is now one of the 10 largest science museums in the country. The museum contains an IMAX, a planetarium, the DTE Energy Sparks Theater, a science stage and a science hall for traveling exhibits.

International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum was founded in 1995 by DoRohn Entertainment president and gospel singer, David Gough, or the Mayor of Gospel. Each year the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum holds a ceremony to induct that year’s honorees. During your visit you can see the Wall of Time and hear Gospel legends of the past and present. You can also experience an actual recording session and then listen to your tracks on your very own CD.

Detroit Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum

The Detroit Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum is the only one of its kind in the country dedicated solely to powerboat racing. Established in 1983 the museum seeks to preserve artifacts from these sports and increase awareness and access. The museum contains a large collection of vintage hydroplanes spanning a remarkable seven decades. There aren’t many museums of this kind so this is the primary resource for historical and educational information on this sport.

Who knew that Detroit had so much to offer and had such a diverse and far reaching cultural core? No matter what you’re interested in it seems that Detroit has established a museum to cater to that interest. Detroit is a fascinating city with more diversity and deeper history than most people expect.
photo credit: {Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester}

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in Detroit

Related posts:

1. Sightseeing in Detroit Detroit Michigan is now best known as the automotive...
2. Travel Photo of the Day Detroit Skyline The Travel Photo of the Day for 11/16/2009 is of...
3. Museums in New York City The museums of New York City are famous around...

Cleveland is an incredible city with a storied past so it’s no wonder that Cleveland and the surrounding area is rife with museums for just about everything you could ever want to explore and some things you may have not known you wanted to explore until you visited.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is one of the most popular attractions in the region attracting music fans from around the world. Cleveland won the bid to provide a home to the museum through its thin ties to the beginnings of rock and roll and the generous financial package they offered. The museum opened in 1993 and documents the entire history of rock and roll. Visitors can wander through seven levels featuring permanent and temporary exhibits with some artifacts only on very short term loan. The third level of the museum is the actual Hall of Fame with all of the inductee’s signatures. Although a lot of controversy surrounds the museum and the induction process the museum is still a fascinating detour, especially for music fans.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Cleveland’s Museum of Natural History had its starts back in 1830 when a collection of animal specimens were housed in a small wood building on Public Square referred to as “The Ark”. In 1920 the actual Cleveland Museum of Natural History was founded and has grown quite a reputation as one of the finest museums of its kind in the country. One of the most famous exhibits is the famed Lucy, a 3 million year old human ancestor, but vying with Lucy for popularity is a 150 million year old dinosaur, one of the most complete mounted sauropods on display in the world. These two artifacts alone are reason enough to visit the museum but the museum has so much more to offer including both permanent and traveling exhibits.

Children’s Museum of Cleveland

The Children’s Museum of Cleveland is the best place to visit with your family if you have children between eight years old or younger. The museum is the only one in the area completely dedicated to this age group and their families. Permanent exhibits teach about the water cycle and weather, the city of Cleveland, everyday magic and science, health and body awareness, Mother Goose math lessons and Big Red Barn based on the Margaret Wise Brown story. But one of the most popular exhibits is Blast Off! Where children and their families can pretend to explore space and learn all about the universe around them.

Steamship William G. Mather Maritime Museum

The Steamship William G. Mather Maritime Museum is actually a retired Great Lakes bulk freighter that has been restored and turned into a museum. First launched in 1925 the ship originally worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company and was responsible for transporting materials through the upper Great Lakes to Duluth Minnesota. The ship was one of the first of its kind equipped with radar and became the very first American vessel to have an automated boiler system. The William G. Mather served Cleveland Cliffs well until 1985 when the company sold to the Great Lakes Historical Society. It was carefully restored and served the public throughout several more owners. Look for special events as you may time your visit to coincide with a shipboard sleepover.

Cleveland Police Museum

Cleveland Police Detective Robert Bolton was inspired by a visit to Scotland Yard’s Black Museum in London and decided that Cleveland should have its own police museum. The Cleveland Police Historical Society was founded in 1983 and the museum opened that same year in a 1200 square foot space on the first floor of the Police Headquarters. The exhibits documented the history of the local police department from 1866 to modern day. The museum proved to be very popular and remains one of the few law enforcement museums open to the public in the United States.

International Women’s Air & Space Museum

The International Women’s Air & Space Museum gives you a deeper look at how women have influenced the world of aviation and space exploration across the world. The museum first opened its doors in 1986 in Centerville, Ohio and quickly expanded outside of its original home and moved to Burke Lakefront Airport in 1998. The exhibits span the lobby and west concourse of the airport and are open to the public seven days a week and admission is completely free.

Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum

The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum gives visitors a deeper look at the history of land and air transportation. The museum houses a collection of automobiles, aircraft, bicycles, motorcycles, spacecraft and other accessories and artifacts that illustrate the progression of transportation through Cleveland and the world. Some of the highlights of the museum include a dozen historically significant airplanes including some great air racers from the 1920s and 1930s, a beautiful 1897 Panhard Lavassor Coupe, a stunning white 1919 Locomobile tp.48 Series 5 Sportif, a 1913 Harley-Davidson 7-A and many others.

Dunham Tavern Museum

The Dunham Tavern Museum began its existence as a stagecoach stop and the home of Rufus and Jane Pratt Dunham. This 1824 home seemed a windfall when the couple realized they had conveniently placed it on a well-traveled stagecoach route. In addition to farming the couple became tavern keepers as well. The structure is today the oldest building still standing on its original site in Cleveland and opened in 1941 to the public as a nonprofit museum. Loaded with antiques and featuring beautiful rambling gardens, the museum is a fabulous trip back in time.

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art houses more than 43,000 works of art in its permanent collection which is open to the public free of charge unless there is a special event or exhibit. The museum has recently undergone an extensive renovation that had closed 19 of the permanent galleries but they’re back up and running with even more construction work scheduled for the future to expand the museum and display more works of art. Not only does the museum feature incredible paintings, sculptures and photographic works but they also include lectures, films, and musical programs throughout the year.
photo credit: tehusagent

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in Cleveland

Related posts:

1. Free Things to do in Cleveland A trip to Cleveland doesn’t have to cost you...
2. Sightseeing in Cleveland Cleveland, Ohio might not be the first place you...
3. Historic Landmarks in Cleveland On July 22nd, 1796 the city of Cleveland was...

If you’re looking for a city that is chock full of art galleries and museums then Philadelphia hits that nail right on the head. You could spend months trying to take in all the Philadelphia art galleries and museums have to offer and probably still have a list of things to see. We’ll hit some of the highlights here but keep in mind that Philadelphia has a lot more in the way of art galleries and museums.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest museums in the United States and presents more than25 exhibitions every year. Their exhibitions range from artist specific shows to historical surveys that focus on specific topics or regions. The Philadelphia Museum of Art rotates its collection to give view to items not normally on display and it also features a large number of masterpieces on loan from museums throughout the world. The museum houses 225,000 works of art spanning a huge range of eras, styles and creativity. There are two buildings associated with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Main Building and the Perelman Building. The Main Building features a stunning 200 galleries, some of which change regularly, there are also some standard master paintings, carved stone, and period rooms which routinely offer the same sense of style and timelessness year after year. The Perelman Building features an Art Deco façade and is newly renovated. This additional space allows permanent collection items to be regularly viewed by the public, some of which have never had this honor before.

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts was founded more than 200 years ago in 1805. A collective of local artists and business leaders banded together to form this first art museum and school in the nation. The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts has become internationally known for its collections of 19^th and 20^th century American paintings, sculptures and other artwork. The collections are organized in a chronological and thematic way so visitors can explore American art from the 1760s to the present.

Rodin Museum

The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia was a donation to the city by movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum. In 1923 Mastbaum began collecting the works of Rodin and within three years he had assembled the largest collection outside of Paris. The works include bronze castings, plaster studies, drawings, prints, letters and books. The building of the museum began in 1926 but by the time it was completed in 1929 Mr. Mastbaum had died. His wife, pursued her husband’s dream and the building was completed and opened so the public could appreciate the works of Auguste Rodin.

Institute of Contemporary Art

Philadelphia’s Institute of Contemporary Art was founded in 1963 at the University of Pennsylvania and has since firmly established itself as a leader in the presentation of contemporary art. Many famous artists had their first showings at the Institute of Contemporary Art including Andy Warhol, Laurie Anderson, Agnes Martin and Robert Indiana. There is no permanent collection and new exhibits are brought in three times a year with a total of 12 shows annually, so there’s always something new. There are also frequent lectures, educational programs, artist speaking engagements, films and tours if you’re looking for a different experience.

Gross McCleaf Gallery

Philadelphia’s Gross McCleaf Art Gallery features some of the finest contemporary realist paintings and organic abstract art in the region. More than 40 artists are represented with a wide variety of subject matter and styles. The exhibits rotate through three galleries routinely but if there is something you are looking for by an artist that Gross McCleaf represents and it’s not on display feel free to ask as there are typically many works not on display.

The Galleries at Moore

The Galleries at Moore are open to the public and free of charge. Their exhibits, educational programs and publications focus on emerging regional, national and international artists and designers. Connected to the Moore College of Art & Design the first art venue was opened in 1968. The Goldie Paley Gallery was established in 1983 as an experimental, international exhibition and publications venue. In 1987 the Levy Gallery for the Arts was created in response to the mayor’s request for more support for local artists. As the only art and design college for women in the country, the Galleries at Moore have held significant solo exhibits dedicated to noted female artists and designers.

Esther M. Klein Art Gallery

The Esther Klein Art Gallery takes a deeper look at contemporary art and artists who are working in the latest emerging trends in science and technology. The exhibits at the Esther Klein Art Gallery often serve as a vehicle for the promotion of innovative partnerships with peer organizations in art, science and technology. The result is a deeper understanding of the increasing influence of science and technology in modern life. In addition to art exhibits the gallery also provides speaker presentations, panel discussions and educational programs.

Woodmere Art Museum

Woodmere Art Museum is free to the public and is dedicated to the artistic endeavors of local artists. Since its opening in 1940 the beautiful 19^th century stone Victorian mansion had served to bring attention to local artists and inspire those who visit. Today the permanent collection holds more than 2500 works of art and many traveling exhibits and works on loan grace the home. Nine galleries and salons, including a grand rotunda and children’s gallery, provide the backdrop for these exciting works of art. The converted carriage house serves as the home of the George D. Widener Studio where classes are offered year round.

Philadelphia Public Art

In addition to all of the wonderful art galleries and museums in Philadelphia there are also a large number of public artworks throughout the city which can be viewed at anytime by anyone without any admission fees. By traveling throughout the city you can create your own collection of art memories and memories of the Philadelphia at the same time.
photo credit: Paul J Everett

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Art Galleries and Museums in Philadelphia

Related posts:

1. Art Galleries and Museums in Baltimore Baltimore is a great city to visit and a...
2. Art Galleries in Rome A person who is interested in the history of...
3. Art Galleries in London London is full of famous sightseeing spots, but being...

For a big blast of museums, the Houston Museum District is an area with a radius of 1.5 miles from the Mecom Fountain. This museum district is packed with 18 museums (although some of them don’t fall into a traditional museum category) which give visitors a taste of art, science, and education in a variety of disciplines. Use this guide to help you navigate through the famous Houston Museum District.

Children’s Museum of Houston

The Children’s Museum of Houston is 90,000 square feet of hands-on experiences for children and their guardians. Spend all day exploring areas such as FlowWorks, Kidtropolis, USA, PowerPlay, Invention Convention, Matter Factory, Cyberchase – The Chase is On!, and Tot*Spot. Look for special events as they occur regularly.

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum and Heritage Center

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum and Heritage Center was founded in 2000 to pay homage to African Americans who served their country in every great American war. In 1866 Congress adopted legislation to create six all African American army units and the recruits came from all different backgrounds. The goal of the Buffalo Soldier’s Museum is to preserve and promote the history of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science has a slew of permanent exhibits such as the Burke Baker Planetarium, Wortham IMAX Theater, Cockrell Butterfly Center and many others that attract hundreds of visitors daily. There are also a huge variety of traveling exhibits which make their stop at this museum.

Czech Center Museum Houston

The Czech Center Museum Houston works to preserve the culture of Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia and Slovakia. There is an eclectic collection of artifacts and art pieces and includes a library.

Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum

The Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum is the only place in the western hemisphere with intact Byzantine frescoes of this particular size and importance. A portion of these 13^th century pieces of artwork were stolen from a church in Cyprus in the 1980s and the Menil Foundation worked with church approval to rescue these pieces and painstakingly restore them.

Houston Zoo

Not typically considered a Museum, the Houston Zoo is included in the Houston Museum District. The zoo has more than 4,500 animals which provide a number of different experiences with different habitats and environments.

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is a non-collecting institution which focuses on art of the last 40 years. Founded in 1948 the museum looks to present new art and evaluate its role in current society. One great aspect of the museum is it’s always free.

The Health Museum

The Health Museum is also known as the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science. It’s an interactive science learning center and promotes healthier lifestyles, fitness and physical, mental and spiritual health. Their most popular exhibits include the Amazing Body Pavilion, McGovern 4D Theater, You: The Exhibit, and Facing Mars.

Holocaust Museum Houston

Holocaust Museum Houston looks to educate the public about the 6 million Jews and other victims of the Holocaust and other genocides. The exhibit galleries are changed and updated frequently to keep things current and fresh while the Permanent Exhibit focuses on lessons of the Holocaust in the words of Houston area residents who survived this travesty.

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft focuses on visual arts and the process, product and history of craft. Artifacts in the museum are mainly constructed of clay, fiber, glass, metal and wood. Not only is there exhibition facilities on the grounds but there are also actual working studio spaces for the local artist community. It’s a great place to watch art in the making and purchase one of a kind gifts.

Houston Center for Photography

Houston Center for Photography looks to not only expand the understanding of photography but explore its current and future effects on society and culture. Check out the currently changing events or educational workshops to see if anything appeals to the photographer in you.

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum is the first and only museum of its kind. The museum was founded and operated by meteorologists and works to education the public about the weather and weather safety issues. Look for camps and workshops that appeal to you or your family.

The Jung Center of Houston

The Jung Center of Houston offers more than 100 classes annually in psychology, philosophy, the humanities, religion and expressive arts. In addition, the library and bookstore contain the most complete collection of Jungian subjects available in the region. The gallery is free to the public and changes monthly.

Lawndale Art Center

Lawndale Art Center is dedicated to exhibiting contemporary works of art by local artists. This multi-media museum features four galleries and about 500 artists annually in its ever changing exhibits.

The Menil Collection

The Menil Collection contains one of the most important private art collections of the 20^th century, with more than 15,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photos and rare books. The pieces cover a vast range of time periods and regions and bring you some of the best art in the world.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is one of the largest art museums in the country with over 300,000 square feet if space, more than 57,000 works of art, and 18 acres of public gardens. There are two major museum buildings, two facilities for education and two house museums and more art than you can examine in one day.

Rice University Art Gallery

Rice University Art Gallery is the only university museum in the United States devoted to site-specific installation art. Five times a year artists come and create their works of art on location. The space allows large art installations that cannot be housed in most normal institutions so it’s always a unique and awesome experience.

The Rothko Chapel

Noted local art collectors, John and Dominique de Menil were looking for a way to bring the church back into art. Their chapel is a non-sectarian worship space with 14 massive canvasses by Rothko and features an Obelisk sculptural tribute to Martin Luther King Junior and a reflection pool outside the entrance.

If you’d like a guided tour of the Houston Museum District check out the collective website for information on how to take the tour and meet a museum curator, an art school director, a dino-expert, and a holocaust survivor.
photo credit: AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in Houston

Related posts:

1. Top Landmarks in Houston Houston is the largest city in the United States...
2. Museums in Detroit Detroit was founded in 1701 and due to its...
3. Museums in Chicago Chicago is known as The Windy City for a reason....

There is perhaps no creature on this earth that is more respected and feared than the shark. Whether it’s a terrifying Great White or the curious and harmless Long Nose Shark, these prehistoric swimmers have always fascinated people. Although sharks rarely attack people it’s still safer to view them from behind the walls of a glass aquarium than anywhere else. Luckily there are a number of incredible aquariums that give you more than a glimpse at these great beasts of the sea.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Photo credit: cloudchaser11

Whale Shark Okinawa Aquarium

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan also claims to be the second largest aquarium in the world and features about 21,000 animals representing 740 species. The aquarium is part of the Ocean Expo Commemorative National Government Park and its main attraction is the Kuroshio Sea which is the major tank holding almost 2 million gallons of water and the highlights of the show, the Whale Sharks. There are currently three Whale Sharks being held at the Churaumi Aquarium and they’re actively trying to breed them but have been unsuccessful so far. In addition to the Whale Sharks there are numerous other sharks in the aquarium as well as two different dolphin shoes, a manatee exhibit and you are right next to Emerald Beach so you can relax Oceanside and take a dip in the ocean to see what critters you can find in person.

Georgia Aquarium

Photo credit: gary j wood

Hammerhead Shark in Atlanta Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia is the largest aquarium in the world with more than 8 million gallons of fresh and marine water and more aquatic life than any other aquarium. But the most exciting feature of the Georgia Aquarium to shark fans is the Whale Shark. Whale Sharks are actually not whales but have adopted that name because of their size. No one knows exactly how large Whale Sharks can grow to be but the largest accurately measured one was over 40 feet long. Whale Sharks have mouths in front of their heads unlike most sharks, and when their mouths are open they can reach up to four feet across which is perfect for grabbing a whole school of sharks at once. The only place Whale Sharks are housed in captivity are the Georgia Aquarium and in Asia. The Whale Sharks in Georgia are housed in the Ocean Voyager, which was designed specifically to house these giants. As you walk through the acrylic tunnel you’ll also get to see the only manta ray in captivity in the United States, trevally jacks, stingrays, goliath grouper, Hammerhead Sharks and more. If you’re up for it, and I mean literally, spend the night at the Georgia Aquarium and learn even more about the species housed inside this great facility.

Photo credit: Erik Charlton

Reef Shark Cruising

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California is the second largest aquarium in the world and holds 35,000 plants and animals. There are two exhibits that attract the most attention at Monterey Bay, the Ocean’s Edge and Outer Bay. Monterey Bay Aquarium has gained notoriety as being the only aquarium in the world to exhibit the ocean’s top predator, a Great White Shark, for more than 16 days. Monterey Bay Aquarium housed one Great White Shark for six and a half months, one for four and a half and one for five months. All of these magnificent creatures were returned to the wile after their stay. Last year they received another young White Shark that seemed to be doing well in their million gallon Outer Bay exhibit but she only fed once during her short stay so the staff decided it was best to return her to the wild. In addition to the sharks on display at the Monterey Bay Aquarium are a huge variety of beautiful, strange, and fascinating sea dwelling creatures.

Photo credit: Zypresse

Hai Shark

uShaka Sea World

uShaka Sea World is one of the five largest aquariums in the world and has the largest collection of sharks in the southern hemisphere. The aquarium is set up almost like a theme park with a life-sized 1920’s era cargo steamer between rocks and lagoons, as you wind through the steamer you get to view different areas of the aquarium. Once below deck you become an explorer of shipwrecks in the shark-infested waters of South Africa’s east coast upon a 1600’s Spanish Galleon. Take your excursion a bit further and try the Oceanwalker Experience, swim in the Snorkel Lagoon or take a dive in the shark tank and come face to face with Zambezi Sharks and Ragged Tooth Sharks. Be sure to bring your swimsuit if you’d like to take advantage of these two aspects of the aquarium. Although the shark encounters are the best part, be sure to catch one or both of the dolphin shows as the uShaka Sea World aquarium features the larges dolphinarium in Africa. The interactive activities with a variety of marine life are also a must for any visitor to this magnificent aquarium.

Photo credit: jscott7357

Las Vegas Shark

Mandalay Bay Shark Reef

Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef in the Mandalay Bay Hotel Las Vegas is North America’s only predator based aquarium and exhibit. The aquarium features more than 2000 different types of sea creatures including a large variety of sharks. In addition to your shark viewing adventure you can get a little more in depth information with one of their education courses, which are open to students of any age. There are two sessions each weekday and they include a one hour guided tour of the aquarium and a one hour classroom session. If that’s not enough then you can up the ante and dive with the sharks, that is if you’re dive certified. Dive certified guests of Mandalay Bay are invited to SCUBA dive in the 22 foot deep Shipwreck Exhibit which houses more than 30 sharks including Sandtigers, Sandbars, and White Tip Reef Sharks. The dive will also get you up close and personal with rays, sawfish, green sea turtles and schools of fish. Dive reservations are limited and last somewhere between three and four hours. Dives are rather expensive but it’s a once in a lifetime experience.

Looking for more aquariums with great shark viewing experiences check out the list below:

• Arizona: Wildlife World Aquarium
• California: Monterey Bay Aquarium and Aquaruim of the Pacific
• Florida: Florida Aquarium and Seaworld Orlando
• Georgia: Georgia Aquarium
• Illinois: Shedd Aquaruim Chicago
• Kentucky: Newport Aquarium
• Maryland: The National Aquaruim of Baltimore
• Massachusetts: New England Aquaruim
• Nevada: Mandalay Bay Aquarium
• New York: Coney Island Aquarium and Atlantis Aquaruim
• North Carolina: North Carolina Aquaruim
• Oregon: Oregon Coast Aquarium
• South Carolina: South Carolina Aquaruim
• Virginia: Virginia Aquaruim

photo credit: StormyDog

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

The Best Aquariums for Shark Watching

Related posts:

1. Travel Photo of the Day 7/9/2009 Whale Shark in the Maldives The Travel Photo of the Day for 7/9/2009 is of...
2. Shark Information Websites Anybody interested in sharks can find plenty of free...
3. Travel Photo of the Day 7/7/2009 Black Tip Shark in French Polynesia The Travel Photo of the Day for 7/7/2009 is of...

Some would call it the greatest show in the universe: the night sky.  Constellations and their stars, the planets, and even the Milky Way are all sites to behold.  But how did they look thousands of years ago?  How will they look in the future?  And while the night sky may be stunning tonight, it almost feels strange to consider that elsewhere on Earth the constellations are completely different.  Planetariums have the answer to all of these questions.  Archimedes himself is said to have had a primitive planetarium.  Throughout history they have been a toy for the rich and a tool for the intellectual.  Today, however, they are available to everyone; the ones listed below are only a few. (click on the pictures to enlarge)

Griffith Observatory

Samuel Oschin Planetarium, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, CA – In 2006 a $93 million renovation of Griffith Observatory was finally completed.  As part of this, the observatory’s planetarium was given a complete overhaul with state-of-the-art equipment and one of the largest planetarium domes in the world at 75 feet.  With Los Angeles being home to both Hollywood and one of the most famous observatories in the world, you didn’t think they’d let themselves be outdone when it comes to a movie theater that shows us the sky, did you?

Adler Planetarium

Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois – If you’re in search of history then this is where you should go.  The Adler Planetarium was the first planetarium to be built in the Western Hemisphere and is the oldest in existence today.  The planetarium was founded in 1930 and is a National Historic Landmark in the United States.  Unlike other planetariums, this one actually features two domes.  One is the original, while the other is a much newer example utilizing full digital technology.

Hayden Planetarium

Hayden Planetarium, New York City, NY – Located in Central Park West, the Hayden Planetarium has the distinction of being inside what is known as the “Hayden Sphere”.  Within the top half of the sphere, audience members can watch fulldome video planetarium presentations.  The bottom half of the sphere depicts the birth of the universe over a four minute program and is known as “The Big Bang Theater”.  This happens to be the second iteration of the New York Hayden Planetarium as the original was demolished in 1997 and replaced with this state-of-the-art facility.

Chabot Space and Science Center

Digital Dome Planetarium, Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland, CA – This planetarium features a 70’ dome with a state-of-the-art digital projection system.  It is a favorite among many would-be astronomers living in the bay area.

Morehead Planetarium

Morehead Planetarium, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC – Built in 1949, this is the first planetarium that was ever built on a United States college campus. The planetarium sports a sizable 68 foot dome and is located in the middle of downtown Chapel Hill.  It is open to the public.

Burke Baker Planetarium

Burke Baker Planetarium, The Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, Texas – Opened in 1964, the Burke Baker Planetarium was the first planetarium in the United States to upgrade to a fully digital projection system.  Six high resolution, high intensity video projectors must be color and time synced by a computer to create the images viewed by the planetarium’s visitors.  The planetarium offers a wide array of shows to all of its visitors interests.

Fujitsu Planetarium

Fujitsu Planetarium, De Anza College, Cupertino, CA – This planetarium is another big favorite among would-be astronomers in the bay area.  The star theater uses a cutting-edge projector that is the first of its kind in the western hemisphere.  Its seats have also been recently renovated, which means you’ll be good and comfortable.  Above all else, however, the Planetarium at De Anza College prides itself with the quality of its presenters.

Strasenburgh Planetarium

Strasenburgh Planetarium, Rochester Museum and Science Center, Rochester, NY – Opened in 1968, the Strasenburgh Planetarium is a favorite among those who live close to upstate New York.  It houses the first Zeiss Mark VI planetarium projector, which it still uses today.  The projector, although 40 years old, is nonetheless capable of projecting 8900 stars, the moon, and our nearby planets as they appear to the naked eye under perfect viewing conditions.  The Strasenburgh Planetarium is also credited with being the very first planetarium to be computer automated.

Clark Planetarium

Clark Planetarium, Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, Ohio – While the dome in this planetarium may be small compared to others at only 33 feet, it uses the first Konica-Minolta Mediaglobe 3D system in the United States.  The planetarium is located within Shawnee State University’s Advanced Technology center, but  frequently offers shows open to the public.

Albert Einstien Planetarium

Albert Einstein Planetarium, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C. – When visiting the world famous Smithsonian Institute, one highlight is the Albert Einstein Planetarium.  Exhibiting a wide range of presentations, the planetarium utilizes both a Zeiss Mark VI projector that was a gift from West Germany for the United States bicentennial, as well as a first-of-its-kind SkyVision dual digital projection system with six channel surround sound.  This is what’s known as a hybrid demonstration, and are they are sometimes a favorite among planetarium enthusiasts.

Minneapolis Planetarium

Minneapolis Planetarium, Minneapolis Public Library, Minneapolis, Minnesota – This planetarium was torn down in 2002.  So why is it listed here?  Because they’re building a new one, and they’re not messing around.  From looks of it, once it’s fully funded and finished, the planetarium will be one of the best in the United States.  Its proposed location is atop the Minneapolis Central Library.

In the United States there are is one planetarium per hundred thousand people.  That’s a lot.  Chances are, the nearest planetarium from where you are right now is only a short drive away.  With so much out there these days that parents can’t bring their kids to, planetariums offer an experience that’s family-friendly, educational, and best of all… fun.

Photo credits
Griffith Observatory: jplouis, minuk, maveric2003, Ruth L, jondoeforty1
Chabot Space and Science Center: Go Card USA, sekimura, sekimura, nevermind this, tomeppy
Adler Planetarium: David Paul Ohmer, David Paul Ohmer, David Paul Ohmer, Go Card USA, janeway216, lost penguin
Burke Baker Planetarium: Wikipedia, judsond, Houston Museum of Natural Science
Minneapolis Planetarium: Minneapolis Planetarium Center
Haydn Planetarium: Ralph Hockens, HelveticaFanatic, ifindkarma, ericskiff, jmgold, unforth
Clark Planetarium: Clark Planetarium
Moorehead Planetarium: JS North, Science blogs, Morehead Planetarium
Fujitsu Planetarium: De Anza College, Fujitsu Planetarium
Rochester Museum and Science Center : Rochester Museum and Science Center
Albert Einstein Planetarium : Heidi Moon

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Planetariums Across the United States

Related posts:

1. Top 10 Romantic Hotels in the United States Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Trip Advisor, the...
2. United Airlines – Best in Business Class Are you looking for the best business class service...
3. United Airlines Doubles Second Bag Fee to $50 United Airlines announced they are doubling their fee for...

Atlanta is steeped deep in American history. In fact, most of us think of the Civil War when the history of this large capital city of Georgia is brought to mind. It’s true that during that war Atlanta served as a crucial railway and military supply hub. In 1864, it was invaded by the Union Army, where several famous battles took place. When you visit Atlanta, be sure and choose a museum or two to learn about this great city.

American Museum of Papermaking presents an extensive history of paper and paper making. It features over 2,000 books and a collection of over 10,000 tools, machines, manuscripts and watermarks. David Hunter is featured with his collection of artifacts and hand paper making. The museum is located at Georgia Tech, so they are closed when the school is closed. Special exhibits are on show, but change constantly.

Atlanta History Center is the location to visit if you only have time for one museum. It is a combination of one of the largest history museums of the south as well as two historic houses, the Centennial Olympic Games Museum, Kenan Research Center and beautiful historic grounds. All of this is included over 33 acres. In addition, the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum is considered part of the center. Many programs and festivals go on through out the year.

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center offers, throughout the year, gallery exhibits, special performances, fundraising galas as well as classes and workshops in various performing arts. It is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places making it one of the most unique art centers in the U.S. Sign up for the Summer Arts Camp for kids (newborns to 16). There is the Parent and Me Art Camp, Wee Artists (4 & 5 year-olds), Kaleidoscope (6-10 years), On Stage (5-10 years), Creatures at the Ocean (18 mo. – 3 years), to name just a few categories.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens has 30 acres of gardens, filled with a museum of flower and plant life. They offer one of the larges orchid displays in the country. They include rare and endangered rain forest plants and desert plants. They are closed on Mondays, so plan your visit around that day. Open 9 to 5 during winter months and 9 to 7 during summer. Free parking and children under 3 are free. The fee for adults is $12, Seniors $9, Students are $7.

High Museum of Art is a leading southeastern art museum. It offers a renowned collection of contemporary and classical art. It is a division of the Woodruff Art Center, which includes the Alliance Theater, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Young Audiences and the 14^th Street Playhouse. The world class exhibits, from around the world, are exciting and interesting. The architecture of their building, alone, is worth the trip. Don’t miss the third Friday of every month when they have Jazz Friday.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History allows you to sink your teeth into the adventure of the home of dinosaurs. You’ll see the world’s largest dinosaur remains and earth’s development through the ages. Learn about the cultures from around the globe and interact in their hands-on exhibits. The best time to visit Fernbank is in the afternoon during the early part of the week to avoid large crowds and school groups. They are located on Clinton Road, just minutes from downtown.

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta (Imagine It) is a place for fun and learning. You’ll have to drag the kids away after a full day of education that they won’t know they received. They’ll just think it was a fun place to be. They’ll explore the Amazing Castle, where they can choose to be a blacksmith, gardener, jester, carpenter or even the prince or princess. At the hands-on Fundamental Food exhibit they’ll climb aboard the John Deer tractor, operate a forklift to load boxes or fill their carts with groceries at the grocery store. In Leaping Into Learning the children will wear raincoats as they enter the rain forest where they can fish for colorful sea life, walk under the waterfall or climb the tree house. Best yet, adults can have fun right next to their children.

Georgia State Capitol Museum is located right inside the capitol building. The museum is open any time the capitol is open. The self guided tour of the dome topped building is fun to experience with glass cased exhibits, busts of famous Georgians as well as exhibits of cotton , peaches and peanuts. The capitol building is a beautifully architectural construction of itself. Your tour will take you about 45 minutes to an hour, but you’ll want to allow another hour for browsing around the building.

Jimmy Carter Library and Museum is part of the Presidential Library System, administered by the federal government. It houses presidential and administrative papers and other items pertaining to the Carter presidency. It has been open since October 1, 1986, which was President Carter’s 62^nd birthday. The building and library consist of 69,750 square feet, holding 27 million pages of documents, 500,000 photographs and 40,000 other objects, which include audio tapes, videos and films.

Milton Log Cabin is located on the grounds of the Milton High School. It was built under the direction of Professor Pierce L. Elkins by the students in 1934 class of Future Farmers of America. It is the only remaining FFA log cabin still in use today. It became a community project with various businesses providing supplies while the students actually cut and hauled the logs to the site. The one room, one floor cabin displays hand-hewn, hand notched log construction. Split log benches line the inside walls. Arrangements must be made for tours of the log cabin.

Margaret Mitchell House and Museum is where “Gone With the Wind was written.” For many of us, this book is what comes to mind when the city Atlanta is read, heard or spoken of anywhere. Her house and museum are located in the heart of the city on the corner of Peachtree. Complete with The Literary Center, where there are featured author lectures, book signings and adult and children’s writing classes. Guided tours educate the public about Margaret Mitchell, the house and apartment where she wrote her novel and Atlanta, the city.
photo credit: mattlemmon

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in Atlanta

Related posts:

1. Top Landmarks in Atlanta For a young city, Atlanta has a lot of...
2. Family Attractions in Atlanta A trip to Atlanta is an excellent way to...
3. Historic Landmarks in Atlanta Atlanta is a city that has a long storied...

A trip to Dallas is sure to leave you fueled with the energy of this big southern city. Only the third largest city in Texas, Dallas is also the ninth largest city in the United States; what can I say, the grow them bigger in Texas.  Founded in 1841, Dallas was formally incorporated as a city in 1956. Normally being landlocked would hamper a city’s growth but the strength of the oil and cotton industries along with easy access from rail lines turned it into a major inland port.

There is so much to do in Dallas whether you’re a sports fan, art enthusiast, history buff or a foodie, there’s not only something but many, many things for everyone.

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Not a shining moment in Dallas or American history, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is seared in our countries consciousness forever. Pay homage to a fallen hero by examining exhibits that honor his life, death and legacy.  More a tribute to the President than a graphic depiction of his final hours, you will get to experience first hand accounts, interactive educational programming, original photographs and films, and a growing collection of more than 35,000 artifacts.

Dallas Heritage Village

Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park gives visitors a unique look at Dallas as it was from 1840 to 1910. The museum is actually a collection of 38 historic structures on 13 wooded acres. A visit to the Dallas Heritage Village will give you a personal look at a working Civil War era farm, a traditional Jewish household, some stunningly proud Victorian homes, a school, a church and several commercial buildings.

Dallas Museum of Art

The Dallas Museum of Art is a cultural oasis jam packed with amazing permanent collections and internationally noted traveling exhibits, the current being a King Tut encore tour through three United States cities. The current collections feature incredible works of art from African culture, Modern and Ancient American artworks, Ancient Mediterranean sculptures, Asian art, Contemporary paintings, Decorative Arts, European masterpieces, pieces from the Pacific Islands, Provenance art, and the prized Reves Collection. There is simply too much to see at the Dallas Museum of Art for a one day excursion so plan on selecting only your favorites or returning time and time again.

Dallas World Aquarium

The Dallas World Aquarium brings the ocean to this landlocked metropolis. Once an old warehouse, the building saw new life in 1992 when the Aquarium opened to the public. The aquarium was such a popular respite for the throngs of visitors that an adjacent building was purchased in 1996 and added to the aquarium. The alley between the two buildings was also incorporated into the exhibits as it became known as the ORINOCO – Secrets of the River and served as the channel between freshwater and saltwater exhibits. In 2000 a new building was constructed and the Mundo Maya exhibit opened in 2004.

Crow Collection of Asian Art

If you’ve narrowed your art experience to Asian and Asian inspired art then perhaps you’ll want to skip the Dallas Museum of Art and go directly to the Crow Collection of Asian Art. The Crow is actually several galleries that are dedicated to Asian arts including works from China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia. The Crow collection began in the mid 1960s when Trammell and Margaret Crow bought their first piece of Asian art. Once purchased the Crows were addicted and the collection expanded.  Currently the collection features more than 4,000 pieces of art that span from 3500 B.C. to the early 20^th century. The entire collection is not on display to the public, the curator has selected the 569 best pieces for you to view.

Dallas Center of Contemporary Art

Likewise, if you’ve fallen for the contemporary art movement you may want to leave the broad reaching Dallas Museum of Art behind and spend a day exploring the targeted Dallas Center of Contemporary Art. This 12,000 square foot museum is flooded with natural light for optimum viewing. The museum is dedicated to finding and exploring art works that are new and unfamiliar and features ever changing exhibits. Expect some change as the Dallas Center of Contemporary Art moves into its own building in 2009.

photo credit: jimbowen0306

Baboon at Dallas Zoo

Dallas Zoo

The Dallas Zoo is the largest zoo in Texas (which is saying a lot) with a whopping 95 acres to explore and thousands of animals to examine. Founded in 1888 the Dallas Zoo is the first zoological park in the Southwest and has vowed to move with the times as evidenced by their commitment to conservation and management of living species in captivity. If you’re visiting the area over a holiday, check to see what special programs are going on for a value added experience.

McKinney Avenue Trolley

Take a tour of Dallas’s uptown and take a load off. The McKinney Avenue Trolley’s are a great way to sit back and take in the sites of the uptown region and they don’t cost a thing. That’s right, a free ride.  The McKinney Avenue Trolleys are carefully restored antique electric cars running on the city’s original streetcar tracks. Five cars are still operating and if you’re lucky you can hitch a ride on the air-conditioned car called Winnie.

Frontiers of Flight Museum

The Frontiers of Flight Museum takes you through several generations of aviation dreamers. The Dallas/Fort Worth area currently boasts that it is the aviation capital of the world, so what better place to learn everything there is to now about flight from the first dreamers who took to the air to the engineering geniuses who created today’s masterpieces. One of the most unique and popular exhibits at the Frontiers of Flight Museum is a must see, the Lighter Than Air exhibit features artifacts from the days of the great blimps, including some incredible surviving artifacts from the Hindenburg.

Museum of the American Railroad

Still interested in moving? How about the Museum of the American Railroad? One of the most comprehensive heavyweight passenger collections in the United States, the Museum of the American Railroad houses a pre World War II passenger train, a Railway Post Office and baggage car, coaches, lounge cars, Pullman sleeping cars and a dining car. The museum also features smaller artifacts that make the collection more complete. But the real highlight of the Museum of the American Railroad is when the 1914 parlor car and the 1937 dining car are open for special occasions and you can enjoy cocktails and fine dining aboard.

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Sightseeing in Dallas

Related posts:

1. Family Attractions in Dallas Dallas is a great city for a family vacation...
2. Museums in Dallas Believe it or not, the city of Dallas is...
3. Free Things to do in Dallas Dallas, like everything in Texas, is larger than life...

The National Aquarium in Baltimore, otherwise known as the Baltimore Aquarium is the area’s most popular attraction. The National Aquarium Institute runs the organization as a non-profit group and vows to inspire people to enjoy, respect, and protect the aquatic world. They do this through pioneering science, conservation, and educational programming as they delve into the issues facing the global aquatic habitats of the world.

The National Aquarium can easily fill a day with fun activities and can in fact probably fill a couple days as there are literally hundreds of exhibits featuring more than 16,500 animals. The current premier exhibits include a 4D Immersion Theater which brings you closer to the sights, sounds and smells of the action, a totally new theater experience. Another premiere exhibit is the Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes where the exciting environment of Australia is replicated by the Animal Planet to give you an exciting adventure like no other. And there’s nothing quite like the Baltimore Aquarium’s premier exhibit, Play! The Dolphin Show. View the Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins as they frolic and play or purchase a separate ticket to get the full dolphin experience.

Of the many, many animals at the Baltimore Aquarium a few of them are routinely featured, the current highlights are the chambered nautilus and the giant pacific octopus. These creatures are similar in that they’re all cephalopods, meaning head-foot, because their feet or tentacles are attached to their heads.

In addition to being related to the octopus, the chambered nautilus is also related to the squid, clam and snail, but it is the only cephalopod with a fully developed shell that it uses for protection. Using its more than ninety tentacles to grip their prey and bring it up to their firm beak, the chambered nautilus feeds on shrimp, crab, fish, and they even scavenge for dead animals. Although no one knows for sure it is believed that the chambered nautilus uses its sense of smell to find food.

The chambered nautilus is born with only four chambers in their shell and they occupy the outermost chamber, but as they nautilus grows they develop more chambers, most have about thirty of them. The chambers are usually filled with a combination of water and air to give them the buoyancy they want.

A chambered nautilus is considered a living fossil as they are basically the same as they were more than 400 million years ago, that’s about 265 million years before the first dinosaur appeared on the planet.

The chambered nautilus’s cousin, the great pacific octopus is another featured animal at the Baltimore Aquarium and he’s just as exciting and easier to see. This cephalopod has a big sack like body which is called a mantle from which the tentacles extend; underneath the mantle is the beak. Octopuses actually have a pretty developed brain and very sharp eyesight, so as you’re watching the octopus don’t be surprised if he’s watching you too.

If you’re lucky you’ll get to see the aquarium staff inviting the octopus to participate in an enrichment exercise. A Tupperware container with food inside is given to the octopus and he then uses his 1,800 suction cups to open the container to get at the food inside. Typically this cephalopod will feed on crabs, clams, snails, small fish and sometimes even other octopuses.

The great pacific octopus is the largest octopus in the world. Some reports have claimed that the largest ones were up to 30 feet long and weighed 600 pounds, but experts believe that’s a bit of an exaggeration and something more along the range of 25 feet and 400 pounds is more probable.

In addition to the two featured animals the National Aquarium of Baltimore has tens of thousands more, you can find Australian animals, amphibians, birds, fish, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles.

In addition to all the wonderful animal exhibits at the Baltimore Aquarium there are also many special events throughout the year which are meant to give guests a deeper understanding of the world around them in which they and the animals housed at the aquarium live.

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is not only committed to connecting its guests with the world inside the aquarium, but they’re also very concerned with extending the knowledge and resources gained through their daily operations to help Mother Nature. The conservation efforts have taken on a life of their own and include a large variety of activities. If you’re interested in becoming involved in some of the conservation events, peruse the website as there are many different activities you can participate in and ways to get involved in helping preserve the natural environment around  you.

If you’re looking for an even more personal and educational experience in the aquarium, check out the National Aquarium’s Immersion Tours. These tours are guided by experts in the field who will help you get a behind the scenes view of these animals in an up close and personal way. Currently the available Immersion Tours include the following: Dolphin Encounter, Little Explorers Tour: Stripes and Polka Dots, Breakfast with the Dolphins, Gallery Tour, Sharks! Behind-the-Scenes Tour, Rain Forest Sleepover, Sleepover with the Sharks, Wild Extremes Sleepover, and the Guest Diver Program. Definitely something for everyone and at least one experience that will be a once in a life time memory.

The National Aquarium in Baltimore recommends that if you’re planning a trip to their facility, whether you are from out of town or a local, begin your planning online at their online trip planner. It’s easier than ever to purchase your tickets, decide which exhibits you’re most interested in, what times the events occur and if there are any special programs going on on that day. Because the aquarium can get quite busy during peak hours and weekends it is recommended that you purchase your tickets online so you’re sure to gain entrance at your preferred time.

Tickets are sold daily beginning at 10:00 am and run until 4:00 pm on Mondays through Thursdays, 5:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays and Fridays have extended hours until 8:00 pm. The aquarium is open for an hour and a half after the tickets sales have ended for the day. As mentioned above, if the Baltimore Aquarium is particularly busy your ticket may not allow you entrance until a couple hours after it’s purchased, so it’s best to come with tickets in hand.

photo credit: Lyndi&Jason, photo credit: jessicafm

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

National Aquarium in Baltimore

Related posts:

1. Group Tours in Baltimore Baltimore isn’t typically on the top of most people’s...
2. Sightseeing in Baltimore Baltimore, Maryland, just north of Washington DC along the...
3. Museums in Baltimore Baltimore, Maryland is a fascinating mixture of new and...

Believe it or not, the city of Dallas is just rife with cultural and educational museums that offer visitors a chance to explore the way the world was, the way it can be and the beauty that exists within it. Use the following guide to find a Dallas museum that will give you the experience you’re looking for.

Frontiers of Flight Museum

Dallas has earned the moniker of Aviation Capital of the World so it’s a very fitting location for the Frontiers of Flight Museum. In the museum you can explore the progression of aviation from some of the earliest pioneers through today’s space explorations. There are a few areas of this museum that really do justice to the era they are looking to explore, the Lighter than Air collection and their World War II exhibits. Lighter than Air gives you an in depth look at what we now refer to as blimps, but in their heyday these flying balloons were so much more. The WWII exhibit is bound to give you a deeper understanding of the pilots and he planes of that time. If you’re coming with little ones, check the schedule to see if a special educational program is being offered. The flight museum is actively engaging the youth in aviation with several programs throughout the year.

Dallas Museum of Art

The Dallas Museum of Art is literally packed with significant cultural pieces. The permanent collection has specimens from ancient Mediterranean to contemporary era. And the painting and sculpture area is always popular with masterpieces from Monet, Gauguin, Mondrian and Rodin. In addition to the permanent collection a variety of touring exhibits regularly frequent the museum. Until spring of 2009 the King Tut exhibit will reside in the Dallas Museum of Art. This is a remarkable exhibit and should be visited if your trip coincides with the tour. If you’re looking for a day at the museum with a little value added entertainment, the make sure your visit to the Dallas Museum of Art occurs on a Thursday when local jazz musicians perform in the Atrium at night.

MADI Museum

MADI Museum lifts the spirits by turning the focus on the whimsy and joy found in the simple combination of geometric shapes and brilliant colors. The MADI art movement revels in shapes and colors and gives everyone a unique perspective to everyday items. The entire MADI Museum is built with this concept in mind, elevating your experience with the common into something entirely unexpected. Even a drive by the museum will raise eyebrows but the exhibits inside are sure to lift your spirits and infuse you with a new appreciation of this unexpected art movement.

The Sixth Floor Museum

Unfortunately, Dallas is probably most famous for the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy. But they city has found a way to commemorate the live of JFK rather than fixate on his death. The Sixth Floor Museum is located on the sixth and seventh floors of what was known as the Texas School Book Depository. This innocuous looking red brick building is where Lee Harvey Oswald hid as he waited for just the right moment to assassinate what was most likely the country’s most popular president. The museum highlights the impact this death had on the country and the world. While two key areas used in evidence against Oswald have been restored to their condition at the time of the crime. This is a self guided tour so spend as much time as you like examining the historical significance of the events that occurred in Dealey Plaza on November 22, 1963.

Museum of Nature & Science

The Dallas Museum of Nature & Science is the unique result of three different museums merging together to become one really incredible museum. In 2006 the Dallas Museum of Natural History, The Science Place and the Dallas Children’s Museum came together to form the Dallas Museum of Nature & Science. There are so many exhibits to explore you can easily spend more than one day at the museum. The best bet is to pick your favorites and spend the majority of your time there. Choose from the Paleontology Lab, Your Incredible Body, Ice Age Dallas, Ocean Dallas, Texas Dinosaurs, Wildlife Dioramas, Dental Gallery, Little Urban Farm, NetWorks, Astronomy and Space, Mixed Signals Gallery, or the Lagoon Nature Walk. If you’re interested in the museum’s collections you’re in luck as they have just about everything including Birds, Entomology, Live animals, Malacology, Mammals, Mudge Library and Rocks and Minerals. Its three museum experiences rolled into one.

Dallas Firefighter’s Museum

Too often overlooked, firefighters have played a very important role in the history of this country and continue to do so today. The Dallas Firefighter’s Museum is located in one of the city’s oldest remaining fire stations, the 1907 Hook and Ladder Company No. 3 building. The museum’s collection is chock fully of wonderful remnants of the world gone by, as seen through a firefighter’s eyes. Make sure to take note of “Old Tige” and 1884 horse drawn steam pumper, it will give you a new appreciation for the technology of today.

Museum of the American Railroad

Rail buffs have probably already discovered Dallas’s Museum of the American Railroad because it’s lucky enough to boast one of the most comprehensive heavyweight passenger car collections in the United States. In addition to the noted heavyweight passenger cars, new lightweight equipment has been added and the collection of more than 30 pieces of historic railroad equipment makes this one of the biggest and best American Railroad museums around. These large giants of the rail were such an integral part of life in this country, its no wonder that they’re still serving the public in a number of different ways today.

African American Museum

The African American Museum in Dallas gives voice to the history, art and future of African Americans in this country. In addition to providing a place for these artifacts to be displayed, the museum works to expand the understanding of the African American culture, especially in the Dallas area. The museum is the only museum in the Southwestern United States devoted to the displaying artistic, cultural, and historical materials related to African Americans. And it holds one of the largest African American folk art collections in the United States. And one of the best things about this museum is it is free to all groups smaller than 10 people. A great way to expand your vision of the world without spending a dime.

photo credit: hermmermferm hcceng photo credit: cogdogblog

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in Dallas

Related posts:

1. Sightseeing in Dallas A trip to Dallas is sure to leave you...
2. Free Things to do in Dallas Dallas, like everything in Texas, is larger than life...
3. Family Attractions in Dallas Dallas is a great city for a family vacation...

Baltimore is a great city to visit and a delightful treat for visitors who are interested in finding a bit more culture. There a numerous art galleries and museums in Baltimore for people with almost every interest. Use the following guide of art galleries and museums in Baltimore to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Walters Art Museum

A noted art museum in the area and throughout the world, the Walters Art Museum features a collection of art that stretches from pre-dynastic Egypt to 20^th Century Europe. This collection was originally amassed by William T. Walters and his son, Henry. The pair collected around 22,000 original works of art which spanned a remarkable 55 centuries of art. The collection was donated to Baltimore and now holds approximately 28,000 pieces. It’s truly a must see for art enthusiasts and historical buffs.

Babe Ruth’s Birthplace and Museum

All sports fans know that a trip to Baltimore isn’t complete without a stop at Babe Ruth’s Birthplace and Museum. The baseball great, George Herman (Babe) Ruth was born in a Baltimore row house at 216 Emory Street on February 6, 1895. The home and surrounding neighborhood had fallen into disrepair and were scheduled for demolition by the 1960’s but some quick thinking by Hirsch Goldberg, the then mayoral press secretary, saved the home and had it restored and reopened as a museum to honor a man who is perhaps Baltimore’s most famous sports legend.

American Visionary Art Museum

The American Visionary Art Museum, or AVAM, is a wonder for all visitors, it stretches the imagination and challenges it to come up with even greater and grander ideas. It’s the place were non-traditional art is displayed, enjoyed, pondered and sometimes even hated. AVAM offers new views onto the world which cannot be found anywhere else.

Baltimore Museum of Industry

The Baltimore Museum of Industry was created in 1977 as a project proposed by the mayor’s office as a way to preserve the industrial history of the downtown region of Baltimore. The galleries recreate parts of a cannery, a 1900 garment loft and machine shop, a print shop, Dr. Bunting’s Pharmacy, and several exhibits related to the food industry. In addition, the Baltimore Museum of Industry houses the Decker Gallery; the nation’s oldest surviving steam tug, the Steam Tug Baltimore; and a library packed with more than 5,000 volumes of rare and historic books.

Port Discovery Children’s Museum

For little ones there’s nothing more fun that discovering a new children’s museum and all it has to offer, the Port Discovery Children’s Museum is no exception. Port Discovery not only has permanent exhibits which include Wonders of Water “WOW”!, a 1950’s diner, Kid Club Gallery with numerous masterpieces by local children, a Mystery House, a relaxing Oasis, Sensation Station, Adventure Expeditions featuring the 1920’s Egypt, Royal Farms Fill’er Up Station and a many more. But Port Discovery also features traveling exhibits which make this museum worth visiting again and again.

Star-Spangled Banner Flag House & 1812 Museum

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House is a wonderful chance for the entire family to take part in an interactive experience that focuses on one of the most important stories of our country, the creation of the flat the inspired the National Anthem of the United States. The home was built in 1793 and served as both home and place of business for Mary Pickersgill, the maker of the flag that prompted the famous poem by Francis Scott Key. The home has been lovingly restored to its original interior and guests are taken on a guided tour full of interactive displays and live characters.

Maryland Sciences Center

An exciting visit for both kids and adults, the Maryland Sciences Center has a number of exhibits, both permanent and traveling, which inspire wonder and awe in the world we live in. The Maryland Academy of Sciences is Maryland’s oldest scientific institution and one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the United States. Beginning in 1797 the Academy was established for amateurs to explore and discuss what were referred to as natural sciences. In 2004 the museum was expanded and includes many more exhibits and learning centers for even more fun and exploration.

The USS Constellation Historic Ships Museum

For a very unique historical experience, make time to spend at The USS Constellation Historic Ships Museum. The USS Constellation was the last all sail warship built by the U.S. Navy and rests in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Tour the museum and see what life was like for Civil War era sailors.

B&O Railroad Museum

If the hands on tour of the USS Constellation was exciting to you then you’re bound to love the Baltimore & Ohio or B&O Railroad Museum. The museum initially started in the 19^th century as a publicity agent developed a trade show exhibit. The exhibit survived and is now considered a national treasure of railroad artifacts. In addition to all of the wonderful historic exhibits, you can hop aboard for a trip along the first commercial rail road track in the United States.

Jewish Museum of Maryland

The Jewish Museum of Maryland is considered the leading museum of regional Jewish history, culture and community. Originally founded in 1960 as a way to rescue and restore the historic Lloyd Street Synagogue the museum has since become a cultural icon for the Jewish community in Maryland. Today the Jewish Museum of Maryland has expanded to include the B’nai Israel Synagogues and a modern, more traditional museum building with permanent and traveling exhibits.

Art Gallery of Fells Point

For more art try the Art Gallery of Fells Point which is a non-profit cooperative established in 1980 by a small group of artists looking to help themselves, others, and art in the greater Baltimore area. You’ll find a huge variety of art forms from unique and talented artists. Many of the artists associated with the Art Gallery of Fells Point are nationally or internationally recognized and many of them have collected a number of awards for their artwork. The best part about the Art Gallery of Fells Point is you can take home your favorite piece of art, for a price of course.

photo credit: Alan Cordova

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Art Galleries and Museums in Baltimore

Related posts:

1. Art Galleries and Museums in Philadelphia If you’re looking for a city that is chock...
2. Art Galleries in Rome A person who is interested in the history of...
3. Art Galleries in London London is full of famous sightseeing spots, but being...

There is a lot to do in Toronto, and if you do not visit at least a few museums while in the area you are making a big mistake. When it comes to museums, Toronto does not lack in any area. In fact, anybody interested in visiting the best museums in the world is well aware that Toronto is a great place to start. With plenty of museums (ranging from art to textiles and more) to visit it is safe to say that you can spend days on end educating yourself.

Here is a small list of some of the most popular museums in the city of Toronto:

Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum is the largest art museum in Canada. For this reason, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each and every year. With more than six million works of art it is easy to see why the Royal Ontario Museum has become so popular over the years. To go along with plenty to see and a great location, you will notice the sophisticated atmosphere from the moment you set foot in the door. In addition to traditional pieces that are just for the eyes, the Royal Ontario Museum also offers hands on exhibits that are perfect for children. As you can see, if you are looking to visit a museum with children this is the place to be.

Every year, approximately 750,000 people visit the Royal Ontario Museum. Are you going to be next? If you want to visit one of the most popular museums in the world you answer should be yes.

Toronto Aerospace Museum

Since opening in September 2000 the Toronto Aerospace Museum has made a name for itself. Located in the original de Haviland Canada aircraft factory you will immediately fall in love with the atmosphere. Although the Toronto Aerospace Museum has only been around for a few years it is making great strides. In addition to regular exhibits it also offers special events in correspondence with the Toronto Aviation and Aircraft Show. If you are interested in the history of aircrafts you will definitely want to spend some time at the Toronto Aerospace Museum if you are in the area.

Museum for Textiles

The Museum for Textiles is the only establishment of its type in the entire country. For this reason, people from all over Canada come to visit the Museum for Textiles every year. To go along with this, the museum also has a great reputation in other parts of the world. A collection of more than 8,000 items from every corner of the world has made the Museum for Textiles popular among tourists. In fact, many people travel to the Toronto area just to take a closer look at the pieces located in the collection at the Museum for Textiles.

With 15,000 square feet you can only imagine how much this museum has to offer. In addition to pieces of fabric, quilts, carpets, and garments the museum also does a great job exhibiting ceremonial objects from the past as well.

The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto Aerospace Museum, and Museum for Textiles are among the most popular destinations in the city. But remember, these are just three of the many museums that you can visit.

photo credit: EyeNo photo credit: EyeNo

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in Toronto

Related posts:

1. Best Places to Shop in Toronto Toronto, the largest city in Canada and its economic...
2. Museums in London London is the capital of both England and the...
3. Museums in Detroit Detroit was founded in 1701 and due to its...

With 165 parks and beaches within the city limits of Tampa, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the temperate climate, sea air and sand between your toes. You’re not likely to miss a meal with the multitude of fine dining options before or after enjoying the exciting nightlife or fun attractions. There are  also many sightseeing opportunities that you might miss if you didn’t add them to your itinerary. So, when making your vacation plans, schedule in  a few of these suggestions.

Hyde Park is known as one of Tampa’s oldest neighborhoods. Located just south of downtown, it is in the heart of Tampa. If your interests lie in the direction of pre-1940s architecture you will love perusing the old Tudor, Queen Ann and Colonial style homes. In fact, Disney used the neighborhood as a template for one of their own housing developments. The Hyde Park Village is built to fit into the neighborhood as a European promenade and boasts top-of-the-line restaurants, shops and theaters.

Channelside is downtown Tampa’s huge entertainment complex. Besides the shops, great dining and nightlife, you can enjoy watching the commercial cruisers and cargo ships enter and leave Tampa’s port. You can get to Channelside by trolley, which is a fun excursion in itself. And relieves you of trying to find a parking spot, although there are parking garages available.

Bayshore Boulevard has one of the longest continuous sidewalk in the world (4 ½ miles). Walk it or drive it and enjoy the view of the bay on one side and historic homes and towering condos on the other. It’s the daily path for many walkers, joggers, skaters and bikers getting their exercise in. It’s also the location for the once-a-year event, the Gasparilla Parade at the end of January.

Busch Gardens Africa is not just a theme park. It’s work putting on the sightseeing list because of the beautiful grounds and “African” animals. Of course, if you have kids or just adults that are young at heart, they will enjoy all that this park has to offer. Visit the replica of King Tut’s Tomb in the Egyptian area then head over to their wild roller coasters, the Python and the Scorpion. The water rides, Tanganyika Tidal Wave and the Stanly Falls Log Flume or more fun than riding a barrel down the Niagara Falls.

University of Tampa’s unique architecture are a prominent feature of the downtown skyline. A “have-to-see in Tampa” as a sightseer is the Henry B Plant Museum which is part of the university and housed in old Tampa Bay Hotel which is now on the National Historic Landmark registry. The museum is filled with art treasures and European furnishings. It also has a permanent Spanish-American War exhibit.

St. Pete Times Forum (yes it’s in Tampa) is known by locals simply as “The Forum.” It is the popular location for concerts and entertainment all year long as well as the home of the Stanly Cup and Tampa Bay Lightening (hockey). Check out their site for a calendar of events so that you can plan your trip to Tampa around the events you love to experience. Better yet, go to their website and signup for their free weekly newsletter to find out what’s coming up in weeks and months ahead of time.

The Florida Aquarium is a huge photo opportunity with sharks, stingrays, alligators and many more interesting creatures from the Florida coast. You can’t miss the shell-shaped glass dome as you drive towards the aquarium along Tampa’s waterfront. It’s a great place to be on a hot Florida summer’s day with 152,000 square feet of air-conditioned space. The gallery of exhibits tell Florida’s water story from the wetlands, bays and beaches, coral reefs and sea hunt. The aquarium even offers special programs such as “Swim with the Fishes” which allows patrons (ages 6 and up) to swim in the coral reef tank.

Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of South Florida Bulls, is called the “crown jewel” by NFL insiders. Most exciting, they will be hosting the Super Bowl XLIII in February, 2009. But, they aren’t new to this event as they also hosted the Super Bowl XXXV with the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Giants. It boasts a three million dollar pirate ship you are not likely to forget any time soon. If you visit Tampa, you have to see a Buccaneers game.

Tampa Bay Historic Center is a fun way to learn the history of the Tampa Bay area. Their new grand opening, in the Channelside district takes place in January, 2009. The new building will complement the river walk and stand tall for the many events that will be held in this convenient location. Explore over 500 years of history in the Tampa area as well as 12,000 years of human habitation in the area.

Dinosaur World take you back 144 million years to the age of the dinosaur. This outdoor excursion shows off over 150 dinosaur replicas with educational information posted by each one. It’s hands on for both adults and children as they dig through the paleontological setting for authentic fossils and explore through caves. The “Bone Yard” is the newest exhibit full of life size skeletons. There are gift shops, playground and picnic area for your convenience. There is no food service so be sure and stop for some deli sandwiches to take with you.

Weeki Wachee Springs has mermaids. That’s right, and they entertain with underwater performances breathing through hoses placed strategically in the swimming area which is 15 to 60 feet deep. It is part of the Florida State Park system. You can also enjoy a river boat ride, the sandy beach and have a picnic under a covered pavilion. The springs bubble up, keeping the water a comfortable 72 degrees. You’ll find that old Florida has been well preserved at this site with manatees and river otters.

photo credit: hyku photo credit: joshuakaufman photo credit: john w photo credit: a.magnetta

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Sightseeing in Tampa

Related posts:

1. Tampa Beaches People who are going to be heading to Tampa,...
2. Hot Restaurants in Tampa Bay Tampa Bay is a culinary hotspot, positioned comfortably on...
3. Sightseeing in Baltimore Baltimore, Maryland, just north of Washington DC along the...

As Canada’s third largest city, Vancouver sits on the west coast of British Columbia. If you are a sports fan, you’re familiar with the Canucks and the BC Lions. And you may already know that it’s one of the cleanest cities in the world. But, perhaps you didn’t know about the many museums that keep the culture and history of Vancouver alive and ready for citizens and visitors.

Vancouver Police Museum is Canada’s only police museum. You won’t be sorry you added this location to your vacation itinerary. You’ll be intrigued with the history, mystery and crime when you playact at being a forensic scientist and see the coroner’s court. There are police uniforms from precincts around the world. Have fun sitting in a cop car, turning on the lights and wondering what your life could have been as an officer of the law.

Roedde House Museum features nine historic homes in Barclay Heritage Square, all built between 1890 and 1908. The museum is named after Gustav Roedde who was Vancouver’s first bookbinder. His restored Victorian house was built in 1893, the Roaedde House. There are guided tours as well as public lectures and concerts. The Roedde house is also available for weddings, receptions, films and meetings.

Irving House was the colonial home of Captain William Irving. It is a gift to the public to enjoy the grace and splendor of Vancouver’s pioneer days in the Victorian era. Bask in the presence of the elaborate fireplace, original wallpaper and ceiling plaster work. The guides are all dressed in period costumes, making you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.

Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation will walk you through Canada’s aviation history. Donated planes have been lovingly restored and are on display for visitors to enjoy. It’s located at Langley Regional Airport in a hanger of it’s own. Some of the out-of-commission planes you’ll see there are WWI aircraft, a 1930 Waco biplane, a 1942 Hampden bomber, a Douglas DC-3 transport and much more.

Vancouver Museum of Anthropology is entrusted with artifacts of the coastal Pacific peoples of the area of Vancouver as well as those from around the world. Although structured with concrete, this museum building looks as though it’s made of glass. The design was inspired by the architecture (post and beam) of the first peoples of the west coast of Canada. Some of the exhibitions you will see include Samoan Tattooing and Culture and the Koerner Ceramic Gallery.

Model Ships Museum is filled with large scale models of submarines, sailing ships and warships as well as tugs and steamers. It’s a great effort to preserve Vancouver’s marine heritage. It’s located on Granville Island along with the Sport Fishing Museum. Plan your trip to stop by any day except Mondays (when they are closed) 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Model Train Museum holds the largest collection of toy and model trains in the world. Exhibits include: The Royal Hudson, Lionel Trains, “G” Gage, “O” Gage, Standard Gage, Steam Locomotives and many others.

Burnaby Village Museum is a traditional Canadian tram stop village complete with heritage and replica buildings. You’ll find costumed village citizens in homes, businesses and shops giving demonstrations of life and work in a time long past. Watch as the blacksmith forges, a mother churning butter and a teacher in the schoolhouse. Finish the day with a turn on the 1912 historic CW Parker Carousel.

Vancouver Museum is located in beautiful Vanier Park, in the middle of the city skyline, mountains and ocean views. The largest civic museum of Canada houses over 100,000 items in their impressive collection. Permanent exhibitions tell the story of Vancouver from the early 1900s. Don’t miss exhibits: Boom, Bust and War, The 50s Gallery, The Gateway to the Pacific and You Say You Want Revolution.

Jewish Museum and Archives of BC covers 150 years of Jewish history and culture in British Columbia. Also included are the Nemetz Jewish Community Archives Reference Room available for research and genealogy searches. Genealogy research help is available. It’s open Sunday through Thursdays, 10 am to 5 pm.

Alder Grove Telephone Museum takes you back to the time of “party lines,”  renting your telephone and dials on the face of the phone. You’ll see all methods of telephone communications including porcelain insulators, switchboards, telephone tools and much more. Admission by donation.

British Columbia Farm Machinery Museum – If old steam tractors, plows, reapers, threshers and other farm equipment interest you this museum will make your day. It’s Just across the street from Fort Wayne which is also an interesting destination. Make it a day and visit both locations. It’s budget friendly with kids under the age of six getting free admission.

BC Golf Museum is the perfect change of pace for the golfing vacationer. View golfing history along with exhibits of old golf clubs, photos, trophies as well as archives and library. Follow the history of golf clubs from hickory to graphite and show your respects to the heroes of golf through the decades. The history of British Columbia golf courses and their design and architecture is an education any golf lover won’t mind.

Old Hastings Mill Store Museum, circa 1865, is believed to be the oldest Vancouver building still standing. Although not in it’s original location , it now resides at Alma and Point Grey Road, it survived the 1886 fire. Old Hastings was originally call the Pioneer Museum, but it never stuck and just seemed to fade away as it’s official title. At has a large collection of pioneer and Native American artifacts on display.

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in Vancouver Canada

Related posts:

1. Top Attractions on Vancouver Island There are a huge number of things to do...
2. Travel Photo of the Day Lime Kiln Lighthouse Vancouver Island The Travel Photo of the Day for 11/8/2009 is of...
3. Travel Photo of the Day 7/24/2009 Moraine Lake Canada The Travel Photo of the Day for 7/24/2009 is of...

Nashville is the country music capital, therefore, your first stop on a tour of this city’s museums would have to be the Country Music Hall of Fame. After you’ve engrossed yourself in costumes, photographs, instruments and memorabilia of the top country singers of this century and the last, you will be excited to know there’s even more to see. However, the real surprise is the wide array of museums that call Nashville their home that have nothing to do with country music.

Country Music Hall of Fame has moved to it’s new location in the heart of Nashville. Although this has been the home of America’s country music since 1967, it reopened in it’s new building, on the west bank of Cumberland River, in 2001. Besides viewing country music’s story through the years, there is on-site dining for your dining pleasure. Country music changes and grows day to day, but it stays, as Willie Nelson said the place where, “people tell their life stories.”

Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum includes not just the country music talents, but all musicians. You’ll find the spirit of Jimmy Hendricks, but also names you may not be familiar with, who worked in the background but shaped the music world, just the same. You’ll see Chad Smith’s (Red Hot Chili Peppers) snare drum, Billy Sherril’s piano where he composed “The Most Beautiful Girl” and “Stand By Your Man,” Peter Drakes steal guitar heard on classics sung by Bob Dylan, George Harrison, George Jones and Tammy Wynette. If you are a music lover, this is one stop you can’t afford to miss while visiting Nashville.

Grand Ole Opry Museum will mesmerize you with the spirit of country music with stars such as Patsy Cline (they have a rendition of her living room) and George Jones. Besides enjoying a trip down memory lane, this music museum is great for the budget and the price of “free.” The Opry Museum includes interesting history from early Opry days as well as exhibits of all the greats such as Minnie Pearl, Tex Ritter, Marty Robins and much, much more.

Tennessee Museum was first opened on the Nashville public square by artist, Ralph E. Earl back in 1817. Earl was a portrait artist who painted a famous life size likeness of General Andrew Jackson. There are many traveling exhibits throughout the year, but the permanent ones include “The First Tennesseans,” “The Frontier,” “The Age of Jackson,” “The Civil War and Reconstruction,” “The New South” and “Antebellum” which was a period of prosperity for Tennessee between 1840 and 1860.

Travelers Rest Plantation and Museum is located in a historic house built in 1799. It was claimed by the National Society of the Colonial Dames as it was to be demolished. Today it is a museum, restored to it’s original style and charm and is a National Register property. Besides feeling like a time traveler as you view this plantation/museum, there are many traveling exhibits and event throughout the year such as the Holiday Decorating (join the staff to fill the house in old fashioned decoration), “All Through the House” (an early old fashioned Tennessee Christmas) or “Civil War” (an historical role playing game).

Tennessee Central Railway Museum is all about preserving Tennessee’s railroad heritage. Besides viewing historic railway equipment, you can take a passenger excursion while seeing the beauty of Tennessee. The streamline coaches are air conditioned and have huge picture windows and there’s always something unexpected going on like a train robbery, a murder mystery or visits from Santa or the Easter Bunny. It’s the kind of place you will want to plan a full day visit.

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Museum is in a 72,000 foot building located in the Summit Center on Broadway. It features exhibits of college basketball and football teams. However, the most fun is the interactive areas of a strength training piece of equipment used by Olympic swimmers and the interactive (virtual reality) one-on-one basketball game. They also have 2 – 30 seat theaters where visitors can watch sports videos. Their hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

photo credit: Brent and MariLynn

1949 MG TC Midget Roadster from the Nashville Lane Motor Museum

Lane Motor Museum is home to 150 unique cars and motorcycles. They include prototypes, competition cars, alternative fuel cars, micro-cars, military vehicles as well as amphibious vehicles. The majority of the vehicles on display range in age from 1950 to 1970 although they also have some from as far back as 1920 and as new as 2000. They pride themselves on being a working museum where they attempt to keep all cars in working order. The real treat of this car museum are the one-of-a-kind vehicles on display.

Nashville Toy Museum is the place to visit if you are in love with toy trains and antique toys. Kids don’t get exposed to these kind of things these days, but they will love it. There’s also a whole room of nothing but military toys. And another room of antique dolls and stuffed toys. Fun for the kids and those that are kid at heart.

Willie Nelson General Store and Museum walks you through the life and times of Willie Nelson and his friends. Feel what it would be like to live in the midst of country music stardom while learning exactly what toll it may have had on some. The joys and sadness, the ups and the downs, their all there for you to imagine while walking through the memorabilia of these country music stars.

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art allows you to stroll through their beautiful gardens before or after you visit their museum filled with contemporary regional artists. It is all housed in a spectacular mansion complete with a restaurant for lunch, The Pineapple Room. You could spend and hour or a whole day enjoying the art and grounds.

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Museums in Nashville

Related posts:

1. Top Landmarks in Nashville Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is known for its...
2. Museums in Detroit Detroit was founded in 1701 and due to its...
3. Museums in Cleveland Cleveland is an incredible city with a storied past...