One of the world’s best examples of contemporary architecture, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is a stunning spectacle of glass and fantastic chrome and metal walls. Some come just to see the building itself and admire its unusual shape and curvy lines. The collections are usually a little less exciting than the building itself, but you can experience some interesting artwork, like the Yoko Ono exhibit which was featured in the past.
flickr / CC BYSolomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York is a favorite among residents and tourists alike. The building is nothing short of fabulous. It’s a smaller museum so you’ll be able to fit this in during a New York rainstorm. The ongoing Frank Lloyd Wright and Thannhauser collections are worth a look.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY SAThe Louvre, Paris, France
Located in the heart of Paris on the banks of the Seine River, the Louvre is one of the most visited and important museums in the world. The huge art gallery is housed in an old Parisian palace and has nearly 400,000 items of art and historical artifacts, including the “Mona Lisa” and the sculpture “Venus de Milo.” The museum’s collections are extensive, and you can spend hours exploring Egyptian antiques, ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, paintings by the Old Masters and the lush gardens which surround the museum. Don’t leave Paris without a trip to the Louvre, but go early or late as it gets quite crowded.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY SAThe Natural History Museum, Vienna, Austria
You probably wouldn’t find this museum on everyone’s list, but it’s on mine! The Natural History Museum in Vienna is an unforgettable journey through natural science and the wonders of the world. Housed in a stunning and historical 19th-century building, you will find an amazing collection of skeletons, stones, meteors, creatures, dinosaurs and other mind-blowing exhibits. The museum celebrated its 125th anniversary and the opening of a new digital planetarium in 2014.
Camrocker / iStockphoto.comIf you find yourself in Los Angeles on a fairly regular basis or are traveling with the family, make sure you put the on your list of places to visit. I tell absolutely everyone who will listen to go and enjoy this amazing place perched high above the city with beautiful architecture, panoramic views of the city and clear blue skies. The perfectly manicured gardens and curated artwork from 1400-1900 are a joy to explore, so much you may not want to ever leave.