When you put local inhabitants of any major city in the world on the spot by saying "I'm from far away, what should I check out before I leave?," there's no response more common than "go look at the famous so-and-so museum." Actually, that response is in second place a long way behind "Go look at how massive our cathedral is!" if you're in Europe. Anyway, museums are a standard answer because they are the quintessential travel spot for a few reasons:
1) Informative - What good is travel if you're not learning along the way?
2) Reflective of the places they are built - Most museums seem to reflect the cultural, historical, technological, or design related elements of the communities in which they reside.... for example, the 9/11 Memorial reveals an integral part of contemporary New York identity.
3) Free wifi - Wifi. Yeah, just wifi. It's a must have for when you're traveling out of the country and have no cell plan.
Guidebooks, tour guides, and that random dude holding the same pole as you on the tram will all point you toward the best museums. While some can be boring, a good museum offers all you need, and a great museum can make your experience in a new city unforgettable.
Because I've been to so many cities, I've visited a lot of museums. I saw a list of the top ten museums in the world on the interwebs today and instead of commenting what I didn't like about the list, I decided my time would be better spent concocting my own. I shouldn't have to state that I have only been to a tiny sliver of a percent of a fraction of the world's museums, so this list is limited to the ones I've visited. Feel free to comment which I should add to my hit list and for the overachievers, say why!
1) The Louvre (Paris)
"God you're SOOOOOO cliche--I'm out" HOLDUP! Before you close this tab, let me just say that its fame is well founded. While some think it's overrated, the most famous museum in the world combines sheer quantity with fantastic quality in seemingly endless collections curated and designed by the best in the business. I thought a day would suffice; I was sorely mistaken. They shut the museum down on me and I had the distinct feeling I needed at least three days to get my fill. From the iconic glass pyramids to the notoriously underwhelming Mona Lisa, this is everything I hoped it'd be and so so so much more. It's a good thing it's not open 24/7 or I might've forgotten to eat (hyperbole - I never forget to eat).
2) Auschwitz (Auschwitz)
Let me start by saying this place will ruin your day. Let me supersede that by saying this is the most powerful place I've ever set foot. I'm not Jewish and don't have many close Jewish ties (hell, I've never even been to a Bar(t) Mitzvah **sideeye to all my jewish "friends"**, but it's impossible to walk into a gas chamber and not be shook. It's about humanity and a reminder of what monsters we can become if we don't speak out for what is right. Following the same footsteps of nearly one million people who were eradicated- I'll stop. I can't form with words the feeling of being there. As a matter of fact, as I was leaving I thought to myself, I won't be able to explain what I felt today to anyone. While 'favorite' is not a term well suited to describe this museum, and 'museum' might not exactly be the best word to describe this place, Auschwitz would definitely come in number one on my list of "You Just Gotta Go's."
3) The Vatican
Put simply, the Vatican is mind-blowing. The amount of artisan man-hours logged to create everything in that bad boy is incomprehensible. The paintings go up, up, up; many covering entire walls in those not-so-modest rooms and hallways. Like the Louvre, I was kicked out when the museum closed, having lost track of time. Luckily, or unluckily, I had finally made it to the Sistine Chapel right before close. When I walked in my head went up and my jaw fell down. Half the thrill is just seeing in person what you've seen in books, the internet, and the projector screen in Clapper's art history course throughout your life. What separates the Vatican from the rest of this list is that while most museums are buildings filled with art, the Vatican is art built around art painted with art and then filled with more art. Another museum I wish I could have another day or two (or ten) in.
4) Museo Nacional Del Prado (Madrid)
FRANCISCO. GOYA. The darkest of all paintings, that of Saturn Devouring his Son, resides as it has in the Prado since Goya's death. I can't explain the origins of my (and my friend Dan Raube's) fascination with this piece, but I satiated my Goya appetite in Madrid. At first, the Prado struck me as a fantastically designed space, with lovely colors and immensely impressive collections. I wandered about in awe, taking it all in until, once again, I realized the Museum was about to shut down. I raced frantically through the rest of the museum searching for the moody Goyas and found them at last! Luckily, I was able to sneak a selfie with Saturn as he cannibalized his kids and only seconds later was ushered out of the room. The only drawback to the Prado is the crazy line you have to wait in to enter, which wrapped around two sides of the sprawling building. Bright side: Madrid is a beautiful place to wait in line.
5) Saumaya (Mexico City)
The Saumaya Museum is miles ahead of Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg for the title of most pleasant surprise. This place is SICKKKK. Also, it gets extra points for being unconventional: an entire floor devoted to paintings of all styles whose only thing in common is that they are of Venice... I mean you gotta love the quirkiness. It gives away the fact that this whole museum is a personal collection, belonging to the filthy rich Mexican business magnate Carlos Slim. While the architectural facade of the building is enough to land it on some lists of awesome museums, the collections inside do NOT disappoint! Au contraire, they impress greatly and compliment the Bellas Artes across town well. Highly recommended for any museum goer headed south of the border.
6) National Gallery (London)
The interior of the National Gallery is fit for a king. I loved the colors, the patterns, the vibe created by the intersection of simplicity and luxuriousness. Someone found a way to cover massive walls with vibrant pastels that are powerful but not overwhelming. Combine that with the details in the wallpaper, moulding, and frames, and this museum shows off some of the most striking galleries I've ever seen.
So it turns out I didn't take any photos at the Churchill War Rooms. Here's a meme I found in my camera roll when I went back to the dates I was in England...
7) Churchill War Rooms (London) which I apparently took zero photos of :(
I've never really been captivated by WWII, but no matter your interest level, I'm confident that anyone with the slightest curiosity for history would enjoy the Churchill War Rooms. Due to constant fear of bombings, Churchill and the higher ups in the British Government and Military were headquartered in the cramped labyrinth buried underneath Her Majesty's Treasury. It's chock full of real items left there when the war rooms were abruptly abandoned once the war was won.
8) Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia)
I'd be remiss if I didn't concede that this coming in at number eight mayyyyy reveal some hometown bias, but regardless, don't think for a second that this isn't one of the best Museums in the World. From the Van Goghs, Picassos, and Van Eycks to medieval armor to full scale Indian temples and Japanese houses from halfway around the world, there's a something for everyone in this place. Even if you're more into sports than art, you can always get a workout in on the "Rocky Steps," which I have actually never done. The best part of the museum is the show they have in the main atrium every Friday night. On top of all that is a staff full of wonderful people and the ever lovely Diana, who balances beautifully atop the grand central staircase.
9) Museo Nacionale de Antropología (Mexico City)
Mexico City comes through with its SECOND top ten spot on my list with the Anthropology Museum. Between the massive falling water centerpiece in the courtyard, the informative tours in every language, the extensive Aztec artefact collection, and the model chunky court, this is the best Archaeological museum I've been to. If you like human history and ever find yourself in central Mexico, this is a must-see!
10) Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze (Florence)
David... what a hunk. What I might guess is the most famous statue in the world, David has been standing there in Florence since 1873. For those that don't like mental math, thats 144 years in that very gallery. It was awe-inspiring and I had to sit and draw that guy to really gain total appreciation for Michelangelo's handiwork. Apart from David, there were a lot of other statues and a bunch of medieval Christian oil on wood panel paintings I really have no taste for. David alone is literally enough to earn this museum a spot on my list.
HONORABLE MENTION
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (Washington D.C.) - You're unamerican if you haven't been.
Anne Fank House (Amsterdam) - Efficiently powerful; packs a lot of punch for such a tiny space
International Spy Museum (Washington D.C.) - If you grew up liking the Holy Trinity of JB's (James Bond, Jason Bourne, Jack Bauer), you'll love this museum. I've only been once when I was a teenager, but I don't think I've ever in my life said "whoa that's so cool" more times in the span of two hours.
Met (New York) - To all of the hoity toity highbrows throwing mental shade at me for my conspicuous lack of the Met on my list.... I haven't been since high school and don't remember all that much. Maybe if I go again it'll appear
Smithsonian Air and Space (Washington D.C.) - Who isn't intrigued by airplanes and the infinite mystery of the cosmos?
LAST PLACE
The Guggenheim (New York) - Having seen it on the list that originally inspired me to make my own, and having never been, I went on my last trip to New York two weeks ago. Although it contains what have to be the most fabulous rose gold water fountains in the world, the museum left a lot to be desired. This isn't a fair assessment because all but two of the exhibits were closed when I went in Sept 2017. That, coupled with the impending controversial exhibit of videos displaying borderline animal cruelty, led me to think the only redemptive qualities were the interior spiral and aforementioned water fountains.
BUCKET LIST!
D'Orsay (Paris), British Museum (London), Van Gogh (Amsterdam), Rijks Museum (Amsterdam), Uffizi (Florence), Tate (London),