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intro
The world is full of awesome museums.
The Hermitage, the Louvre, the MET... we know and adore these grand institutions. We love them so much, that occasionally we forget about other can't miss spots.
"Cool" is, of course, subjective. However, there are certain museums that either have undeniably awesome collections or offer unparalleled experiences. These are the places that made this list. Included are awesome centers of contemporary art, quirky holdings of anthropological items, and one of New England's overlooked house museums.
Here are the 50 Coolest Museums.
RELATED: Green Label - The 10 Most Interesting Museum Buildings
walters
50. Walters Art Museum
Location: Baltimore, MD
Web: http://thewalters.org/
The Walters Art Museum is one of those fantastic places that has a little bit of everything. Father and son duo Walter and Henry collected nearly 22,000 works of art from Greek antiquities to 19th-century French impressionism. The museum has been a public institution since the 1930s, and remains one of the gems of Charm City.
ago
49. Art Gallery of Ontario
Location: Toronto, Canada
Web: http://www.ago.net
Everyone knows about Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Bilbao building. Fewer know about his work on the AGO, which is his first structure in his home town. This fact alone makes the museum pretty cool. The collections and breadth of rotating exhibition sustain that cool.
ica phila
48. ICA Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Web: http://www.icaphila.org
The best thing in West Philly not related to the Fresh Prince and the first museum to host a solo exhibition of Andy Warhol's work. The exhibitions remain cutting-edge and remarkably fun.
studio museum
47. The Studio Museum In Harlem
Location: Harlem, New York, NY
Web: http://www.studiomuseum.org/
Situated on 125th Street, The Studio Museum In Harlem is dedicated to promoting the works of artist of African descent. The institutions Artist-in-Residence program is a highlight and the current Kira Lynn Harris installation (closing May 27, 2012) is not to be missed.
winterthur
46. Winterthur
Location: Wilmington, DE
Web: http://www.winterthur.org
If you think your buddy's collection of Air Jordans is crazy, a trip to Winterthur will change your views about obsession. Housing the nation's most comprehensive collection of American decorative arts, the former home of Henry Francis du Pont is filled to the brim with mind blowing objects. The natural gardens surrounding the museum aren't too shabby either.
lowell mills
45. Lowell Mills
Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
Web: http://www.nps.gov/lowe/index.htm
Few places bring America's industrial revolution to light with the power of this historic site, which sits on the banks of the Merrimack River.
tenement
44. Tenement Museum
Location: New York, NY
Web: http://www.tenement.org/
Since you've probably been to the LES for a drink and a dance, why not go down and revisit the neighborhood's rich history? Few places show how important an ordinary building is to the identity of a nation.
neue
43. Neue Gallerie
Location: New York, NY
Web: http://www.neuegalerie.org/
While the idea of a museum on New York's 5th Avenue being overlooked may seem ridiculous, Neue Galerie might have escaped your attention. The core collection, related to Austrian and German art made between 1890 and 1940 is pretty awesome. Perhaps even more mind boggling is the installation of arms and armor. In that, you'll see some of the coolest helmets in history.
intuit
42. Intuit
Location: Chicago
Web: http://www.art.org
This place is dedicated to self-taught and outsider art, and has been since 1991. A great spot to check weird and wonderful stuff and to broaden your artistic horizons.
kreeger
41. Kreeger Museum
Location: Washington, DC
Web: http://www.kreegermuseum.org
Yes, you are thinking "D.C., Smithsonian, right?" Wrong. While the Smithsonian's institutions are terrific, we're choosing to highlight a hidden gem in the District's museum landscape. The Kreeger home was designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson and is now filled with works by Monet, Picasso, Renoir, Chagall, and prominent local artists as well. One of those rare opportunities to push off the beaten institutional path, bulk up art historical knowledge, and check out a stunning private collection.
PMA
40. Philadelphia Museum of Art
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Web: http://www.philamuseum.org
Do you need any more reason to go than the famous Rocky steps? Established in 1876, the PMA was inspired by the South Kensington Museum (aka Victoria and Albert Museum) and houses a collection of 225,000 objects, with 200 galleries spanning 2000 years of art.
rosenbach
39. Rosenbach Museum & Library
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Web: http://www.rosenbach.org
Reason the Rosenbach is cool: where else can you see a gang of stuff related to Where The Wild Things Are and learn a ton about Bram Stoker's Dracula (research notes for the novel are housed in the collection)?
nbwm
38. New Bedford Whaling Museum
Location: New Bedford, MA
Web: http://www.whalingmuseum.org
Once upon a time, New Bedford was the wealthiest place in America. Wait, what? Yup, thanks to the riches of whale oil, this Southeastern Mass town really got it in. Today, the Whaling Museum mixes that history and the story of contemporary whale conservation in one cool spot.
mexican art
37. National Museum of Mexican Art
Location: Chicago
Web: http://nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
Founded in 1982 by Carlos Torolero, the National Museum Of Mexican Art is the only Latin museum accredited by the American Association of Museums. Buy why should you go? Simply because the place has the most awesome collection of Mexican, Latino, and Chicano art and culture around.
mattress
36. Mattress Factory
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Web: http://www.mattress.org/
This sweet museum of contemporary art that exhibits room sized installation art that more often than not are just straight mind blowing. There are 17 permanent installations on continuous display, including important works by James Turrell, Yayoi Kusama, Greer Lankton, Bill Woodrow and William Anastasi. The place is named after and housed in the former Stearns & Foster mattress factory and warehouse.
milwaukee
35. Milwaukee Art Museum
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Web: http://mam.org/
The MAM building, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is basically a moving sculpture. Pretty damn cool. Need more? The Milwaukee Art Museum also provides shelter for the astounding Chipstone Collection of American decorative arts.
nhm
34. National Heritage Museum
Location: Lexington, MA
Web: http://www.nationalheritagemuseum.org/
This museum is all about American history and Freemasonry. And, you really have to see it to believe how cool it really is, the description "hidden gem" doesn't quite suffice.
PEM
33. Peabody Essex Museum
Location: Salem, MA
Web: http://www.pem.org/
One of the oldest continuously running museums in America.The Peabody Museum and Salem and Essex Institute combined its collections, creating the PEM in 1992. The collection of Asian art is astounding (there is a full Chinese house INSIDE THE MUSEUM). Believe us, this place is much better than the corny witch museums in Salem.
cave museum
32. Retretti
Location: Punkaharju, Finland
Web: http://www.retretti.fi/index.asp?language=2
This subterranean museum houses art in a series of man-made caves!
site santa fe
31. Site Santa Fe
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Web: http://sitesantafe.org/
Launched in 1995, this contemporary art space is all about cool, leading-edge installations.
mjt
30. The Museum of Jurassic Technology
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Web: http://www.mjt.org/
The pretty tea and garden area on the roof with birds and fountains are on reason to visit the Museum Of Jurassic Technology. The rather odd collection of items pertaining to the Jurassic era are the real fun way to spend a couple of hours.
transport
29. Museum of Transportation, St. Louis
Location: St. Louis, MO
Web: http://transportmuseumassociation.org/
With the "largest and best collections of transportation vehicles in the world," this museum (founded in 1944) includes one of the two first man made railroad tunnels west of the Mississippi River.
mfa boston
28. MFA BOSTON
Location: Boston, MA
Web: http://www.mfa.org/
With a new building designed by Foster and Partners architects (opened in 2010), housing a new wing for Art of the Americas and art of Europe, the MFA has given us all new reasons to visit Boston.
sculpture
27. Grounds For Sculpture, New Jersey
Location: Mercerville-Hamilton Square, NJ
Web: http://www.groundsforsculpture.org
Founded in 1992 with a basic mission of offering a location people for to appreciate contemporary sculpture, this spot is full of crazy stuff made by J. Seward Johnson. There are a few galleries on-site too, which regularly feature some tremendous exhibitions on contemporary art. But, the main reason to visit is simple—this spot is basically a fantasy land, with famous paintings reproduced in sculpture all over the place. (Good, also, for dates).
aic
26. The Art Institute Of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Web: http://www.artic.edu/aic/
With art and architecture of all kinds on display, the Art Institute Of Chicago suits all tastes. The upcoming Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective also has this Windy City spot high on our must visit for spring 2012 list.
high
25. The High Museum, Atlanta
Location: Atlanta, GA
Web: http://www.high.org/
The Museum was founded in 1905 as the Atlanta Art Association and is currently host to KAWS: DOWN TIME. Rapper Pill can vouch for the High's cool.
natural history
24. Natural History London
Location: London, England
Web: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/
Famous for its dinosaur skeleton collection and no admission charge! What else do you need?
mystic
23. Mystic Seaport
Location: Stonington, CT
Web: http://www.mysticseaport.org/
Famous for its collection of sailing ships, boats, Mystic Seaport recreates an entire 19th-century seafaring village. You can learn to print. You can step on a historic vessel. You can basically be a ship captain for a day. It is awesome.
lacma
22. LACMA
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Web: http://www.lacma.org/
Attracting over 1 million visitors annually, the Los Angeles County Museum Of Art certainly isn't a secret. However, its the range of arts and awesome campus that keep people coming back rather than just name recognition. Added bonus, some of LA's finest food trucks line up right outside.
seattle
21. Seattle Art Museum
Location: Seattle, WA
Web: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/
How many institutions have not one, but three awesome facilities? Check out the Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and Seattle Art Museum. There are over 25,000 pieces to discover.
RISD
20. RISD Museum
Location: Providence, RI
Web: http://www.risdmuseum.org/
Open since 1877, RISD is the 20th largest museum in US (guess how we ranked it). With over 86,000 works of art covering a broad range of genres and styles, it is also one of the finest places to spend an afternoon in all of New England.
walker art center
19. Walker Art Center
Location: Minneapolis
Web: http://www.walkerart.org/
If you love modern art, you can't sleep on the Twin Cities. Founded in 1879 by Thomas Barlow Walker, this was the first public art gallery in Upper Midwest. Now, it is one of the top 5 modern and contemporary art museums in the country. Don't skip the scupture gardens either.
confederacy
18. The Museum of the Confederacy
Location: Richmond, VA
Web: http://www.moc.org/site/
This spot houses the world's largest collection of Civil War artifacts, manuscripts, and photographs from the Confederate States of America.
beauport
17. Beauport
Location: Gloucester, MA
Web: none (three cheers for old school institutions).
Known as the Beauport Sleeper-McAnn House, this mansion has over 40 rooms and overlooks Gloucester Harbor. Inside? A crazy collection of curiosities once owned by Henry Davis Sleeper, one of America's first professional interior designers.
CAC
16. CAC Cincinnati
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Web: http://contemporaryartscenter.org/
While Zaha Hadid's building for the Contemporary Arts Center is really amazing, what counts is the upper floor—which houses the UnMuseum. One of the most innovative museum education spaces, this area of the institution is fun for all. Make art. Touch art. Walk all over it. Do whatever. You will not regret the trip.
bayou bend
15. Bayou Bend
Location: Houston, TX
Web: http://www.mfah.org/visit/bayou-bend-collection-and-gardens/
Bayou Bend, former home of Ima Hogg, contains one of the finest American decorative art collections ever assembled. Since the house is removed from the main MFA Houston campus, it is also kind of a secret. Bone up on your American history knowlege and impress a date with a savvy activity selection in one visit.
warhol
14. Andy Warhol Museum
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Web: http://www.warhol.org/
What's there? Only 900 paintings, 100 sculptures, 2,000 works on paper, 1,000 prints, 4,000 photographs, 60 feature films, 4,000 videos covering the full scope of Warhol's career.
Fun fact: The Andy Warhol Museum is one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and was designed by architect Richard Gluckman.
mutter
13. Mutter Museum
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Web: http://www.collphyphil.org/site/mutter_museum.html
Part of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, this medical museum contains oddities, anatomical and pathological specimen, wax models and strange equipment. It iss most famous for housing some of weirdest shit in America. For example, the Hyrtl Skull collection and the brain of the guy who assassinated President Garfield.
marfa
12. Chinati Foundation, Marfa, TX
Location: Marfa, TX
Web: http://www.chinati.org/
Located on the former Fort D.A. Russell and based on the ideas of its founder, artist Donald Judd, the Chinati Foundation bring art, architecture and nature together. Incredible sculptures fill the grounds and individual army barracks are dedicated to individual artists ranging from Dan Flavin to Claes Oldenburg. In short, Chinati is one of the most unique places to experience contemporary art.
mass moca
11. MASS MoCA
Location: North Adams, MA
Web: http://www.massmoca.org/
MASS MoCA is the largest center for contemporary art in the U.S. and also functions as a lab for contemporary artists for collaboration and experimentation. Get a behind the scenes look at all sorts of creative processes too.
pomp
10. Centre Pompidou
Location: Paris, France
Web: http://www.cnac-gp.fr
Named after Georges Pompidou (former president of France), this wonderfully odd building houses one of the most outstanding collections of modern art in the world. Over 150 million visitors have passed through the doors since 1977. You've got no excuse for not adding to the numbers.
new
9. New Museum
Location: New York, NY
Web: http://www.newmuseum.org/
Designed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA, Tokyo, with Gensler, New York, this contemporary art museum keeps a steady flow of fun exhibitions. In recent years, The New Museum has hosted works by George Condo (who, as we know, Kanye loves) and allowed visitors a chance to experience Carsten Holler's awesome slides. On view now, The Ungovernables is not to be missed.
dia
8. Dia Beacon
Location: Beacon, NY
Web: http://www.diacenter.org/
With a solid range of art from 1960s, this former Nabisco printing factory on the Hudson River is an easy train trip from Grand Central Station. That makes Dia Beacon the perfect day outing, or date, and a great entry point to the wilds of Upstate New York. When you get there, you'll see work Warhol, Robert Whitman, and Fred Sandback.
gugg
7. Guggenheim
Location: New York, NY
Web: http://www.guggenheim.org/
We all know the building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and opened in 1959, is cool. Also impressive is the Guggenheim's commitment to breaking new ground with digital technology and producing some of the awesomest iPad apps in art.
hammer
6. UCLA Hammer Museum
Location: Westwood, CA
Web: http://hammer.ucla.edu/
Opened to public in 1990 and designed by architect Edward Larrabee Barnes, the Hammer Museum features contemporary and historical work in all media and visual arts. The museum also hosts a tremendous film series, making it one of those places that you visit over and over. Neighboring UCLA also means you might meet your future wife in a form of a cute coed too.
imperial war
5. Imperial War Museum
Location: London, UK
Web: http://www.iwm.org.uk/
Covering conflicts involving Britain and Commonwealth from first world war to present, the Imperial War Museum pulls out all stops for visitor interaction. Where else can you walk the trenches, experience the Blitz, and smell a submarine toilet? If you want more pedestrian joys, the outstanding collection of military uniforms and vehicles will undoubtedly keep you occupied for hours.
vanda
4. Victoria & Albert
Location: London, UK
Web: http://www.vam.ac.uk/
"The world's greatest museum of art and design." If you get bored here, we feel sorry for you. From ceramics to fashion, and so much more, the hallowed halls of the V&A are just chock full of cool things.
tate
3. Tate Modern
Location: London, UK
Web: http://www.tate.org.uk/modern
Housed in former Bankside Power Station, the Tate Modern is awesome for the building alone. Add comprehensive collections of modern art and an ever evolving selection of blockbuster exhibitions, and repeat visits become a must. Tate Modern was also a pretty early supporter of this whole street art scene, so don't think the institution isn't on the pulse.
moma
2. MoMA
Location: New York, NY
Web: http://www.moma.org/
Since 1929, The Museum of Modern Art has been dedicated to sharing one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world. Why else should you visit? The Modern is one of the best museum restaurants around. Who can front on good art and good eats?
pitt rivers
1. Pitt Rivers Museum
Location: Oxford, UK
Web: http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/
Originally founded in 1844 to house the collection of General Pitt Rivers, the Pitt Rivers Museum now contains over half a million objects. It is a treasure trove of archaeological and ethnographic material from all parts of the world. While many similar museums arrange displays by geographical or cultural area, the Pitt Rivers organizes everything by type. This makes exploration of your own all the more rewarding.