The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Louvre in Paris, France and the Uffizi in Florence, Italy… these are some of the world’s most famous art museums. And for most people, buildings filled with paintings, drawings and sculptures is what comes to mind when they think of a museum. Unfortunately, this is where their interest in exploring museums comes to a full stop. Why would they want to waste their time visiting a museum if they’re not interested in art? Because there are more than just art museums to explore! There are many museums that offer a broad range of topics. And through my travels, I have compiled my top picks for non-art museums.
Museums throughout the world have become very savvy, exploring ways to entice more visitors through various means — focusing on unique themes, holding special exhibits, and promoting even bizarre and unusual displays.
My top picks of non art museums are memorable for many reasons.
So read on about my top picks for non-art museums starting with…
History Museums
These museums typically offer artifacts and exhibits reflecting the history of a particular nation. My top picks start with the …
National Civil Rights Museum at The Lorraine Motel, located in Memphis, Tennessee. Built around the former Lorraine Motel, this is the site of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Through a variety of mediums, this museum offers its visitors a full immersion into the history of the Civil Rights movement. It is a must see when visiting Memphis!
Heading to the Northwest, a visit to the…
Buffalo Bill Center of The West , located in Cody, Wyoming, provides a little bit of everything for its visitors. Housing five museums, each focusing on a unique subject under one roof, its museums share stories of the Wild West. Explore the history of the Plains Indian cultures, trailblazing cowboys and cowgirls in one museum building, classic and modern western artworks in another, and more.
National Civil Rights Museum 
Buffalo Bill Center
Museum admission is good for two days so you can cover all it has to offer. But always check their website for any updates to all their policies. Read my two part story of my family’s adventure to Yellowstone, Cody and more by clicking here: https://followmyyellowbrickroad.com/?page_id=280
Heading to the Northeast, the…
Museum of Natural History, located in Manhattan, New York, boasts the largest collection of dinosaur bones. The museum complex comprises 26 interconnected buildings housing 45 permanent exhibition halls, in addition to a planetarium and a library. The “Hall of Animals,” as I call it, contains collections of animals from around the world. And believe it or not, these animals were real. They died of old age and then donated by zoos. For more information on this amazing museum, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Museum_of_Natural_History
Science & Education Museums
The museums that fall into this category offer the visitor a glimpse into technology and science. First stop is…
Intrepid, Air and Space Museum. Located in Manhattan, New York, it is a maritime and military based museum. It is located at Pier 86 along the Hudson River with beautiful views. This museum showcases, of course, the aircraft USS Intrepid, along with a cruise missile, the submarine USS Growler, Concorder SST, a Lockheed A-12 along with the Space Shuttle Enterprise.
As you explore the museum you will be able to examine original artifacts, view historic video footage and explore interactive exhibits.
National Air & Space Museum — Washington D.C. 
Heading Southeast…
National AIr and Space Museum and the National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udzar-Hazy Center, located in Washington D.C. offer visitors an all comprehensive view of our country’s air and space program in two locations.
Across the pond in Europe, the…
Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, located in Milan, Italy, was a delightful surprise to my family.
The museum is dedicated to Leonardo Da Vinci and not just in an art perspective. It focuses on him as an engineer and humanist as well . This museum was a highlight on my family’s stop in Milan, Italy. To learn more about this museum, click here: https://www.museoscienza.org/en/museum/mission
Music Museums
These museums provide glimpse inside the history of all types of music. First stop is..
Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, located in Cleveland, Ohio. It provides an in depth look into all that is Rock N’ Roll.
Its mission is to teach, engage and inspire its visitors. Exhibits, innovative programs and concerts immerse the visitor into the amazing world of rock n’ roll!
Heading South, Nashville is home to many iconic music places, including two of my favorite museums…
The Country Museum Hall of Fame and the Johnny Cash Museum.
The Country Museum Hall of Fame is a comprehensive look and timeline of all things country music! You can really immerse yourselves in all the exhibits and memorabilia. And believe me, you really don’t have to be a country music fan to enjoy it.
A stop at The Johnny Cash Museum was a highlight for my husband and son, who are huge fans of the man in black.
“Unique Subject” Museums …
as I call them, are museums that offer exhibits unique to a specific topic from that unique location. Typically, few if any other museums offer what they do.
First stop is in The Big Easy. Welcome to the…
Mardi Gras Museum! Located in the Port of New Orleans, this “art museum” provides visitors with a behind the scenes of the work of Kern Studios who design the Mardi Gras floats. It’s really a not to be missed museum!
Mardi Gras World — New Orleans 
Sesame Street Exhibit at Museum of Moving Image
In Queens, New York…
The Museum of the Moving Image is dedicated to the art, technology and social impact of film, television and digital media. Housing the nation’s largest collection of moving image artifacts, it was a delightful visit. It also screens hundreds of films annually and offers unique exhibits. Our visit included a special exhibit dedicated to the life of Jim Henson and Sesame Street. It brought back so many childhood memories of this iconic children’s program.
And last but not least, heading South to Florida, the…
Bailey Matthews Shell Museum, located on Sanibel Island, Florida, was a delightful respite from the sunny, warm days. It is the only accredited museum in the United States devoted solely to shells and mollusks. Family friendly and full of hands-on activities, this is a must see if you can pull yourselves away from the beautiful beaches of Sanibel!