Must-See U.S. Museum Districts: Art, History & Family Fun

In these cities, entire districts invite you to explore art, history, science and culture, all within a walkable radius. Read on to discover museum hubs that will pique curiosity and ignite imagination on your next family vacation.

Historic Sites and Creative Arts in Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia, delights with its scenic riverfront and relaxed Southern atmosphere, all centered around its Historic District. Families can wander cobblestone lanes and shaded squares lined with 18th- and 19th-century architecture, discovering plenty to see and do along the way. The district’s compact and walkable layout makes it easy to move from one fascinating museum to the next. Peek into the lives of Savannah’s elite inside the Mercer-Williams House – made famous by the bestselling true-crime narrative “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Nearby, the SCAD Museum of Art features contemporary works by global and emerging artists, curated by the Savannah College of Art and Design. Take a guided tour of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, a Gothic Revival masterpiece with soaring stained-glass windows. Just beyond downtown, families can explore Gullah-Geechee heritage at the Pin Point Heritage Museum, where local guides share stories of language, foodways and fishing traditions at a restored oyster factory along the Moon River marshlands.

Walk Through U.S. History in Washington, D.C.  

In the heart of Washington, D.C., the National Mall stretches 3 kilometers from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, forming a powerful corridor of American memory. Nicknamed “America’s front yard,” this landscaped park connects iconic monuments and memorials, honoring civil rights pioneers, presidents and veterans. Pay homage to the 16th president at the Lincoln Memorial, stand in awe of the 169-meter-tall Washington Monument and admire flowering cherry trees around the Tidal Basin. Leave time to visit neighboring Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Air and Space Museum.

Explore the Past in Chicago, Illinois 

Beneath a soaring skyline, Chicago hums with creativity and curiosity. At the heart of it is the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the oldest art museums in the USA. Families can engage in hands-on creative projects in the Ryan Learning Center and tour galleries filled with masterworks. Down the Illinois lakeshore, Museum Campus offers a walkable trio: Play with sea otters at Shedd Aquarium, step inside a tomb at the Field Museum and stargaze at Adler Planetarium.

Something for Everyone in Houston, Texas

With 21 museums packed into one Texas neighborhood, Houston’s Museum District is one of the largest in the country. For family fun, race across a ropes course at Children’s Museum Houston and visit over 6000 animals at the Houston Zoo. Learn a new skill in a hands-on workshop at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, then walk through a rainforest of fluttering butterflies at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Discover Multiple Worlds in San Francisco, California

Golden Gate Park is no ordinary green space – it’s a sprawling San Francisco escape where bison roam, fly fishers practice their cast and museum lovers find global treasures. See art and architecture at the de Young Museum, then dive into a rainforest, aquarium and planetarium under one roof at the California Academy of Sciences. Between museums, stroll wooded trails beneath twisting live oaks, sip herbal tea in the Japanese Tea Garden and watch the park’s resident bison graze in the Bison Paddock.

Meet Jazz Legends in Kansas City, Missouri

The 18th & Vine District of Kansas City, Missouri, lights up at night with music clubs, but by day, it’s a hot spot for museum lovers of all ages. Explore the American Jazz Museum, filled with sound, stories and stage costumes, then step into the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to learn about the players who changed the game. After dark, grab Kansas City-style barbecue and listen in on a late night jam session at the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

Bring the Family to Balboa Park in San Diego, California

The largest urban cultural park in the USA, this San Diego gem is home to beautiful gardens, 16 museums and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Spot vintage cars at the San Diego Automotive Museum, learn more about Chicano and Latin art at the Centro Cultural de la Raza, and admire innovative architecture at the Marston House. Stop for lunch and verdant views in the Japanese Friendship Garden.

Step Back in Time to Historic St. Augustine, Florida

Take a glimpse into Florida’s past in St. Augustine, the oldest European settlement in the USA. Head to the walkable Historic Downtown to explore the battle-tested Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the continental USA. Tour history museums and cute boutiques on storied St. George Street, then venture through the Colonial Quarter to experience what local life might have been like hundreds of years ago. Round out your journey with a trip to the Lightner Museum, a collection of 19th-century art housed in the former Alcazar Hotel.

Saddle Up for the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody, Wyoming

Embrace the spirit of the Wild West at this educational center in Cody, Wyoming, which encompasses five museums under one roof. Consisting of the Buffalo Bill Museum, Whitney Gallery of Western Art, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum and Draper Natural History Museum, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West showcases interactive exhibits, preserved artifacts and diverse artworks. Discover the story of folk hero William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody, a Wild West showman and U.S. Army scout. Visit for the annual Plains Indian Museum Powwow and daily summertime rodeos.