Top 10 American History Museums

I often find myself in a museum, captivated by artifacts that evoke a profound connection to pivotal historical events. These items stand out, unique and powerful, speaking to me in ways that words cannot. There’s something extraordinary about seeing an actual object that bore witness to history. As you stand before it, the artifact seems to beckon, silently hinting at the moment in time that defined it. I know I’m not alone in feeling this way, which is why I wrote this article. This blog entry will show you all of the best history museums in the United States.

Perhaps it’s my deep love for history, but sometimes you encounter something that truly resonates: “They went to the moon in THAT?” “How much could that be worth?” “This is what all the fuss is about?” You get the idea.

But what really is US history, anyway? In just under 250 years, the world has witnessed some of mankind’s greatest achievements, worst abuses, and most improbable stunts—all originating from American soil. It is the actions of US citizens that have defined who we are, in both wonderful and terrible ways. To me, US history encompasses all the actions of US citizens—good, bad, and indifferent—and how other citizens reacted. Now more than ever, by looking to the past, we can glimpse the future.

This top 10 list represents my favorite history museums in the United States. Some of these are more “historical sites,” but each one features an artifact that I believe deserves special attention, which I’ll highlight. Of course, this list reflects my personal interests.

• Interactive Map
• 10 – National Air and Space Museum (Washington, DC)
• 9 – Kennedy Space Center (Merritt Island, FL)
• 8 – National Museum of the Marine Corps (Triangle, VA)
• 7 – The Alamo (San Antonio, TX)
• 6 – Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago, IL)
• 5 – The American Civil War Museum (Richmond, VA and Appomattox, VA)
• 4 – National World War II Museum (New Orleans, LA)
• 3 – Museum of Pop Culture (Seattle, WA)
• 2 – The Henry Ford & Greenfield Village (Dearborn, MI)
• 1 – The National Museum of American History (Washington, DC)
• Honorable Mentions
• Museums I Haven’t Been To (Yet)

Interactive Map

10 – National Air and Space Museum & Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA

One of the recurring themes of American history is the remarkable technological advancements made in the United States. To experience these advancements firsthand, there is no better place than the two sister museums of the National Air and Space Museum. Though essentially one museum, the vast collection of air and spacecraft necessitates two locations to do justice to the subject.

On the National Mall, the original Air and Space Museum building houses some of the most important artifacts in aviation and American history. As you enter the first gallery, the Milestones of Flight Hall, you are greeted by an unparalleled collection of iconic aircraft and spacecraft. This room arguably holds the most significant collection of its kind in any museum worldwide. Here, you’ll find:

• The Spirit of St. Louis: Charles Lindbergh’s aircraft from his pioneering nonstop transatlantic flight.
• Bell X-1 “Glamorous Glennis”: The aircraft in which Chuck Yeager first broke the sound barrier (Mach 1).
• North American X-15: One of only three built, this aircraft holds the record for the fastest aircraft ever flown (Mach 6.7).
• Friendship 7: John Glenn’s Mercury capsule, in which he became the first American to orbit the Earth, securing a key victory in the space race.
• Apollo 11 Command Module “Columbia”: The capsule that carried Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon.

And that’s just the first room. The adjacent gallery houses the Wright Flyer, the aircraft that launched the era of powered flight.

At the Udvar-Hazy Center, the collection continues with an equally impressive array of aircraft, including:

• Space Shuttle Discovery
• The Enola Gay: The B-29 bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
• The world’s only X-35B
• An SR-71 Blackbird

These locations showcase many other significant aircraft and spacecraft, offering a comprehensive view of American history through the achievements of aviation and space exploration. The artifacts within these walls represent some of the greatest accomplishments of humankind and honor the brave men and women who contributed to these milestones.

Favorite Artifact: Neil Armstrong’s Space Suit from Apollo 11. The suit is located in the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall.

9 – Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL

If you’re a space enthusiast, a visit to the Kennedy Space Center is an absolute must. Located on Florida’s “Space Coast,” this iconic attraction offers an immersive experience into the history and future of space exploration.

One of the highlights of the Kennedy Space Center is the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, where visitors can get up close and personal with the actual Atlantis shuttle that flew 33 missions into space. It’s awe-inspiring to stand beneath the massive orbiter as it towers above you or to peer into its open cargo bay. In my opinion, out of all the remaining space shuttles on display, this one is the best.

Another must-see attraction is the Saturn V Center, which features the best Saturn V on display in the world. (The other two are in Huntsville, AL, and Houston, TX, but again, this one stands out.) This is also the only location where you can see both a Saturn V and a Space Shuttle in one place. The center features a variety of exhibits detailing the history of the Apollo program and the future of space travel. There’s also a “Vault” area that contains unique artifacts from NASA’s history.

In addition to these highlights, the Kennedy Space Center offers a wide range of other exhibits and activities, including the Astronaut Training Experience, the Shuttle Launch Experience, and the Rocket Garden. Visitors can take a bus tour to access different exhibits like the Saturn V Center, providing a behind-the-scenes look at NASA’s facilities and ongoing missions.

Favorite Artifact: The door from the Apollo 1 Capsule.

8 – National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, VA

Looking for a journey that takes you to the heart of courage and the essence of what it means to be a Marine? Look no further than the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA. This museum is a tribute to the fearless men and women who have served in the Marine Corps and a testament to their bravery and sacrifice.

At the center of the museum is an awe-inspiring domed exhibit featuring a variety of air, sea, and land craft used by the Marine Corps throughout their history. The museum is laid out in a timeline format around the central dome, with multiple interactive displays showcasing the Corps’ historical milestones and pivotal moments. These immersive exhibits place guests in different battle situations that the Marines faced, providing a visceral understanding of what it was like on the ground in each conflict.

The museum covers the entire history of the Corps, including modern-day conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Visitors can experience live-fire simulators, explore the Combat Art Gallery with works inspired by military life, and walk through the Corridor of Honor, which pays homage to Medal of Honor recipients. Additionally, the museum’s Marine Corps research center features extensive collections of military equipment, photographs, and oral histories, all in tribute to the brave men and women of the Marine Corps.

Favorite Artifact: The second flag raised on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima.

7 – The Alamo, San Antonio, TX

Texas history is really American history, when you get down to it. The Alamo is one of the most iconic landmarks in American history and arguably the most historic site in Texas history. When you visit the Alamo, you are transported back to late February and early March of 1836 when 189 Texans fought against General Santa Anna’s army of 4,000 Mexican soldiers for 13 days. They knew they were doomed before the battle began. A line in the sand was literally drawn, giving them the option to leave, but they chose to stay and fight to the last man. Seeing that kind of character today seems so incredible and far-fetched, but it demonstrates how much the Texicans valued liberty.

One of the most exciting developments at the Alamo is the adjacent museum being built to house Phil Collins’ collection of Alamo artifacts. This new museum will offer visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the history of the Alamo and its role in shaping the history of Texas and the United States.

Also notable is the nearby San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, run by the National Park Service. This park is absolutely worth a visit and can be experienced as an extension of the Alamo, which was originally a mission itself.

6 – Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL

“What’s a science museum doing on this list?”

I love science, but most modern science museums I’ve encountered can be pretty underwhelming. They’re often geared towards children with basic exhibits aimed at sparking their interest in science. If you’re lucky, you might find some dinosaur bones and gemstones. While some museums, like the Exploratorium in San Francisco, cater to adults with a strong scientific appeal, most science museums lack unique artifacts.

The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) in Chicago is an exception. (I may have some bias here, as this and the nearby Field Museum of Natural History were the two museums I frequented with my grandfather, a science teacher, when I was a kid.) The exhibits at MSI are so powerful and unique that they border on being historical exhibits. Although my old favorite, the walk-through heart, is no longer there, they still have fascinating displays like body slices (actual people sliced horizontally and vertically, placed here decades before Body Worlds was even dreamt of), weather exhibits, gear exhibits, and all the classic science museum staples.

What truly sets the Museum of Science and Industry apart are the exhibits connected to history, including:

• Apollo 8 Capsule
• Mercury-Atlas 7 Capsule (Aurora 7)
• The first Boeing 727 in commercial service
• A Stuka dive bomber—one of only two left in the world, accompanied by a Spitfire
• Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle
• The Pioneer Zephyr Train
• Nazi Submarine U-505

The museum also boasts other fascinating collections of historical artifacts, from kinetic art to miniature circus models to nautical figureheads. They have immersive exhibits like a recreated coal mine and “Yesterday’s Main Street.” The industrial exhibits are equally impressive, particularly a toy factory where you can watch modern, digital manufacturing equipment assemble a toy top with custom engraving.

Additionally, the museum itself is a historical site, being the sole remaining building from the “White City” of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. You can easily spend days exploring this museum, so plan on spending at least four hours here at a minimum.

Favorite Artifact: The “Enigma” machine that was recovered from U-505.

5 – The American Civil War Museum, Richmond, VA and Appomattox, VA

The Civil War was a crucial moment in American history where we discovered who we truly were as a nation.

When discussing the Civil War, most people immediately think of Gettysburg. Indeed, Gettysburg represents the “high water mark” of the Confederacy’s efforts in the North. However, I’d argue that the importance of Gettysburg is overstated—likely due to Lincoln’s short yet brilliant speech delivered on the battlefield four months after the battle.

While the museum in Gettysburg is fantastic (as is the National Civil War Museum in nearby Harrisburg, PA), I strongly recommend visiting all three American Civil War Museum locations: two in Richmond and one in Appomattox, VA. These museums are truly “can’t-miss” destinations, each brimming with an abundance of artifacts.

The main museum of the American Civil War Museum’s facilities is the historic Tredegar Iron Works, situated next to the James River. Tredegar Iron Works was the largest ironworks in the Confederacy during the Civil War, which played a major role in selecting Richmond as the capital of the Confederacy. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts from the entire war, so vast that they can’t display them all.

Some of my favorite items here include many of Robert E. Lee’s personal effects (riding boots, spurs, revolver, slouch hat, Bible, campaign chest, and sword belt, to name a few), Stonewall Jackson’s personal effects (sword, forage cap, field glasses, spurs, etc.), JEB Stuart’s personal items, mementos from prisoners of war on both sides, and even the suit Jefferson Davis wore when he was captured. This collection is arguably more impressive than any other Civil War artifact collection, even those at the Smithsonian.

The second location of the American Civil War Museum is the White House of the Confederacy, where Jefferson Davis lived for most of the Civil War and where Abraham Lincoln visited when Richmond fell at the end of the war. The house is filled with artifacts that witnessed the war and the tragedies that befell the Davis family, especially what happened to Joseph Evan Davis.

If you’re in Richmond, you should also visit Hollywood Cemetery—the final resting place of James Monroe, John Tyler, JEB Stuart, George Pickett, and, of course, Jefferson Davis and his family, among many others. It’s a beautiful cemetery with commanding views. A.P. Hill is also buried in Richmond, his final resting place being in his statue at West Laburnum Ave. & Hermitage Rd., until revisionist history liberal politicians move his grave yet again.

Finally, the American Civil War Museum in Appomattox boasts an outstanding collection of artifacts from Lee’s surrender and other parts of the war, including one of the Confederate flags from Pickett’s Charge—one of only two that made it back to the Confederate lines after the charge.

Favorite Artifact: Robert E Lee’s coat, gloves, and sword that he carried to his surrender to Grant at Appomattox. (These articles are located in the Appomattox, VA location.)

4 – National World War II Museum, New Orleans, LA

The National World War II Museum is a must-visit destination for history buffs and anyone interested in the heroic efforts and sacrifices made during World War II. The museum’s impressive collection of artifacts, exhibits, and interactive displays provides visitors with an immersive experience that brings the war to life. From the D-Day invasion to the Battle of Midway, the museum covers all aspects of the war, including the home front and the lives of ordinary citizens during wartime. Visitors receive a “dog tag” RFID card to use in interactive exhibits, enabling them to save different items for review later.

The museum’s interactive exhibits immerse guests in history with remarkable accuracy, similar to the National Museum of the US Marine Corps. The exhibits span multiple buildings and seem to grow with each visit. Perhaps the most impressive part of the National World War II Museum is its collection of weapons and various types of land, air, and sea craft on display. The museum is located in New Orleans due to the fact that the Higgins boat, crucial to the war effort, was designed and built there.

With its comprehensive and engaging exhibits, the National World War II Museum is a poignant tribute to the heroes who fought and died for freedom.

Favorite Artifact: A decoy paratrooper from D-Day.

3 – Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP, or Previously: EMP Museum) Seattle, WA

Seattle is a city known for its vibrant music and arts culture, and one of the best places to experience this is at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP).

Formerly known as the Experience Music Project, MoPOP is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in music, science fiction, video games, and pop culture in general. Located virtually right underneath the Space Needle, the building itself is a distinctive work of modern art with an impressive and unusual facade. The interior of the building is what you get when a geek (Paul Allen) gets all the money in the world and decides to buy some of the most intriguing pop-culture items he can get his hands on.

One popular exhibit at MoPOP is the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, which honors the most influential creators and works in the genre. This exhibit includes memorabilia from classic science fiction films and TV shows such as Star Trek, Doctor Who, Men in Black, Starship Troopers, and Star Wars (including Darth Vader’s lightsaber from Episode V). On the fantasy side there are many impressive artifacts including some of the original cards Richard Garfield used to play-test Magic: The Gathering and original props and costumes from The Princess Bride and The Wizard of Oz.

There’s also a horror section featuring costumes from notable horror films ranging from Shaun of the Dead to Alien to Friday the 13th, and even Michael Jackson’s Thriller music video and The Shining. It’s an impressive collection that spans the entire genre.

The real focus of the museum, though, is its music collection. There’s so much on display that it’s challenging to cover it all here. Just the exhibit with artifacts from famous music videos is remarkable: the paint suits and guns from the OK Go Rube Goldberg-themed video, Legos from the Fell in Love with a Girl video, and more.

No matter what your interests, MoPOP is sure to pull you in. There’s truly something for everyone here, and MoPOP is impressive enough to justify an entire trip to Seattle.

Favorite Artifact: Jimi Hendrix’s White Stratocaster from his Woodstock performance in 1969, on which he played his famous rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

2 – The Henry Ford & Greenfield Village, Dearborn (Detroit), MI

The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village make up a sprawling complex offering a unique blend of indoor and outdoor exhibits that provide a fascinating look at the people, inventions, and events that have shaped American culture and industry.

The Henry Ford Museum is a massive indoor museum showcasing an incredible array of exhibits dedicated to American history and innovation. Visitors can explore galleries featuring automobiles, aircraft, trains, and learn about the stories behind some of the most iconic objects in American history. The quality of some of the artifacts on display is unbelievable. Here are a few incredible items they have on display:

• The chair in which Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.
• The “last breath of Thomas Edison” (yes, really).
• The infamous “Rosa Parks” bus.
• Two Stradivarius violins.
• George Washington’s camp bed.

Of course, there are some truly impressive cars as well. One standout exhibit is the Presidential Limousine Collection, featuring the cars used by every president from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan, including the limo that carried JFK through downtown Dallas when he was assassinated. Visitors can get up close and personal with these historic vehicles and learn about the stories behind each one. Other notable exhibits include the Heroes of the Sky aviation exhibit, the Made in America exhibit showcasing American manufacturing, and the Dymaxion House, a futuristic dwelling designed by inventor Buckminster Fuller in the 1940s.

But seeing the Henry Ford Museum is only the beginning—across the sprawling grounds lies Greenfield Village, an outdoor living history museum that brings to life over 300 years of American history. This expansive village is home to dozens of historic buildings, including homes, workshops, and businesses that have been relocated from their original locations and restored to their former glory.

Visitors can take a ride on historic trains, watch a blacksmith at work, or see the actual Wright Brothers’ shop where they built the first airplane, including the tools they used. Greenfield Village offers a “living history” approach for visitors—you can meet and interact with costumed interpreters who bring history to life with their stories and demonstrations. From the early settlers of the American frontier to the innovators of the Industrial Revolution, visitors can experience firsthand the daily life and challenges faced by people throughout American history.

Throughout both the museum and the village, visitors can see how America’s pioneering spirit and willingness to take risks have led to some of the most significant advancements in history.

Favorite Artifact: Abraham Lincoln’s Chair from Ford’s Theatre.

1 – National Museum of American History, Washington, DC

In a way, it is most fitting that this list begins and ends on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The National Museum of American History, home to over 1.8 million artifacts, showcases the rich cultural heritage and history of the United States. With so much to see, deciding where to start can be overwhelming.

The focal point of the museum is the iconic Star-Spangled Banner. This giant American flag was flown over Fort McHenry in Maryland during the War of 1812 and served as the inspiration for Francis Scott Key as he penned what would become the US national anthem. The exhibit also provides a glimpse into the historical context of the War of 1812 and how the flag became a symbol of American patriotism.

All periods of American history are well represented in this museum. Like America itself, the items on display are rather eclectic. Here are a few of my favorites:

• The gunboat “Philadelphia”, captured by the British during the American Revolution and sunk in Lake Champlain. It was later raised from the lake and has been on display since 1964.
• Abraham Lincoln’s top hat, which was sitting on the floor next to the chair at Ford’s Theater when Lincoln was assassinated.
• The eight canvas hoods worn by the Lincoln Assassination conspirators in prison.
• The original frozen margarita machine from Mariano’s in Dallas.
• The Swedish Chef from the Muppets, as well as Kermit The Frog.
• Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers from the original Wizard of Oz.
• The Winton Touring Car from “Horatio’s Drive,” the “first” US cross-continental road trip.

…and (literally) tons more. There’s no more encyclopedic museum of American history in the world. It should be unsurprising that the Smithsonian has a leg-up on all other museums in this regard.

With its vast and varied collection, the National Museum of American History stands as a testament to the diverse and dynamic story of the United States, making it a fitting conclusion to this list of must-visit historical museums.

Favorite Artifact: Furniture used by Grant & Lee from Appomattox, VA, where they signed the terms of surrender.

Honorable Mentions:

Of course, only ten go on the top 10 list, but I feel obliged to include a number of other very notable American history museums here:

• Newseum (Washington, DC) – Sadly, this is now gone, but their collection was incredible. Individual rooms of this museum rivaled entire Smithsonian museums. (This would have been in the top five museums on this list had it still existed.)
• National World War I Museum (Kansas City, MO) – Not just a museum, but also the National Monument for World War I.
• National Museum of the Pacific War (Fredericksburg, TX) – Located in Fredericksburg due to its ties to Admiral Nimitz, this is a great companion museum to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
• Titan Missile Museum (Green Valley (Tucson), AZ) – This museum, located on the outskirts of Tucson, allows you to really feel what it was like in a missile silo during the Cold War.
• Mark Twain House (Hartford, CT) – Not only does this home tour give you a real feel for what life was like for Mark Twain, there’s something incredible about standing in the room where Mark Twain penned “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”
• National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (Oklahoma City, OK) – Half an art museum, this museum offers a hodgepodge of extremely interesting artifacts tackling multiple topics about the American West—Native Americans, western performers, cowboys, rodeos, and movie stars all receive equal attention in this very eclectic museum.
• Confederate Memorial Hall (New Orleans, LA) – Commonly overshadowed by the nearby National World War II Museum, this is the oldest museum in Louisiana and contains one of the most impressive Civil War collections in the country. The museum feels like a church, displaying artifacts in a manner and setting that preserves how history museums once were.
• Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center (Gettysburg, PA) – This is one of the best Civil War museums that exist. I left this off the list because Gettysburg was just one battle, and I think that the National Civil War Museums focus on a more general scope of the entire war. I also only wanted to include one Civil War-related museum on the list.
• National Air and Space Museum (Washington, DC & Dulles International Airport) – One of my favorite museums of all time (along with the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton at Wright-Patterson AFB). I left this off the list because I’ve written a lot about it already and it’s more about a specific aspect of American history.
• The Mob Museum (Las Vegas, NV) – Again—the mafia is more of a specialized topic of American history—but this museum does an amazing job showing the history of that specific aspect of American history.
• Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum (Oklahoma City, OK) – Also too specific for this list, this museum does an amazing job relating the history of this tragic chapter in our history.
• The Liberty Bell Center & Independence Hall (Philadelphia, PA) – This whole area of Philadelphia does an excellent job of telling the story of the birth of the Republic of the United States.
• Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum (New York, NY) – An excellent preserved aircraft carrier (and one that I’ve written about in other articles on this blog). I didn’t include this because the museum gets more into the specific history of this ship. (Note that the quality of this museum is arguably better than that of the USS Lexington museum.)
• USS Midway Museum (San Diego, CA) – Again, left off the list for the same reasons as the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. (Additionally, the Midway’s exhibit presentation is superior to that of the Lexington, but it is more specific in scope, while the USS Lexington focuses on covering all of US Naval history.)
• USS Lexington (Corpus Christi, TX) – Very reluctantly left off this list (it was almost #10), this museum does a great job of telling the entire story of the US Navy.
• Peabody Essex Museum (Salem, MA) – Often forgotten about (given its close proximity to the other touristy Salem locations like the Salem Witch Trials sites), this museum is a gem and has a ton of art, especially seafaring-related art. (Figureheads, ship models, etc.) The museum gets into other cultural topics outside of seafaring and even outside of American history—including a 200-year-old Chinese House brought to the museum from China, illustrating some of the negative aspects of communism.
• All of the Presidential Libraries (Various) – I’ve already written an article about these.
• The National Archives (Washington, DC) – Specifically included for the “Charters of Liberty” gallery, featuring the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
• The Mariners’ Museum and Park – Excellent mariner-specific museum, including the USS Monitor.
• Shelburne Museum (Shelburne, VT) – Very cool museum that reminds me somewhat of the Greenfield Village. They have a rather notable folk art collection.
• The Sixth Floor Museum (Dallas, TX) – This is a great location to learn the “official” story of what happened in the JFK assassination. It is very well presented and very interesting, and it has a nice exhibit space on the 7th floor, above the museum.
• Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration (New York, NY)
• George Washington’s Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, VA)

Museums I Haven’t Yet Been To (Yet)

Here’s the museums I haven’t yet been to, but I think I’d be remiss in not mentioning them here:

• 9/11 Memorial & Museum (New York, NY)
• Museum of the American Revolution (Philadelphia, PA)
• National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel (Memphis, TN)
• Plymouth Plantation (Plymouth, MA)
• Buffalo Bill Center of the West (Cody, WY)
• Springfield Armory Historic Site (Springfield, MA)

Let me know in the comments if there’s any museums that aren’t on the list that you think should be!