My personal favorite is the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH. It's so huge you can easily spend two whole days (or more) going through it. Extremely well done, and full of very enthusiastic volunteers.
They had some medicine that contained opium "Paregoric", and DW swore her mother gave her that stuff. I was thinking, no way, that must have gone out in the late 30's. Later, I looked it up to show she was off base, but nope, was still available in the 60's.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paregoric
-ERD50
My personal favorite is the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH. It's so huge you can easily spend two whole days (or more) going through it. Extremely well done, and full of very enthusiastic volunteers.
+1 on the Air Force museum in Dayton. I would say it is probably the top flight museum in the world.
Over the years, in no particular order:
The Henry Ford (Dearborn, MI) - the museum simply cannot be explained. It's an eclectic collection of all kinds of things. Mostly arranged in a sequence that makes sense but some come at you from left field. Lot's of history related to all aspects of life in the United States
Over the years, in no particular order:
Gilmore Car Museum (near Kalamazoo, MI) - you don't have to be a car fan to enjoy this place. Yes, there are lots and lots of cars but they're arranged in a manner that conveys the history of the time period in other aspects of daily life
The Henry Ford (Dearborn, MI) - the museum simply cannot be explained. It's an eclectic collection of all kinds of things. Mostly arranged in a sequence that makes sense but some come at you from left field. Lot's of history related to all aspects of life in the United States
The Ringling (Sarasota, FL) - part art museum, part millionaire estate, part performing arts
Deming Museum (Deming, NM) - one of the most interesting local museums we've seen. Some of it is simply a collection of collections but the American Indian pottery collection is second to none.
University of Wyoming Geological Museum (Cheyenne, WY) - who knew Wyoming was such a geological treasure trove?
Bruce Elder Classic Cars (Staunton, VA) - not a museum but a classic car dealer. Go ahead and pay for a "tour" and you won't be disappointed. The owner takes you on an hour long journey through time as it relates to automobiles and related history.
The Hank Williams Museum (Montgomery, AL) - Country & Western at it's best and worst. Hank Williams was one of a kind!
Kentucky Horse Park (Lexington, KY) - Horses? What's up with horses? You won't be disappointed. The daily horse show describes breeds from around the world. The number of race horses born, raised and trained here is amazing.
Josyln Art Museum (Omaha, NE) - Omaha has several very nice museums and this is one of the best in town.
Booth Western Art Museum (Cartersville, GA) - very few places like this exist. One of the best collections of western art in the country.
Abita Mystery Museum (Abita Springs, LA) - small town museum that shouldn't be missed! Have a beer at the nearby brewery.
National WW II Museum (New Orleans, LA) - This museum started out on a much smaller scale and grew to be one of the best in the country. Learn the story of Higgins boats and how they contributed to the allied forces during the war.
Golden Spike Tower (North Platte, NE) - Stop by to see one of the largest freight yards in the country. Overlook the yard from the top story of the observation tower and talk to local and train geeks about how the rail system works in the United States.
Let me add lakeshore museums in Chicago, starting with the Museum of Science and Industry
https://www.msichicago.org/
Then the Field Museum of Natural History further north along the lakeshore:
https://www.fieldmuseum.org/
And in the same area (within walking distance) the Shedd Aquarium
https://www.sheddaquarium.org/
And the Adler Planetarium:
https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/#6Y0wZjGBKrvCehUg.97
My dad (a science teacher) used to take students there from both Decatur In, and Plymouth Mi. It was a weekend trip.
There are other attractions near by I have not been to like the art institute etc.
10. Newport Mansions in Newport, RI.
+1000. Wonderful, if you only have time for two, The Breakers and Marble House are stunning.....
https://www.biltmore.com/.
I’m sure the OP has been there, but to the above I’d add Seurat’s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte“ and the whole Hokusai collection as must sees for Art Institute Chicago visitors.Ah, the Art Institute -- Grant Wood's "American Gothic," Hopper's "Nighthawks," Van Gogh's "Bedroom," among others. I recall seeing a Rembrandt there, "Young Woman at an Open Half Door." I believe Rembrandt's self-portrait is there too.
Lots of Goya works, Picassos -- it is a landmark art museum.