64 Museums.
How many have you visited?

Unique fact: The world's largest museum would take 200 days to see every piece if you spent just 30 seconds on each. Originally a 12th-century fortress, the building's glass pyramid entrance was controversial when unveiled in 1989 but is now beloved.

Why visit: Stand before the Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile and explore 35,000 works spanning 9,000 years of human creativity. Wander through the French Crown Jewels, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and galleries so vast you could visit for a week and still see something new.

Unique fact: Houses 8 million objects spanning 2 million years of history, yet only 1% are on display at any time. The museum has been free to enter since opening in 1759 as the world's first national public museum.

Why visit: See the actual Rosetta Stone that unlocked Egyptian hieroglyphics and walk among mummies from ancient Egypt. Explore the controversial Elgin Marbles, examine samurai armor, and travel through human civilization without spending a penny.

Unique fact: The world's largest museum complex holds 154 million items across 19 museums and galleries. If you spent one minute at each item, it would take over 290 years. All Smithsonian museums are completely free.

Why visit: Stand next to the actual Spirit of St. Louis at Air and Space and see the Hope Diamond at Natural History. Touch a real moon rock, view Dorothy's ruby slippers, and explore world-class collections that belong to the American people, all at no cost.

Unique fact: Michelangelo spent four years painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling (not lying down as myth suggests, but standing on scaffolding with his neck craned back). The museums contain 9 miles of galleries with 20,000 works.

Why visit: Journey through 2,000 years of artistic masterpieces collected by the Catholic Church, culminating in the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Gaze up at Michelangelo's Creation of Adam and explore the Raphael Rooms that inspired generations of artists.

Unique fact: The only major museum in the world with a public road and bike path running through its arches. The building itself is a masterpiece of Dutch Neo-Renaissance architecture housing 8,000 objects.

Why visit: Stand before Rembrandt's monumental Night Watch (recently restored to its original size) and Vermeer's intimate Girl with a Pearl Earring. Explore Dutch Golden Age masterpieces and the world's finest collection of Delftware.

Unique fact: Houses 2 million works including a complete Egyptian temple (the Temple of Dendur) that was a gift from Egypt and reassembled stone by stone. The rooftop garden offers stunning Central Park views.

Why visit: Explore the Temple of Dendur in its glass-enclosed atrium and try on virtual armor from across centuries. Walk through a reconstructed Frank Lloyd Wright room, see Washington Crossing the Delaware, and spend hours in the Egyptian wing's mummy collection.

Unique fact: Designed by Vasari in 1560 as offices (uffizi) for Florentine magistrates, it became an art gallery in 1765 and houses the world's greatest collection of Renaissance art. The Medici family donated most of the collection.

Why visit: See Botticelli's Birth of Venus where it was created, steps from where Michelangelo and da Vinci walked. Marvel at Caravaggio's dramatic lighting, Raphael's madonnas, and centuries of Medici-collected masterpieces in the birthplace of the Renaissance.

Unique fact: One of the world's largest museums with 3 million items across 400 rooms. You'd walk 15 miles to see everything. The museum famously employs about 50 cats to protect the art from mice, continuing a tradition started by Empress Elizabeth.

Why visit: Wander through the opulent Winter Palace of the Russian tsars and discover masterpieces by da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Matisse. Climb the Jordan Staircase, explore the Gold Room's Scythian treasures, and meet the museum's famous feline guardians.