The United States is home to countless museums presenting every topic under the sun. Below are four of our favorites, which also happen to be the some of the most critically-acclaimed.

1. American Museum of Natural History – New York, NY

Photo courtesy | Mike Goldberg

One of the top-rated museums in the world, the American Museum Of Natural History is a must-see. The countless museum exhibits provide more information than you could ever possibly retain in one day. Perhaps their most interesting exhibit is the Mysteries of the Unseen World – a movie displaying microscopic creatures from across the earth that can’t be seen by the naked eye.

The dinosaur exhibit, easily the kid’s most favorite exhibit, features dinosaur fossils found here in the U.S. with graphical images of what they would have looked like. Another intriguing display is the Hall of Biodiversity, presenting the Earth’s beauty from the Dzanga-Sangha Rain Forest and detailing certain species’ evolutionary process. Let’s also not forget that the Hayden Planetarium is attached! The Dark Universe Space Show takes visitors through outer space, from discoveries to theories on how it all began.

2. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – Washington, D.C.

Photo courtesy | Josh

One of the most moving and profound museums in America, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum details the Holocaust, while memorializing the innocent victims. The exhibit depicts first-hand accounts through video footage and personal stories, while displaying historical artifacts.

One interesting exhibit is A Dangerous Lie: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, providing a perspective into propaganda used against the Jews. It presents papers published in 1905 describing their alleged plans to rule the world by manipulating the economy, while also controlling the media.

3. Museum of Science and Industry – Chicago, IL

Photo courtesy | Abadon

From history of animals to technology and modern science, the Museum Of Science and Industry is a wonderful sightseeing trip when visiting the windy city. Earth Explorers, an exhibit showcasing the Earth’s polar, ocean, rain forest and mountain eco-zones, is an extremely interactive exhibit inviting visitors to meet the explorers who found it all.

Future Energy Chicago, displays information in an interactive multi-player game, taking visitors knowledge into action by designing cars, houses and transportation systems, in an effort to save energy and improve life.

4. National Gallery of Art – Washington, D.C.

Photo courtesy | Josh

With art ranging from Byzantine altarpieces to current pop art, the National Gallery of Art, presents paintings, photographs, sculptures and so much more – an ideal pit stop for any art enthusiast in the D.C. area. Visitors can see beautiful German prints and drawings from the Kainen collection – an exhibit displaying Ruth Kainen’s impressive talent and her inspiration behind it all.

Civic Pride: Group Portraits from Amsterdam, allows people to enjoy Dutch paintings rarely seen outside the Netherlands. The collection depicts Govert Flinck and Bartholomeus van der Helst, two of Amsterdam’s most important portraitists from the mid 17th century, both of whom immortalized civic pride.