Top 5 (or so) - Museums

History is made every day – just ask Kamala Harris!

But then, where does history go? We find history in museums when we’re traveling.   We’ll go back to a few of them when we can, but in the meantime we’re revisiting virtually.  We have chosen our top seven and nominated some of the rest to the “honorable mention” category.

 #7 - Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

 When we’re on the Long Beach, WA peninsula (before dinner at Fulio’s in Astoria) we really enjoy some Oregon Trail travel with the Corps of Discovery. This place tells the story and the view to the Pacific explains why the West coast is the best coast.

On Cape Disappointment

 

Step by step through the entire journey

Required reading while on the expedition

#6 – National Museum of American History 

Located on the mall in Washington D.C. Here a person can find Julia Child’s kitchen, Dorothy’s ruby slippers, the star spangled banner, and Tito Puente’s cowbells.  It’s all good for human-cyborg relations.

From sacred artifacts to pop culture icons

Julia Child's actual kitchen

Huey Helicopter from the extensive Vietnam War exhibit

The many faces of Stephen Colbert

Luke's droid, Tito's drums, and Annette's ears

#5 – World War II Museum 

This one is still growing. It was a massive place in December 2019 and additional space was in the works. There is a very active group of volunteers in support. From Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific, great displays, aircraft and weaponry, and just a touch from the home front. Well worth a full day while in New Orleans.

Open every day except Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Mardi Gras

Honolulu newspaper from December 7, 1941

P-51 - Cadillac of the skies!

#4 – Museum of La Brea Discoveries  

Hey, do you like a little science along with your theme park visits in southern California? We do too. Talk about history, mammoths and sabre tooth tigers that got stuck in the tar go way, way back. Yes, all part of the plan…

On the Miracle Mile in downtown LA

You can still see (and smell) the oil bubbling to the surface

 

Sam checks out the mammoth

#3 – Monticello 

Thomas Jefferson had a great mind and a vision for the future of our country. He also had slaves, how else could he have built such an amazing homestead as Monticello? The building itself is an inspiring home to see. His gardens are phenomenal.  A visit here is a highly structured tour and the Virginia countryside is magnificent.

 

Jefferson's home is still privately owned

The little hill that gave the place its name

Jefferson created the first spherical sundial in the new world

Jefferson wrote the epitaph that appears on his gravestone

It lists the accomplishments he wished to be remembered for

#2 – Exploratorium  

Sarah and Sam were young when we explored this OMSI-like museum in San Francisco.  Hands on for sure, this place has it all – science and fun all at the same time.  When we first visited, it was housed in reconstructed buildings from the Pan American Exposition of 1915. See, that’s history, baby.

 

In the heart of San Francisco near the Presidio

Sarah learns about gyroscopic effect...

...while Sam views electrical impulses in his arm on a Tektronix oscilloscope

#1 – Air & Space Museum 

 Back to the National Mall, and one full day may not be enough to absorb everything you can experience here. And although you’ll see models and re-creations, the actual Spirit of St. Louis, Glamorous Glynnis, and the Apollo 11 capsule are there. So thrilling. Thank you Mr. Smithsonian.

Hey Ridley, got any Beemen's 

All that's missing is Jimmy Stewart

Apollo 11 command module, complete with scorch marks

The Wright Brothers original plane has just been refurbished and put back on display when we were there in 2009

How could we not mention these? Ladies and gentlemen, our Honorable Mention hall of fame museums:

Hearst Castle

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Hollywood Heritage Museum

Graceland

Eastern Oregon Museum - Haines

The Getty

California Academy of Sciences

Maryhill

Buddy Holley Museum - Lubbock Texas

Kam Wuh Chung Heritage Site - John Day Oregon

Hope you enjoyed our museum tour.  Really looking forward to getting back on the road so we can visit a few more.  Until then, be safe, be happy, and wear your mask dammit!

Tasty Travel Tunes:

America - Simon and Garfunkel

Still the Same - Bob Segar and the Silver Bullet Band

Fly me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra