Best museums to visit in EC cities
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If you’re planning a study abroad trip and want to soak up some culture along the way, museums are a great place to start.
Major cities like our school destinations have plenty of museums to see, but which do you visit? Let’s be honest, sometimes the journey to a museum takes longer than the actual time spent there.
With the ICOM (International Council of Museums) World Museum Day coming up this Sunday, we’ve compiled a list of museums in EC cities that are worth the visit. If you’re not much of a museum person or can only fit one into your itinerary, this list is for you.
Whether you prefer classical and modern art collections, ancient artefacts and archaeology displays, or interactive science exhibits, here’s a roundup of the best museums to check out in London, New York City, Malta, Boston, Cape Town, Dublin and Montreal.
Located in Boston’s Fenway neighbourhood, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum isn’t your traditional art gallery. It was built in the early 1900s by the eccentric art collector Isabella herself. The museum showcases her broad collection of Asian, American, and European art, all arranged just as she intended. It’s a common misconception that the Venetian palace was Isabella’s house, but between the mix of personal oddities, maximalist art, and the blooming courtyard at its heart, it certainly feels like stepping into a home.
Fun fact: The Isabella Gardner Museum is the site of the world’s largest unsolved art heist!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City—you probably know it as The Met—is a cultural giant that’s been around since 1870. With two locations (the famous Fifth Avenue building and The Met Cloisters up in Fort Tryon Park), it covers over 2 million square feet (185.8k square metres). Not only is the Met one of the largest museums in the world, it’s also one of the largest art museums.
Tip: Wear your best walking shoes and grab a map on the way in because there’s loads to see!
While it’s famous for its art, the Met is just as much about history. Its permanent collection is packed with ancient artefacts, archaeological finds, and antiques from around the world. From Picasso to Pollock, the museum spans 5,000 years of human creativity; it’s more of a journey through time than a museum. When you’re done, you can even enjoy a lunch or people-watch on the iconic Met steps.
Tip: If you’re really into modern/experimental art, the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) Look out for famous artworks like Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’ and Andy Warhol’s ‘Flowers’ series.
If you’re in South Kensington, you can tick off two top museums in one go; the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are right next door to each other!
Ever wondered what an earthquake feels like? The Natural History Museum is a dream for anyone curious about the natural world, with towering dinosaur skeletons, glittering gemstones, a freakishly realistic earthquake simulator, and that iconic blue whale skeleton. Just around the corner, the Science Museum is packed with interactive exhibits and space exploration displays. This one really brings out your inner child; pushing mysterious buttons that teach you about the planets is fun at any age.
Tip: Admission is free, but still ticketed! Book in advance as the queues can be pretty long, especially during school holidays.
While you’re in the area, take a short stroll up the road to the Royal Albert Hall. You can join a behind-the-scenes tour or catch an exhibition, or even enjoy a lovely afternoon tea.
Located in Dublin’s historic Collins Barracks, the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History offers a fascinating look into Ireland’s rich cultural and military heritage. This neoclassical building in Dublin’s Arbour Hill area was once the world’s longest-serving military base.
It’s home to the award-winning ‘Soldiers & Chiefs’ exhibit, but the museum’s not all antique daggers and cannons. In the Decorative Arts collection, exhibits highlight Irish artisanship. From the intricate silverwork in the Irish Silver Gallery, to the ‘Eileen Gray’ permanent exhibition, which showcases the innovative designs of one of Ireland’s most influential 20th-century designers.
Tip: If you prefer something a little closer to the city centre, check out the National Museum of Ireland’s Archaeology branch in Kildare street!
With over 13 million pieces, the Royal Ontario Museum’s extensive collection spans art, culture, and natural history.
Before you even walk through the doors, your eyes are drawn to the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, a modern architectural addition to the museum’s classic stone façade. Inside, visitors can journey through one of the world’s most impressive fossil collections at the Age of Dinosaurs gallery. It includes a huge Barosaurus skeleton nicknamed Gordo!
Fun fact: Gordo is the largest dinosaur skeleton on display in Canada!
Another highlight is the Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art, which showcases beautiful Yuan Dynasty murals and sculptures. Head over to The Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasures, which displays 2,300 specimens of minerals, rocks, meteorites and gems!
MUŻA, Malta’s National Community Art Museum, is a dynamic cultural institution right in the heart of Valletta. The museum is designed to connect people with Malta’s artistic heritage through interactive displays and hands-on experiences. The collection spans from the 15th to the early 21st century, with over 20,000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, silverware, and objets d’art (decorative collector’s items).
Fun fact: The museum’s name is a clever play on words. Not only is it an acronym for Mużew Nazzjonali tal-Arti (National Museum of Fine Arts), but in Maltese, muża also means “inspiration” or “muse”.
The museum’s exhibits are organised around four main narratives: Mediterranean, Europe, Empire, and The Artist, each exploring different facets of Malta’s artistic heritage and cultural influences. The Baroque paintings of Mattia Preti are a key highlight; MUŻA holds one of the largest collections of the celebrated Italian artist’s work.
Want to explore the rich natural and cultural heritage of Africa as a whole while you’re in Cape Town? Visit the Iziko South African Museum in the historic Company’s Garden. Established in 1825, it’s the oldest museum in Southern Africa!
It houses over one and a half million specimens, from 700-million-year-old fossils to contemporary artefacts. The museum even has its own massive blue whale skeleton—just in case you can’t make it to London.
The Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome is a favourite among visitors, not to mention the most advanced digital planetarium on the continent. Try it out and go on a virtual journey through the universe, the human body, or atomic structures.
Tip: Admission is free on Fridays!
If you’re ever in Montreal and you spot a Greek Revival building that feels straight out of an Indiana Jones film, that’s probably the Redpath Museum. Opened in 1882 on McGill University grounds, the Redpath Museum in Montreal is Canada’s oldest purpose-built museum. Inside, you’ll find nearly three million artefacts, all categorised in the museum’s four main galleries of Paleontology, Zoology, Mineralogy, and World Cultures.
Tip: The Redpath museum is only 10 minutes away from EC Montreal.
The museum showcases billions of years of natural and cultural evolution on Earth, from the mummified nobility of Ancient Egypt to the littlest golden cowrie (marine snail).
Fun fact: The minerals Dawsonite and McGillite were named after Sir William Dawson and McGill university, in honour of their important contributions to mineral research!
Want to practise conversational English while discovering a new culture up close? Learn English on the journey with EC Escapes and EC in the City!
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