MUSEUMS

Ruby slippers from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ are among the most famous objects in the Smithsonian collections.

11 Fascinating Facts About the Smithsonian’s Collections

The museum’s benefactor eventually became part of its collection.

Replicas of golden sarcophagi are showcased in “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures.”

See Exact Replicas of King Tut’s Treasures in His Recreated Tomb

If you can’t make it to Egypt, head to Washington, D.C., where “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures” puts visitors inside the artifact-stuffed rooms of King Tut’s tomb.

The Nude Statue That Shocked Victorian England

Bodybuilder Eugen Sandow delighted Victorian audiences with his toned physique and weightlifting skills. But his statue at the British Museum didn’t last long.

The British Museum's professional mousing staff answered to names like Black Jack and Poppet.

When Cats Took Over the British Museum

Being a professional mouser for the British Museum in the 20th century came with some competitive benefits.

One of the rooms inside the Explorers Club headquarters.

11 Awesome Artifacts You Can See at the Explorers Club

The Explorers Club keeps some odd artifacts in its collection, including a stuffed whale penis.

Skeleton projected onto life-sized elephant model at ’The Secret World of Elephants’ exhibit.

Explore the Secret World of Elephants With the American Museum of Natural History’s New Exhibition

A new exhibit coming to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City examines elephants’ past, present, and future.

Explore the History of the Internet Through This Online Museum

From ARPANET to Myspace, this internet timeline hits all the important milestones.

Optimus Prime could go into the Toy Hall of Fame this year.

Optimus Prime vs. My Little Pony: The Toy Hall of Fame Wants You To Vote On Its Next Inductee

Rainbow Dash is up against the Decepticons this year in a vicious battle for toy supremacy.

This pair of men's black leather Blucher ankle boots from the 1840s was found under floor of an old military prison at Weedon, Northants, in 1939.

Lost Soles: When Concealed Shoes Kept Witches Away

The folk magic tradition of concealing shoes to trap witches probably started in the Middle Ages.

Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Top Free Tourist Attraction in Each State

From world-class museums to stunning national parks, here are the top-rated free tourist attractions in all 50 states.

Which offbeat attraction do you want to visit?

The Coolest Offbeat Attraction in All 50 States (and Washington, D.C.)

Let’s take a roadtrip through the country, with stops at a self-flushing latrine, a collection of human brains, and much more.

Pablo Picasso: fond of painting over his own work.

8 Paintings That Were Hiding Something

Just underneath the surface of many paintings, both famous and obscure, is another hidden painting that could have been.

Ai Weiwei Recreated Monet's 'Water Lilies' Using 650,000 LEGO Bricks

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei used LEGO bricks to build a 50-foot long tribute to Monet.

Bizarre Wax Statues of Prince William and Kate Middleton Stun, Repulse Fans Online and in Poland

The royal couple has seen better days.

What’s on Alexander Graham Bell’s Early Audio Recordings? The Mystery Might Finally Be Solved

Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone helped fund his future experiments—some of which have proven tough to decipher.

The Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium is closing its doors.

Believe It or Not: The Ripley’s Odditorium in Atlantic City Is Closing

The monument to everything weird is closing up shop after 26 years.

Punk rock fans are about to have a museum to call their own.

Vegas Calling: The World’s Only Permanent Punk Rock Museum Is Set to Open in Las Vegas in Early 2023

The museum will feature a bar, wedding chapel, and tattoo parlor.

Ruttars' Vineyards in north-eastern Italy.

Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia Region Is Covering Visitors’ Train Fare and Museum Fees

In Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, visitors get the benefit of free transportation and cultural experiences in exchange for their presence.

Museum visitors will now have some new insight into artwork with a questionable history.

In New York, a New Law Will Require Museums to Acknowledge Artwork Stolen by the Nazis

Hitler's Germany stole over 600,000 paintings during World War II. A new law will make sure museum visitors know about it.

A 72-Year-Old Woman Stole a Jacket From Paris’s Musée Picasso and Had It Tailored—Not Realizing It Was Artwork

The 72-year-old museum visitor claimed she had no idea the jacket was part of an art installation.

Take a Sneak Peek Inside "Harry Potter: The Exhibition" at Philadelphia's Franklin Institute

At the Franklin Institute’s Harry Potter exhibition, you can pot Mandrakes, brew potions, visit the Forbidden Forest, and much more.

The Forgotten Generation hasn't forgotten this.

Calling All Gen Xers: The Illinois State Museum Wants Your Help Curating a New Generation X Exhibit

If you were born during the Gen X years—1965 to 1980—the Illinois State Museum might feature your old Trapper Keeper.

Vincent van Gogh continues to surprise scholars.

A Newly Identified Vincent Van Gogh Sketch Is Going on Display for the First Time

The artist has left behind a body of work that keeps expanding. This time, it's a pencil sketch that's been in private hands since 1910.

More Than 1300 Retro Arcade Games From the Museum of Pinball Are Heading to Auction

After announcing its closure, the Museum of Pinball in California is auctioning off hundreds of classic arcade games this month.