Now that we are emerging from a year of lockdown, people are rightfully eager to go exploring. For art and history lovers, museums are one of the most exciting and memorable places to visit. Here are a few worth traveling for.

For New Yorkers, there is plenty to see and do without stepping foot outside the state. Throughout the five boroughs, there are over 80 museums, 32 of which are in Manhattan itself. While it may be hard to rank them, several institutions stand out for their impressive collections of historical pieces. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is dedicated to modern art and cares for its collection of over 150,000 paintings and sculptures and historical documents, scripts, and media. Some of the most famous pieces include Starry Night by Van Gogh, Campbell’s Soup by Andy Warhol, and Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is more commonly referred to as The Met. Showcasing over 5,000 years of art, the museum has the honor of being the largest art museum in the United States. People familiar with The Met visit to see paintings by Rodan, Rembrandt, and Botticelli and other unforgettable collections.

Venturing outside of the United States, you’ll find treasures beyond your wildest imagination, including the largest art museum in the world. Located in Paris, France, the Louvre has collections that span thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations. The building itself is a piece of architecture dating back to the twelfth century. This building has also served as a royal residence for French heads of state and is an iconic Paris symbol. Some of the most notable pieces include Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa.

If you happen to find yourself in Russia, you’ll find the second-largest art museum in the world. The State Hermitage Museum was founded in the mid-eighteenth century when Catherine the Great acquired a striking art collection that has since grown to six buildings that contain 3 million paintings, sculptures, archeological artifacts. Some of the most popular exhibits include the gold room and the endless antiquities.

The Vatican is the smallest state in Europe, and Vatican City is an independent city-state located inside the heart of Rome. These buildings alone are worth the visit, but the Vatican museums are stunning and display works that the Catholic Church, over centuries, has amassed. Some of the most world-renowned Roman and Renaissance periods are held here.

This article was originally published on JeanetMaduroDePolanco.com