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John "underpaid civil servant" F.'s Profile
Fun Museums
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1. Palazzo Pitti e Giardino di Boboli
50125 Firenze
Italy
+39 055 2388616
Categories:
Botanical Gardens,
Museums,
Parks & Forests
We bought the 9 euro ticket which got us into the Bobboli Gardens, the Silver Museum, the Porcelain Museum and the Costume Museum. We could have spent more time but the temperature was about 30 C and the walk in the gardens tired us somewhat, though…More »
2. Museo di San Marco
This museum is unlike most others. It is actually the monastery - attached to the church of San Marco - where Fra Angelico lived, along with Savonarola. You can see the latter's cell and memorabilia but the former's frescoes on each monk's cell wall…More »
3. Museo Dell'opera del Duomo
They did not charge admission when we were there - not sure if it was a free day or if it is always free. Much more interesting than the interior of the duomo itself.
Here you will see Donatello's haunting Magdalene and a number of his statues of…More »
4. Fondazione Museo Delle Antichita' Egizie di Torino
Best after Cairo!
Spectacular collection including a hall of sculpture with monumental statues of Rameses II, Amunhotep III, other pharoahs and sculptures of Sekhment, Ptah, and Hathor among others, most in near perfect condition.
Tomb of the married…More »
5. Canadian War Museum
Of the three big downtown museums (Art, War and Civilization) I think this one is the best. It's exhibits are presented in a logical historical progression with separate room for special exhibits.
The collection of war vehicles and artillery…More »
6. Olana State Historic Site
This is not interesting so much for its Moorish Revival architecture, though lovely, as for the fac tthat it was the home and design of Fredrick Church, the greatest of the Hudson River school painters. While you can only see the first floor, it not…More »
7. National Museum of Mexican Art
Best ethnic art museum in the city and possibly the country and it is free! The excellent permanent collection relates contemporary Mexican art back to historical periods by juxtaposition. Changing ehibits are very well done. Don't miss the annual…More »
8. The House On the Rock
I recently visited this attraction in order to take two children there. At first, I thought I'd sit in the car and wait while the two other adults led them through. I was very glad I did not. The place has grown enormously since I last visited in…More »
9. Devil's Tower
Anyone of a certain age will remember this as the setting where the aliens from "Close Encounters of a Third Kind" landed. But there is really nothing either alien or diabolical about it. It is a beautiful and impressive natural wonder, the largest…More »
10. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
A must see in Kentucky. This place is a beautifully restored Shaker Village combining a museum of Shaker life with active demonstrations, a hotel/conference center where you can stay in authentically furnished Shaker dwellings, and a restaurant with…More »
11. Mark Twain House & Museum
One would think that a town as old as Hartford would have a lot of top notch attractions, but this and the nearby Harriet Beecher Stowe house are really about the only ones.
If you are interested in Twain, you must see this place. Not all furniture…More »
12. Ellis Island Immigration Museum
New York, NY 10004
USA
(212) 363-3200
Categories:
Museums,
Landmarks & Historical Buildings
This is an awesome museum even if your ancestors did not come through this place. If they did, you have the opportunity to see what they went through first hand. The restoration is loving and the monument outside is impressive. Stop at the…More »
13. Frick Collection
This old robber baron managed to buy off some of the greatest art in Europe and you can see it all it one place. About 60% of the paintings will be instantly familiar to anyone with an art history book including Romney's coy portrait of Lad…More »
14. Minneapolis Institute of Arts
We were expecting a good but smallish mueum but we were sure surprised. This place is huge and we could not cover it all. We did see what is probably the place's treasure, its wonderful Asian collection which includes reconstructued Chinese and…More »
15. Unity Temple Restoration Foundation
Frank Lloyd Wright designed only three house of worship and this is one (the others are a Greek Orthodox church near Milwaukee and a synagogue in Pittsburgh). The building's interior is a beautiful example of Wrights use of horizontal lines and his…More »
16. Hemingway House
I am embarassed to say that I saw this on a visit to Florida but have not visited the Hemingway sites in his home town of Oak Park near Chicago.
This is a great literary museum and the guide offers a nice tour with fun stories about Hemingway. Rooms…More »
17. Huntington Library Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
San Marino, CA 91108
USA
(626) 405-2100
Categories:
Libraries,
Museums,
Botanical Gardens
This is one of the premier attractions in the LA area and worth every penny of the admission. You will need to plan on a full day. Museums are lovely, even for those who like myself are not real aficionados of British painting. But the best part…More »
18. New York Transit Museum
Brooklyn, NY 11201
USA
(718) 694-1600
Category:
Museums
Neighbourhoods: Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn
I am really surprised that the AAA and Mobile don't put this place on their must-see lists -- it is that good. Wonderful collection of train cars dating from the 1890's to the 1960's, housed on actual old subway tracks. Great exhibits of everything…More »
19. Hancock Shaker Village
This is one of a number of restored (NOT recreated, this stuff is real and not Williamsburg) villages throughout the Eastern part of the United States. This one is notable for it lovely setting in the Taconic Mountains and its unusual round barn.…More »
20. Maui Ocean Center
Don't overlook this place on your next trip to Hawaii. It is a great aquarium in a beautiful setting on one of the two southwest corners of the island. Exhibits are not only pretty but well organized and educational. Descriptions are good for kids…More »
21. Eleanor Roosevelt Center At Val Kill
Unlike some restored homes where one just sees a bunch of furniture, this was lovingly restored to its photographed appearance in 1962 after Eleanor's death, including replicating her library with the same books in the same order. As a result, you…More »
22. The Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, IL 60603
USA
(312) 443-3600
Category:
Colleges & Universities
Neighbourhood: The Loop
Cetainly one of the greatest Art Museums in the US, even if it is signifcantly eclipsed in size by other institutions. The highlights here -- for anyone going for the first time -- are the Impressionist collection and the American paintings. Nice…More »
23. Art Gallery of Ontario
An important gallery (on a worldwide scale), with some unique specialty collections: the Henry Moore plasters and maquettes, the wonderful medieval miniatures in the Thompson collection, and a terrific collection of Canadian and First Nations art.…More »
24. Crazy Horse Memorial
An absolute must if in the Black Hills. Don't be put off by the unfinished nature of the work. It is like the construction of a great European Cathedral during the Middle Ages, but on a much vaster scale, and will probably not be completed in your…More »
25. American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog
Saint Louis, MO 63131
USA
(314) 821-3647
Category:
Museums
Neighbourhood: Town and Country
Surprisingly large museum with extensive collection of dog art dating from the early baroque period to contemporary times. Highlights include some beautiful bronzes; various large scale paintings; and show memorabilia. The fun thing about this…More »
26. Illinois Railway Museum
Great rail museum with lots of cars. Train, trolley and even bus rides. Go on a summer weekend when all is running and plan for at least six hours - it will take you than long to see the huge batch of exhibits and sample the various trains that are…More »
27. Laumeier Sculpture Park
This sculpture garden has some impressive contemporary works, many on a very large scale. The siting of the pieces is very tasteful and they work well together. Only quibble is that, to a a Chicagoan, it seems a bit incomplete -- would like to seem…More »
28. Halton County Radial Railway
Not the largest or most extensive collection I've seen, but a very nice one, especially the 1913 London and Port Stanley car, which is gorgeous. Four cars were running the day we visited with more to explore in the barn. The old Rockwood station is…More »
29. The Gardiner Museum
Toronto, ON M5S 2C7
(416) 586-8080
Category:
Museums
Neighbourhoods: Discovery District, Downtown Core
This is a good museum which with a little more gallery space and an expanded display collection (I assume they have loads not on display) could be a great one.
What they do cover is very good, but patchy. Nonetheless if you love ceramics and…More »
30. Canadian Museum of Civilization
The architecture is truly magnificent - worth a visit for that in itself!
As far as it goes as a museum, the aboriginal collections are beautiful and informative, and they have some nice special exhibits (a good one on pianist Glenn Gould was running…More »
Recently updated lists from John F.
Places to Avoid (66)DON'T GO THERE! |
Luscious Gardens (16)Places to go if you love flowers and landscaping. |
Worthwhile Organizations (3)These might be of use to you... |
Shopping: Special and Ordinary (52)My favorite places to spend |
Places to Go, Things to Do (58)Other points of interest besides traditional museums and gardens. |
Eating Places from Special Occasion to Fast Food (67)Some of my favorite dining destinations as well as more informal choices. |
Professional Specialties (10)Here are some recommendations for ones I use and like. |
Places to Stay (11)For vacation or necessity |
Local Places and Services (10)Recommendations for non-shopping and non-eating places near Chicago and Toronto. |
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North York, ON
Yelping SinceJune 2006
Things I LoveThai food, antique maps, boxers (dogs, not underwear or pugilists), shar pei, chocolate, photography, Bach, Handel, Purcell, Schubert, Renaissance polyphony
Find Me InToronto, Ontario, Canada
My HometownPoughkeepsie, NY
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...I'm taking photographs or editing them
Why You Should Read My ReviewsI have lived in two countries and love to travel.
My Second Favourite Website The Last Great Book I ReadGalileo's Daughter, by Dava Sobel
My First Concertopen rehearsal of Andre Watts playing the Rachmaninoff 3rd with the BSO
My Favourite MovieThe Producers (original version)
My Last Meal On Earthbeluga caviar, seared tuna steak, tiramisu