Whether you’re an enthusiast or simply there for a one-of-a-kind experience, you can’t go wrong with a day at a nearby museum, no matter if you're looking to immerse yourself in art, history, or science.
The best news is no matter where you’re working a travel nursing job or allied health travel job, there’s sure to be a museum near you. So, next time you have a break from your medical travel lifestyle, check out some of the best museums in the country.
- Getty Center in Los Angeles, CA
- Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL
- Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, PA
- The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA
- Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, OH
- Discovery Place Science in Charlotte, NC
- American Museum of Natural History in New York City, NY
- National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN
- Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
Best Museums in the U.S. for Medical Travelers To Explore on an Assignment
Best art museums
Getty Center
Working a healthcare travel job near Los Angeles? Looking for something to do on your day off? Experience the architectural marvel of the Getty Center!
Breathtaking views of downtown LA and the Hollywood Hills combined with an impressive collection of artworks and artifacts from around the world is what makes the Getty Center one of the best art museums in LA. Inside, you can admire the modernist-style architecture as you explore ever-changing art exhibitions with collections ranging from the Middle Ages all the way to today. The Getty Center also displays an array of sculptures, photographs, and other artifacts from various eras in history.
Not only does the Getty Center feature timeless works of art but it also has an exquisite outdoor garden full of native plants and landscaped areas so you can enjoy nature in all its beauty. With its stunning architecture and a vast collection of artworks, the Getty Center is one of the most beloved attractions in LA for locals and tourists alike. Next time you have a free day, venture to LA and consider spending it at the Getty Center.
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Admissions fee: Free
- Family-friendly: ✅
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Art Institute of Chicago
If you’re working a travel nurse job or an allied health travel assignment near Chicago, you’re in luck. Not only do you have access to Navy Pier and Millennium Park, but you’re also near the Art Institute of Chicago, aka one of the largest and oldest art museums in the world.
As one of the globe’s most renowned art museums, the Art Institute of Chicago attracts upwards of 1.5 million visitors each year. Founded in 1879, this art museum houses an incredible collection of more than 300,000 works that span over 5,000 years of creative history.
No matter when you visit the Art Institute of Chicago, you’re in for a treat. All throughout the year, this art museum houses numerous special exhibitions, including original pieces by Van Gogh, Salvador Dalí, Peter Hujar, and more. Whether you’re a fan of Impressionism or Postmodernism, you’ll find something to appreciate at this iconic institution.
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Admissions fee: $32 for adults; free for children aged 13 and younger
- Family-friendly: ✅
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Andy Warhol Museum
Interested in 1960s culture? Have an affinity for pop art? Into interactive exhibits? Then where better to spend a day off than at the Andy Warhol Museum? There, you can find the art you love and then some!
Famous for his bold imagery and bright colors, Andy Warhol is most known for his legendary prints of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Mohammed Ali. Experience this prolific artist’s life work for yourself at the Andy Warhol Museum in his hometown of Pittsburg. From his early works exploring consumerism and fame to his later pieces that focus on mortality and death, you can get a glimpse into how Warhol saw the world around him. Even better, the Andy Warhol Museum features interactive exhibits, workshops, educational programs, and film screenings where you can engage with Warhol’s art in new ways.
Other than the Andy Warhol Museum, another reason to search for travel jobs in Pennsylvania is because of the critical shortage of healthcare professionals. Head to Pennsylvania to make a positive impact in the lives of others and on the weekends, take a walk in Warhol’s shoes at the Andy Warhol Museum!
- Location: Pittsburg, PA
- Admissions fee: $25 for adults; $13 for children ages 3 to 13
- Family-friendly: ✅
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Best science museums
The Franklin Institute
If you don’t already think science is fun, you sure will after you visit The Franklin Institute. With a mission to “inspire a passion for learning about science and technology,” this world-renowned science museum is a must-see for medical travelers working near Pennsylvania.
For nearly 200 years, The Franklin Institute has shown visitors that science can be as enjoyable as it is educational. Here, you can get up close and personal with a real-life locomotive engine or learn the shocking details of how electricity works. With engaging displays that bring the past to life and awe-inspiring experiences like walking through a giant heart or taking a virtual reality tour of outer space, The Franklin Institute is guaranteed to provide hours of entertainment for you and the whole family!
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Admissions fee: $25 for adults; $21 for children ages 3 to 13
- Family-friendly: ✅
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Great Lakes Science Center
With an abundance of travel nursing and allied health travel jobs, plus beautiful parklands and a vibrant culture, Cleveland is the place to be. While you’re there, take some time to see what Great Lakes Science Center is all about.
At Great Lakes Science Center, it’s safe (and encouraged) to let your imagination run wild. Gain a new perspective on everyday wonders and get your hands dirty with interactive exhibits. This popular museum also features the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater where you can watch giant-screen movies.
Complete with remarkable views of Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River, not only can you expand your appreciation for the way the world works at Great Lakes Science Center, but you can do so in front of a sensational landscape. After a full day at the museum, relax on a boat ride on Lake Erie or keep the momentum going and strut through the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- Location: Cleveland, OH
- Admissions fee: $19.95 for adults; $14.95 for children ages 2 to 12
- Family-friendly: ✅
Discovery Place Science
You’re never too old to have a good time with science. Discovery Place Science gets that. Take your love for learning to the next level and visit Discovery Place Science on a day off from your travel job.
Located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, this North Carolina science museum is perfect for all ages. Complete with both adult-only experiences, as well as family-friendly interactions, Discovery Place Science has a diverse range of programs for all curious minds.
Top off your visit with a show on the big screen at the IMAX Dome Theater. Using laser technology and a 12-channel sound system, this IMAX theater immerses you into a whole new world. With many attractions and educational activities, it’s no surprise Discovery Place Science has become one of the best science museums in Charlotte.
- Location: Charlotte, NC
- Admissions fee: $23 for adults; $18 for children ages 2 to 13
- Family-friendly: ✅
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Best history museums
American Museum of Natural History
New York City is a top destination for travel nurses and allied health travelers. As one of the country’s largest cities, NYC has a myriad of hospitals and healthcare centers that need skilled medical professionals like you.
When you’ve completed your shift, there’s tons to see in “the city that never sleeps” — impeccable restaurants and eateries, boisterous breweries and bars, and one of the best history museums in New York, the American Museum of Natural History.
You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate the phenomenon featured at the American Museum of Natural History. With an expansive collection of more than 34 million specimens, this museum takes you on a journey through the 3.5 billion years of dinosaur fossils, meteorites, ancient artifacts, and fascinating glimpses of Earth's history.
- Location: New York City, NY
- Admissions fee: $28 for adults; $16 for children ages 3 to 12
- Family-friendly: ✅
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National Civil Rights Museum
It may have been a minute, but remember learning about the civil rights movement in school? Bring your education to life and check out the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.
The National Civil Rights Museum is a powerful reminder of the struggles and triumphs of those who fought and continue to fight for civil rights throughout history. This history museum offers an immersive experience into the past, present, and future of American civil rights. Housed in the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, you can explore interactive exhibits that tell the stories of influential leaders like himself, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X.
Not only can you learn more about civil and human rights at the National Civil Rights Museum, but you can also discover artifacts from key moments in U.S. civil rights history, including documents signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson during the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
With engaging displays and educational programs, visiting the National Civil Rights Museum is an inspiring way to learn about our nation’s complex history with race relations and reflect on where we are today. By visiting the National Civil Rights Museum, you can gain insight into the history of social justice in America and learn how to provide more equitable healthcare for all patients.
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Admissions fee: $18 for adults; $15 for children ages 5 to 17
- Family-friendly: ✅
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Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Working a healthcare travel job near the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area? Looking to gain a deeper understanding of Native American cultures? Take a trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.
Dedicated to highlighting the experience of Indigenous Americans, this history museum houses a monumental collection of artifacts, artworks, and multimedia exhibits that provide you with an engaging perspective into the lives and customs of Indigenous people from across North America.
Not only will you be able to explore centuries-old traditions at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, but you can also learn how modern Native American cultures have evolved over time. With this increased understanding of a variety of cultures, you can improve the way you provide effective and respectful patient care.
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Admissions fee: Free
- Family-friendly: ✅
Next time you’re looking for something to do to fill time, use this guide to find a museum near you! From examining ancient artifacts to exploring art exhibitions that depict human emotion in unique ways, museums can provide you with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration that you can take with you and use in your traveling medical career.
