Not too long ago we presented you with a list of some of the most popular museums in the United States. While they certainly represented a handful of the most incredible museums in the country there are dozens more to consider.

Image Credit:cliff1066

With that in mind we’ve decided to bring you another list with 10 additional museums to add to your future travel itineraries. These incredible destinations represent not necessarily the largest museums in the country but definitely the most visited.

10. Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum – Washington, DC

Image Credit:dchrisoh

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum is quite possibly the single most popular museum on the Mall in Washington, DC. The content matter appeals to men, women, and children of all ages and contains exhibits chronicling some of the most important advances in air and space technology, including the original 1903 Flyer created by the Wright brothers and the Spirit of St. Louis by Charles Lindbergh. With over 6 million visitors per year, the National Air and Space Museum is not only one of the most visited in Washington but is considered the second most visited museum in the entire country.

9. Metropolitan Museum – New York, NY

Image Credit: davesag

The Metropolitan Museum, originally opened in 1870, is considered one of the largest art museums in the country and is visited by art lovers, college students, and local tourists year round. The current location in Central Park opened in 1880 and contains over two million square feet of space in which more than two million pieces of art are displayed and stored. The museum receives over 4.5 million visitors per year, each looking to peruse the collections including American, Egyptian, and European artworks.

8. National Museum of American History – Washington, DC

Image Credit:krossbow

The National Museum of American History in Washington aims to shed a bright light on the history of America and the events that formed the country we live in today. Current numbers have not yet been released but before the museum closed for renovations in 2006 it had received 2.4 million visits (compared to the average of 3 million for the entire year before). The collections include displays portraying the evolution of advertising, art, business, the military, sports, and much more.

7. Field Museum – Chicago, IL

Image Credit:karmablue

While it wasn’t part of the exhibition itself, the Field Museum in Chicago was originally developed to house some of the collections left over from the World’s Colombian Exhibition held in 1893. Over 2.1 million people per year visit this incredible museum, which lies on a lakefront campus in the downtown area of Chicago. Visitors to the campus will also find the John G. Shedd Aquarium as well as the famous Adler Planetarium.

6. Ellis Island Immigration Museum – New York, NY

Image Credit:Allie_Caulfield

The Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York City sits in what was once the immigration depot for all immigrants wishing to enter the United States. The displays tell the story of the site itself and, of course, of the millions of travelers who passed through. With over 1.67 million visitors per year the museum is just one of the historic attractions on the New York Harbor, including Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty herself.

5. De Young Museum – San Francisco, CA

Image Credit:Wonderlane

The fascinating De Young Museum has been Golden Gate Park standard since it originally opened in 1895. In 2005 the building was completely replaced with a modern, contemporary structure designed by two architectural firms: Fong & Chan Architects and Herzog & de Meuron Architects. The museum, housing collections of artwork ranging from the 17^th century through today, receives approximately 1.6 million visitors per year.

4. California Science Center – Los Angeles, CA

Image Credit:kangster

The California Science Center, as it is known today, was formerly named the Museum of Science & Industry before it renamed itself more than 10 years ago. The museum gained notoriety in 2005 when it hosted the widely acclaimed “Body Worlds” exhibit and receives approximately 1.4 million visits each year.

3. The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center – Los Angeles, CA

Image Credit:chiarezza.dolce

The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles is only one of a series of Getty Museums. The particular museum is incredibly popular not only for the artwork found inside but because of the stunning architectural design of the building itself. The building was designed by Richard Meier, houses dozens of incredible pieces of European and American artwork, and receives approximately 1.3 million visitors annually.

2. Indianapolis Children’s Museum – Indianapolis, IN

Image Credit:Brandy Shaul

The Indianapolis Children’s Museum, housed in a stunning 400,000 square foot building, is quite possibly the largest children’s museum in the country – if not the entire world. Each of the museum’s incredible exhibits is interactive, aiming to bring fun yet educational experiences to each of the 1.2 million visitors to pass through its doors each year.

1. Franklin Institute Science Museum – Philadelphia, PA

Image Credit:sea turtle

The Franklin Institute Science Museum has long been a favorite amongst both Philadelphia natives and visitors. The 1.12 million visitors the museum receives each year enjoy a wide variety of incredible exhibits, including a walk-through human heart, a moving steam locomotive, and an incredible interactive display of some of Benjamin Franklin’s most incredible inventions.

We guarantee you’ll be pleased with each of these museums, no matter which you end up visiting. They’re bound to meet the needs of any inquisitive traveler and, best of all, are provide options for any traveler’s budget.