Southwest USA Museums and Culture

Helicopters, tanks, guns now silenced, and vacant bunkers welcome you to the U.S. Army Museum of Hawai'i. Once a bastion built to protect Hawai'i from invading forces, the structure now houses a Museum that tells the military story of Hawai'i, from ancient times to the Gulf War and the War in Iraq. Each of these hostilities is covered graphically in separate displays with photographs and sound effect creating a real "you were there" experience.

The only museum in the state of Hawaii devoted exclusively to contemporary art. TCM provides an accessible forum for provocative, dynamic forms of visual art, offering interaction with art and artists in a unique Island environment. TCM presents its innovative exhibition and educational programs at two venues: in residential Honolulu at the historic Cooke-Spalding house, and downtown at First Hawaiian Center.

USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park's mission is to restore and preserve the World War II submarine USS Bowfin (SS-287), and submarine-related artifacts on our grounds and in the Museum. Bowfin Park's parent organization, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association (PFSMA), is a non-profit group that receives no state or federal funding.

The Mission Houses Museum, a National Historic Landmark, is the primary program of the Hawaiian Mission Children's Society, a non-profit educational institution and genealogical society. The Museum interprets the "missionary period" of Hawaiian history, 1820-1863, which is fundamental to an understanding of contemporary Hawaii.

Step back into the 1800s at this restored homestead, where David and Sarah Lyman settled as missionaries in 1839. Their descendants opened the museum nearly a century later, transforming the property into a window onto 19th-century life. The original Mission House now sits on both State and National historic registers, accessible through guided tours that reveal period details and furnishings—particularly atmospheric on cooler winter days when the rooms feel lived-in and intimate. Next door, the museum building itself showcases an impressive array of Hawaiian artifacts, artwork, and specimens spanning natural history. You'll find rotating exhibitions, a research archive, and a thoughtfully curated shop alongside the permanent collections. Walking both buildings gives visitors an uncommonly layered perspective: how people actually inhabited these islands generations ago, what's unfolding in Hawaiian culture right now, and where the islands are headed. It's the kind of experience that stays with you long after you leave.

A small, community-run museum located on the beautiful Hamakua Heritage Coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i. Honoring the colorful history of the Hilo Railroad, which began in 1899 and lasted to 1946, when railroad tracks and facilities were irreparably damaged by a devastating tidal wave. The museum is located in an old railway company home, which is furnished as it would have been in the 1930s.

Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. The Museum was established to house the extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of the Princess, and has expanded to include millions of artifacts, documents and photographs about Hawai‘i and other Pacific island cultures. <br> Today, Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific, recognized throughout the world for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services and public educational programs. It also has one of the largest natural history specimen collections in the world. Serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians is a primary purpose of the Museum.

Located next to Hawaii's largest working sugar factory in the historic plantation town of Puunene, Maui, the award-winning Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is a marvelous repository of information and exhibits about one of the most significant and influential periods in Maui's history. Dedicated to preserving and presenting the history and heritage of Maui's sugar industry, the 1,800-square-foot Museum not only charts the establishment and growth of the industry, but looks at sugar's influence on the development of Maui's water resources and rich multi-ethnic make-up, and features intriguing displays on the inner workings of a sugar mill.

The Pacific Aviation Museum is located on Ford Island (a secured military base) in the middle of Pearl Harbor. To visit the museum, obtain a ticket online, from any of our partner Travel Desks in Waikiki, or at the Bowfin Submarine Memorial by the USS Arizona, where parking is also available. For security reasons no bags are allowed on the bus. There is a Bag Storage facility, $3 per bag, located at the Bowfin Submarine Park where you board the shuttle bus to Ford Island.

The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum is a nonprofit organization. The museum was founded in 1996, by the San Diego Chinese Historical Society under the leadership of its first three presidents: Sally Wong, Tom Hom, and Dr. Alexander Chuang. Charles Tyson donated the museum's current building, originally a Chinese mission located at 645 First Avenue, and in 1991, the City of San Diego graciously provided a piece of land in the original Chinatown area where the museum now resides. <br> Since opening in 1996, the museum has presented more than 47 exhibits highlighting the rich tradition of Chinese culture and history in San Diego and the world. The Museum also features a library of books on Chinese culture and a tranquil garden with koi pond.

Walking through these galleries feels different in winter—the natural light filtering through the building takes on that crisp, clear quality that San Francisco's cold months bring, making the contemporary pieces hit differently. The museum has been shaping how art institutions think about connecting with visitors through digital channels for nearly a decade, constantly reworking its approach to welcome people from all backgrounds into the conversation. Each redesign reflects a deeper commitment to figuring out what a modern art space actually means today, using online platforms to invite reflection on the institution itself rather than just showcasing what hangs on the walls.

Visit the world’s largest collection of costumes, props, posters, photographs and other priceless memorabilia from Hollywood’s greatest films, TV shows and music acts. <br> See costumes worn by Zac Efron and the cast of "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" plus the dresses worn by Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls." See items from "The Sopranos," "Harry Potter," "Star Trek," "Baywatch," "Oceans 11," "Sweeney Todd," "Gone with the Wind," "I Love Lucy." Also — Rocky’s boxing gloves, Marilyn Monroe’s dresses, Elvis Presley’s favorite bathrobe, Indiana Jones’ whip, Pamela Anderson’s "Baywatch" swimsuit, Cary Grant’s Rolls-Royce, the shark seen in "Jaws," the church pews from "The Exorcist," Tom Cruise’s eyeball-switcher from "Minority Report" (and the eyeballs), Nicole Kidman’s’ sexy outfits and swing from "Moulin Rouge!"

Two floors and over 10,000 square feet filled with the strange, the unusual, and the unbelievable! See in person the incredible "Believe It or Nots" you've read about in the Ripley books and cartoons and seen on television.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum celebrates aviation and space flight history through preservation of significant artifacts, presentation of dynamic exhibits, and commemoration of the men and women who forged aerospace history, educating the public about the social and historical significance of aerospace technology and its promise for the future and inspiring students to excel in technology, mathematics and the sciences, and encourage all visitors to become life-long learners in support of aerospace advancement.

The San Diego Art Institute mission is to maintain a center for emerging artists and the visual arts in San Diego. <br> SDAI's most visible activity focuses on showcasing the work of San Diego emerging area visual artists through a program of over 30 juried shows a year, (regular show, "One-Foot" show, special outreach shows, youth art & others). Different art professionals are selected as jurors for each show assuring exhibitions of high quality and great variety. Jurors' Choice and Honorable Mention certificates are awarded at monthly public receptions.

Dive into the rebellious heart of the Beat Generation at this vibrant cultural hub in North Beach. Browse an ever-growing collection of rare photographs, handwritten letters, and first-edition classics from Kerouac, Ginsberg, and beyond—each piece tells the story of a literary movement that changed America. The museum's collection keeps expanding thanks to passionate locals and visitors who contribute their own Beat treasures.

Since its founding in 1984, the Contemporary Jewish Museum has engaged audiences of all ages and backgrounds through dynamic exhibitions and programs that explore contemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas. Throughout its history, the Museum has distinguished itself as a welcoming place where visitors can connect with one another through dialogue and shared experiences with the arts.

The Maritime Museum of San Diego enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels. The museum has one of the world's finest collections of historic ships, including the world famous Star of India.

Walk through the third floor right now and find yourself surrounded by the actual garments that defined an era of music. Michael Jackson's most memorable stage pieces are on display here, from the legendary Thriller album suit to the jackets and accessories that became visual signatures of his performances. Video clips of his most electrifying GRAMMY moments play alongside the collection, letting you see these very outfits in action. During winter, the museum's climate-controlled galleries offer a perfect escape while you explore how clothing transformed a performer into an unforgettable presence on stage. The exhibit captures the meticulous attention to detail that made his image instantly recognizable—each piece tells a story about music history and the artistry behind the spectacle. Open at 11:30am for public viewing.

The museum occupies a 44,000 square feet facility that includes 3 full-size exbition galleries, a theater gallery, a 14,000 square foot Sculputure Court, a conference center/special events room, an archive and research library, administrative offices, exibit design and artifact storage areas.

Discover the bold, innovative spirit of California art, architecture, and design at this essential cultural destination. Explore how the state's diverse cultures and stunning landscapes have fueled artistic freedom and experimentation across 170+ years. With rotating exhibitions and dynamic educational programs, PMCA reveals the uniquely Californian influences that continue to shape creative expression today.

The Orange Empire Railway Museum's purpose is to preserve and display artifacts and documents of the rail transportation industry in order to educate the public on the technology, history and impact of the rail transportation industry in the West and more specifically Southern California.

The Museum of Photographic Arts officially opened its doors on May 1, 1983 as one of the few museum facilities in the United States designed exclusively to collect and present the world's finest examples of photographic art. The appointment of nationally renowned curator/photographer Arthur Ollman as Executive Director brought visionary leadership and instant credibility to the nascent museum. In 2006, Deborah Klochko became the second Executive Director in MoPA's 25 year history. Klochko is now guiding MoPA into the next phase of its evolution. <br> MoPA has displayed works from the entire history of the medium; from 19th century daguerreotypes to albumen prints, from Pictorialism to master works of 20th century and contemporary works and photojournalism by many of the best photographers working today.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for informal science education.<br /> A variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities help Museum visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe.

The Children's Museum of Denver is all about children and their grownups learning through play. Everything is hands-on, educational and made especially for kids. With 11 interactive exhibits, year-round events, and daily programming, there is always something fun and exciting to do.

As more and more historic properties were demolished in the 1960s, a group of preservation-minded Denver citizens joined efforts in 1970 to rescue the home of Titanic survivor Margaret Tobin Brown. The group incorporated as Historic Denver, Inc. and began major restoration efforts in order to return the home’s interior and exterior to its early 20th century grandeur. Since opening the Museum, Historic Denver has worked to save countless other Denver landmarks and increase public awareness of Denver’s unique historic structures.

Kirkland Museum has a nationally important display of 20th-century decorative arts, with more than 3,300 works on view of Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Glasgow Style, Wiener Werkstätte, De Stijl, Bauhaus, Art Deco, Modern and Pop Art.

Step inside this former aircraft hangar where the golden age of flight lives on. Whether you're a lifelong aviation enthusiast or bringing curious kids along, the exhibits pull you through decades of aerospace history and innovation. Winter visits bring a particular charm—the crisp air outside makes the indoor exploration of historic cockpits and spacecraft feel especially immersive. You'll walk through stories of where aviation has been and where it's headed next, all while discovering what captures imaginations across every generation.

Since 1879, this institution has been the keeper of Colorado's stories—housing everything from dusty archives to carefully preserved artifacts that tell how the state became what it is today. More than a million visitors walk through annually to experience curated exhibitions, dig through manuscript and photograph collections, or catch one of the educational programs designed for all ages. The winter months bring a particular coziness to exploring these indoor galleries, where you can warm up while discovering the people and moments that shaped this corner of the country. Beyond the main buildings, historical markers scattered across Colorado's landscape and a steady stream of publications help bring the past into everyday life. The organization's work spans collecting and caring for materials that might otherwise vanish, offering archaeological and historical consultation to communities, and running hands-on learning opportunities that make history feel connected to the present rather than locked away behind glass.

The mission of the Denver Firefighters Museum is to preserve the history of the Denver Fire Department and firefighting through the collection and preservation of artifacts, documents and photographs. The purpose of the Museum is to educate the public about fire safety and the history of firefighting in Denver from its inception to the present. This is accomplished through interpretive exhibits, educational programming and scholarly research.

The Museum is located just east of Golden, Colorado, at a point where Clear Creek flows between North and South Table Mountains. Display tracks, complete with rare three-way stub switches and century-old switch stands, hold many historic narrow and standard gauge locomotives and cars. The Museum building, based in exterior design on standard station construction of the 1880s, houses the largest known collection of historic records, mementos, artifacts, and pictures of Colorado railroads.

Howdy! Welcome to the Black American West Museum! Founded in 1971 by Paul W. Stewart, the Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving and disseminating the contributions of Blacks in the Old West. <br> While famous for telling the story of Black cowboys, we are broader than this with interests in the stories of all those early Blacks who came west and performed as miners, soldiers, homesteaders, ranchers, blacksmiths, schoolteachers, lawmen, and every other profession needed to build up the West. In fact, the Museum itself is in the home of Dr. Justina Ford, Colorado's first Black woman doctor!

The mission of the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys is to provide educational and cultural services to the greater Rocky Mountain region through the preservation, exhibition, collection and interpretation of the visual arts using miniatures, dolls and toys.

The Forney Transportation Museum is a one-of-a-kind collection of over 500 exhibits relating to historical transportation. It began with antique cars, but soon expanded to include vehicles of all kinds. Some of these are familiar, while others spark the imagination.

A world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place! Exhibits re-create the natural landscape of the Sonoran Desert Region so realistically you find yourself eye-to-eye with mountain lions, prairie dogs, Gila monsters, and more. Within the Museum grounds, you will see more than 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants. There are almost 2 miles of paths traversing 21 acres of beautiful desert.

At Arizona State Museum you experience the vibrant indigenous cultures of Arizona and northern Mexico through exhibitions, educational programs, a research library, and a museum store. The museum’s scholars and extensive collections are among the most significant resources in the world for the study of Southwest peoples.

Walk through galleries where contemporary pieces sit alongside centuries-old works, each one inviting you to slow down and think differently about what you're seeing. The museum's approach weaves art directly into everyday life, creating spaces that spark conversation and new ways of understanding our shared culture. Winter visitors find a particularly welcoming atmosphere here—the cool season draws a steady crowd without the summer heat, making it comfortable to linger over installations and explore the historic block's architectural character at a leisurely pace.

The International Wildlife Museum is dedicated to increasing knowledge and appreciation of the diverse wildlife of the world as well as explaining the role of wildlife management in conservation. <br> Founded in 1988, the museum highlights over 400 species of insects, mammals and birds from around the globe. Some of the collections are more than 100 years old and all the animals found at the museum were donated by various government agencies, wildlife rehabilitation centers, captive breeding programs, zoos and individuals.

Pima Air & Space Museum, where history takes flight, is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, and the largest non-government funded aviation museum. You'll see more than 275 aircraft and spacecraft including many of the most historically significant and technically advanced craft ever produced, both from the United States and throughout the world.

The mission of the National Automotive Museum is to collect and preserve the automobile for future generations, with an emphasis on items collected by William "Bill" Fisk Harrah, to tell the story of the impact of the automobile on American society, and to perpetuate the legacy of Mr. Hannah as a renowned collector.

As northern Nevada continues to grow, the region's cultural and educational offerings must also expand in order to keep young minds thriving. The Nevada Discovery Museum is designed not just to meet this need, but to raise the bar for fun, family-based learning throughout our community. The museum also aims to provoke new aspirations and collaborations among children, parents and educators. The Nevada Discovery Museum is a place of open eyes, open minds and open horizons. A place where tomorrow's dreams win their wings. <br> Located in the former Reno City Hall, the Nevada Discovery Museum will be one of the centerpieces of Reno’s downtown renaissance.

The Nevada Museum of Art is the only accredited art museum in the state of Nevada. Recognized for following best practices as outlined by the American Association of Museums, the Museum is committed to continuous institutional improvement and change. With accreditation, the Museum joins the ranks of other significant institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Just 5% of all museums in the US earn AAM accreditation

The long-term goal of the MSB Division of Fishes is to maintain, in perpetuity, the collection of fishes and supporting documents by using sound curatorial techniques and archiving the collections in optimal storage conditions. We strive to ensure that these collections will be available to future generations of ichthyologists and members of the scientific community.

Inspiring appreciation for and knowledge of the diverse native arts, histories, languages, and cultures of the Greater Southwest.