Travel Guides

Cool Museums for Cooler Weather

Cool Museums for Cooler Weather

September rolls around and it’s back to school time but if you’re beyond your schooling days yet still looking to learn, check out these cool museums, designated by the discoverer.com as the “coolest museums in each state” that might teach you a thing or two.

If you’re planning a stay at Pinehirst Campground, take a drive to Bath, Maine, to visit the Maine Maritime Museum, which is dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of Maine’s maritime heritage and culture. Tour an 1892 shipyard owner’s home, view more than 140 historic boats, and get an inside view of an historic shipyard. Through October, the museum runs special cruises on the Kennebec River. (mainemaritimemuseum.org)

 Photo of Pinehirst Campground - Bath, ME
Pinehirst Campground – Bath, ME

Want to learn the inside workings of the Mafia? Consider a camping stay at Thousand Trails Las Vegas and then a trip to The Strip to visit the Mob Museum. The museum has a crime lab, exhibits on some of the country’s most famous mobsters, and an array of artifacts include the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre wall! There is also a distillery and speak-easy in the basement of the museum, of course! (themobmuseum.org)

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, is housed in the Lorraine Motel, the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Through exhibits and artifacts, the museum traces the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. from the 17th century to current day. Exhibits include the 1960 Student Sit-Ins and the 1955-56 bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. Camp at Thousand Trails Cherokee Landing and make a day trip into Memphis. (civilrightsmuseum.org)

Photo of Cherokee Landing - Memphis, TN
Cherokee Landing – Memphis, TN

Head into Seattle (camp at Tall Chief Campground) and visit the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) for a day of fun. MoPop is considered an immersive experience of pop culture and features exhibits and artifacts ranging from television and movies to pop music and science fiction. Current exhibits include: The Visual History of Hip Hop (through January 7, 2024); Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic, which includes artifacts related to Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings; and the Guitar Gallery, which features instruments played by such greats as Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, and Muddy Waters. (mopop.org)

If architecture piques your interest, then Taliesen in Spring Green, Wisconsin, may be worth a visit. Book a stay at Blackhawk Campground or Lakeland Campground and take a trip to Spring Green(about 75 miles) to see the 800-acre property where Frank Lloyd Wright had a home, studio, and school in the Driftless region of southern Wisconsin, an area where he spent much time as a child. A variety of tours are available to see the property and hear the history of Taliesen. (taliesinpreservation.org/tours)

Learn all about how Coca-Cola became America’s favorite soda pop when you visit Atlanta’s World of Coca-Cola. Book a stay at Pine Mountain RV Resort and see The Vault where the secret formula is secured. Or, do a tasting at Taste It! where you can taste a variety of beverages from the Coca Cola family from around the world or check out the Pop Culture gallery which depicts how Coca Cola has played a role in so many aspects of the media and pop culture. (worldofcoca-cola.com)

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