Iconic Must-See Museums Across the Globe

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Louvre Abu Dhabi
(pictured above)
The building that houses the Louvre Abu Dhabi is arguably just as impressive as its collection. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect, Jean Nouvel, the building is topped with a lattice dome crafted from nearly 8,000 aluminum stars. Located on Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has its own marina for private yachts to dock. The collection spans from antiquities to contemporary art. While the museum is in the process of building up its permanent collection, it has works on loan from the Louvre in Paris. Opened November 2017

Combine a trip to the museum with a stay at the upcoming Al Bait Sharjah along the southern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Sharjah. The area is known for hosting the Dubai World Cup of horseracing and the Sharjah Biennial, one of the Middle East’s most prestigious art events.

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ROYAL ALBERTA MUSEUM
Edmonton, Alberta
When it opens later this year, the Royal Alberta Museum will be the largest museum in western Canada, with 419,000-square-feet of exhibit space. The museum’s new location in Edmonton’s Art District will span human and natural history. New galleries will tell Alberta’s archaeological and cultural stories. The RAM also has the largest public collection of early fur trade artifacts from the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North West Company posts in western Canada, dating from 1790. Opening in 2018

Hungry visitors should stop by the sprawling City Market Downtown, home to 150 vendors who make everything from pickles to soap and dog treats.

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THE NATIONAL VETERANS MEMORIAL & MUSEUM
Columbus, OH
Opening later this summer, the National Veterans Memorial & Museum will honor and recognize veterans from all eras and conflicts, telling the stories of those who served our country, as well as their families’ stories. The building has an organic shape that looks like it is rising from the ground. Designed by the U.S.-based firm, Allied Works Architecture, it has an understated and somber style. The building will showcase exhibits and installations to remind visitors of the sacrifices that veterans have made. Opening summer 2018

For a dazzling view of the city as well as the NVMM, book a west-facing room at the new Hotel LeVeque, a boutique property housed in a 1927 Art Deco Historic Registry building

Photo by: Nicolas Matheus

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YVES SAINT LAURENT MUSEUM
Marrakech, Morocco
The designer Yves Saint Laurent was massively inspired by the colors and light of Marrakech. To honor the late designer and his work, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent opened last fall, just steps away from the Jardin Marjorelle, a botanical garden that was restored by Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé, in the ‘80s. The 43,000-square-foot museum includes thousands of pieces of clothing and couture accessories, organized by themes that were important to Saint Laurent, such as Africa, gardens, and art. Highlights include the legendary Le Smoking jacket, along with the 1965 Mondrian collection of cocktail dresses. Opened October 2017

Spend time browsing the chic bookstore where the lacquered amber shelving is the same color as Saint Laurent’s Opium perfume bottle.

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VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM
Dundee, Scotland

Located in Dundee, the Victoria & Albert Museum was designed by Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma. The exterior is crafted from around 2,500 cast-stone panels inspired by the cliffs on the eastern shore of Scotland. The building resembles a ship, in a nod to its location along the banks of the River Tay. The V&A is the museum’s first outpost outside of London and the exhibits will showcase Scotland’s design heritage, from Charles Rennie MacIntosh to furniture, textiles, metalwork, and ceramics Opening September 2018

Before heading to the museum make time for brunch at the new Bach, located in The Old Flour Mill building in the center of Dundee. The gingerbread waffles are a must-have!

Photo by: Iwan Baan

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ZEITZ
Cape Town, South Africa

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCAA) is the largest museum to open in Africa. Housed in a converted grain silo overlooking the Atlantic, MoCAA focuses exclusively on 21st-century work from Africa and the diaspora. Many of the 21st-century works are from the private collection of German businessman, Jochen Zeitz, the former CEO of Puma. British-based Heatherwick Studio designed the space, which also houses the rooftop hotel, The Silo. Opened September 2017

The Silo can arrange privately guided tours via their secret museum entrance on the fourth floor.