What’s the best way to understand the bygone era? We can either find answers in books or explore the museums that the world offers. There are vast collections of artefacts available around the world for us to see and explore. From the underwater museum and chocolate museum to the spy museum and the museum of gold, we have covered every museum that will take your breath away. Let’s take a look at the museums.
1. Cancun Underwater Museum of Art, Mexico
The largest museum of its kind in the world is the Cancun Underwater Museum, locally known as the MUSA or Museo Subacuático de Arte. The museum draws nearly 7,50,000 tourists every year. It is home to around 500 sculptures which are made mostly by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor and the rest by local Mexican sculptors. You can explore the museum through Scuba diving (Cost Per Person: $90 – $145), snorkelling ($47 to $70), or a glass-bottom boat tour ($47 to $70).
2. International Spy Museum, USA
If you wish to put yourself in the shoes of the spies, International Spy Museum is the place for you. With the largest collection of espionage artefacts and first-person accounts from top intelligence experts, the museum makes you understand the role that intelligence has played in history and how it is used in the present times. The authorities follow strict safety measures including mask recommendations and cleaning protocols. The cost per person to explore the museum may range somewhere between $12 to $30.
3. Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg
As the name itself suggests, Apartheid Museum puts light on the rise and fall of apartheid. The exhibits at the museum are from film footage, text panels, photographs, and artefacts illustrating human stories, the most notable exhibit is the one detailing the life and wisdom of the famous revolutionary- Nelson Mandela. The normal adult ticket costs R85 while for students and children, the cost per head is R70.
4. The Dog Collar Museum, United Kingdom
If you are a dog lover, you must pay a visit to The Dog Collar Museum. Housed in Leeds Castle, Kent, the museum has an amazing collection of dog canine neckwear spanning five centuries. The oldest collection dates back to the late 15th century which is a Spanish iron herd mastiff’s collar. So, if you are a pet enthusiast, go get yourself the tickets to a museum housing 130 rare and valuable collars. The cost per person ranges from £16.00 to £24.00.
5. The Museum of Gold, Colombia
If El Museo del Oro attracts half a million visitors per year, you can easily calculate its significance. The museum exhibits more than 55,000 pieces of gold and other materials from Colombia’s pre-Hispanic culture. The collection is displayed in thematic rooms spanning three floors. Besides gold collections, you can also see stone, shell, wood, and textile objects. You can explore the museum for free on Sundays. If you visit on weekdays, the cost per head would be 4.000 Colombian pesos.
6. Lindt Home of Chocolate, Switzerland
If you are a chocolate lover, you can discover the real world of chocolate at Lindt Home of Chocolate museum, home to the largest Lindt chocolate shop spread over 500m2. That’s not it. It also has a chocolate fountain over 9m tall that has 1,500 kilograms of chocolate flowing through it. And the best part is, you can create your own masterpieces under the guidance of the Lindt Master Chocolatiers in the Chocolateria. The cost per head to explore the museum ranges from CHF 10.00 to CHF 15.00.
7. National Rail Museum, Delhi
If you love to explore the history of rails, visit the National Rail Museum of Delhi which has an exotic collection of over 100 real-size exhibits of Indian Railways. You can explore antique furniture, static & working models, historical photographs, signalling equipment, and related literature. Besides boating, another fascinating experience at the museum can be a ride in the joy train and monorail.
8. Cup Noodles Museum, Japan
Located in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai District, The Cup Noodles Museum shows the history of instant noodles. This museum was opened by the Nissin Food company, whose founder- Momofuku Ando, invented instant ramen noodles in 1958. And you know what’s the most interesting part? You can create your own cup noodles there. You can explore the museum for free but it costs 300 yen per person if you want to make your own personalised cup noodles.
