What families say

Free admission and a huge range of collections (Egyptian galleries, armor and swords, old masters, Impressionists, and modern names like Picasso and Warhol) make this an easy, budget-friendly stop, with a hands-on interactive art area that's a nice touch for kids. Families can make it work in an hour if they pick a few highlights, but reviewers who lingered suggest budgeting 3-4 hours to really explore, so plan around your kids' attention spans. Note that special traveling exhibits carry a separate ticket cost, and parking runs around $14; the natural history museum next door makes it easy to pair for a fuller day trip.

Ages 8–18