<strong>20. Centre Pompidou, Paris: </strong>The Centre Pompidou's arresting architecture is the work of Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. The museum is No. 20 among the world's most popular museums, according to the Museum Index released by the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM.
20. Centre Pompidou, Paris: The Centre Pompidou's arresting architecture is the work of Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. The museum is No. 20 among the world's most popular museums, according to the Museum Index released by the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM.
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<strong>19. Victoria & Albert Museum, London: </strong>A world leader in art and design, the V&A broke back into the world's top 20 museums in 2017. The museum opened a new courtyard and entrance in 2017 and saw a 25% increase in visitation.
19. Victoria & Albert Museum, London: A world leader in art and design, the V&A broke back into the world's top 20 museums in 2017. The museum opened a new courtyard and entrance in 2017 and saw a 25% increase in visitation.
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<strong>18. National Museum of American History, Washington:</strong> The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is home to more than three million artifacts, including puppets from "The Muppet Show."
18. National Museum of American History, Washington: The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is home to more than three million artifacts, including puppets from "The Muppet Show."
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<strong>17. Reina Sofía, Madrid: </strong>This Spanish museum is home to more than 20,000 works spanning the time period from the late 19th century to the present.
17. Reina Sofía, Madrid: This Spanish museum is home to more than 20,000 works spanning the time period from the late 19th century to the present.
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<strong>16. China Science Technology Museum, Beijing:</strong> This innovative museum drew just shy of 4 million visitors in 2017.
16. China Science Technology Museum, Beijing: This innovative museum drew just shy of 4 million visitors in 2017.
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<strong>15. State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg:</strong> Founded in 1764 to house a collection acquired by Russian Empress Catherine the Great, this imposing museum is home to more than three million works of art and cultural artifacts.
15. State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg: Founded in 1764 to house a collection acquired by Russian Empress Catherine the Great, this imposing museum is home to more than three million works of art and cultural artifacts.
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<strong>14. Natural History Museum, London: </strong>The Natural History Museum has 80 million specimens dating from the formation of the solar system to the present day -- a period of 4.5 billion years.
14. Natural History Museum, London: The Natural History Museum has 80 million specimens dating from the formation of the solar system to the present day -- a period of 4.5 billion years.
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<strong>13. National Palace Museum, Taipei: </strong>Taiwan's impressive palace museum is home to a collection of ancient Chinese artifacts.
13. National Palace Museum, Taipei: Taiwan's impressive palace museum is home to a collection of ancient Chinese artifacts.
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<strong>12. American Museum of Natural History, New York: </strong>Founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History explores human cultures, the natural world and the universe.
12. American Museum of Natural History, New York: Founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History explores human cultures, the natural world and the universe.
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<strong>11. National Gallery, London: </strong>The National Gallery is home to one of the world's greatest collections of paintings, spanning the major traditions of Western European painting.
11. National Gallery, London: The National Gallery is home to one of the world's greatest collections of paintings, spanning the major traditions of Western European painting.
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<strong>10. National Gallery of Art, Washington:</strong> The National Gallery of Art's sculpture garden is a popular spot on the National Mall. The museum has more than 130,000 works tracing the development of Western art.
10. National Gallery of Art, Washington: The National Gallery of Art's sculpture garden is a popular spot on the National Mall. The museum has more than 130,000 works tracing the development of Western art.
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<strong>9. Tate Modern, London:</strong> Since its opening in 2000, Tate Modern has welcomed more than 40 million visitors. A new iteration of the modern and contemporary museum opened in 2016.
9. Tate Modern, London: Since its opening in 2000, Tate Modern has welcomed more than 40 million visitors. A new iteration of the modern and contemporary museum opened in 2016.
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<strong>8. British Museum, London: </strong>Founded in 1753, the British Museum was the first national public museum in the world. It is home to the Rosetta Stone and many other significant artifacts and works of art.
8. British Museum, London: Founded in 1753, the British Museum was the first national public museum in the world. It is home to the Rosetta Stone and many other significant artifacts and works of art.
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<strong>7. National Museum of Natural History, Washington:</strong> This Smithsonian museum houses more than 126 million specimens and cultural artifacts, including 30 million insects and 400,000 photographs.
7. National Museum of Natural History, Washington: This Smithsonian museum houses more than 126 million specimens and cultural artifacts, including 30 million insects and 400,000 photographs.
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<strong>6. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum: </strong>The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum opened in 2001. In 2017, the museum welcomed 6.4 million visitors.
6. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum: The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum opened in 2001. In 2017, the museum welcomed 6.4 million visitors.
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<strong>5. Vatican Museums, Vatican City: </strong>The Vatican Museums feature art and cultural artifacts gathered by popes over the centuries.
5. Vatican Museums, Vatican City: The Vatican Museums feature art and cultural artifacts gathered by popes over the centuries.
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<strong>3. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: </strong>Founded in 1870, the Met's collections span more than 5,000 years of art from around the world, including monumental exhibits from Egypt.
3. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: Founded in 1870, the Met's collections span more than 5,000 years of art from around the world, including monumental exhibits from Egypt.
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<strong>3. National Air and Space Museum, Washington: </strong>A Smithsonian Institution museum, the National Air and Space Museum's holdings include historic aircraft and spacecraft.
3. National Air and Space Museum, Washington: A Smithsonian Institution museum, the National Air and Space Museum's holdings include historic aircraft and spacecraft.
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<strong>2. National Museum of China, Beijing: </strong>The world's most popular museum in 2016, the National Museum of China ranked second in 2017 with 8 million visitors.
2. National Museum of China, Beijing: The world's most popular museum in 2016, the National Museum of China ranked second in 2017 with 8 million visitors.
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<strong>1. Louvre, Paris: </strong>After dropping to No. 3 in 2016, the Louvre is once again the world's most popular museum. Attendance was up by nearly 10% in 2017 with 8.1 million visitors.
1. Louvre, Paris: After dropping to No. 3 in 2016, the Louvre is once again the world's most popular museum. Attendance was up by nearly 10% in 2017 with 8.1 million visitors.
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