Rhode Island School of Design Museum, Providence (must see)

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Museum isn’t just an art museum—it’s an art adventure. Ranked as the 20th largest museum of its kind in the country, it boasts a treasure trove of over 100,000 pieces spanning centuries, continents, and styles. From paintings and sculptures to intricate textiles and everything in between, each artifact has its own story to tell—complete with helpful info on the artist’s intentions and cultural context..

The museum’s seven curatorial departments ensure you’ll never run out of surprises: Ancient Art, Asian Art, Contemporary Art, Costume and Textiles, Decorative Arts and Design, Painting and Sculpture, and Prints, Drawings, and Photographs. Highlights include a jaw-dropping 12th-century Japanese wooden Buddha—the biggest of its kind in the U.S.—and a world-class collection of 19th-century Japanese prints assembled by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller.

For lovers of the ancient world, the collection of bronze sculptures, Greek coins, mosaics, and stone carvings is a must-see, featuring stars like the Hellenistic bronze Aphrodite. Also, make sure not to miss the Egyptian gallery, which houses the extraordinary Ptolemaic-period coffin and mummy of the priest Nesmin.

And that’s just scratching the surface. The European gallery shines with works by Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Picasso, while American art is well represented with pieces by Thomas Cole, Gilbert Stuart, and furniture from Newport craftsmen Goddard and Townsend.

In short, come prepared to be wowed. The bathrooms are clean, the gift shop is stocked, and there’s so much to see, you’ll want to clear your schedule. This is one of those places where you let the art lead the way and see where it takes you.