Tate Modern, London (must see)

Once upon a smokestack, this mid-20th-century power station went from fueling machines to fueling imaginations — and today, this is one of the most-visited modern art museums on the planet: the Tate Modern.

Inside, the art doesn’t march along a tidy timeline. Instead, it sprawls across eight thematically curated zones, mixing heavy-hitters like Matisse with up-to-the-minute works by contemporary rebels. The temporary exhibitions here also feature big names and bold ideas. Think Gauguin, Modigliani, Picasso, O’Keeffe… and entire showcases exploring Soviet art between the Revolution and Stalin’s iron curtain call.

Step into the Turbine Hall — Tate’s dramatic entrance that could probably house a small airport — and you’ll be greeted by gravity-defying installations like Olafur Eliasson’s indoor sun, Ai Weiwei’s sea of porcelain sunflower seeds, or Carsten Höller’s towering steel slides that turn art appreciation into a full-body experience.

Dive underground and you’ll hit The Tanks: not for oil anymore, but for experimental art. We're talking performance pieces, soundscapes, and moving images that make your brain do backflips. Climb skyward to the rooftop terrace for a killer panoramic view of London’s skyline (and if you’re lucky, some weather to match).

In between, there are three expansive exhibition levels featuring everything from global contemporary art to interactive displays and full-room installations. Level 2 is home to the Start Display, where color takes center stage in a global conversation between cultures and eras.

Tip:
If your feet get tired or your brain starts spinning, grab a seat and a snack. There’s a restaurant with skyline views on Level 9, a relaxed café on Level 1, and a cozy espresso bar on Level 3. Don’t miss the balcony on Level 3 either — the view of St. Paul’s from there is pure poetry. Oh, and don’t leave without trying the Tate Draw. Sketch, swipe, and project your masterpiece onto the wall like the digital da Vinci you are.