USA TODAY 10Best
10 best religious museums in the US, according to readers
Best Religious Museum (2023)
You don’t have to be religious to appreciate the stories and collections at these 10 museums voted as the best by readers. Each is dedicated to sharing the beliefs, history, culture, art or traditions of religious groups and faith communities. These are the 10 best religious museums in the United States for 2023.
- Saint John Paul II National Shrine - Washington, D.C.
- Wycliffe Discovery Center - Orlando, Florida
- Loyola University Museum of Art - Chicago, Illinois
- Cincinnati Skirball Museum - Cincinnati, Ohio
- National Museum of American Jewish History - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The Billy Graham Library - Charlotte, North Carolina
- Biblical History Center - LaGrange, Georgia
- Museum of the Bible - Washington, D.C.
- Creation Museum - Petersburg, Kentucky
- Ark Encounter - Williamstown, Kentucky
Photo courtesy of Saint John Paul II National Shrine
No. 10:
This shrine and museum in Washington, D.C. recounts the life and spiritual journey of Karol Wojtyla, the Polish man who would become St. Pope John Paul II. The museum includes photos, videos and papal relics, as well as a church and chapel filled with stunning mosaic work.
Photo courtesy of Wycliffe Discovery Center
No. 9:
The Wycliffe Discovery Center in Orlando tells the story of the Bible from an interesting perspective, its translation and distribution to cultures around the globe. Visitors learn what goes into translating scripture and hear talks from missionaries and linguists involved in the work.
Photo courtesy of Loyola University Museum of Art
No. 8:
The Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA) on the campus of Loyola University Chicago has exhibit galleries showcasing works of art from the world’s five major faiths — Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. The museum’s mission is to help visitors explore how all faiths and cultures understand spiritual questions through art.
Photo courtesy of iStock / SeventyFour
No. 7:
The Cincinnati Skirball Museum is located on the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion campus in Ohio. As the first formally established Jewish museum in the United States, it houses a collection of fine art and artifacts that are preserved and interpreted to help tell the stories of the Cincinnati Jewish community, in addition to global Jewish history, culture and religion.
Photo courtesy of Jessi Melcer
No. 6:
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History on Independence Mall in Philadelphia seeks to “preserve, explore and celebrate the history of Jews in America” by connecting the Jewish community to its heritage and introducing visitors of other faiths and backgrounds to the American Jewish experience. Highlights include a model of the Touro Synagogue, an antique Yiddish typewriter and a teddy bear once owned by Helga Weiss.
Photo courtesy of The Billy Graham Library
No. 5:
The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte tells the story of one of the most famous evangelists in history through a series of engaging exhibits. See key moments in his ministry, from the tent revivals of the 1940s to his work with American presidents – and tour the home where Graham lived as a child.
Photo courtesy of Biblical History Center
No. 4:
This archeological museum in Georgia explores daily life in Biblical times through artifacts, replicas and interactive experiences. Highlights include the Biblical Life Artifacts Gallery, home to some 250 artifacts on loan from the National Treasures of Israel, as well as an Archaeological Replica Garden with recreated structures from Biblical times.
Photo courtesy of Museum of the Bible. © Museum of the Bible, 2023.
No. 3:
The Bible is one of the most read books on the planet, and visitors of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to learn more about its history and impact in Washington's Museum of the Bible. The permanent collection includes art and artifacts from a variety of cultures and time periods.
Photo courtesy of Creation Museum
No. 2:
The 75,000-square-foot Creation Museum takes visitors on a journey through Biblical history, from Adam and Eve's encounter with the serpent in the Garden of Eden to the modern-day discovery of Lucy and its implications for the discussion of evolution and creationism.
Photo courtesy of Ark Encounter
No. 1:
This museum sits within a full-size replica of Noah’s Ark, based on dimensions given in the Bible. Inside, exhibits highlight one of the most famous stories in Christianity by showing what life might have been like for Noah and his family.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
10Best Local Experts
10Best Local Experts provide users with original,... Read More
10Best Local Experts provide users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. No business pays to be listed. Our Local Experts are well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields - and their cities - but discriminating in their tastes. These local experts live in the city they write about, with constantly updated content.
10Best Local Experts
10Best Local Experts provide users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. No business pays to be listed. Our Local Experts are well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields - and their cities - but discriminating in their tastes. These local experts live in the city they write about, with constantly updated content.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
