Plan Ahead

Be prepared if the day you plan on going is a free day – lots of kids and families will be taking advantage of that and will be more crowded than usual. If you’re going with kids, take advantage of this savings, but be aware of the crowds and set some ground rules up front.
Definitely try to decide when shows you’re interested in seeing are playing – like dolphin shows at an aquarium, star exhibits open at a planetarium, or new art galleries at art institutes.

Also, a wise museum goer might want to do some research on any monthly or seasonal themes that museums have going on. A Civil War theme next month and you are a Lincoln lover? Hold off on a visit until next month (or go twice!)

Consider Paying More

Seasonal exhibits or special speakers might be an extra charge, but if a museum visit is a once a year (or, even once in a lifetime, if you’re visiting that city for the first and or maybe last time), it might be worth paying up to see the show. Check reviews to make sure other visitors loved it!

Be Flexible

Going to any large venue where lots of other people are trying to do what you’re doing means compromise, waiting, and walking. While it’s a good idea to have a game plan up front, having a good attitude going in will ensure that you have the most fun, absorb the most information, and have the best experience.

Museums are fantastic sources of history, entertainment, and education. They cater to all audiences – families, couples, and individuals – and brings all kinds experiences, stories, and artifacts to life.

1. George Washington cracked walnut shells with his teeth as a youngster, losing all but one tooth before he became president. His teeth were made from anything but wood, including a combination of human teeth, animal teeth, and ivory.
2. Thomas Jefferson spoke six different languages and assembled a 10,000-book library, which became the foundation for the Library of Congress.
3. James Madison was the shortest and lightest president at 5’4″ and under 100 lbs. He also was the first president to wear long trousers. All previous presidents wore knee breeches.
4. James Monroe died on July 4, 1831, following the deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson on July 4, 1826. In 1820, Monroe was re-elected for a second term as president, receiving all the electoral votes but one, which William Plumer of New Hampshire cast for John Quincy Adams, in order, it is said, so that no one might share with George Washington the honor of a unanimous election.
5. Andrew Jackson was the first president to ride on a railroad train, the first to be born in a log cabin, the first president to be nominated by a political party, and the first president subject to an assassination attempt (he survived).
6. Martin Van Buren was the first American to become a president. All previous presidents were born on British colonial soil.
7. William Henry Harrison, who followed Van Buren into the White House, holds the record for the longest inauguration speech in history at 8,578 words within one hour and 40 minutes. Unfortunately, he gave the speech during a snowstorm. One month later he died from pneumonia, making his presidency the shortest on record.
8. James K. Polk was the 11th president and the first to serve a nation from coast to coast after expanding U.S. borders to the Pacific Ocean. He also issued the first postage stamp.
9. Millard Fillmore, considered one of the top 10 most techno-savvy U.S. presidents, was the first President to have a stove and a bathtub with running water in the White House.
10. James Buchanan, 15th president who served immediately before the American Civil War, quietly but consistently bought slaves in Washington DC and then set them free in Pennsylvania.
11. Abraham Lincoln was co-owner of Berry and Lincoln, a saloon in Springfield, Illinois. Berry took out a license for Lincoln and himself in 1833, permitting them to sell spirits, including liquor at 12 cents a pint.
12. Andrew Johnson was the first president to be impeached. In May, 1868, the Senate voted to acquit him by one vote short of the two-thirds required to convict. It would be another 131 years before another president, Bill Clinton, would be impeached. Both presidents were impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, but acquitted by the Senate.
13. Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president, smoked at least 20 cigars a day and, after a brilliant war victory, a nation of well wishers sent him more than 10,000 cigars. He later died of throat cancer, making him the first U.S. president to die of cancer.
14. James A. Garfield could write with both hands at the same time – in different languages, Latin and Greek. He also was the last president born in a log cabin and the second president to be assassinated.
15. Chester A. Arthur changed his pants several times a day, and owned 80 pairs of pants. Gore Vidal described Arthur as “the most fastidious and fashionable president.”
16. Grover Cleveland was the first and only president married in the White House, and he was the first to have a child born in the White House in 1893.
17. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt once refused to shoot bear, and the story grew to make this bear a bear cub, shivering in fright. The incident was reported in the news, which inspired Morris Michtom to ask for permission from President Theodore Roosevelt to call these toy bears “Teddy’s bears.” Michtom’s store eventually became the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company, which eventually merged with Mattel.
18. Warren Gamaliel Harding, the 29th president, once gambled away a set of White House china. He also had an affair with Nan Britton, who later claimed she had borne Harding’s child. Speculation about his early and sudden demise included one rumor that his wife was so fed up with his philandering and gambling that she had him murdered.
19. Herbert Hoover made his most substantial humanitarian efforts after his presidency. His agencies fed famished countries during the Second World War. In 1946, Herbert Hoover led the Famine Emergency Commission. He would study the world’s crisis and prepare a program to deal with it. Hoover organized the food of the world to sustain several hundred million people until the next harvest.
20. Harry S (S.) Truman raised a controversy regarding his middle initial in 1962, when he stated that the “S” did not stand for any name. While some authors do not use it today, they must still use it when citing the names of organizations that employ the period in their legal titles (e.g. Harry S. Truman Library).
21. John F. Kennedy was the youngest elected president, the first Catholic president, and remains a hot topic among news publications that seek to resolve his assassination in Texas and the number of women he slept with.
22. Gerald R. Ford held his daughter’s high school prom in the White House in 1975. That daughter, Susan, also served as official White House hostess when her mother was hospitalized for breast cancer.
23. Jimmy Carter was the first president born in a hospital. The oldest of four children, Carter’s family was unusual and often in the news. One sister rode motorcycles and had a son in jail; another sister was an evangelist; his only brother was an infamous peanut farmer and beer drinker. Both of Carter’s parents and all three siblings died from pancreatic cancer.
24. George H. W. Bush was awarded an honorary knighthood (GCB) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1993. He was the third American president to receive the honor, the others being Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan.
25. Bill Clinton narrowly escaped a 1996 assassination attempt in the Philippines by terrorists working for Osama bin Laden. His motorcade was re-routed and the US agents later discovered a bomb planted under the bridge in the original route.

Ancient History

Learn about the earliest history we know of. Also includes great blogs on archeology that can help you learn more about how people lived anciently.

1. Ancient Tides: This interesting blog links what happened in ancient history to what we see every day.
2. A Very Remote Period Indeed: A look at archeology, and an emphasis on hunter-gatherer society.
3. Monty’s World: A look at how archeology provides insight into ancient history. An interesting blog from an archeological adventurer.
4. Mike Anderson’s Ancient History Blog: Learn more about ancient history, and how it relates to the modern world.
5. Dienekes’ Anthropology Blog: Take a look at anthropology, and see how this science can help you learn more about ancient history.
6. Roger Pearse: Shares interesting thoughts on ancient history, with especially interesting insights on ancient manuscripts.

Classical History

Find out more about what was happening in the Classical period of history, focusing a great deal on Greece and Rome.

7. Roman Times: If you are interested in the Roman Empire, this is a great blog to visit.
8. Classics in Contemporary Culture: An emphasis on how we can see Classical history in action today.
9. Ancient/Classical History: Focuses a great deal on ancient Greece and Rome. Written by a Latinist, there is a great deal about Classical Rome.
10. Dorothy King’s PhDiva: This military history specialist looks especially at the Classical era.
11. UNRV History – Roman Empire: An academic look at the Roman Empire.
12. Tropaion: Looks at ancient Greek religion, and offers a modern look at incorporating some of the polytheistic beliefs into today’s life.
13. The Stoa Consortium: Considers ways that Classicists can connect using technology, including scholarship and more.

European History (Medieval and Renaissance)

Get a taste of the history of Europe. Many people enjoy learning about the Medieval and Renaissance periods, and these blogs can offer a great deal of insight.

14. Got Medieval: Fun blog that looks at the ways Medieval references are incorrectly used in popular media. Great critiques of how Medieval history is presented.
15. Medieval History Geek: Insight on Medieval history from an interested amateur.
16. Quod She: Information about Medieval history from an academic and a humanist.
17. In the Middle: A group of history buffs keeps this blog study group on the Middle Ages going.
18. Blogenspiel: Thoughts of a Medievalist.
19. Renaissance Lit: Early modern literature and history.
20. History and Women: Great look at Renaissance women who were ahead of their time.
21. Airs, Waters, Places: An interesting look at the environment during the 17th century.
22. Writing the Renaissance: This fiction writer uses the Renaissance as inspiration. Includes interesting observations on history.

South American and Mesoamerican History

Head down south in the Western Hemisphere. Learn more about South American and Mesoamerican culture and history.

23. Maya New Updates: Learn more about Maya history and culture.
24. Inca History Blog: Find out more about Inca history and culture.
25. The Mesoamerican Society at CSULA: Interesting finds, archeology and more regarding Mesoamerican history and culture.
26. The Daily Glyph: Looks at ancient history in the Americas.
27. Hernan Cortes: A look at Aztec history from the viewpoint of this conquistador.

Asian History

Asia boasts a long and rich history. Enjoy a journey into Oriental worlds and cultures.

28. SEAArch: This blog focuses on Southeast Asia archaeology news and includes interesting historical tidbits.
29. Frog in a Well: This interesting site offers three different blogs on Asian history, focusing on Korea, China and Japan.
30. Bridge to Bhutan: A great blog about history in Bhutan, including modern issues.
31. Nui’s Thai History Blog: Get a feel for Thailand with help from this history blog.
32. In Asia: A look at ancient and modern history in Asia.
33. Gusts of Popular Feeling: Korean culture and history add context to what is happening today.
34. Eating China: Food history and culture blog focusing on China.

Middle Eastern History

Explore the history of the Middle East. You can gain some understanding, and find out more about the history of this region.

35. Awilum: A look at the lands of the Bible.
36. Persia Older Than History: A look at the 9,000 years of Persian history and culture.
37. Egyptology News: Interested in Egypt? This blog offers news about Egyptian history up through the Coptic period.
38. Crossroads Arabia: Commentary and insight on Saudi Arabia, with a religious and historical perspective.
39. Middle East Progress: A look at current efforts in the Middle East, in context with the region’s history.
40. Informed Comment: A look at the Middle East from an academic perspective, including perspectives on history.
41. Invisible History Blog: A fascinating look at history and Afghanistan.

African History

Many believe that humans first arose in Africa. Get an idea of the history of the interesting and turbulent continent where all life began.

42. Africa is a Country: An interesting look at the history and development, as well as modern issues, affecting Africa.
43. African Kingdoms: An interesting look at the different civilizations that have existed on the African continent.
44. NaijaBlog: Concerns itself with culture, history and current events related to Africa.
45. SocioLingo Africa: A look at African culture, language and history, as well as modern history.
46. History Matters: South African history is the focus of this blog, which also includes current events.

Pacific Islands History

Journey into the exotic lands of the Pacific. Interesting island history from these blogs.

47. The Brown Raise Movement: Learn more about Filipino culture and history.
48. New Zealand History 1800 – 1900: Focus on New Zealand’s past.
49. Guma’Famoksaiyan: This blog looks at the cultural history and heritage of the indigenous people of Guam.
50. Indonesia History: Find out more about this group of islands located in the Pacific.