13 Museums Around the World With Great Fall Exhibits
Fall is one of the best times to visit museums around the world. Many of them open special exhibits that bring new life to their collections, from art and history to science and design. Cooler weather and smaller crowds make it easier to enjoy these spaces at a relaxed pace. Whether you’re traveling with family or planning a weekend outing, these museums offer something special to see this season.
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Royal Academy of Arts (London, UK)
Each fall, the Royal Academy brings a new sense of excitement to London’s art scene. This year’s headline exhibition, Kerry James Marshall: The Histories, fills its grand galleries with vibrant portraits and large-scale works celebrating Black life and culture. The show encourages viewers to rethink familiar narratives through color and scale. The crisp London air and shorter days make the Academy’s warm, well-lit halls especially inviting.
Families will find plenty to talk about here. Older kids and teens can connect with Marshall’s storytelling through scenes that feel both powerful and personal. Afterward, families can enjoy afternoon tea nearby or stroll through Piccadilly’s historic streets. The museum’s calm yet inspiring atmosphere makes it an easy favorite on a fall trip.
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (Tokyo, Japan)
Tokyo’s Museum of Contemporary Art shines each autumn with exhibits that reflect both tradition and change. Its current show, Nine Profiles: 1935→2025, explores nine decades of Japanese creativity in one dynamic space. Each room offers a glimpse into how artists responded to shifting times and ideas. The result is a thoughtful journey through art, history, and imagination.
Families will appreciate the museum’s open layout and hands-on installations. The fall season brings mild weather, perfect for pairing an indoor visit with outdoor walks in Kiba Park nearby. Teens interested in design or pop culture will recognize themes that link modern Japan to global trends. With friendly guides and clear displays, even younger visitors stay engaged.
Tokyo National Museum (Tokyo, Japan)
Set within Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum becomes even more scenic in autumn as golden leaves frame its historic buildings. Inside, its special exhibit Shared Horizons: A Journey through Korean Culture blends art, artifacts, and storytelling. Visitors move from ancient ceramics to vibrant textiles that reveal centuries of connection between Japan and Korea. It’s a gentle yet fascinating look at cultural exchange across time.
For families, this museum offers both beauty and breathing space. Children can enjoy the park’s open lawns before or after exploring the exhibits. Multilingual signs make the displays easier to understand for visitors of all ages. A stop at the museum café for warm treats rounds out a cozy fall afternoon.
Mori Art Museum (Tokyo, Japan)
High above Roppongi Hills, the Mori Art Museum delivers a unique mix of art and skyline views. This season, The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest turns the space into a miniature city of models and installations. Visitors can wander through a maze of delicate structures that reimagine what buildings could be. The combination of art, science, and play makes it unlike any other museum experience.
Families with curious tweens or teens will find this exhibit especially appealing. Kids can explore scale and form through interactive elements that feel like creative puzzles. The museum’s rooftop observation deck offers sweeping city views that are stunning in autumn light. With cafes and shops nearby, it’s easy to turn the visit into a full day of exploration.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, USA)
Autumn at the Met brings fresh exhibitions and quieter galleries compared to summer crowds. This season features an array of shows ranging from Renaissance masterpieces to modern photography. The changing displays make every visit feel new, even for returning guests. The museum’s marble halls and grand staircases provide an inspiring contrast to the crisp fall air outside.
Families can explore the Egyptian Wing, stroll through the Arms and Armor Hall, or take part in weekend family programs. Teens often enjoy themed tours that highlight myth, culture, or global history. Central Park sits just across the street, perfect for a colorful post-museum walk among fall leaves. A visit here easily fills an afternoon with beauty and learning.
Tate Britain (London, UK)
Tate Britain’s fall exhibition, Turner and Constable, brings two of England’s most beloved landscape painters together once again. Their works glow in soft autumn light, reflecting the skies and countryside that inspired them. The show captures both stormy seas and tranquil fields, inviting visitors to see how each artist viewed nature in motion. The collection feels perfectly timed for the season.
Families will find this exhibit approachable and calm. Kids can spot differences between the artists’ styles while adults enjoy the vivid brushwork. Afterward, the nearby Thames paths make for a relaxing walk under amber leaves. It’s an ideal pairing of art and atmosphere during London’s cooler months.
Van Gogh Museum (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Few places capture fall’s spirit like Amsterdam, and the Van Gogh Museum feels especially alive this season. Its exhibition Van Gogh and the Roulins. Together Again at Last reunites portraits and paintings that haven’t been seen side by side in over a century. The bold yellows and deep blues of Van Gogh’s work echo the colors outside along the canals. Visitors can sense both energy and emotion in every brushstroke.
Families will enjoy how accessible the museum feels. Teens familiar with Van Gogh’s story from school can connect his art to his life through multimedia displays. The museum shop and café add small comforts, while nearby canal walks make for scenic breaks. It’s the kind of cultural outing that leaves everyone inspired.
Fondation Louis Vuitton (Paris, France)
The Fondation Louis Vuitton glows under Paris’s autumn light, its glass sails reflecting the golden trees of the Bois de Boulogne. This fall, its Gerhard Richter retrospective showcases over 270 works across painting, sculpture, and photography. Each room feels like a study in texture and color. The blend of architecture and art creates an atmosphere both grand and intimate.
Families with teens who enjoy modern art or design will find this museum engaging. The building itself becomes part of the experience, encouraging visitors to look up and explore from different angles. Afterward, a stroll through the park offers quiet time to talk about favorite pieces. It’s a perfect cultural stop before or after a cozy Paris café visit.
Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, USA)
The Art Institute of Chicago always feels welcoming in autumn, when its gardens and nearby streets glow with color. Inside, fall brings new exhibits that balance classic and contemporary themes. Visitors can admire Monet’s soft landscapes or explore recent photography collections that highlight modern life. The range makes it easy to please every member of the family.
Parents and kids can follow family-friendly guides that point out fun details in famous artworks. Teens interested in art history will appreciate the mix of eras and styles. After the museum, families can grab warm drinks at nearby cafes or enjoy Millennium Park’s open spaces. The museum’s calm and colorful setting makes it ideal for a cool-weather day.
de Young Museum (San Francisco, USA)
Set amid the trees of Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum becomes even more inviting in autumn. Its major show, Art of Manga, celebrates Japanese storytelling through hundreds of original works. The exhibition connects traditional woodblock prints with the global rise of manga and anime. Bright panels and expressive drawings fill the galleries with energy and color.
Families will find this show especially appealing to kids and teens who love comics and animation. The museum’s location allows for easy park walks or a visit to the nearby Japanese Tea Garden. Workshops and drawing sessions encourage kids to try their own art. On a crisp fall day, it’s a perfect blend of nature and creativity.
The Louvre (Paris, France)
The Louvre in autumn feels quieter and more inviting than in summer, when long lines spill into the courtyard. The cool air outside makes wandering its vast halls even more pleasant. Families can take their time visiting world-famous works like the Mona Lisa or Winged Victory of Samothrace without feeling rushed. Fall light filtering through the glass pyramid gives the museum a softer, golden glow.
For families, shorter wait times mean more room to explore the smaller galleries. Kids often enjoy spotting animals, myths, and costumes in centuries of paintings. Teens may connect more deeply with exhibits focused on history and storytelling. After a morning inside, families can picnic in the Tuileries Garden under trees dressed in gold and red.
National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C., USA)
The National Gallery of Art offers a peaceful retreat from D.C.’s brisk fall weather. This season’s exhibits often focus on American artists or European masters, giving visitors plenty to admire. The museum’s two buildings, connected by a light-filled underground walkway, invite exploration at a comfortable pace. Sculptures, portraits, and modern pieces all share space in a setting that feels both elegant and welcoming.
Families appreciate that admission is free, which makes it easy to drop in for shorter visits. Kids can join scavenger hunts provided at the information desk, while adults enjoy the calm atmosphere. The nearby National Mall adds a scenic backdrop for walks among the changing trees. It’s a day that combines learning, movement, and time together.
Museo del Prado (Madrid, Spain)
The Museo del Prado takes on a warm glow in autumn as sunlight softens through the city’s changing skies. Inside, galleries showcase the grandeur of Spanish and European masters such as Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. The museum’s seasonal exhibits highlight how light and color shaped the history of painting. Visitors can sense both beauty and emotion in every canvas.
Families will find this museum rich with stories that appeal to kids’ imaginations. Guided tours designed for younger visitors explain myths and royal portraits in simple ways. Teens may be drawn to Goya’s dramatic works or the intricate details of old-world life. Afterward, Retiro Park nearby offers wide open paths perfect for an autumn stroll.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.