Over the past several years I have set up field trips to museums for thousands of students from all over the country. I have also visited these same museums with my family as well as led school groups to them. From these experiences I have developed a 5 Best Museums for student Travel groups to visit. Here they are.

#1 Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. One of the more modern Smithsonian Museums, the Air & Space Museum has some of the best exhibits found anywhere. An IMAX Theatre and Planetarium also make this museum a great place to visit. Also, some of the most famous planes, jets, missiles, and rockets are displayed here. Plus, the history of flight and the arrangement of our solar system are explained in easy-to-understand terms for all visitors.

#2 Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago. This is a fabulous mix of hands-on and interactive museum with plenty of staff conducting experiments and giving talks on a variety of subjects. This museum has the best variety found in any museum anywhere in the US and is really worth visiting. The Submarine exhibit is a neat must-see along with its Enigma machine from WW II.

#3 Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, FL. This is a real dazzler as you will see exhibits laden with gold, silver, and precious gems. Pick up a gold bar that was recently found off the coast of Florida as well as see an exhibit of silver that will amaze you. As a real bonus, you can purchase any number of actual Spanish Coins or purchase a piece of history.

#4 St. Louis Science Museum is a neat place. Couple that with it’s admission price (FREE) and you get a value that can’t miss. Once again, this museum has an IMAX and a planetarium that satisfies the needs of all science types as well as the many hands-on exhibits. A liquid nitrogen demonstration is a real crowd pleaser as is the laser show that is repeated hourly.

#5 Indianapolis Children’s Museum. Don’t be fooled by the name as this museum has quite a bit for students of all ages. Plus, there are plenty of things to occupy inquiring minds. the giant water-clock is a neat exhibit that demands your attention as you enter the facility.

Of course there may be several other museums that can fit into this list. Your list may be different (and should be). I could have included several others but this is a nice mix. The main thing is to visit these places and see what you can learn. Field trips are great opportunities for students and families. The main thing is to visit with a purpose. Nothing is more tragic than to see a group of kids running around, pressing buttons and moving from exhibit to exhibit without learning.