Newark Museum of Art, Newark (must see)

The Newark Museum of Art, the largest museum in New Jersey, boasts an impressive array of collections, including American art, decorative arts, contemporary art, and arts from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the ancient world. The museum's Tibetan galleries, among the finest globally, feature a collection acquired from Christian missionaries in the early 20th century. A standout in these galleries is an in-situ Buddhist altar, consecrated by the Dalai Lama, offering visitors a deeply immersive cultural experience.

Beyond its rich art collections, The Newark Museum of Art is also dedicated to the natural sciences. It houses the Dreyfuss Planetarium and the Victoria Hall of Science, which showcases some of the museum's 70,000-specimen Natural Science Collection. These exhibits provide educational and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages, highlighting the museum's commitment to interdisciplinary learning and exploration.

The museum's grounds include the Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden, a vibrant space for community programs, concerts, and performances. This garden also features a historic 1784 old stone schoolhouse and the Fire Safety Center, further enriching the museum's offerings. Organized in 1909 by esteemed Newark librarian John Cotton Dana, the museum's initial collection stemmed from Japanese prints, silks, and porcelains gathered by a local pharmacist.