Things to Do in North America

Humans, in a word, are utterly and truly fascinating. Creating art is a human tendency as old as humans themselves, and here at the Mingei International Museum, folk art from over 140 countries is on intriguing and captivating display. Though exhibits here are constantly changing, examples of work include handmade dolls that date to the 19th century, to exquisite, hand turned, wooden bowls and weavings from grass and leaves. There have sections devoted to global headdresses and an extensive collection of tequila bottles, and"”in true San Diego fashion"”a large exhibit made entirely from surfboards that explores the art of surfing. Above all, it's human creativity itself on display that's manifested in thousands of forms, and there's an uplifting, unifying, and inspiring spirit that accompanies a day spent browsing the genius of our planet's myriad cultures. 

Museo Memoria y Tolerancia does more than explore Mexico's history of violence and its role in aiding Holocaust survivors. Built in 1999, this groundbreaking museum examines the impact of genocide through eye-opening exhibits that increase awareness of all global violence"”from North America to Sub-Saharan Africa.

The museum is divided into two major sections, as its name suggests"”Memory and Tolerance. Memory galleries tell the story of the Holocaust, Balkan Conflict and the Rwandan genocide, as well as devastation in Cambodia, Guatemala and Darfur. The Tolerance wing explores the impact of language on discrimination and prejudice and offers a roadmap to acceptance of differences on a more global level. Together, these galleries illustrate the international struggle between harm and hope, leaving visitors with a new appreciation for human rights and human strength.

The New York Mets have been playing ball in the city since 1964, but the team got a brand new Queens stadium in Citi Field in 2009, a year after their original Shea Stadium was shuttered and demolished next door.

Located in the Houston Museum District, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH) contains over 6,000 years of history within more than 63,000 works from six continents, making it one of the largest museums in the country. There are seven separate facilities to explore, which you can spend all day browsing. The institution has an impressive display of permanent collections sorted by geographical region, including Africa, Asia, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean, Europe, North America, and the South Pacific. Additionally, you can view myriad artistic styles through the works of master painters and photographers. For example, the Beck Collection showcases Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modernist works from artists like Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh and Henri Matisse, while the Manfred Heiting Collection encompasses 4,000 images taken since the invention of photography.

With so much to explore, it can be difficult to decide where to begin. One notable attraction is the Glassell Collection of African Gold, which houses the "largest, most comprehensive collection of African gold in an American museum." Another exhibit not to miss is the Bayou Bend Collection, showcasing American decorative arts pieces from 1620 through 1870, said to be one of the finest of its kind in the United States. Situated on 14 acres of organic gardens, Bayou Bend also provides the opportunity for a scenic stroll, as does the Cullen Sculpture Garden.

If you're looking to take in an affordable film, the Museum of Fine Arts is home to a big screen theater playing both classic and contemporary films. While the theater is small, the sound quality is superb and the big screen can easily be viewed from any seat in the house. They also sometimes have free showings, although tickets are generally $9.

The Miami Children's Museum is not so much a museum as a glorified playhouse, with areas for kids to practice all sorts of adult activities like banking and food shopping, caring for pets, playing TV news anchor in a studio and acting as a local cop or firefighter.

Kids can pretend they're banking at the miniature Bank of America, shopping at the local Publix Supermarket, or taking a Carnival cruise ship, which even stops in the re-created port of Brazil. One of the more impressive exhibits is the World Music Studio, where budding rock stars can lay down a few tracks and play instruments.

The Miami Children's Museum also offers educational displays about subjects ranging from Miami architecture to Brazilian culture. There are also hundreds of bilingual, interactive exhibits as well as programs, classes, and learning materials related to arts, culture, community, and communication.