Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Take a walk through the culture and history of design and decorative arts in this visual treat of a museum.

The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is the only museum in the United States that’s entirely dedicated to historical and contemporary design, with collections and exhibitions that cover a whopping 30 centuries, from ancient Roman marble through Renaissance drawings to wallpapers and 3D-printed objects.

Housed inside a grand, Georgian-style mansion that was once the family home of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the museum also has a beautiful public garden that’s often used as a location for its events and exhibitions. Sit among the rockery, rhododendrons and cherry trees with an espresso and pastry from the café, or show off your skills on the ping-pong table!

Inside the museum, interactive galleries and exhibits encourage visitors to tap into their creative side and engage in digital design.

Highlights in the permanent collection include a huge range of Soviet porcelains, among them ornamental cosmonauts, busts of Lenin and Tolstoy and plates with striking patterns and illustrations. There’s a huge collection of works by Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church and a number of Frederick Crace’s remarkable designs for King George IV’s exotic Chinese- and Indian-inspired Brighton pleasure palace.

Don’t forget to visit the museum shop for your own cool slice of classic or contemporary design to take home. The huge range of smart homeware, jewelry, bags and more will surely make you the envy of your style-conscious friends.