A Museum Girlie at Heart: Why I Never Skip the Exhibit

The Fabric of BreeLeaves is stitched together by three threads: community, culture, and cuisine. And for me, community and culture are soulmates. You can’t really have one without the other. That’s exactly why I love a good museum. You learn so much about a place, its people, and its pulse when you step into the right exhibit. Museums are where the past and present hold hands.

Growing up in Washington, D.C., I was surrounded by museums. The Smithsonian was practically part of the neighborhood — world-class exhibits and free admission just felt normal. But like a lot of things you grow up around, I didn’t really value it until I left. It wasn’t until I started traveling as an adult that I realized how much I loved — and intentionally sought out — museums. If it’s free? Even better. I’m definitely there.

And I have to admit… I like to touch things. 😂 Give me an interactive screen, a lever, a replica I can play with — and I’m in heaven. That’s why I’ve come to appreciate international museums even more. They almost always sneak in something hands-on. It’s like grown-up learning with the joy of a field trip.

Also, as a solo traveler, museums are one of my favorite stops. They’re usually safe, calm, and you don’t have to worry about sticking out for being alone. Plus — if they allow photography? You can get incredible pictures. A selfie with a Van Gogh or standing in front of an ancient artifact? That’s kind of legendary. Not many people get the chance to be up close and personal with that kind of art. Museums turn your photo gallery into part of the story.

Here are some of the museums I’ve intentionally wandered into while on the move:

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The Prado Museum

– Madrid, Spain

The Prado Museum is free to everyone Monday through Saturday from 6 pm to 8 pm, and Sundays and holidays from 5 pm to 7 pm. And yes, I was one of those people in that line and it was starting to rain but I was going to catch my free entry window. Worth every second. Inside, the art is classic European; Goya, Velázquez, El Greco, very heavy on the Catholic iconography and royal portraits, but you really get a feel for how deeply Spain’s identity is tied to its artistic legacy. I wasn’t just looking at paintings; I was watching history unfold.

*NO Cameras Allowed

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The British Museum

– London, England

Let’s be real — I went because of the controversy. The British Museum is that girl when it comes to stolen artifacts, and I had to see for myself. Walking through, you really get the sense that if colonization had a showroom… this would be it. And yet, it’s stunning. It almost tricks you into forgetting the backstory — almost. From the Rosetta Stone to entire temple walls, I found myself thinking, “Now y’all know this ain’t yours.”

At least the Smithsonian rotates items and gives proper credit or leases them from estates. But here? Whole civilizations just… sitting in London. It’s giving museum hoarder, respectfully. Still, the layout, the access, and the sheer scale are impressive. A conflicted visit, but an important one. I Guess. It’s a cool talking point.

But seriously give Ethiopia and Egypt their stuff back. Enough is enough.

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The Fusilier Museum

– London, England

This museum is tucked inside the Tower of London — yes, the historic fortress itself. I was already there for the Crown Jewels (BUT MY GAWD THAT LINE WAS SO LONG. And she had just died so everybody was in line.), so when I saw the sign for the Fusilier Museum, I knew I had to step in. Because who is waiting to see some jewelry ?! Not I and it was February so it was cold.

This museum tellls the story of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers — their uniforms, battles, medals, and all the British pomp that comes with it. It’s smaller than you’d expect, but rich in personal details that gave faces and names to what could have been just military history. I walked out with a deeper understanding of how history, honor, and empire collide. And I got to see how OG America used to dress. Idk they wasn’t as fly as America’s old military. However the red was clean.

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Muhammad Ali Center

– Louisville, Kentucky

I’ll be honest: I went because I was in town for Beyoncé’s Renaissance concert, and I figured I should squeeze in something cultural. I knew the basics about Ali — mostly from the Will Smith movie (sorry) — but this center? It told his story on his terms. From his early days in Louisville to his global activism, I left feeling like I met a man, not just a myth. It wasn’t just a boxing museum — it was about discipline, faith, courage, and legacy.

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National Museum of African American Music

– Nashville, Tennessee

I went during Black Music Month while I was in town for CrimeCon, and the timing couldn’t have been better. This museum is a full-body experience — from gospel and blues to hip-hop and trap, you hear it, feel it, and move through it. The curation is intentional, and it connects the dots between genres, generations, and geography. It reminded me that Black music is American music. Period.

And let me tell you — Ryan Coogler’s scene “The Conjuring of the Past and Future of Black Music” from Sinners, featuring Sammie, deserves its own section in this museum. That moment? It’s a spiritual and sonic experience. It perfectly embodies the soul, struggle, evolution, and excellence that the museum is built on. Honestly, it should be the first thing you hear when you walk in. It doesn’t just fit — it belongs. It’s the kind of cultural storytelling that bridges generations and genre in one breath.

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Museum for Black Girls

– Denver, Colorado

Vibrant. Unapologetic. Joyful. The Museum for Black Girls felt like walking through a beautifully curated Instagram feed meets healing circle. It was playful and powerful — rooms designed to affirm, uplift, and celebrate every shade and shape of Black girl magic. Not your typical museum — and that’s exactly the point. They had an exhibit that felt like the OG hair salon with blue magic and the hot comb and Marcel iron. They had a wall you could draw on. Very very interactive and encapsulating of a culture that is so unique to those that who have the honor to be apart of it.

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Leonardo da Vinci Museum

– Rome, Italy

Just visited this one recently. I got lost trying to find my tour and say forget it and it just went inside because I was tired of walking outside. Shockingly it was a total surprise hit! The Leonardo da Vinci Museum isn’t just about the art (though there’s plenty), it’s about the inventions. They’ve brought his machines to life all types of pulleys, tanks, flying contraptions. So much I did not know he did, y’all the first mock ups of a scuba-suit he did. It looked crazy but he did it the OG design. I felt like a child at Discovery Zone.

No matter where I go, a museum visit is always on my itinerary. It’s how I connect, how I understand, and how I honor the communities I’m exploring. Museums are more than buildings. They are bridges between past and present, between culture and community. And if I find one that’s free? That’s just divine alignment.

Somebody sponsor me, please!!! Because clearly, I’m out here trying to preserve art, culture, and vibes. While at the same time respecting the “no phones” policy. Just imagine the content I could create with Ray-Ban Meta glasses: hands-free snaps, live reactions, and AI captions on the go? Let’s make this a collab before I start applying for museum security just to get the inside shots.