12 Museums Tours to Book Early

1.Hellisheiði Geothermal Exhibition: Entry and Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 88 reviews · 1 day · from $21Our pick

At Hellisheiði Geothermal Exhibition, about 20 minutes from Reykjavík, you explore an operating geothermal power plant at your own pace. Use the English or Icelandic audio guide, study the production process, visit the Carbfix room, and pause at indoor viewing platforms. Bring headphones and a charged phone.

“This was an interesting and educational activity for anyone in the area interested in the subject matter. I enjoyed it and learned from it. Many people would feel the same, but not necessarily everyone. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush, no time pressure, and there are many exhibits and some videos to see.”

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2.Geothermal Energy Exhibition Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $21

At the Hellisheiði ON Power plant in South Iceland, you’ll explore a self-guided exhibition about geothermal energy at your own pace. Use the free audio guide app, watch multimedia displays, operate interactive hot-water and steam controls, and look into the turbine halls. Allow about an hour, and bring a phone or tablet for the guide.

“Very informative. Recommend getting the headsets-no extra cost- as you will get more detailed information than the displays alone. Took us about an hour to do.”

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3.Full Day Ice Museum and Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 32 reviews · 7 hours · from $200

From Fairbanks, you’ll ride about an hour to Chena Hot Springs for a guided Ice Museum visit, a geothermal-energy tour, and several hours in the pools. Guides such as Paul and Joe have earned praise for clear, entertaining commentary. Bring swimwear, flip-flops, and a towel, and note that the outdoor rock lake pool is for adults 18 and older.

“the ride from fairbanks the chena hots springs was about an hour. Our driver Paul was very entertaining and knowledgeable. We did the hots springs, the indoor pool and lunch there it was a great experience.”

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4.Fire & Ice: Chena Hot Springs, Ice Museum + Aurora Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $270Top rated

Spend about nine hours with AK Bucket List Tours on a private evening from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs. Soak in mineral-rich water, visit the Ice Museum, consider dinner, then search for the Northern Lights with a guide such as Gina or Christopher. Pickup is offered, and the tour returns to Fairbanks late.

“Gina!!! What an amazing guide. She actually studied the Northern Lights, so she's sooo knowledgable about them, as well as the guide business. She knows the staff well over at Chena, so we were able to skip lines and make sure that we were able to participate in all experiences. The Hot Springs at Chena were super warm, and there were spots for people who like the water warmer vs colder. As for actually finding the lights, Gina knew a lot of different spots that were not only beautiful, but provided gorgeous backdrops to view the aurora (which we did!).”

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5.Midnight Sun Magic Chena Hot Springs Soak and Ice Museum Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $180

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs in a small group of up to 12. Kevin, Nate, or another Heart of Alaska guide leads the scenic drive, wildlife spotting, Aurora Ice Museum visit, and geothermal soak. Dinner, an ice-glass Appletini, and towel rental cost extra.

“This is a unique and wonderful experience. A must do while at Fairbanks! Kevin is the absolutely best choice for this tour!!! He goes out of his way to make sure that this is a fun adventure while providing tons of information. Highly recommend it😊”

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6.National Roman Museum and Diocletian Thermal Baths Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $323

Meet your English-speaking guide near Republic Square for a private tour of Palazzo Massimo. See the Boxer at Rest, Roman mosaics, Livia’s frescoed rooms, and ancient coins. Upgrade to the Baths of Diocletian, where Michelangelo turned part of the complex into a striking basilica.

“Absolutely brilliant our guide was incredible and this is the greatest museum in the world - it should be packed but it’s not - I want to go again and again”

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7.Ephesus Museum and Panoramic Ephesus Tours and Turkish bath

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $70

From Kusadasi cruise port, a licensed guide and comfortable vehicle take you to Ephesus viewpoints and the Selcuk Museum, followed by a traditional lunch, rug cooperative visit, and Turkish bath. Guides such as Fusun, Filiz, Bill, Sevda, and Haluk are named in the tour’s feedback. Museum, Ephesus, and hammam admission cost extra.

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8.Kusadasi Day Trips Magnesia, Train Museum Turkish Bath

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $70

From Kusadasi, you’ll visit the quiet ruins of Magnesia, Çamlık Railway Museum, and a Turkish carpet workshop with a traditional kebab lunch. Guide Denizcan is frequently assigned, though guides may vary. The day ends with a hammam treatment featuring exfoliation and a bubbly soap massage. Expect about seven hours in an air-conditioned vehicle.

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9.Ephesus & Turkish Bath Tour + Free Experience Museum Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $94

Meet your English-speaking guide at Kuşadası Cruise Port for a private 5 to 6-hour trip to Ephesus. Walk marble streets and Roman ruins, visit the Ephesus Experience Museum, enjoy a kese scrub and foam massage at Adasaray Hammam, then have a Turkish lunch in a rural village. The ancient-city entry fee costs extra.

“Very good French guide who knew a lot about the history of Ephese, the making of Turkish carpets and who brought us to a restaurant that made us taste several specialties of the countryAuto-translated”

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10.White Temple, Black House Museum and Hot Spring Tour from Chiang Mai (SHA Plus)

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3 reviews · from $51

Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Mae Khachan hot spring, Wat Rong Khun, and Baan Dam Museum. See white temple art, bone displays, antiques, and intricate woodwork, with admission, air-conditioned transport, and hotel pickup included.

“The whole experience was enjoyable. Took many pictures, had ample time in each spot, and our guide was very outgoing and friendly.”

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11.Xi’an Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Hot Spring, and Banpo Museum

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3 reviews · from $89

This full-day Xi’an tour links Banpo Museum, Huaqing Palace, and the Terracotta Warriors with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, lunch, and air-conditioned transport. Guides Alice and Alicia have been noted for clear English and strong commentary. Expect a group of up to 30, with about 2.5 hours at the warriors.

“Hi, the tour was exactly as described, and the guide was superb. Alice was the best tour guide anyone cuould ask for.”

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12.House of Virgin Mary & Ephesus Museum + Lunch -Opt Turkish Bath

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $35

Meet your licensed guide at Ege Port for a private, five-hour Kusadasi tour covering the House of Virgin Mary and Ephesus Museum. Enjoy Turkish lunch, see local carpets and kilims, and add a sauna, kese scrub, and foam massage at Adasaray Hammam. Entry fees and the bath cost extra.

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