As the weather softens, but it's not unbearably cold, autumn is the perfect season to explore cultural attractions and spend quality time with family in a relaxed and charming atmosphere.

Romania offers a variety of museums that can delight both children and adults, with interactive exhibits, captivating history lessons, and educational activities.

In this article, we present 5 museums in Romania that are ideal for an autumn visit with your family.

1. Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum – Bucharest

The Village Museum is one of the most beautiful cultural destinations in Romania and is perfect for an autumn visit. Located in Herăstrău Park in Bucharest, this open-air museum offers a glimpse into the traditional Romanian village life through old cottages, wooden churches, and craft workshops from all regions of the country.

'On the shores of Lake Herăstrău, right in the heart of Romania's capital, visitors from all over the world have the joy of encountering a true 'village,' with monuments and artifacts from the 17th century to the early 20th century; representative constructions from important ethnographic regions have found here a second life at the 'Dimitrie Gusti' National Village Museum,' according to the official website.

Why visit with your family:

• Children can learn about Romanian rural traditions by seeing old objects and tools used by peasants.
• The autumn atmosphere in the museum's traditional gardens is magical, perfect for peaceful walks.
• Periodically, the museum organizes pottery, weaving, or wood painting workshops where the little ones can actively participate.

For more information on hours and access, you can find out more HERE.

Photo: Facebook/ 'Dimitrie Gusti' National Village Museum

2. ASTRA Museum – Sibiu

The ASTRA Museum in Sibiu is the largest open-air museum in Romania and one of the largest in Europe. Located in a forest near the city, the museum brings together hundreds of traditional buildings from all corners of the country.These include windmills, wooden churches, households, and craft workshops.

'The most important ethnographic institution in Romania. The largest open-air museum in Europe. Situated in an enchanting landscape, in the natural reserve "Dumbrava Sibiului," the open-air museum surprises you at every step and in each moment, with the way nature and culture harmoniously blend into a true representation of the Romanian village. The 10 km long pathways will take you through peasant households, craft workshops, wooden churches, crosses, sheepfolds, water and windmills, and the authentic and original, well-preserved interiors will tell you all about the simple life of the countryside, teaching you about old skills and how to reuse them for the future,' as stated on the official website.

Why visit with your family:

• It is the perfect place to spend an entire day outdoors, surrounded by nature.
• The museum offers interactive activities for children, such as carpentry and pottery workshops.
• The museum's thematic trails, like those dedicated to mills or crafts, are interesting for the whole family.

Photo: Facebook/ ASTRA Museum

3. Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History – Bucharest

The Grigore Antipa Museum is one of the most beloved museums in Bucharest and throughout the country, making it an ideal destination for families. The museum is renowned for its rich collections of natural exhibits, from dinosaur skeletons to interactive dioramas featuring animals from all corners of the world.

In addition to its impressive exhibits, it has a fascinating history: 'The museum was founded on November 3, 1834, at the initiative of the brother of Prince Alexandru Ghica, the Grand Ban Mihalache Ghica. He donated significant collections, including Greek, Roman, and Byzantine coins, collections of minerals, fossils, mollusks, fish, birds, and mammals, as well as works of art. Although it was initially conceived as a natural history cabinet, the museum took on a mixed character, housing antiquities, old paintings, and natural curiosities,' according to the official website.

Why visit with your family:

• Children will be fascinated by the exhibits featuring dinosaurs, insects, and exotic animals.
• The museum offers interactive exhibitions and dedicated areas for children, where they can learn through play.
• Guided tours are tailored to the ages of visitors, making them engage with and captivate the little ones.

Photo: Facebook/Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History

4. Casa Mureșenilor Museum – Brașov

For a unique cultural and historical experience, the 'Casa Mureșenilor' Museum in Brașov is an excellent choice. Dedicated to the Mureșianu family of intellectuals and patriots, the museum hosts collections of documents, manuscripts, and heritage objects, closely tied to the history of modern Romania.

'Casa Mureșenilor was founded in 1968 as a result of a donation made by the descendants of the Mureșianu family. In doing so, they fulfilled the cultural testament of academician Iacob Mureșianu, offering the Romanian state the necessary space for organizing a museum, along with a highly valuable collection of furniture, paintings, sculptures, and, most importantly, an archive of inestimable cultural value, containing over 25,000 documents. The museum is dedicated to the memory of several members of this family, who made great contributions to the cultural and political life of their time,' according to the official website.

Why visit with your family:

• It’s a place where children can learn about Romania’s cultural and literary history in an interactive way.
• The museum frequently organizes creative workshops for children, such as writing with a quill or music and theater workshops.
• The temporary exhibitions are diverse and attractive for the whole family.

Photo: Facebook/ Casa Mureșenilor Museum Brașov

5. Răsvan Angheluță Natural Sciences Museum Complex – Galați

Another place worth visiting this autumn is the Natural Sciences Museum Complex in Galați. It offers a wide range of exhibitions.

However, it’s important to note that, starting from August 23, 2023, the Museum Section, Aquarium, and Astronomical Observatory are temporarily closed due to renovation works. You can still visit the Botanical Garden and the Zoo.

More information can be found on the official website: https://cmsngl.ro/.

Why visit with your family:

• The Botanical Garden is perfect for an autumn stroll when the landscape transforms into a vibrant painting of colors.
• The Zoo has a diverse collection of mammal and bird species from various geographical regions of the world (Europe, Asia, Africa).

Photo: Facebook/Natural Sciences Museum Complex Galați

These 5 museums in Romania offer not only captivating lessons in history and science but also opportunities to spend quality time with your family through a relaxing and educational way. Whether you're looking for an outdoor day filled with traditions or you want to explore the mysteries of nature and history, these museums are the perfect choice for an autumn trip.

Which one will you choose?