This page lists tactile museums or special exhibits specifically created for blind people. It only includes exhibits where there is a substantial amount of things to touch, museums with audio tours only are not included here.
The ACB web site contains a list of museums which offer audio description in the United States.
If you are aware of any similar museums, please contact me and I will add it to the list.
Andy Warhol Museum
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Throughout the museum, there are tactile art reproductions. There is an audio guide, and guided tours can be scheduled in advance.
Verified by visitor
Anubhav
New Delhi, India
A tactile experience inside the national museum. 22 replicas of museum objects representing 5000 years of Indian art.
American Museum of Natural History
New York, NY, USA
They have touchable objects on display in the majority of the halls, and they also offer touch tours, called “Science Sense” tours, by request to any visitor. You can find more information in the “For Blind Visitors” section of the Accessibility page.
Verified by employee.
American Museum of Natural History web site
Audain Art Museum
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Not listed on the web site, but touch tours are available upon request.
Verified by visitor.
Bank of Canada Museum
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
A portion of the exhibit is specifically designed to be explored by touch. There are things to hold, touch, interact with, even smell. 3D replicas and braille descriptions are also available.
Bank of Canada Museum web site
My review of the Bank of Canada Museum
Canadian Museum of History
Ottawa, Canada
They have a special guided touch tour for blind people, but the museum in general has enough things to touch. Contact them through the web site or call in a few weeks in advance.
The Canadian Museum of History web site
Read my review about the Canadian Museum of History
Cincinnati Art Museum
Cincinnati, OH, United States
A guided touch tour is available. Includes a great variety of objects and tactile representations. Advanced reservation is required.
Cincinnati Art Museum web site
Read my review about the Cincinnati Art Museum
Des Moines Art Center
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Guided tactile tours at the museum and sculpture park. Schedule at least two weeks in advance.
Verified by employee
Des Moines Art Center web site
Elizabeth Morse Touch Gallery
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
The touch gallery is an exhibit of statues, specifically designed for visually impaired visitors. The gallery provides tactile access to select sculptures, allowing blind and visually impaired individuals to experience art through touch. Additionally, accessible descriptions and information are provided in both Braille and large print, along with audio descriptions.
Elizabeth Morse Touch Gallery web site
Fort Ticonderoga Museum
Fort Ticonderoga, New York, United States
They have items on display to touch, and until the end of October, 2024 five tactile historic mapst will be available as well.
Confirmed by consultant.
Fort Ticonderoga Museum web site
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Touch tours available, request at least one week in advance.
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East web site
House from a Christmas Story
Cleveland, OH, United States
The house is enjoyable without a guided tour, but it is recommended to ask that the tour guide would help you find things you can touch. Ask if Chuck is there, he is amazing. The museum part is more of a visual experience, but the guide’s explanations are worth it.
Read my review about the house and the museum
Mashburn/Marshall Tactile Gallery – Fine Arts Center
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
The Mashburn/Marshall Tactile Gallery is fully accessible, designed to be enjoyed by people of all abilities. Visitors are encouraged to touch each object or experience the exhibits through other senses, making it especially welcoming for individuals with visual impairments.
Mashburn/Marshall Tactile Gallery – Fine Arts Center web site
Milwaukee Public Museum
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
The Milwaukee Public Museum has a permanent tactile gallery that features mostly real objects, to explore through touch, Braille, large print, and audio. There are real furs, objects, animal horns, etc. Staff are trained in accessibility engagement and communication.
Verified by employee.
Milwaukee Public Museum web site
Museo Tiflologico
Madrid, Spain
Established and maintained by ONCE,.
- Reproductions of national and international monuments
- Art pieces by blind and partially sighted artists
- Typhlologic material
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Guided tours need to be requested in advance. They also offer monthly virtual Zoom tours.
Museum of Fine Arts Boston web site
Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind
Louisville, KY, United States
Books, maps and other equipment used by blind people. Also offers a traveling exhibit. Probably the largest exhibit of its kind.
Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind web site
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
Winchester, Virginia, United States
Though it is not updated on the web site yet, you can request a touch tour.
Verified by employee
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley web site
National Building Museum
Washington DC, United States
By default the museum does not land itself as a tactile experience, upon request a touch tour can be organized which provides enough tactile experience. Call the accessibility line from the web site to contact them.
National Building Museum web site
My review of the National Building Museum
National Underground Rail Road Freedom Center
Cincinnati, OH, United States
Though the museum does not specifically advertise to have a tactile experience, they are very accessible and there is a lot to touch. For that matter, they encourage visitors to touch objects.
Underground Rail Road Freedom Center web site
My review of the National Underground Railroad Center
North Carolina Museum of Art
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Tactile tours available, request at least two weeks in advance.
North Carolina Museum of Art web site
Portland Art Museum
location
Currently have four tactile graphics. A guided tour can be requested in advance.
Some of the museum is under construction, expected to be completed in 2025, when they will have many more tactile options. It is worth contacting them and signing up on their mailing list where you can get information about new tours and exhibitions for blind and visually impaired people.
Verified by employee.
Smithsonian Numismatic Collection
Washington, D.C., United States
The Really Big Money exhibit is created for students to be fully accessible. At the numismatic collection, there are other accessibility features, and tours can be requested.
In general the Smithsonian is a very accessible organization, but I don’t have evidence of touch tours at the individual museums. It is worth checking their web site and contacting them, as you will possibly find something at most places.
Smithsonian Numismatic Collection web site
My review of the Smithsonian Numismatic Collection
About my visit to the Smithsonian Numismatic Collection
Tactual Museum
Athens, Greece
Created by the Lighthouse for the Blind.
Copies of original ancient Greek artwork. Buildings, statues, coins, vessels among other things. Also offers educational programs.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York, NY, United States
The touch collection has a wide array of objects, requires reservation.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art web site
The Museum of Flight
Seattle, WA, United States
The museum offers regular touch tours for blind and visually impaired people, the tour is about 1.5 hours long. Register in advance on their accessibility page.
My review of the Museum of Flight
United States Capitol
Washington, D.C., United States
They offer tactile and described tours of the Capitol building, and there are tactile exhibits and audio description available in the Exhibition Hall area of the Capitol Visitor Center. On the tour of the Capitol itself, they have a tactile map of the National Mall with all of its museums and monuments.
Verified by employee
United States Capitol web site
Uffizi by touch
Florence, Italy
Representing about 30 artworks from ancient times.