National Museum of American Jewish History

Philadelphia

Covering four floors, with lots of multimedia displays and intriguing items such as Iriving Berlin's piano and a Yiddish typewriter, this excellent museum is a solid introduction to the history and role of Jewish culture in the US, covering everything from entertainment to the Civil Rights movement.

The ground-floor gift store is a good spot to pick up contemporary and traditional Judaica, including books and decorative religious items such as menorah.