Tate Modern, London (must see)
Once upon a smokestack, this mid-20th-century power station went from fueling machines to fueling imaginations 鈥� and today, this is one of the most-visited modern art museums on the planet: the Tate Modern.
Inside, the art doesn鈥檛 march along a tidy timeline. Instead, it sprawls across eight thematically curated zones, mixing heavy-hitters like Matisse with up-to-the-minute works by contemporary rebels. The temporary exhibitions here also feature big names and bold ideas. Think Gauguin, Modigliani, Picasso, O鈥橩eeffe鈥� and entire showcases exploring Soviet art between the Revolution and Stalin鈥檚 iron curtain call.
Step into the Turbine Hall 鈥� Tate鈥檚 dramatic entrance that could probably house a small airport 鈥� and you鈥檒l be greeted by gravity-defying installations like Olafur Eliasson鈥檚 indoor sun, Ai Weiwei鈥檚 sea of porcelain sunflower seeds, or Carsten H枚ller鈥檚 towering steel slides that turn art appreciation into a full-body experience.
Dive underground and you鈥檒l hit The Tanks: not for oil anymore, but for experimental art. We're talking performance pieces, soundscapes, and moving images that make your brain do backflips. Climb skyward to the rooftop terrace for a killer panoramic view of London鈥檚 skyline (and if you鈥檙e lucky, some weather to match).
In between, there are three expansive exhibition levels featuring everything from global contemporary art to interactive displays and full-room installations. Level 2 is home to the Start Display, where color takes center stage in a global conversation between cultures and eras.
Tip:
If your feet get tired or your brain starts spinning, grab a seat and a snack. There鈥檚 a restaurant with skyline views on Level 9, a relaxed caf茅 on Level 1, and a cozy espresso bar on Level 3. Don鈥檛 miss the balcony on Level 3 either 鈥� the view of St. Paul鈥檚 from there is pure poetry. Oh, and don鈥檛 leave without trying the Tate Draw. Sketch, swipe, and project your masterpiece onto the wall like the digital da Vinci you are.
Inside, the art doesn鈥檛 march along a tidy timeline. Instead, it sprawls across eight thematically curated zones, mixing heavy-hitters like Matisse with up-to-the-minute works by contemporary rebels. The temporary exhibitions here also feature big names and bold ideas. Think Gauguin, Modigliani, Picasso, O鈥橩eeffe鈥� and entire showcases exploring Soviet art between the Revolution and Stalin鈥檚 iron curtain call.
Step into the Turbine Hall 鈥� Tate鈥檚 dramatic entrance that could probably house a small airport 鈥� and you鈥檒l be greeted by gravity-defying installations like Olafur Eliasson鈥檚 indoor sun, Ai Weiwei鈥檚 sea of porcelain sunflower seeds, or Carsten H枚ller鈥檚 towering steel slides that turn art appreciation into a full-body experience.
Dive underground and you鈥檒l hit The Tanks: not for oil anymore, but for experimental art. We're talking performance pieces, soundscapes, and moving images that make your brain do backflips. Climb skyward to the rooftop terrace for a killer panoramic view of London鈥檚 skyline (and if you鈥檙e lucky, some weather to match).
In between, there are three expansive exhibition levels featuring everything from global contemporary art to interactive displays and full-room installations. Level 2 is home to the Start Display, where color takes center stage in a global conversation between cultures and eras.
Tip:
If your feet get tired or your brain starts spinning, grab a seat and a snack. There鈥檚 a restaurant with skyline views on Level 9, a relaxed caf茅 on Level 1, and a cozy espresso bar on Level 3. Don鈥檛 miss the balcony on Level 3 either 鈥� the view of St. Paul鈥檚 from there is pure poetry. Oh, and don鈥檛 leave without trying the Tate Draw. Sketch, swipe, and project your masterpiece onto the wall like the digital da Vinci you are.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Tate Modern on Map
Sight Name: Tate Modern
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
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