Whales, minerals and dinosaurs. Planets, forests, mammals and butterflies.

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is a hub for all things human science: biology, ecology, zoology, geology, astronomy and anthropology. Spanning many city blocks on the Upper West Side of New York City, with four floors, 42 permanent exhibits, a planetarium and an IMAX theater, approximately five millions visitors explore this behemoth of a museum each year.

Fans of Canadian superstar Justin Bieber are able to get an intimate look at his early life through a museum exhibit in his hometown of Stratford, Ontario (and here's a map of Justin's Stratford!). The Stratford Perth Museum — located in the small city in southwestern Ontario where Bieber grew up and launched his meteoric rise as a teenager to the top of music charts around the world —recently opened an exhibit featuring a one-of-a-kind collection of Bieber memorabilia.

The holiday season can be a hectic and hurried time, but for an escape from the hustle and bustle, the Royal BC Museum offers holiday events with a simple spirit.

The holiday season kicks off at the Royal BC Museum on Sunday, Nov. 29 with the annual favourite, Carol-Along with the Carillon. Bring your family, friends and pooch to gather under the Centennial Carillon and sing along with the Newcombe Singers and world-renowned carillonneur Jon Lehrer as he plays holiday classics.