Museum

Museums at Night, produced by the British arts-charity organization Culture24 and being held this year May 17-20, will feature after-hours events — such as music, lectures and tours — at museums and historical properties across the UK. 

Among the venues are London’s Charles Dickens Museum, the Roman Baths in Bath, Wakefield’s Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Tudor House Museum in Worcester. For events and ticket info, visit museumsatnight.org.uk.

Stories behind great European art

While in Montréal, Québec, Canada, in August 2016, my husband, Frank, and I stayed three nights at Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites (1193 Place Phillips, Montréal; 866/393-1193, www.squarephillips.com). It’s located within walking distance of the Old City, the old port, downtown and major museums. 

Our king studio had a full kitchenette and a dining area for four. High ceilings and tall windows made it feel even more spacious. The rate of CAN236 (near $181) per night included tax and a large Continental breakfast.

Near the Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, the public can take tours of the Kishle, a military and prison compound at the Tower of David Museum (Jerusalem, Israel; phone +972 2 6265333, www.tod.org.il/en).

Last used in 1947 to house Jewish prisoners during the Israeli War of Independence against the British, the Kishle was recently excavated, revealing retaining walls and a sewage system dating back to the time of Herod as well as graffiti from when it was a British military post.

Ikea, the international chain of stores that sells ready-to-assemble furniture plus housewares, in June 2016 opened the Ikea Museum (IKEAgatan 5, 343 36 Älmhult, Sweden; www.ikeamuseum.com/en) in the first Ikea store, located in southern Sweden.

There are sections on the company’s founder and on the company’s founding and expansion plus exhibits showing how people use Ikea. A shop carries discontinued products and unique Ikea items. 

Open daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. SEK60 (near $7). A tour in English may be booked in advance online.

Until July 30 2017, the “Lucent” exhibit at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (Stanley Place, Cultural Precinct, South Bank, Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia; phone +61 3840 7303, http://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au) showcases traditional arts of Australian Aboriginal and Polynesian peoples, highlighting the similarities and differences in their material culture. Items on display include jewelry, textiles and religious artifacts. The Gallery of Modern Art is open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.