Instead of plopping on the couch to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" for the billionth time, use this guide to 10 of the best museums in the country and their highlights.

Smithsonian american \nart museum -- \nWashington, D.c.\nADDRESS\nDON'T MISS: "Vaquero" by Luis Jimenez. This equestrian statue sits on a plinth outside the museum. It is a 16.5 feet tall, blue fiberglass construction and a curious mix of traditional and popular art.\nMORE INFO: americanart.si.edu\nThe Art Institute of Chicago -- \nMichigan Avenue\nDON'T MISS: "Paris Street; Rainy Day" by Gustave Caillebotte. This famous painting dominated the celebrated Impressionist exhibition of 1877. Caillebotte based the painting on mathematical perspective, and it is considered his masterpiece.\nMORE INFO: artic.edu/aic\nThe Metropolitan \nMuseum of Art -- \nNew York CIty\nDON'T MISS: "Young Woman with a Water Pitcher" by Johannes Vermeer. This Dutch master's work has been popularized by the book and recent movie "Girl with a Pearl Earring." \nMore info: metmuseum.org\nSpeed Art Museum -- \nLouisville, Ky.\nDON'T MISS: The English Room. This oak-paneled parlor was taken entirely from a 17 century Devon home and installed in the museum, complete with stained glass windows. The room features elaborate coats of arms and a magnificent fireplace.\nMORE INFO: speedmuseum.org\nIndianapolis Museum of Art -- \nMichigan Road\nADDRESS\nDON'T MISS: "The Virgin with the Dragonfly" by Albrecht Dürer. This fantastic print was made by a woodblock carving at the end of the 15th century. It was Dürer's first work to bear his monogram and remains the most archaic version.\nMORE INFO: ima-art.org\nCleveland Museum of Art -- \nEast Boulevard\nDON'T MISS: "Kouros" by an unknown artist. The ancient Greeks entertained a fascination with sculpting the young male nude for more than a century. This particular example is from the earlier part of the Classical period.\nMORE INFO: www.clevelandart.org\nDenver Art Museum -- \nWest 14th Avenue\nParkway\nDON'T MISS: "Bubbles" chaise lounge by Frank O. Gehry. This major American expressionist designer created the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. This piece, is part of series of furniture made from cardboard.\nMORE INFO: denverartmuseum.org\nMilwaukee Art Museum -- \nNorth Art Museum Drive\nDON'T MISS: "Poppies " by Georgia O'Keeffe. The American icon teeters between representation and abstraction again in this sensuous piece. It is set against her traditional background: the Southwestern sky.\nMORE INFO: mam.org\nCincinnati Art Museum -- \nEden Park Drive\nDON'T MISS: "Suit: Jacket, Skirt and Belt" by Christian Dior. This is an example of the fashion icon's earlier work. The tailored suit that dates from 1950 is part of an extensive costume and clothing collection housed by the museum.\nMORE INFO: cincinnatiartmuseum.org\nSt. Louis Art Museum -- \nForest Park\nDON'T MISS: "Self-Portrait" by Rembrandt van Rijn. In celebration of Rembrandt's 400th birthday, the St. Louis Art Museum will bring together this piece and over 40 of his best prints from the public and private collections of St. Louis.\nMORE INFO: stlouis.art.museum