National Comedy Center Named #1 Best Pop Culture Museum in the Country by USA Today
The National Comedy Center, the United States’ museum and national archive dedicated to the art form of comedy, was named the #1`Best Pop Culture Museum in the country by USA Today as part of the 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
The National Comedy Center was one of 20 institutions nationwide nominated as the best in the U.S. in the pop culture category by a panel of nationally recognized travel and lifestyle experts for the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, which highlight outstanding travel destinations, attractions and experiences, lodging, shopping, food and drink, sports and outdoors, and more. Fellow nominees in the category included the American Sign Museum, Charles M. Schulz Museum, World of Coca-Cola, Strong National Museum of Play, and Comic-Con Museum. As USA Today notes, “America has long been a hotbed of pop culture, and these museums celebrate the very best of it, from movies and food to beloved characters and urban legends.”
The National Comedy Center was ultimately named the nation’s #1 Best Pop Culture Museum by popular vote following a four-week national online voting period from January 12 through February 9, 2026.
“This national recognition from USA Today is a powerful acknowledgment of the extraordinary artists who have shaped comedy — the great minds, singular voices, and time-honed creative processes that have elevated this art form throughout its history,” stated Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center. “Comedians past and present have helped us see the world differently, challenge conventions, and bring people together through laughter. We’re honored to celebrate their work and grateful to the artists, supporters, and audiences who believe in preserving comedy’s heritage while inspiring new generations.”
“Comedy sits at the heart of American pop culture, and at the National Comedy Center, visitors can experience it in a deeply personal and engaging way,” stated Gary Hahn, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the National Comedy Center. “Our interactive exhibits connect people to the moments, memories, and cultural touchstones that shaped their lives — it’s what draws them to Jamestown and helps make it a destination for visitors from across the country and around the world.”
The National Comedy Center has previously received top honors from USA Today across multiple categories. In 2020, it was voted the nation’s #1 “Best New Museum,” and in 2019, it was voted the #2 “Best New Attraction” while ranking as the #1 museum and #1 ticketed attraction in the USA Today poll. The museum has also been named one of Time magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places,” and to U.S. News & World Report’s “25 Top Family Weekend Getaways in the U.S.”
This past fall, the National Comedy Center’s Memory Café program won two Gold Anthem Awards – a global honor from the Webby Awards organization recognizing purpose and mission-driven work – for excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Engagement, among fellow honorees including Google, PBS, UNICEF USA, AARP, World Central Kitchen, Sesame Workshop, and more.
