OK, so we can’t all finance our own private collections of art and artifacts.

But the good news is there are some important figures who have made their private collections accessible to the public.

JP Morgan collected so many items that part of the collection had to be housed in London, and he still had to construct a separate building in New York to hold the rest of it.

That building is now the JP Morgan Library and Museum, showcasing an enormous collection of art, music and literature.

Military buffs should head to the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation, set up by Jacques Littlefield to oversee his collection of more than 220 vehicles.

Today, the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma features more than 11,000 firearms from his collection.

Oh and Davis himself? He was so attached to his collection that he’s entombed on the museum grounds.

Or, head to handbag designer Judith Leiber’s Long Island museum. She actually purchased hundreds of her own bags to showcase them.

These bags are so famous they’re on display in museums like the Smithsonian and the Met. But a visit to this Italian-style villa is a much more laid-back way to experience her work.

Find out more about great experiences in our Museums section.

And check out the rest of our Daily Travel Tips here.