Through the years, my family has grown to appreciate the amazing art that this world has to offer. But this hasn’t always been the case. Early on, visiting and enjoying famous art museums presented us with a learning curve, especially with two young kids. However, we knew that we could do better. The first lesson learned was how poor planning can derail any successful museum visit. So, join me as I offer some helpful hints on how to visit any museum like a pro AND enjoy it! So let’s start with…
Book your tickets online!
Whenever this option is offered, take it! And this holds true for ANY popular tourist site.
Most tourist sites offer buying your ticket ahead of time along with a timed entry. Of course, this may not work for those who are spontaneous with their tour plans. But spontaneity can lead to disappointment. And trust me. There is nothing worse than arriving to a museum with long lines stretching around the building for visitors waiting for admittance.
My family learned this when visiting the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. I bought our tickets ahead of time. Upon arrival, my kids couldn’t believe the line of tourists waiting to get in. The wait was several hours in the hot sun.
Remember — YOU are not the only one planning a visit. So head over to the museum websites and get your tickets. And while you are there…
Download a map of the museum’s layout BEFORE you go.
By doing this, you will be forced to make a plan. Research what the museum offers in different locations. Hone in on what interests you first. Too many people spend too much time viewing things that don’t interest them. By the time they get to what does, they’re pooped. And that’s where my next tip comes in…
Explore from the top floor down.
This is a really important tip for the large museums. Experiencing “museum fatigue” is a real thing. And trust me from experience, I’ve learned the hard way in my early years of visiting popular museums across the United States and Europe. The Louvre in Paris, for example, has FOUR floors!
Most museums place their main exhibitions on the upper floor. The bottom floors of the museum are typically reserved for rotating exhibitions. And if you’ve noticed, most visitors start on the ground level or the area closest to the ticketing area. The area gets crowded. If there are 2 or more floors, immediately head up to the top floor. Leave the entry crowds behind.
Visit on free discounted days.
If you’re on a budget, saving money on vacation becomes a top priority. But keep in mind that other tourists are in the same boat. Expect bigger crowds and lines on these days. There is, however, a strong possibility that you can get a timed ticket for these days. Again, check the museum’s website for this information.
This leads into my next tip…
Avoid most crowded times.
I know that my previous tip contradicts this one. But if budget is not an issue, visit when most don’t. Some museums provide “traffic graphs,” displaying visitor population at different times of every day. Use it and plan accordingly.
Don’t rush! Pace yourself.
I always suggest planning your time limit in any museum before you go. In most cases, two hours is sufficient before fatigue and disinterest begins to set in.
Take into account who is with you.
Families with little kids, millenials, couples, seniors…
Each group is so different in what will interest them and hold their attention. Luckily, many museums have learned that it is necessary, and in their best interest, to create content specific to different groups. For example, content catered to children needs to be highly engaging, bright and loud. Millennials and young adults, on the other hand, are more interested in exhibits that may be more digital and technological in nature.
Take advantage of audio tours.
I have to admit that I was late to the game on this tip. If you can’t afford an expensive tour guide or just like to walk at your own pace, audio tours are invaluable.
Start, stop, reverse.
You control what you want to hear and learn. And for families with young kids out there, the little ones love having control of a gadget.
Now, if you can afford it and want more personalized attention…
Book A Museum Guide.
Your level in interest and your budget will dictate if this is a good option. After all , a “human” guide provides detailed knowledge that you probably won’t get reading placards or listening to an audio guide. And you can ask them questions and have them focus on what interests YOU.
Now, if you are museum addiicts…
Purchase Museum Passes.
Most big cities offer some sort of discounted tourist passes. Some are specific to museums. Others include other sites and transportation as well. You need to determine what is right for you and your fellow travelers.
“The value of city passes depends on how much you value convenience and time,” says Konrad Waliszewski, chief executive of the travel guide app TripScout. He’s done extensive research on the passes and found that they can save money for some visitors. “It’s absolutely worth it if you’re traveling during peak season or plan to visit more than three sites included in the pass,” he told me. “Otherwise, you’re best buying tickets a la carte.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/are-city-passes-worth-it-heres-how-to-tell/2020/02/26/410dede0-5425-11ea-b119-4faabac6674f_story.html
And last but certainly not least..
Think out of the “museum box.”
Find the hidden “museum” gems that the masses don’t necessarily visit. And many don’t even house paintings and sculptures!
Two examples from my family’s travel journey include the Naval Museum in Madrid, Spain and the Mardi Gras Museum in New Orleans,. Louisiana.
Both are MUSEUMS but don’t necessarily get the crowds that the Prada in Madrid of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. But nonetheless, these two places are remembered and talked about until this day. Visit my blog post about the unexpected museum gems that my family has explored on our journey so far:https://followmyyellowbrickroad.com/?page_id=1866
