Creating an Enjoyable Museum Visit
If done right, navigating an art museum can be a thrilling way to spend the day. Let’s dive right into my list of tips to help you on your next visit…
✿ Plan ahead: Research the museum's website and familiarize yourself with the layout, the hours, events, and any current exhibitions. Just showing up and wandering around will have you quickly feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Planning your route ahead of time will save you a lot of energy once you get there. Helpful apps like Get Your Guide will allow you to buy “skip the line” tickets and literally save you hours that can be spend enjoying yourself instead of standing around and waiting. Sometimes purchasing a museum membership will give you access to previews, special exhibits and other benefits (like gift shop discounts!) that surpass the cost of a one time ticket.
✿ Visit during off-peak hours: To avoid crowds and have a more relaxed experience, try to visit the museum during weekdays or late afternoons. Sundays are typically the busiest day to visit. Some museums will give updates on what their peak hours will be on any given day making it even easier to avoid crowds. I have found winter (in the northern hemisphere) to be the perfect time to visit major museums, since the usual warmer weather activities that would compete for my attention don’t apply. Some museums are open till late and really breathtaking at night.
✿ Length of Time: Decide a rough window estimate of how long you will be able to visit before museum fatigue sinks in. Taking breaks will extend your stamina some, but keep in mind that if you stay too long, there comes a point where you won’t really retain any of the “extra” art you try to cram in. It is far better to accept you can’t see it all and choose what interests you this time.
✿ Bring AirPods/headphones. Sensory overload can be reduced by noise cancelling headphones and a preplanned playlist. Music doesn’t just tune out the unwanted distractions around you, the songs you choose to listen to can also be associated with the art you see, creating a more lasting memory.
✿ Dress in a streamlined, comfortable way. Carry as little as you can. This makes it easy to move past long coat check lines and make the security check point a breeze. Though there is a lot of walking involved, it’s the standing for long periods of time and leaning in to look at the art that will exhaust you. A small crossbody clutch or bag and supportive shoes are a must. Maybe your backpack will allow your shoulders to be more comfortable, but keep in mind you will likely be asked to check it or carry it front facing so as to not accidentally hit any art.
✿ Explore lesser-known sections: While the famous exhibits are a must-see, dedicate at least one part of your visit to seeing something you might not have a lot of knowledge about yet. Besides the thrill of being alone in a gallery that get less foot traffic, you can experience it in a completely different way and will probably be pleasantly surprised at the hidden gems along the way.
✿ Take breaks: While it may seem counter-intuitive to interrupt what might be the only time you visit a world famous museum, I promise you it will be more memorable if you savor it. Once you accept that you do have a limit to what you can take in, you can enjoy that cup of coffee for a few moments before soldiering on to more galleries. Making regular check-ins with your energy levels. Even a few moments rest sitting on a bench, rooftop garden or cafe will help you slow down and be in the moment. You can also easily conserve energy by moving past anything that doesn’t interest you.
✿ Trust your intuition to be your ultimate guide. You never have to stop at every work of art, read every (or any) placard, or even go in any special order. While information posted can point to dates and materials, combing through it all can tap your energy and even interfere with staying open minded to your own personal experience and feelings about the art. Remember you can always learn more about it after the visit and even “see” the work of art again online on youTube or digital tours - but experiencing the art in person is singular. Put the phone or camera away, lose the phone selfies.
✿ Engage with museum staff: Don't hesitate to ask questions or seek recommendations. They can provide valuable insights, suggest lesser-known exhibits, give you stories about the museum’s history.
Remember, the purpose of visiting a museum is to appreciate art, culture, and history. So, take your time, absorb the ambiance, and let the exhibits inspire and captivate you.
