How to Visit Museums & Art Galleries – 7 Great Tips

Just how do you visit museums and art galleries? Although they are one of the most visited attractions all over the world, they can be a challenge to visit. Trying to navigate around huge maze like buildings with many floors and wings that are crowded with other tourists can be exhausting and off-putting.

Then there is the sheer number of artefacts and art on display which can be both overwhelming and give you a fear of missing out if you don’t try and whizz past them in all in the time that you have.

So, for many, a typical visit is grabbing a museum floor plan and trying to move from one room to another. The result is often a less rewarding or disappointing experience.

To help we have compiled a list of great tips on how to visit museums and art galleries so you can have a great experience that leaves you satisfied and not drained. We hope you use these tips every time you visit one.

1. Plan Ahead

Always research in advance. Once you have chosen the museum or gallery that you will be visiting, get information on openings times, prices, the permanent and temporary exhibitions and the popular exhibits.

Some museums offer free entrance at certain days of the week or at certain hours during the day. Also, some museums offer free short talks and presentations on specific exhibits so check out whether these take place on the museum website.

Museum websites will also floor plans to help you prepare and also have a look at what videos have been posted on YouTube and info posted on forums about the museum. This way, you will great information about the museum and hints and tips to plan your visit.

Also, make sure that you know the rules for photography and personal items; so again you are prepared when visiting. We always recommend to travel light and wear layers.

When deciding on what day you will go going, should you have this option, often the best days to visit are weekdays and first thing in the morning. Mornings are better as this is when we have a clearer mind and a rested body.

2. Take A Tour

If the museum is a popular tourist attraction, then there will be tour options available either through the musuem or through tour agents and private guides. Tour agents often offer skip the line tours or special private tours that can sometimes take place after hours giving you a more intimate experience. So investigate all the options that are available.

Using a private guide is a great way to visit museums and art galleries. Guides can meet you at your hotel or at the museum and you can work out a bespoke tour with them in advance.

Whether using a private guide or one part of a general tour booking, guides are incredible resources to have with you during your visit. The benefits are endless: as they know the building, they will know the best ways to get you around, where the key exhibits are and the location of other facilities like the rest rooms.

Then of course you can interact with your guide during the tour, ask questions and of course get some great information during your tour. We love using guides every time we visit a museum or art gallery.

3. Buy Your Ticket In Advance

If you are not taking a more formal tour or hiring a guide, then still try and purchase your entrance tickets in advance to avoid standing in potential long queues.

4. Don’t See Everything & Pick What You Want to See

The most important tip when visiting museums and art galleries is not to pressure yourself to see everything. Even smaller museums may have far too many artefacts for you to process. So as long as you have done some preparation you will know what you what to see and where to spend your time; so follow your own bespoke plan.

5. You Don’t Have To Like What You See

A great tip when visiting museums and art galleries is to always remember, you don’t have to like everything you see. When it comes to viewing art make your own judgement and enjoy the process of asking yourself do you like.

6. Rest / Take A Break

Remember to take a break even if it is for just for a few minutes. Most museums have spaces to rest so use them and recharge.

7. Remember Your Visit

A stop at the gift shop to pick up something to remember your visit is a great tip. We love picking up functional items like note books, a mug or tea towels with pictures of the key exhibits to take home. Also, pick up a post card or guide book to also remember your visit especially if photography is not possible.

So to wrap up on how to visit museums and art galleries…

Use there great tips every time you plan a visit to a museum or an art gallery and get the most out of your visit. We use them every time.

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