10 tips how to go to a museum and enjoy it

Often when I enter some great museums I almost feel helpless because of the amount of beauty that is overwhelming. It feels like even if I’d spend there a week or a month I wouldn’t see all of it. This feeling can be discouraging sometimes.

But we don’t give up!




Just Enjoy :) Enjoy whatever you are doing (and this is relevant not only when it comes to visiting museums). Breathe, smile and let’s go :)

Here are some tricks how to make your museum experience awesome, exciting and make sure you’d want to go back to this and other museums.

1. On the way to a museum accept the fact that you won’t be able to see everything. In the best case you’d probably see 10-20% of the collection. Just accept it. It’s normal. We are humans and we have our limitations. We get hungry, tired, sleepy. And it’s just becoming overwhelming. Plan to spend in the museum 2-3 hours. Not more. And think that you can come back there again when you want
2. Don’t go to a museum if you are tired or hungry. Remember “Bread and circuses”? Bread is first. Art is not well received when you are hungry.
3. Check the working hours of the museum in advance and the days when the museum is closed. For example some museums are closed on Mondays but open on the weekends. Also good to know if the museum is open or closed during national holidays. Sometimes the entrance is for free during national holidays or every first Sunday of the month. 
4. Check if there are guided tours in the museum or some special events. Sometimes the museums organise free guided tours on their collections. You only need to buy entrance ticket.
5. Look if possible to buy the tickets on-line. This is a great way to avoid a queue at the entrance. I bet it will save you couple of hours if you buy online ticket to Musei Vaticani or to Uffizi Gallery.
6. Usually there are maps with highlights of the museum, must-see art-works. They are super-helpful. This is how you know which art-works are absolutely unmissable. In case there is no such a map, ask at the information desk what their top 5 recommendations are and start with this. But don’t be limited only by these art works. See what you like and enjoy, remember? :) 
7. Check if there are pillows or little chairs in the museum, so you could sit on it. In some museums it’s very convenient just to carry with you a small chair, so then when you see a stunning art-work and would want to spend some more time in front of it you could take a sit and enjoy it as much time as you want.
8. Don’t read the description of every single art work. You’ll get tired after the first room and may not see the rest. Read only about the art-works that you liked, that made you to stop in front of them for a bit longer. 
9. Don’t look only at the art-works. Pay attention also on how the museum itself is organized. By theme, time, topic, artist. Look what is the color of the walls and how it is matching the art-works in the room; how and where is the light set up. Check if there is an exit to the roof-top or a balcony. What if there is fantastic view to the city?! ;)
10. And of course you are great, you came to a museum, enjoyed the art, learnt something new, so now you can treat yourself with a coffee and a cake at the museum café! It is essential part of your visit. Same goes to the museum shop. Little souvenir with the favorite art-work on it to remember your visit, this day and be excited about coming again. 

These are few things that are helping me and hope will be useful for you when you go to a museum next time.

Enjoy and I’ll see you there :)

Yours,

Not An Art Expert