Tips & Tricks for Navigating the Museum Landscape
Nancy Benz, M.A. | Historian
Think back to the last time you visited a museum. Was it fun? Was it exciting? Was it busy? Was it quiet? Were you alone or in a group? Were you overwhelmed? No matter the size or popularity, museums are major tourist destinations. Over the years, I have visited my share of museums. I’ve been to some that are mind blowing and some that are not so great but interestingly… quirky. You know those podunk “museums’ ‘ along the road or in an unknown small town? Those have been some of the greatest little gems I’ve seen.
However, museums can be very intimidating. Not only can they be large, but sometimes they can have an antiquated feel. A feeling where you don’t want to be too loud or get the “look” for doing something you didn’t know you couldn’t. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it wasn’t fun! Depending on the size and extensiveness of their exhibits, museums can be expensive and crowded. You may find yourself not wanting to miss anything or fail to get your money’s worth and, therefore, you walk around endlessly until you’re overwhelmed and drop from pure exhaustion.
Even though museums can be daunting, they should be an experience that’s enjoyable and something you want to schedule on your next trip. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you enjoy your visit to the fullest!
Before You Visit:
The number one thing to do is to plan ahead! I cannot stress this enough. Yes, you can just show up and wander around, but you won’t be maximizing your unique experience. If you are visiting a popular destination, try purchasing your tickets ahead of time. Buy tickets for everything you want to see that’s offered like general admission, special exhibits, or IMAX theater presentations. You’ll avoid the long lines and the hassle of buying tickets on site, but be aware that some places have a processing fee of a few dollars (to me, it’s absolutely worth it!).
Since you’re already on their website buying tickets, do a deep dive into their website. We live in a digital era so, we might as well take advantage of it! Websites will help you plan your visit down to the last minute detail, including parking. That’s the last thing you want to do–struggle to find parking! If you are planning a visit with multiple people, Google locations that will suit multiple interests. The Field Museum in Chicago, IL or the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Denver, CO are great examples.
When you’re purchasing advanced tickets, see if you can visit during a weekday to avoid the bustling weekends. If you don’t mind a crowd, go whenever you please, but for me and my husband, we like a more intimate setting and usually hit the sites on a weekday or really early in the morning on the weekend. You can have a really neat immersive experience by visiting at a slower time.
While You’re At the Museum:
You’re in the museum. Now, what? If the place has theater experiences, check those out first. Usually, you can pick your viewing time, opt for the earliest ones. You pay extra for that experience, make sure you watch the showing. If you choose a later show time, you may miss it if you’re somewhere else in the building, and there’s not always a refund or second chance to see it.
If it’s a multi-floor museum, I suggest starting at the top floor and working your way down. Whether you get there by foot or an elevator, it doesn’t really matter; however, in my experience, taking the stairs lets you interact with the museum in a unique and intimate manner. You may see things that you didn’t know were there. In some places, you are literally walking in the footsteps of past peoples. And by going to the top and working your way down–especially if you opt for the stairs–you are less likely to get tired. There is nothing worse than walking up steps when you’ve been on your feet for hours already!
Once you reach the floor you want to be on, check out the displays and exhibits that interest you first. By viewing the exhibits that you want to see, your experience will be much more rewarding and enjoyable. If the museum offers audio tours and the place is bursting at the seams, take advantage of it. This will cut down on reading associated text and will cancel out some of the noise.
While you’re taking a gander, remember to take breaks. There are usually spaces where visitors can sit. Take advantage of these spaces where you can sit for a few minutes to rest and reflect. My husband and I always take a couple of breaks to talk about what we’ve seen and read. We tend to gravitate towards different displays, and this allows us to share our own individual experiences together. One of our favorite places to do so is at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. That place is huge and you can see so much!
Lastly, try to limit your visit to one to two hours (especially if it’s a large facility). If you are like me and can stay in a museum for hours, this won’t apply to you, but most people are not like me. Seriously, limiting your visit is a wise choice. If you stay until you are tired, grumpy, and/or bored, you risk damaging your experience or that of your groups.
Museums will always be among popular attractions, and they need our support now more than ever. Make the most of your next visit. Museums may not be your go-to destination, but if you approach them with these few tips and tricks in mind, you may just find out you have an inner museum nerd waiting to be unleashed.
Now, what museum are you going to visit next?
This article was edited from the original blog post: Nancy Benz. “So, You Want to Visit a Museum?: Tips and Tricks to Navigating Museums”. #TrackingHistory Blog, May 23, 2020. https://trackinghistorydotblog.wordpress.com/
Nancy Benz is the Curator of Collections and Exhibits at the Quincy Museum in Quincy, Illinois. She holds American History degrees from Quincy University (2014) and Western Illinois University (2018). Nancy has been working in public history for 10 years and owns Tracking Your History: Family Preservation Services.