A visit to good museums can increase our knowledge, both in history and art. We will get in touch with human’s highest artistic achievements and this experience can be very exciting and extraordinarily pleasing.
However, for some people, visiting museums can also be overwhelming. Long lines and the huge collections of historical artifacts to be seen might decrease our sense of excitement. Here are some tips that might help you to have more pleasure than headaches during your museum trip:
1. Buy Tickets in Advance
Museum lines are horribly long, especially during holidays. Always purchase tickets in advance, since the lines are usually for ticket buyers, not for ticket holders.
2. Arrive to the Museum Earlier (or Very Late)
Check out on what time the museum opens and get there one hour to half an hour earlier. Museums are also less crowded two hours before closing time. However, always remember that in this case you'll have less time to enjoy everything.
3. Take Something to Pass the Time If You're Caught Up in Line
Just in case you end up having to wait in line, take something with you to pass the time, like a book or your iPod. It is also a great opportunity to do some people-watching!
4. Know What's in the Museum
Before going to a big museum, it is useful to do a little research on what works of art the museum displays. You can find this information in tourist guides, online travel forums or the museum's website. Make a list of the works of art you wish to see, so that you won’t miss out on your favorite paintings or sculptures.
5. Check the Museum's Requirements
Some smaller museums request that you should schedule your visit by phone. Others forbid you to enter with shorts or miniskirts. Many tourists have to buy expensive scarves to cover their bare shoulder just to enter the museum. Knowing the museum’s requirements might save you time and money.
6. Prioritise
Museum collections are very huge. It's perfectly fine to spend more time at several items that you like and quickly browse the ones that you are not so interested in.
7. Use Every Resource Available
Take your time and read those small explanations next to the paintings and the big ones in the beginnings of the exhibitions.
Never dismiss the audio guides. They are not for free, but they are incredibly helpful and interesting. Take the explanatory flyers from the exhibition. Go on guided tours and ask some questions. Art can be tough to understand so take advantage of every single resource the museum has to offer.
8. Write Down Your Impressions
Take a little pad and pen with you and write down the names of the works of art or artists you liked the most (or even the ones you absolutely hated). There are many things that can be done with this information. You can get home and start making a collection of your favorite paintings: put them as a screensaver, make a poster and decorate your house. Talk to your friends about them once you get home.
9. Compromise
When traveling with children or people who dislike art, it can be very tiring to spend the whole day in a museum. Decide with your group how much time you want to spend in the museum and what activity you can do after as a reward. For example, you will spend one hour and a half in the museum and you will accompany them to have ice cream outdoors afterwards.
10. Visit the Temporary Exhibitions
Most major museums have permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Tourists usually visit only the permanent and utterly ignore the temporary. It is nice to check the temporary exhibitions to know about new and different works of art. The other reason is they are much less crowded, so you can take your time.
Always remember not to go to a museum as if it were a necessity. Go to a museum to learn the history and enjoy the art. You might end up having a lot of fun.