Mega-museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum, and the Louvre are far too big to cover in a single visit! Use these tips to help you have a great visit, even if you only have a few hours to spend exploring the museum.
It’s Okay to Not See Everything
The most important thing to understand is that you won’t see everything. It’s simply impossible to cover everything these huge museums offer in the short amount of time that most tourists have. And that’s okay!!! There’s no prize for the person who saw the most in the shortest amount of time. There’s no test at the end. Consider your visit an introduction to the museum…and the things that you didn’t have time to see as a invitation to come back again in the future.
Plan Ahead
Take a few minutes before your visit to glance at the museum’s website. Look at a map of the museum as well as what special exhibitions are currently showing. Take note of anything you’re particularly interested in so that you can prioritize these areas during your visit.
Two Visiting Styles
There are two main strategies for short visits to huge museums: focused and wandering.
Focused: This style focuses on a small section of the museum, where you explore the collection in depth in those particular areas.
Wandering: A wandering style covers a much wider portion of the museum, stopping to look more closely at a smaller number of items spread over multiple areas.
Consider a Guided Tour
If you really want to maximize your time at the museum, consider a guided tour with a knowledgeable guide. Some museums offer these as part of your admission…others have tours offered by third-party tour guides.
Don’t Forget to Take Breaks
Visiting a mega-museum can be exhausting! Don’t forget to plan breaks during your visit to rest and reflect on the things you’ve seen. This can be a great time to take advantage of the museum’s cafe or listen to a lecture by museum staff.
Have Fun!
Most importantly…have fun! That’s the whole point after all!
