Confession time: I’m not a museum person.
Something about wandering around a building full of stuff just doesn’t get my travel senses tingling. They’re generally too crowded. Art doesn’t make any sense to me. And they’re just not entertaining. Give me 1 hour max at a museum and I have reached my limit.
The problem with not being all that into museums is that they’re EVERYWHERE! Want to visit Paris? You can’t miss the Louvre. Rome? Gotta get to the Vatican Museum! New York City? Museum of Natural History. Museums are just such a big part of travel. There is practically no escaping them.
So: here is my guide for [attempting to] enjoy museums, when museums are just not your thing.
Research Ahead of Time
Know what you’re getting yourself into. Are there any exhibits that sound like they may actually interest you?
Plan it Out
Don’t do all the fun stuff first. Reward yourself for going through that incredibly boring sculpture exhibit by checking out the mummies
Communicate
Let your boredom be heard! Make sure your travel buddies know you’re not a museum person. If they’re decent people they probably won’t drag you through the whole thing. [Note: Communication is NOT synonymous with complaining]
Bleh. Train museum.
Be Respectful
Know that just because museums are not your thing, others may be psyched out of their mind to be there. Be respectful of their excitement, because the tables may be turned later on in your trip.
Look For Interactive Exhibits
Keep your mind from falling asleep by looking for interactive exhibits. Nothing cures the “oh look…more historical facts to read” blues better than a virtual reality space flight.
Use a New Perspective
You are unique in that you are not a museum person. This makes your perspective much different than many other museum-goers. Use that perspective to start a conversation.
…or take funny photos
Set a Time Frame
If you’re in a group- agree on a time to be finished at the museum. This way, you know that there is an end in sight.
Tap Out
Are you the only one in your group of travelers who doesn’t want to go to the museum? It’s alright to tap out. Take some time to explore the city on your own and something of interest to you.
I’d rather get snacks…
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How about you? Are you a museum person? Let me know below!
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26 Comments
Oh Brianna, we should never travel together, I LOVE museums! Of course, I’m also a history teacher. I agree that the most interesting ones are interactive and I believe only the best ones include several interactive areas. Making a museum interesting to 4th graders was a yearly challenge for me!
Haha! Here’s the thing: I’m a kinesthetic learner, so reading plaques next to exhibits does nothing to engage my mind. That’s why I’ve gotta have those interactive exhibits!
I’m not a museum person either, but the funny thing, I’m from a Fine Arts background, so it always amuses people when I saw that. But the fact is, there is a museum for everything, so the key is to find what interests you and find a museum for that! For me, it’s all about modern design and/or science. Heck, I’m sure there is a snack museum somewhere! 😉
Hahahaha!! I’ll be googling Snack Museum right now, because yeah. That sounds like my type of place 😛
I feel like the last tip you gave is the most important. As you mentioned, some people simply do not do museums and I think if you want to make the most of your trip, you should do the things that truly interest you. That being said, museums can tell us a lot about a place’s culture, so I do think it’s worthwhile to visit the major ones.
Absolutely! I may not be a museum lover, but I don’t write them off my itineraries completely! I visited the Science Museum in St. Louis, Missouri and had a fairly enjoyable time 🙂
I’ve always enjoyed museums, though I definitely understand that they are not for everyone. Of course, that definitely depends on the museum. Someone who just doesn’t understand art or particularly care for ancient relics might find interactive science museums to be much more interesting. I think your last point is most important though. If visiting a particular museum is not for you, it is not for you. And you don’t have to feel bad about it!
I agree! Art museums are tortuous to me, but I generally do well in Science museums…. usually….
I’m a museum person so I love visiting them (although the crowds at the Vatican museum pushed me to the limit). But you’ve perfectly described my sentiments if someone asks me to go to a sports event. I’m quickly bored. Lol
YES! THANK YOU!! I always tell people that I don’t believe in sports. Don’t watch em. Don’t play em. Don’t understand the strange concept of team spirit.
This seems like good advice for people who don’t like museums. I do love them, but I was raised on museums as a New York City child. I think one piece of advice I would have is to stick to one exhibit at a time and try to notice patterns. This is especially fun if you are looking at the work of one artist. What do all his/her works have in common? I hope this is helpful!
Great tips Stella! I’ll be sure to try this out next time
Haha I was hooked on your very first sentence.
Museums are not my thing, I have tried but failed so many times but honestly, what you say makes complete sense – great post – I will try again !!
Yes! Someone out there gets me! I think it’s because I don’t learn by reading, I learn by doing. So staring at walls and reading plaques doesn’t do anything to keep my mind active! What about you?
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I enjoy museums when I’m in the mood, but I can see if you are traveling city after city they may get old. Maybe add to the list, look for quirky ones? It may add a little excitement for you if they are off-the-wall kind of places. Thanks for sharing!
Too funny! I’m not a museum person either and somehow I end up exploring them all the time. I guess my body just prefers to be outdoors and sometimes history can be overload to my brain haha. But I still enjoy them once I’m there. Glad you do too.
Ha ha good post. I love art galleries and some museum exhibitions, but only if there’s something really interesting on! It helps to do your research first and to find out what you’re looking at – that will make the most of your trip and allow you to learn a lot more along the way too! But often we are out adventuring instead. A good rainy day activity!
I used to enjoy museums while traveling but grew tired of them after visiting too many — so these are some great tips. Thanks!
I do enjoy visiting museums when I travel. Though I can get museum’d out and just need a break from them. I have been to some great ones and some terrible ones!! I guess I am kind of like you in Art Galleries, I went to Paris and didn’t go to the Louvre!!
I love museums! But I understand some people it’s just not their thing. These are great tips for people that it’s not their first thing they’d think to do on a trip.
This is such a great post! I’m totally one of those people who gets so tired in museums. I think planning ahead is key, thanks for sharing 🙂
We actually love museums, all types, contemporary, arts, history, natural sciences, simply all of them. Museums are windows to knowledge and history of places and cultures and that is why we find them fascinating. But I am sure not everyone may have the same kind of passion. The problem arises when one partner is not interested in museums and has to be dragged there. These tips would be of great help for them to make the best of their time in the museums.
I think setting a time frame is always so important! And having a game plan ahead of time. I love museums but I definitely have my limit like everyone. Thanks for sharing 🙂
We totally love museums. But, yes, we know how painful most of them are, as they think just putting some exhibits on the shelves is all they need to do. There are some good ones too, with interactive sections and innovative storytelling, which are enjoyed by most. Until all the museums wake up to be more interesting for the masses, I think there would be people needing your post 🙂