Museums are one of the best ways to learn about almost any topic.  They are filled with so many amazing artifacts but visiting can seem like a hassle.  There are so many ways to approach the galleries, it can be difficult to decide how best to conduct your visit.  I have worked in the museum industry for many years, in many different institutions.  This article collects what I have learned over my career.  By following my advice, you will truly get the most out of your visit.

The most important rule of visiting a museum is DO YOUR RESEARCH.  Visit their website.  If they require tickets, reserve them ahead of time and have them pulled up and ready to scan before you enter the building.  If you can print them out, that would be best.  If you can’t, make sure that your phone’s brightness is turned all the way up.  If you are in a group, the person with the tickets should enter the museum first.  There often isn’t a lot of room to maneuver in the entrance, so you should eliminate the need to move around each other.  These days even a lot of free museums still require you to reserve timed passes on their website.  Be sure to check what you need to do.  Check for the operating hours, so you know how long you have before closing.  These are the most important steps.  Even if you don’t do anything else, do these two things.

 Try to find a map, look at their exhibits, and plan your visit.  The most important source is the museum’s website.  Third-party guides can be very helpful, but they are more prone to containing outdated information.  Do not dismiss third-party resources, though.  They provide a different perspective to the highlights of a museum and the best way to go about your visit.  Given the opportunity, you should make use of both the museum’s website and third-party resources.

You will likely have to pass through a security checkpoint when you enter, and these can vary widely.  Some will just quickly check your bags, while others will have you pass through a metal detector.  You should check the website to see what items are prohibited.  Almost every museum will not allow things like knives, weapons, and drinks in open containers.  Many will not allow bags over a certain size, or food and drink even in a sealed container.  If you are allowed to bring in sealed water bottles, it probably is a good idea to have some on hand, but make sure that it is allowed.

Be sure to check for their rules regarding photography.  These will vary widely from museum to museum.  Most places will let you take photos, but some will allow flash while others ban it.  Most places forbid equipment such as tripods or selfie sticks, so leave those at home.  Also, professional photography is not allowed at most museums.  If you have hired a professional to conduct a photoshoot while you visit a museum, you will most likely be asked to leave.

It is best to research not just the museum itself, but the businesses around it.  Get a good idea of the food nearby.  While many museums have food service in them, most museums charge high prices for mediocre dishes.  In most cases, you will save money and get better food if you eat at a nearby restaurant.  There are certainly exceptions to this rule, though. Some museum serve excellent food.

If you are visiting with children, you should have a conversation with them about what it is like to visit a museum.  Make sure they understand that you are not allowed to touch anything unless it specifically says you can.  Thanks to the oils in your skin, you damage a museum’s artifacts when you touch them, no matter how gentle you are.  By having this conversation with your kids before you visit, you can spare yourself a lot of unpleasant conversations with the museum’s security staff.  Also, many museums have playrooms for younger kids.  Be prepared to take your children there if they start to get restless. 

If possible, you should visit during its less busy times.  This is usually during the weekdays, when most people are at work.  There are certain times of year when museums will be busier than other times.  For instance, museums in Washington, D.C. will be extremely busy during the Cherry Blossom Festival.  Military museums will be busier on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.  One lesser-known busy time is Black Friday.  Just like retail stores, museums are usually packed on the day after Thanksgiving.  Conversely, most museums will be fairly quiet in the winter, especially after Christmas. 

One thing to consider is that you will be on your feet for quite a while.  If you are in an area like D.C.’s National Mall, you will likely be visiting multiple museums back-to-back.  In my experience, you can easily rack up over twenty thousand steps on a day like this.  While it will make your Fitbit happy, you should take your comfort into account.  You should wear comfortable shoes.  Sneakers work well, as do hiking boots.  You should consider using a good pair of insoles, or maybe compression socks.  Good footwear is especially important if you are visiting a battlefield or other outdoor site.  If you are spending time outside, you probably want to wear waterproof shoes.  Take advantage of opportunities to get off your feet.  See if the museum has a café, so you can rest for a while.  If a gallery has a video playing, it may be a good idea to watch just to sit down for a few minutes.

Many other articles on this topic will tell you to concentrate on a small area or leave after two hours.  While there is some merit to these approaches, other things must be considered.  If you live near the museum in question and can go there whenever you want, then by all means take it in small chunks.  However, if you do not live in the area, you probably want to see as much of it as possible.  You should do whatever feels natural to you.  If one particular gallery grabs your attention, then linger, and don’t worry about running out of time.  Conversely, if you don’t see anything that makes you want to stop, then keep moving.  Don’t worry about sticking to a plan, just go with the flow.

While you’re in the museum, don’t be afraid to talk to the museum’s employees.  If you are trying to find a specific object, the docents and visitor services staff will certainly be able to help you, but a less obvious source of information is the security staff.  They spend all day standing in the galleries, and they will likely know the exhibits better than the docents do.  If you want to find anything, the security staff is probably your best bet.

Visiting a museum is a great way to spend your time, and it doesn’t have to be a hassle.  To get the most out of your visit, here are the points made above in a simple list form:

Before you arrive:

• Does the museum require tickets? If it does, buy them ahead of time.
• What are the museum’s hours and days of operation?
• Look up the galleries, try to find a map, plan your visit.  Use both the museum’s website and third-party sources, if possible.
• What items are prohibited?  Are bottles of water allowed?
• What are the rules regarding photography?
• What businesses are near the museum? Look for a good place to eat.

If visiting with young children:

• Have a conversation with them about how they cannot touch anything in the museum. 
• Try to find out if the museum has a playroom.

When you arrive:

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• If water bottles are allowed, bring one.
• If possible, have the tickets printed out.  If you can’t print the tickets, pull them up on your phone, ready to scan, with maximum brightness, before you enter the museum.
• The person with the tickets should be at the front of your group when you enter the museum building.
• Don’t hesitate to talk with the staff or volunteers about the exhibits.
• Don’t worry about sticking to a plan, just go with the flow.
• Look at the museum café, but you will most likely get a better deal eating elsewhere.