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A Guide of American Museums to Visit This Year

Siblings, parents and grandparents are collaborators and muses in a variety of upcoming shows around the country that highlight family traditions and bonds.

By Aodhan Beirne

This article is part of our Museums special section about how institutions are striving to offer their visitors more to see, do and feel.

The value of family in the lives and work of artists is being showcased at museums across the United States this spring.

In Texas, art by the de la Torre brothers and the Haas brothers highlights familial collaboration. In Baltimore, an exhibition of works by Joyce J. Scott is paired with an exhibition of her mother’s work, and in Florida, sculptures made by Rose B. Simpson are shown alongside those made by her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Elsewhere, family members serve as muses for artists, keeping traditions alive while transforming them with contemporary appeal. Here is a selection.

“ Steve McQueen ”

For a new commission, Steve McQueen, the Oscar-winning director of “12 Years a Slave,” takes over the ground-level gallery with an immersive light and sound installation. The work is to then move to the Schaulager museum in Switzerland. A concurrent show of McQueen’s video artwork “Sunshine State” (2022) is scheduled to open at Dia Chelsea in Manhattan in September. Opens May 12; Dia Beacon, diaart.org

“ Before and After Again ”

The work in this show is a response to the killing of 10 Black people in a mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store in May 2022. The artwork, poetry and prose by the Buffalo-based artists and producers Julia Bottoms, Tiffany Gaines and Jillian Hanesworth in the exhibition were created in dialogue with people affected by the attack, and they honor the contributions to the community of those who were murdered. Through Sept. 30; Buffalo AKG Art Museum, buffaloakg.org

NEW YORK CITY

“ Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory ”

A trailblazer in Chicano art, Amalia Mesa-Bains is known for her reimagining of traditional Mexican altars and offerings and her presentations of Mexican American women’s spirituality. Presented are more than 40 works, including Mesa-Bains’s large-scale “altar-installations.” Her multipart “Venus Envy” series of installations is being shown together in its entirety for the first time here. May 2 through Aug. 11; El Museo del Barrio, elmuseo.org

“ Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940-1980 ”

The focus here is on six Latin American countries that led the development of modern domestic design in the region: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. With more than 100 objects, which include furniture, ceramics and textiles, this show examines how design provides context and understanding for the political, social and cultural transformations of the period. Through Sept. 22; Museum of Modern Art, moma.org

“ Hiroshige’s 100 Famous Views of Edo (feat. Takashi Murakami) ”

In his series of colorful prints, Utagawa Hiroshige depicts 19th-century Edo, now known as Tokyo, through images of the city’s shrines, restaurants, aqueducts and more. The set is being displayed for the first time in nearly a quarter century and is accompanied by photos of modern-day Tokyo as well as fantastical paintings by the artist Takashi Murakami, who created the works in response to Hiroshige’s prints. Through Aug. 4; Brooklyn Museum, brooklynmuseum.org

“ Melissa Cody: Webbed Skies ”

A fourth-generation weaver, Melissa Cody uses long-established techniques, including with a Navajo loom, while incorporating elements of contemporary technology. Highlighted here are more than 30 weavings, including one produced especially for the exhibition, that reframe and reinvent traditions. Through Sept. 9; MoMA PS1, momaps1.org

“ Preservation in Progress: Picturing Immigration ”

This show takes visitors behind the scenes of restoration work of “The Bay and Harbor of New York,” an 1855 painting by Samuel Bell Waugh that depicts immigrants arriving to the city. Gary McGowan, a conservator, will be working on the painting in the gallery on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It opened on April 12, to coincide with the anniversary of the busiest day in Ellis Island history, when more than 11,000 immigrants were processed on April 17, 1907. Through Oct. 13; Museum of the City of New York, mcny.org

PORTLAND, Ore.

“ Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks ”

Showcasing nearly 60 designs that push the limits of what footwear can be, this exhibition includes sneakers made from mushroom leather and reclaimed ocean plastics, and shoes made for the metaverse. A mix of art, design and technology, it also features works by the architects Rem D. Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid, as well as designs made in collaboration with Rick Owens, Stella McCartney and more. Through Aug. 11; Portland Art Museum, portlandartmuseum.org

LOS ANGELES

“ Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital ”

Exploring the history of filmmaking in Los Angeles, this exhibition goes back to the early 20th century and explains how the city became the industry’s epicenter. It also highlights the contributions of the Jewish filmmakers who founded the Hollywood studio system. Opens May 19; Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, academymuseum.org

“ Simone Leigh ”

The work of the multimedia artist Simone Leigh examines Black female subjectivity, and much of it draws on traditions from Africa and across the African diaspora. This comprehensive survey presents works by her in ceramic, bronze, video and installation, and it features pieces from her 2022 Venice Biennale presentation. May 26 through Jan. 20, 2025; LACMA, lacma.org

PASADENA, Calif.

“ I Saw It: Francisco de Goya, Printmaker ”

The Spanish artist Francisco de Goya is considered by many to be both the last old master and the first modern one. Much of his early work focused on portraits of the aristocracy, but Goya was also a printmaker and often used the medium to depict and scrutinize Spanish culture. On view here are his four major print series, as well as works by artists who were inspired by Goya, including Pablo Picasso, Yinka Shonibare and Andy Warhol. Through Aug. 5; Norton Simon Museum, nortonsimon.org

SAN FRANCISCO

“ Irving Penn ”

For nearly 70 years, Irving Penn helped revolutionize fashion photography. Shown here are around 175 photographs by Penn, the longtime Vogue contributor, including documentary scenes, abstract nudes and celebrity portraits of Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich and more. Through July 21; de Young, famsf.org

“ Phoenix Kingdoms: The Last Splendor of China’s Bronze Age ”

Based on recent archaeological discoveries, this exhibition showcases the technological and artistic advancements of the Zeng and Chu states of Bronze Age China, kingdoms that preceded and were largely overshadowed in historical records by the Qin Empire. This is the final show in a trilogy at the Asian Art Museum and follows “Terracotta Warriors” and “Tomb Treasures: New Discoveries From China’s Han Dynasty.” Through July 22; Asian Art Museum, asianart.org

Mid-Atlantic

“ Joyce J. Scott: Walk a Mile in My Dreams ”

A retrospective of the 50-year career of the Baltimore-based contemporary artist, this show features more than 120 objects, including Scott’s sculpture, garments and prints, as well as performance footage and archival materials. Running through Sunday at the Baltimore Museum of Art is also a companion exhibition of works by Scott’s mother, “Eyewinkers, Tumbleturds, and Candlebugs: The Art of Elizabeth Talford Scott.” Through July 14; Baltimore Museum of Art, artbma.org

PHILADELPHIA

“ Mary Cassatt at Work ”

Mary Cassatt was a Pennsylvania-born Impressionist painter who spent much of her adult life in Paris and whose work often depicted the social and working lives of women. This exhibition, with more than 130 works, also looks at Cassatt’s own professional life, and it will present new information about the materials she used and her artistic process. May 18 through Sept. 8; Philadelphia Museum of Art, philamuseum.org

“ Everlasting Plastics ”

First shown at the Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2023, this show examines how plastics shape and degrade economies and environments. Through site-specific commissions by five artists, architects and designers, it also considers how our relationship with the materials has changed as well as their unknown impact on our future. Through July 21; Carnegie Museum of Art, carnegieart.org

WASHINGTON, D.C.

“ Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860-1960 ”

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the museum is presenting an exhibition that examines the cultural and artistic transformation during 100 years marked by increasing mechanization and scientific and philosophical development. The more than 200 artworks, shown mostly in chronological order, include pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Joan Miró and Picasso. Through April 20, 2025; Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, hirshhorn.si.edu

“ Christina Ramberg: A Retrospective ”

Christina Ramberg, part of a group of artists known as the Chicago Imagists, often depicted fragmented female bodies — hair, hands and, particularly, torsos — in her paintings. The 100 or so works shown here include some of those pieces as well as the experimental quilts that Ramberg made in the late 1980s during a break from painting. Through Aug. 11; Art Institute of Chicago, artic.edu

“ The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige ”

Though raised in Chicago’s South Side, Robert Paige helped bring West African designs into American homes in the 1970s with his Dakkabar collection of fabrics, which was carried by Sears. Six decades of his textile designs are shown here along with recent clay, painting, drawing and collage pieces that he made during a recent residency at the Hyde Park Art Center. Through Oct. 27; Hyde Park Art Center, hydeparkart.org

“ Virginia Jaramillo: Principle of Equivalence ”

The abstract artist Virginia Jaramillo draws on her studies of physics, science fiction, mythology and modernist design. Her paintings and handmade-paper works examine how we experience the physical world and offer alternative understandings through abstraction. This show, of more than 40 works, includes her “Curvilinear” series, as well as works made during a collaboration with the Dieu Donné papermill in New York. May 4 through Jan. 5, 2025; Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, mcachicago.org

“ Korean Couture: Generations of Revolution ”

This exhibition, which features about 30 pieces, including 17th-century aristocratic garments, traces the history and transformation of Korean fashion. A combination of traditional Korean aesthetics with contemporary trends is shown through the work of designers such as André Kim, Lie Sang Bong and Lee Jean Youn. Sunday through Oct. 13; Cleveland Museum of Art, clevelandart.org

“ To My Friends at Horn: Keith Haring and Iowa City ”

In 1984 and 1989, Keith Haring made trips to Iowa City to visit Ernest Horn Elementary School. On the first, he conducted workshops with students in a three-day residency, and on the second he completed a mural at the school. That mural, “A Book Full of Fun,” is on loan here while the school is renovated. May 4 through Jan. 5, 2025; University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art, stanleymuseum.uiowa.edu

Mountain West

“ Biophilia: Nature Reimagined ”

Biophilia is a theory suggesting that humans innately seek a connection with nature and other life-forms. This show, through more than 80 works, including by Iris van Herpen, Studio Gang and teamLab, reflects on that idea, particularly in the context of a digital and urban world. May 5 through Aug. 11; Denver Art Museum, denverartmuseum.org

New England

“ Beyond Brilliance: Jewelry Highlights from the Collection ”

Pulled from the museum’s collection, the more than 150 pieces in this exhibition cover thousands of years. Among the highlights are an ancient Egyptian broad-collar necklace and 20th-century designs by Tiffany & Company and Bulgari. The contemporary designers featured include Christian and Yasmin Hemmerle, Wallace Chan and Feng J. Opens May 18; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; mfa.org

“ Firelei Báez ”

The work of Firelei Báez, a Dominican-born artist who lives and works in New York, examines and questions historical narratives, particularly about colonialism and the African diaspora. Her paintings, drawings and installations are informed by anthropology, geography, folklore and other disciplines. This show will feature about 40 works before it moves to Vancouver, British Columbia, and then to Des Moines. Through Sept. 2; Institute of Contemporary Art, icaboston.org

SALEM, Mass.

“ Ethiopia at the Crossroads ”

Covering nearly 2,000 years of Ethiopian art and culture, the more than 200 objects in this exhibition include painted religious icons, illuminated manuscripts and metalwork. These pieces are paired with works by contemporary artists, such as Wosene Worke Kosrof, Julie Mehretu and Helina Metaferia, to trace the artistic traditions of the East African nation to the present day. Through July 7; Peabody Essex Museum, pem.org

HARTFORD, Conn.

“ Styling Identities: Hair’s Tangled Histories ”

Done in collaboration with local hairstylists and other members of the Hartford community, this show tells the story of hair and its various meanings. Arranged in four thematic sections — dealing with issues of community, change, care and judgments — the exhibition includes works by Lee Krasner, Mickalene Thomas and Cindy Sherman, and it is drawn primarily from the museum’s collection. Braiders, barbers and other hairstylists will be on site to work on visitors’ hair as part of the exhibition. Through Aug. 11; Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, thewadsworth.org

“ Truth Told Slant: Contemporary Photography ”

This exhibition takes its name from an Emily Dickinson poem ( “Tell all the truth but tell it slant” ) and features five emerging photographers who challenge traditional documentary photography practices. Instead of showing disinterested observation, they embrace their own subjectivity on subjects such as race, sexual orientation, globalization and environmental justice. Through Aug. 11; High Museum of Art, high.org

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

“ Shinichi Sawada: Agents of Clay ”

In the mountains of Shiga Prefecture, the Japanese ceramist Shinichi Sawada, who is autistic and mostly nonverbal, creates fantastical clay figures. Shown here are about 30 of his sculptures, which explore Japanese and Shigaraki pottery traditions. Saturday through Aug. 11; Mint Museum Randolph, mintmuseum.org

“ Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous ”

The fashion photographer Ann Ray had unparalleled access to the world of Alexander McQueen, the provocative British fashion designer who died in 2010. Over 13 years and 43 collections, Ray created an archive of more than 32,000 negatives. She picked 65 photographs, which will be shown alongside dozens of McQueen garments. May 30 through Aug. 25; Frist Art Museum, fristartmuseum.org

RALEIGH, N.C.

“ To Take Shape and Meaning: Form and Design in Contemporary American Indian Art ”

This show features works by 75 contemporary Indigenous artists from more than 50 tribes throughout the United States and Canada. The art, including a beaded pair of Christian Louboutin shoes and a piece created from a Chevrolet El Camino, highlight the traditions and evolutions of Native art. Through July 28; North Carolina Museum of Art, ncartmuseum.org

“ Huguette Caland: Outside the Line (1970-84) ”

The Lebanese artist Huguette Caland moved to Paris in 1970. There she created a series of paintings, “Bribes de corps” (Body Parts, 1973-76), shown here alongside associated works of hers. Her erotic and abstract art depicts the body, sometimes her own and often close-up, in colorful and intimate lines. May 3 through Oct. 6; Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami; icamiami.org

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.

“ Rose B. Simpson: Journeys of Clay ”

A mixed-media sculpture artist, Rose B. Simpson comes from a long matrilineal line of ceramists and potters. This show explores the relationship between Simpson, a member of the Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico, and her relatives, and it features sculptures by her mother, Roxanne Swentzell; her grandmother Rina Swentzell; and her great-grandmother Rose Naranjo. Through Sept. 1; Norton Museum of Art, norton.org

“ Haas Brothers: Moonlight ”

Exhibited here are a series of installations, both indoors and outdoors, by the fraternal twins Nikolai and Simon Haas, who make imaginative and fantastical sculptural objects. Among the works will be two “Moon Towers,” tall, glowing sculptures inspired by the streetlamps of Austin, Texas, that will stand in front of the museum. May 11 through Aug. 25, Nasher Sculpture Center, nashersculpturecenter.org

“ Art and War in the Renaissance: The Battle of Pavia Tapestries ”

For the first time in the United States, the entire series of these seven large-scale tapestries will be shown. A celebration of the victory by Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, over King Francis I of France in the Italian War of 1521-1526, the tapestries provide insights into Renaissance history, technology and style. They will be shown alongside arms and armor from the period. June 16 through Sept. 15; Kimbell Art Museum, kimbellart.org

SAN ANTONIO

“ de la Torre Brothers: Upward Mobility "

The brothers Einar and Jamex de la Torre began collaborating in earnest in the 1990s and create maximalist and often satirical mixed-media art. Their influences include Catholic iconography, Aztec mythology and German expressionism, and this exhibition, across four galleries, features their glass sculpture, lenticular prints, video work and installations. Through Sept. 15; McNay Art Museum, mcnayart.org

“ Multiple Realities: Experimental Art in the Eastern Bloc, 1960s-1980s ”

Highlighted here is the creative experimentation of Eastern and Central European artists of the period in their efforts to circumvent and elude the restrictions and controls on how their work was made and circulated. Nearly 100 artists from East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia are featured. Through Sept. 15; Phoenix Art Museum, phxart.org

Art & Culture Travel Blog

How to visit the museum: a guide for the perfect museum visit.

• Tea Gudek Šnajdar
• Museum Tips

Museums are some of the most popular tourist attractions and usually places many travellers wants to visit on their trips. However, the experience of visiting a museum could also be quiet disappointing if not done right, even for the experienced museumgoers. After doing it wrong many times, and then learned how to visit the museums right, I wanted to share with you this guide for a perfect museum visit.

How to visit the museum

There are many ways to visit the museums right. And many more to do it all wrong. It, of course, depends entirely on your interests and the way you love to explore the new places. However, there are some ground rules you should follow if you’d like to know how to visit the museum right.

⤷ Read more : 15 best museums in Europe you should visit 

What if you don’t like museums?

Then don’t visit them! I’m not a massive fan of adrenaline parks, and that’s why I would hardly ever end up in one while travelling.

It’s the same with the museums. Do you feel like you should go and see Mona Lisa if you’re in Paris ? Despite the fact, you don’t really appreciate the painting? Well, don’t! Your experience isn’t going to be the best, you probably won’t like the picture any more, and you’ll lose a few hours you could spend doing something more fun in Paris .

⤷ TIP : But, if you’d like to give museums a chance, then I have a suggestion for you. Book a private tour and let someone who knows that museum very well guide you around. Private museum tours usually last for roughly two hours. The guide will have your ticket sorted, they’ll show you the most interesting exhibits and will tell you some exciting stories about them. Trust me, they know how to visit the museum right.

A guide for the perfect museum visit

However, if you do like art and history, feel like a real culture tourist, then let me give you some tips on how to visit the museum right. I broke them in three steps that will make your museum visit much more enjoyable.

1/ Before a museum visit: How to prepare for a visit to a museum

A good museum visit starts with a well-done preparation. Here are some of my tips.

# – Chose the museum you’d like to visit wisely

Obviously, we all have different interest. I’d be utterly bored at a museum of sports. But give me an exhibition about fashion, and I’ll be thrilled. You get the point.

If you’re going to a major city that has several museums you could visit, do some research and check which one could be the most interesting to you.

If you love the old masters and are visiting Amsterdam , then the Rijksmuseum is a place to go for you. If you’d like to learn more about Vincent van Gogh during your trip to Europe, then Orsay in Paris or the Van Gogh Museum in the Dutch capital should be on your list.

Researching the best museums according to your interests in a town you’re going to visit, before your trip, is one of my essential tips on how to visit the museum right.

⤷ Read more : Here is a selection of the best museums in Amsterdam , best museums in London , best museums in Paris and best museums in Tournai .

# – Get familiar with the collection it’s home to on their website

Okay, so you’ve chosen the museum or more of them, you’d like to visit.

The next step is to research the museum itself. Visit their website and see what the highlights in it are. Do they host some of the world most famous masterpieces? Or the work of a painter you like? Maybe they have a nice collection of an art style you love? It’s good to check all of that before your trip, so you can plan your museum visit better.

I also love to research the museum website before my visit to see are there any special events taking place during my time there. Temporary exhibitions, lectures or art workshops could be a great way to make your visit even more enjoyable.

In case some art pieces are on loan, or if some galleries are temporarily closed, you’ll know how to plan your museums visit better, too.

# – Check if you could find any videos about that museum

There’s nothing like watching an excellent video about the museum you’re going to before visiting it. You’ll get familiar with the collection and see which art pieces you’d like to see. You’ll also learn a bit about them before actually seeing them.

Watching some museum videos before your visit could also be great to get a feeling of a museum interior a bit.

⤷ TIP : Check out some of Culture Tourist museum videos on a link here to see if I’ve already made some about the place you’re planning to visit.

# – Buy your ticket online

There is nothing worse than staring your visit by queuing in front of the museum for a few hours just to get in. And that’s the sad reality when visiting many of those world-famous museums.

However, be smart and purchase your museum ticket online before your visit. You can often do that on the museum website. Or, you can do as I do, and use the platform called Tiqets (here is the link) to buy all of your museum tickets online.

That way you can go straight to the entrance and get into the museum immediately.

# – Book a museum tour

Visiting a museum on a guided tour makes a huge difference. Especially if it’s a private tour. I used to work as a museum guide for several years and speak from the experience here.

And even though I have a MA in Art History, I always book a tour when visiting a new museum. A good guide is going to tell you about the museum, its collection and will tell you the stories behind some of its highlights in a fun and exciting way. You’ll also get a chance to ask all the questions you have.

⤷ TIP : You’ll find a wide selection of museum tours on a link here – this is where I’m usually booking all of my museum tours.

2/ During the museum visit: How to get the most of your visit to a museum

Okay, so you’ve prepared well for your visit in advance. But, let’s talk now about how to visit the museum right once inside of it.

# – Dress appropriately

This is quite an important advice for visiting museums.

Let’s start with your shoes first. When in the museum you won’t walk that much, but you’ll stand on the same spot a lot. And that could be tiring. Wearing some comfy shoes is definitely crucial for a great museum experience.

Many exhibits are fragile and to prevent their decline, museums have a special cooling system in their interiors. That’s why it’s always a bit fresh at the galleries. So, my advice is to bring a cardigan to put it on when inside.

# – Don’t spend more than two hours at a museum

From my experience, after two hours at the museum, you’ll be too tired to continue exploring it.

That’s why the step of researching the museum collection before your visit is so important. Getting in a museum and just wandering around without any idea of what you’re looking at, won’t be the best experience.

To really enjoy the artworks, learn the story behind them and have a great museum experience, pick only one collection and explore it extensively.

If you’re at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam , spend your time just at the Gallery of Honour. Or, if at the Orsay in Paris, explore only the Impressionist collection . That’s what I usually do, and it makes such a difference, trust me.

# – Focus on details rather than trying to see more

This museum tip is related to the previous one. Rather than trying to see as much as you can at the museum, put your focus on details. Art is all about the feelings it evokes in us. And to get the chance to feel the paintings, focus on details.

Stand in front of the painting and see if you can notice the brushstrokes or a texture artist has painted. How does the frame look like? Is it new or old? You can also get very close to the painting and look to the colours, texture and details. And then take a few steps back and look at it from the distance to see how the whole composition changes.

Pick a few paintings and explore them in this way, and I’m sure your museum experience is going to be much more interesting than usual.

# – Ask questions

One of my favourite things about visiting museums is to talk about the art pieces. If you’ll visit the museum on tour feel free to ask your guide all the questions you have. Why is that painting so famous? How long would an artist need to create a marble statue? Use the advantage of having an expert with you and ask everything that interests you.

If you’re going to visit on your own, you can always ask the museum guards to advise you which part of the museum to explore next. Or even about some exhibits. They usually know a lot about the collections they are taking care of.

And also, discuss the art with your travel companions. Is there something you didn’t like at all? Talk about that! Art is a subjective thing, and it should be discussed. Remember me mentioning how art is all about the feelings it evokes in us? Well, those feelings could be happy, sad, angry or even confusing. And it’s fun to see how the person you’re with perceived the same art piece.

# – Avoid taking pictures

Lose the phone when at the museum!

Museums are places to enjoy at a slow pace. That way, they transfer you to some different world. And although some exhibits could be so beautiful and interesting to you, don’t take photos of them.

First, if using the flash, you’re damaging the paintings that are often hundreds of years old. And since the light is often dim at museums, the quality of your photos won’t be the best.

Museum shops are selling the postcards with the majority of the artworks they host, so you can keep the memory to it in that way. And very often, you can find great high-quality photos of the paintings on their website.

Another thing is that you are ruining the experience to other visitors who are trying to enjoy in those exhibits. And are ruining the experience to yourself, too. So, lose the phone and enjoy a wonderful relaxed museum visit.

3/ After the museum visit: What to do after visiting the museum

So, you enjoyed visiting the galleries and exploring the artworks. But what to do now to enjoy your visit a bit longer?

# – Have a coffee at a museum cafe

Although there are different opinions about them, I love to finish my visit at a museum cafe. I don’t know is it because of a couple of hours of walking, being a bit overwhelmed by all that art, or just because they usually have a beautiful setting, I love to spend a bit more time at a museum cafe after my visit.

# – Take some time off to absorb everything you saw

Having a break at a museum cafe also allows some time to absorb everything you saw at the galleries.

If you’re alone, you can browse through the flyer or a museum booklet you’ve got and keep that feeling of fulfilment with art for a few more moments. Or if you’re in a company, you can talk about your favourite art pieces or the ones you didn’t like/understood at all.

# – Visit the museum shop

There are mixed opinions about them, too. But, I love visiting museum shops at the end of my visit. It’s a nice way to get something to remember the museum and the art you saw there. Perhaps, you could buy those postcards or reproductions of the paintings you liked the most.

I also love the art books selection they have and am always looking for some new editions to add to my collection.

They are also a nice place to look for some lovely local designs products. Museums in London have a great selection of them. And I really love some design products you can find at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam .

# – Read a book or watch a movie about something that you liked the most

If you were entirely amazed by some painter or an art movement you saw during your visit to the museum, check out if you can find a book or a movie about it. There are many great fiction books about the old masters and some lovely documentaries about Impressionism. If you liked the work of Vincent van Gogh, you can read more about the life and work of Vincent van Gogh in my series of articles here.

Visiting a new museum could be a bit challenging at first, but good preparation for your museum visit is key. I hope this guide for a perfect museum visit will help you in organising your trip and understanding how to visit the museum right.

Do you have any other tips for visiting museums? Share them with me in the comments!

*This post includes some affiliate links.

How to visit the museum , Museum Guide , Museums

Expert Museums Tips: How To Have An Enjoyable Museum Visit

Wondering how to tackle a museum? Here are my must know tips for visiting a museum.

As a museum geek of the highest order, I have visited hundreds and hundreds of museum. Based on my experience, I think there are some benchmark rules for the organized museum goer who wants to have the best museum experience.

Museums are some of the most popular tourist attractions for travelers. However, museums can be large, crowded, and intimidating.

If not done right, the experience of visiting a museum can be disappointing or frustrating, even for the experienced museum addict.

To make sure you get a real experience, not a short touristy version, you need some preparation and a little know how. You need some museum tips.

Don’t just show up to a museum. You don’t want to just stumble around hoping to find what you want to see. Or wondering what is worth seeing. You could come out a bit huffy and frustrated.

Museums can be much more appealing, if you’ve done your background research and know what to expect and see. Then, armed with must know museum tips, you can take in the astonishing art without undue confusion, stress, or FOMO.

There are many ways to visit museums, of course. It depends entirely on your own personality and interests. But there are some basic procedures to follow.

How To Prepare For a Museum Visit, Pro Tips

Here are my tips to get the most out of your museum visit. These must know tips and tricks will make your museum visit more efficient, more enjoyable, and less overwhelming.

1. Decide Which Museum To Go To

First you have to decide which museum you want to visit.

If you’re visiting a small city, then it’s pretty simple. You choices will necessarily be limited.

If you’re going to a big city like London or Paris or Rome , then you’re confronted with an overwhelming number of choices. You could spend weeks and weeks visiting all the museums in these cities.

If that’s the case, do your research and pick a museum that matches your interest. You may prefer small less crowded museums to large museums.

You may love an authentic artist studio, historic home, or in situ museum like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston . Or perhaps you want to see a bucket list masterpiece .

READ : Best Small Museums with Supersized Collections

For me, I love small museums and the periods from the Renaissance to the 20th century. I’m also a huge ruin luster. I’m not keen on sports memorabilia or conceptual art.

There are so many types of museums out there — prehistoric art, old masters, Impressionism, tapestries, photography, fashion, history, cutting edge contemporary, etc. Suit yourself.

Pick one that will excite you personally rather than just checking off what someone else says should be on your bucket list. Trust me, though it’s a beautiful portrait, seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre can be an incredibly underwhelming experience.

2. Identify the Museum’s Masterpieces

Once you’ve chosen a museum to visit, visit the museum’s website. Check out the hours and what day the museum is open.

Then, read up on its collection and highlights. This kind of pre-trip studying will make the art and artifacts more fun and accessible.

Figure out your priorities in advance. It’s not terribly enriching to just wander aimlessly through a museum with no clue what you’re looking at or for.

Does the museum have some famous masterpieces you want to see? What art style do you love? Do you like paintings, sculpture, or artifacts?

If the museum is massive with millions of artworks, you can’t see it all. Pick a collection that suits you. It’s a common misconception that a great museum only has great art. But that isn’t true.

The museum may have collections you love and ones you hate. Skip over the art works that don’t interest you to conserve time and energy.

If you don’t identify what you want to see in advance, you may get stuck seeing the works close to the entrance and miss the treasures that lie deeper in the museum.

3. How Long To Visit A Museum

Another good tip for visiting a museum is to decide in advance how long you want to stay. This may depend on the size of the museum.

Or, it may depend on how long you can stare at art without getting “museum fatigue” and starting to glaze over the artworks. Science has proven that as the length of a museum visit increases, your engagement and attention decrease.

For me, two hours is about right, though I can do longer with breaks. If you want to do two museums in one day, take a long lunch break in between.

If this is the only time in your life you may be at this museum, then stay longer and take a break at the museum itself. Most museums have cafes where you can get a snack, meal, or drink.

Or you can browse the museum bookstore or gift shop. If your ticket permits same day reentry, you can take a walk outside. You can recharge your batteries and then go back for more art.

If you’re at a massive museum like the Louvre, the Met, or the British Museum , you won’t see everything in one visit. These museums are best experienced by going back repeatedly. Other large museums are the same way.

READ : Tips For Visiting the Louvre

4. Learn the Museum Layout

If you’re visiting a big museum, you’ll want to be efficient with your time. In the case, the best museum tip is to look at the layout of the building in advance.

Some museums are shockingly disorganized, sometimes because they’re housed in an ancient or cavernous building. I find the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to be that way, for example.

Also, it’s a good idea to figure out your parking options in advance, if you’re driving to the museum. When you arrive at the museum, pick up a map at the front door, the information desk, or the ticket desk.

5. Take a Virtual Tour of the Museum

Once you’ve figured out what you want to see or to get further inspiration, take a virtual tour of the museum collection or masterpiece you want to see.

Most museums have virtual tours or online collections that you can explore. You can also explore on Google Arts & Culture.

READ : Virtual Tours of 50 Best Museums

6. Learn Out Loud: Listen to Free Podcasts or Films

If you’re not an art expert, museums can be hard to decipher. Podcasts or documentaries are an excellent way to bone up on masterpieces or a particular artist’s artworks you’re planning to see.

Here’s my guide to the best art-related podcasts and my guide to the best art films and documentaries .

Another fantastic source for a quick preview of an artwork is Smarthistory .

7. Get Tickets in Advance

There is a super important museum tip. There’s nothing worse than staring your museum visit by queuing for hours waiting to get in (and then go through another security check).

And that’s the grim reality when visiting many of world famous museums like the Louvre , the Uffizi Gallery , or the Vatican Museums .

I had to queue up one toasty summer for hours for the Vatican Museums. Never again! There are plenty of hidden gems you can visit in Rome that don’t require a taxing wait.

READ : Guide To the Sistine Chapel

To avoid this fate, be smart and purchase your museum ticket online in advance of your visit. You can often do that on the museum website or a service like Get Your Guide or Tiqets.

For some museums — like the Alhambra in Granada or the Borghese Gallery in Rome — you can get tickets months in advance. And they sell out quickly. So plan ahead and don’t arrive empty handed at the landmark museums or sites.

8. Let the Art Speak To You

If you are more type B, sometimes the best way to visit a museum is without any preconceptions. Just go look at the art with a short preview of what’s there beforehand.

Art is entirely subjective. The beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and people react differently to art. Be open minded and know you’ll see things you haven’t been exposed to before.

If you find an artwork in front of you compelling or interesting in any way, then read the little information “chat” plaque next to the work. If the work holds no interest, walk on by.

You’re not obligated to like any art. Look for another piece that captures your interest.

Sometimes the information provided on the chat label can be valuable. Other times it can be a tad pretentious.

It may even tell you how you’re supposed to feel about the artwork. I occasionally find these labels off-putting or their verbiage indecipherable.

Hold on to your own opinion of a piece or artist.

For example, I’ve read that the Pre-Raphaelites shouldn’t be admired because they were just a group of men paintings pretty pictures of porcelain skinned maidens. Yet, I love the hyper romantic group and Ophelia is one of my favorite paintings.

9. Get a Museum Or Audio Guide

Another way to have an enjoyable and relaxing museum visit is to book a private tour, especially for a very large museum or popular tourist attraction. The tour guides knows the museum very well. You’ll get an in depth look at the museum highlights.

Museums typically have either free or docent museum tours available as well. They are super informative and usually last roughly two hours. And you’ll also have a chance to ask any questions.

If you don’t want a formal guide, many museums have their own dedicated apps you can download to your phone. Use them to navigate the museum and look up individual items in the collection. For some, you punch in a number. Others have a scan function.

Or, you can use the more conventional audio guide.

10. You Don’t Need a Phone or Camera

I take pictures at museums because, as a culture and travel blogger, I have to. However, I think a museum experience is much better without stopping to take pictures. Or even worse, waiting in line to get a photo of a famous masterpiece like the Mona Lisa .

Museums should be a leisurely cell-phone-free experience. Art is meant to be enjoyed and evoke emotion.

It’s better just to admire the art, or soak in the details, without wasting time and energy with your phone or camera. You can always buy a book at the bookstore to revisit the works at home.

11. Museum Shops

I tend to love museum shops. I often pick up a book about the museum itself or about the special exhibition I’m attending.

There are usually a wide variety of souvenirs. And often there are local handicrafts at the shop, some of which are quite beautiful.

12. Dress Sensibly

You can do a lot of walking in museums. But it’s the standing that really gets me. Wear some comfy shoes for all the standing. In some museums, there’s not even a bench to give your feet a respite.

And don’t carry a lot with you. Some museums require you to check anything other than a small handbag. If you don’t check them, you may end up with shoulder fatigue.

Some museums like the Vatican Museums or churches with art collections have a dress code. You won’t be let in if your shoulders and knees aren’t covered.

By the way, in cities like Rome or Florence , the churches house much of the city’s must see art. And they may be free to visit.

READ : Guide To the Best Churches in Rome

13. When To Go To a Museum

Try to go off season. If you’re visiting a super popular museum (the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London , or the Uffizi Gallery in Florence), the crowds can be utterly overwhelming. Visiting in shoulder season is eminently preferable to the summer.

Try to avoid the weekends, if you can. Sunday afternoon is the most popular time for museum-going. I really like going when there’s a late night opening.

Most museums are open late once a week, some until 9:00 pm. The Louvre is open until 9:45 pm on Friday.

14. Consider Visiting A Single Artist Museum

Another good museum tip to try a single artist museum. I find single artists museums or artists studio-museums to be so revelatory. And they don’t have the oppressive crowds of the more famous museums.

If you’re in Paris, go to the Rodin Museum rather than the Louvre . If you’re in Barcelona , go to the Picasso Museum instead of Sagrada Familia .

If you’re in London, try the John Sloane Museum instead of the National Gallery. If you’re in Florence, visit Casa Buonarotti or the Bargello Museum instead of the Uffizi.

And nothing beats a trip to Monet’s House in Giverny France, if you’re road tripping in Normandy or taking a day trip from Paris .

I hope you’ve enjoyed my tips for having a fantastic museum visit. Need more museum destination inspiration? Here are some of my museum guides :

• 75 Art Masterpieces in Europe
• Best Museums in Paris
• Secret Paris Museums That Aren’t the Louvre
• Best Museums in Rome
• Guide To Rome’s Palace Museums
• Best Museums in Florence
• Free Museums in London
• Best Museums in Vienna
• Masterpieces at Paris’ Musee d’Orsay
• Guide To the Uffizi Gallery

If you need tips for visiting a museum, pin it for later.

3 thoughts on “Expert Museums Tips: How To Have An Enjoyable Museum Visit”

Within driving distance there is at least one museum near me that is worth visiting. I have even been there a few times in the past myself to visit. The museum in question has a nice kids club too. It even organises a lot of fun events and activities for school aged children as well.

I recommend making notes. Look at the supplied information on the website of the actual museum. You can always read articles in order to find out more details. Good luck to you. Ask your closest friends and family members to tell you more facts about the museums in their local area. Do your tailored research. Use your brief summary notes as a starting point to learn something more. Reflect on the museum when you happen to visit the place. Talk to the museum staff and speak to the museum visitors.

Thank you for this post, Leslie. It has so much great information that I will implement on future museum visits. I also love how you mention “museum fatigue.” I also get that and find I’ve reached my saturation point in about two hours.

Yes 2 hours is about it before I need a break to stay focused!

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Last Updated on July 9, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

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How to visit an art museum–a guide for students

First things first....

This resource is designed for students, but instructors may want to adapt it in developing guidelines or assignments for students to visit museums on their own. It offers background information that may be useful to individuals unfamiliar with art museums, and suggestions for how anyone—including experienced museum visitors–can make the most of their museum experience. Some of the topics covered include how to

• prepare for a museum visit;
• explore different areas of the museum;
• engage with the objects and exhibits on display;
• share thoughts about the museum visit with others;
• reflect on the experience of the visit and consider how it contributes to an understanding of art, art history, and art’s broader relationship to society.

Note to Instructors

These materials can be adapted to support course learning objectives related to

• object-based learning
• visual literacy and communication of visual phenomena  
• critical analysis of museum collection and exhibition practices

Before You Go . . .

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to visit a museum!  We developed these materials because, although museums are common in most cities, they are often big, sometimes crowded, and can be confusing, overwhelming, and even intimidating when you first walk in.  Below are some resources and suggestions to help you make the most of a museum visit, but you should feel free to adapt and alter our ideas based on your own interests, exploration, and discoveries while you’re there.

While museums share many common features, each has its own distinctive qualities.  These might relate to the mission of the museum, the history of the collection, or changing ideas about the museum’s role within the community.  The building itself can influence and shape your experience dramatically. Some museums were originally private homes; some were built in a Neoclassical style that resembles an ancient Greek or Roman temple; some are refurbished warehouses and factories; and others are pinnacles of modern architecture, often serving as works of art in themselves!

Click below for related resources on the history and background of museums

AHTR  created these short videos as an introduction to different structures and environments found at museums in New York City.  

Smarthistory.org 

• See   Tools for Understanding Museums   for a number of useful videos and essays on the history of museums
• Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Naraelle Hohensee, “Breuer, The Whitney Museum of American Art (now The Met Breuer),” in Smarthistory , June 12, 2017, accessed July 2, 2018, https://smarthistory.org/breuer-whitney/ .
• Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, “Zaha Hadid, MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts,” in Smarthistory , December 15, 2015, accessed July 2, 2018, https://smarthistory.org/zaha-hadid-maxxi/
• Dr. Matthew A. Postal, “Frank Gehry, Guggenheim Bilbao,” in Smarthistory , November 21, 2015, accessed July 2, 2018, https://smarthistory.org/frank-gehry-guggenheim-bilbao/ .
• Dr. Matthew A. Postal and Dr. Steven Zucker, “Frank Lloyd Wright, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City,” in Smarthistory , November 27, 2015, accessed July 2, 2018, https://smarthistory.org/frank-lloyd-wright-solomon-r-guggenheim-museum-new-york-city/ .

Visit the museum's website

When planning your trip, be sure to confirm the museum’s hours, location/directions, and admission cost.  This important information is often grouped under a “plan your visit” link on the museum’s home page.  Note that many museums have regular days they are closed to the public. This gives staff additional time for changing exhibitions, upkeep to the galleries, object conservation, and other important tasks that happen behind the scenes in museums . Some also schedule large school tours in the morning, which causes them to delay their public opening.   

Another important reminder: most museums offer free or discounted admission for students, children, and other special populations if you have appropriate identification. Many also schedule particular days or times when people can visit for free. There’s lots of other useful stuff on websites. In addition to schedules of upcoming exhibitions and programs like films, classes, lectures, concerts– even yoga and  meditation ), you can learn about the museum’s collections and highlights that you may not want to miss; view maps to help orient you to the space; and read about the museum’s mission, history, and the types of artwork it owns. 

As you peruse the museum’s collection online, keep an eye out for artists, objects, or topics that are interesting, and look for additional information about them on the museum’s website, your school’s or a public library, or other online resources. Just a little background reading or preliminary research done prior to your visit can make your experience even better! 

Once You're There . . .

There are a lot of strategies for visiting a museum and avoiding  “museum fatigue. ” ( Yes, it’s a thing! )  Consider the strategies below in planning your experience and then focus on the artworks that you want to spend time with.

Regardless of a museum’s size, you’ll get tired quickly if you try to look closely at  every  object displayed.   Likewise, most museums provide lots of information about the objects on view, so don’t try to read everything!  You’ll likely encounter (at least) two types of labels that may be helpful to read.

“Tombstone” labels  are very brief and provide facts about the artist, the dates they lived, their country of the birth or artistic activity, title and date of the object, and the media used to make it.   There may be an accession number , which the museum uses to catalog the object, usually according to when it became a part of the collection, and a credit line that indicates the donor, fund, or other institution that enabled the museum to show the object as part of its collection or exhibition. 

Object (or “Chat”) Labels are placed next to many objects. These are usually short texts of 100-200 words, intended to give viewers information about the artwork that is not always obvious from the object. The approach used to write museum labels has been much debated among art historians and museum professionals. See AHTR’s (forthcoming)”The Thing About Labels.”

It’s always a good idea to  stop by the information desk.   Ask for a map, or have museum staff suggest highlights in the collection or special exhibitions that you might want to see before you leave. Many museums have special tours, audioguides, or downloadable apps that point you to these objects and give you additional information, but don’t feel compelled to use them.  Some people love guided experiences, but others prefer to create their own pathways through the museum.

Some people recommend  setting a specific amount of time  for your visit (1 or 2 hours), or planning frequent breaks so you don’t get too tired in the  galleries  (the rooms where the art is displayed). In addition to benches in the galleries, most museums have a cafe, shop, sculpture courtyard or gardens where you can hang out and relax for a bit.

Others suggest  walking quickly through the entire building  (or a single floor or wing of a large museum) and then returning to objects that caught your eye. Note that these might not be artworks that you find appealing or like best. Whether positive or negative, a strong immediate reaction to a work of art can often lead to interesting new discoveries!  

If you’re fortunate to live near the museum,  consider returning frequently  to see what exhibitions may have changed, and if you notice different things from your previous visits.  

Check out these suggestions from The Art Assignment, and be sure to read (and add to) the comments!!!!

Enjoying the Art

Once you’ve honed in on a particular object, there are lots of ways to engage with it more closely. While museum labels can be helpful, don’t let them prevent you from exploring the work on your own, developing your own opinions, and considering how it contributes to your museum experience and understanding of art.  Below are several different strategies for looking at works of art that can help deepen your experience in the museum.  

Slow Looking

While there are variations on this engagement technique, slow looking is a strategy where the viewer focuses their attention on a single work of art for an extended period of time (15 minutes or more).  It’s important to eliminate distractions (ie: turn off your cell phone!) in order that to take in as much information about the object as possible. As your eye wanders over the work of art, you may find your ideas shifting as well to take note of the image represented, visual details, the technical elements and signs of how the object was made, and different possibilities of the object’s meaning, function, or cultural significance. You might also become more conscious of your surroundings or the object’s placement in the gallery–the lighting, space, etc.. 

• Burnham, Rika. “If you don’t stop, you don’t see anything.” Teachers College Record 95 (1994): 520-520.
• Elkins, James. “How Long Does It Take To Look at a Painting?” Huffington Post (blog), November 9, 2010 .
• Roberts, Jennifer. “The Power of Patience.” Harvard Magazine , December 2013 .

Recent years have seen a number of studies touting the benefits of drawing, so why not give it a go while visiting a museum! Regardless of one’s skill level, drawing and sketching can increase focus, relieve stress, and enhance memory and other cognitive processes of the brain. Many museums offer special programs to encourage visitors to draw objects in their collections, but really all you need is a sketch pad, a pencil, and some time in the museum galleries. Sketching can be a great complement to time spent slow looking and leaves you with a detailed record of your observations to refer to for subsequent reflection and related assignments.  

• Cain, Abigail. “Drawing Can Help Boost Your Memory–Here’s How,” Artsy, May 23, 2018.
• National Gallery of Art, “Sketching in the Museum,” Washington, DC
• Owen, Margaret. “Understanding Art Through Thumbnail Sketching” RISD Museum (Rhode Island School of Design) 

Guided Close Looking

Many museum visitors glance only briefly at a work of art before turning their attention to the label that provides additional information. While labels can be very helpful, try asking some of the following questions to encourage closer visual analysis BEFORE you read any supplemental text.

• What do I see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?
• What details are visible? Are there details I can’t see, or which are difficult to understand?  
• What do any details of the image tell me about the subject?
• What might have been the original purpose or context of this object?
• What seems to be the most important things to notice about the object? 
• What choices did the artist make in creating the object?
• What materials were used? What techniques were used?
• How are different visual elements (ie: line, color, light, proportions, scale, composition, etc.) used to help make sense or lead my eye around the object?
• How does this object compare to other objects, stories, or ideas I already know about?  
• How does this object fit in this gallery? What relationships exist with other objects nearby?
• What choices did the museum make about the object’s display?
• If I were the curator, would I have displayed the object differently, or in another gallery? Why?
• If I were to tell a friend or family member about this object, what about it would I be sure to discuss?
• Stafne, Marcos. “ Working with Visual Thinking Strategies,” AHTRWeekly, April 19, 2013.
• Rice, Danielle, and Philip Yenawine. “A Conversation on Object-Centered Learning in Art Museums.” Curator: The Museum Journal 45, no. 4 (2002): 289–301.
• Shuh, John Hennigar. “Teaching yourself to teach with objects.” The Educational Role of the Museum (1999): 80-91. 

Look (and think) like an art historian

Chances are that you may have reached this site because you’re already studying art or taking an art history class. So, why not try practicing what you’ve learned so far?

Museums offer a wonderful chance to test your skills of visual analysis and your understanding of terms, techniques, and stylistic characteristics that are discussed in art history classes. One of the best lessons museums teach is that it’s not always easy to classify art into clear stylistic categories or art historical periods that seems to be the case with the canonical objects found in textbooks. Art historians in the wild (or in museums) must look closely to analyze unfamiliar objects for clues that help them situate them within their own knowledge of art history.

If you need a refresher on the tools for understanding art, check out these videos at Smarthistory.org . Test your understanding by looking for examples in the museum that demonstrate each of the concepts discussed.

Talking about art with others

When you visit the museum, consider taking a friend along!  While looking at works of art can be very personal, sharing your ideas with others can be a great way to deepen your understanding and experience with art. In a 2017 essay reflecting on his experience in museums, critic Adam Gopnik wrote, “ Talking in museums is one of the things that makes them matter.” Visitors in museums often incorrectly think they should whisper. Museums can be great places to have conversations about the art on display.

Engaging your friends in dialogue about a shared art experience can help you find words to communicate visual (and other sensory) observations, and it is a good opportunity to practice applying art vocabulary that you’ve read or learned in class. Moreover, conversations about an object’s purpose or meaning reveals that viewers bring many perspectives to make sense of works of art, and encourage us to think more deeply about objects, as well as other people in the world. Consider what Kate Baird, a museum educator in Springfield, Missouri, observed:   

[The visitor] prefaced her comments by saying she didn’t know much about art history or what the artist meant, almost seeming to apologize for what she was about to say. She then proceeded to share a very poetic and personal interpretation of the painting. . . After a period of silence, three other participants indicated that her words had opened up a new way of seeing a painting with which they were very familiar. It was arguably the speaker’s lack of art historical context that allowed her to look at the painting in the way that she did. No one left the conversation thinking that the painting had been explained or that artist’s intention had been revealed. But I believe we all left the conversation feeling that we had learned something about each other and about the ability of art to hold many possibilities.

From  Museum Questions: Reflections on Museums, Programs, and Visitors , February 13, 2017

• Murawski, Mike. “Reflecting on the Learning Power of Conversations in Museums, ” ArtMuseumTeaching.com. December 17, 2013.
• Myer, Melinda. “Scintillating Conversations in Art Museums.” In From Periphery to Center: Art Museum Education in the 21st Century , edited by Pat Villeneuve. Reston, Va.: National Art Education Association, 2007.

Using Technology

Although there are critics who dislike  the use of smartphones and digital technologies in museums as distracting or disruptive, these devices can be used effectively to enhance the museum experience and deepen engagement with the works of art on view.

Museums have begun to experiment more with augmented and virtual technologies that allow viewers to experience their collections in new ways. Some ( like the Cleveland Museum of Art ) have created digital installations that provide visitors the opportunity to curate their own self-guided tours, go deeper into the objects’ history and meaning, and explore new ways of knowing the artworks displayed in their galleries. Social media can also be a wonderful way to share your museum experience and capture moments that you want to reflect on later.  

Here are a few ideas:

• While in the gallery, use your smartphone to research more about the artist, place, or period of a work on view.  Use the image search function to find any similar or related objects to the one displayed.
• As you wander through the galleries, tweet your impressions about the objects you see using a hashtag and/or the museum’s Twitter account. Consider creating a theme (animals seen in the art) or question (how many objects are by female or POC artists?) to explore.
• Curate an Instagram exhibition by posting the objects you enjoy the most. Use a hashtag or the museum’s account to amplify your experience with others who visit the space.  
• Sophie Gilbert, “Please Turn on Your Phone in the Museum,”   The Atlantic,  October, 2016. 
• Mike Murawski, “Embracing a Digital Mindset in Museums,” ArtMuseumTeaching.com, October 23, 2014.
• Caroline A. Miranda, “Why Can’t We Take Pictures in Art Museums?” Artnews May 13, 2013.
• Arielle Pardes, “Selfied Factories: The Rise of the Made-for-instagram Museum.”   Wired. Sept. 27, 2017. 

After You Leave . . .

Here are some ideas to help you reflect on your museum experience and think about how cultural institutions shape our understanding of art and art history.  

• Write your own guide on “How to visit an art museum” based on what you now think makes for the best visit.  Use the #AHTRideas hashtag and share your guide on social media!
• Your expectations and perceptions of art museum before your visit. Compare how this experience reinforced or challenged your previous ideas about museums, and why you would (or wouldn’t) encourage your reader to go.  
• Focus on the spaces you encountered during your visit.  How did the galleries and public spaces you visited differ?  How did the museum’s architecture and way different objects were displayed contribute to your experience?  Which spaces did you enjoy most, or least? Why?
• Discuss the object you think you’ll remember most from your visit, explaining why it struck you as it did. Describe (or draw a picture) of what it looked like—be sure to include enough detail so your reader will have a clear mental image of the object.
• Find a digital image on-line of your object preferably from the museum’s website).   Write a 1 or 2 page essay comparing the digital image to the object you studied in the museum.  Consider any formal differences between the digital and real objects, which version provides more visual details, how your experience/other objects in the gallery impacted (or not) your understanding of your object.  

Useful Terms

Permanent collection:   These are objects owned by the museum.  Although museums own many more objects that the works on display, most are kept in storage (on or off-site). This is especially important for works on paper (photographs, prints, manuscripts) and other objects that can be damaged by too much exposure to light.

Special exhibitions:  Museums often dedicate some galleries to temporary exhibitions that showcase works related to a particular theme, artist, media, or art historical period. Special exhibitions may include objects from other museums, and sometimes travel to different museums in order to reach a broader audience.  

Galleries :  These are the rooms where most of the artworks are displayed.

Museum staff:   Although you’ll see some museum employees in the public spaces and  guards  in the galleries, most museum staff work behind the scenes.  Curators  and  registrars  research, manage, and organize the museum’s collections;  exhibition installers and designers  handle the art, displaying in on view or moving it to other spaces in the museum;  conservators  clean and restore works of art, and  educators  create programs for the public and provide tours, often with the help of museum volunteers called  docents . Museums also rely on  administrative staff  who are responsible for the business of day-to-day operations, fundraising, marketing, and producing publications about the museum and its collections.  

Based in Washington DC, Virginia B. Spivey (author) received her A.B. in art history from Duke University, and M.A. and Ph.D. in art history and museum studies from the joint program at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Museum of Art. She has over 20 years teaching art history in museum and higher education settings, including MoCA Cleveland, UNC-Asheville, Georgetown University, and the Maryland Institute College of Art; and as an independent educational consultant, she developed expert content and learning resources for clients such as Smarthistory.org and Pearson-Prentice Hall’s Higher Education Division. Her professional service includes tenure as chair of CAA’s Education Committee and a member of ISSOTL’s Advocacy and Outreach Committee. 

Prior to her current position as Director of AP Art History at The College Board, she served on AHTR’s leadership collective as a contributing editor and editor in chief, and she spearheaded AHTR’s 2015 initiative to establish Art History Pedagogy and Practice , where she continues to serve as co-founding editor.   

virginiaspivey, "How to visit an art museum–a guide for students," in Art History Teaching Resources, July 20, 2018, accessed April 30, 2024, http://arthistoryteachingresources.org/lessons/how-to-visit-an-art-museum-a-guide-for-students/.

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A Passion for Jade: The Bishop Collection

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How to Enjoy a Museum

Last Updated: February 29, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 258,396 times. Learn more...

There are so many museums in the world that cover all sorts of subject matters, so you’d be hard pressed not to find one that interests you. But museum visits can be exhausting, overwhelming, or even boring if you don’t plan appropriately. If you research the museum ahead of time, create a schedule for your visit, and plan activities for children, you and your companions can have a rewarding museum experience.

Researching the Museum

• For example, if you love to draw, visit an art museum. If airplanes fascinate you, visit an Air Force museum.
• If you’re making a trip as a family or with friends, and everyone likes different things, you’ll need to compromise. Find a large museum that covers a variety of subjects. The Field Museum in Chicago has permanent exhibits about science, animals, and dinosaurs in addition to their temporary exhibits about various world cultures. [1] X Research source

• Also note whether the museum is closed on national holidays or certain days of the week.

• Look for any information regarding free days or discount days. Some museums occasionally offer free or discounted entry on a certain weekday or during a slow period to try to attract more visitors. This may be worth adjusting your visit date for if you want to save money. [3] X Research source
• Also look into fees for storage. The museum may charge to check your coat or bag, and they may demand you check your bag if it’s over a certain size. Find out what this size is (typically a backpack or larger) so you can bring a smaller bag to keep on you during your visit. [4] X Research source

Having a Plan for Your Visit

• For example, if you're visiting the Louvre in Paris, is the Mona Lisa a must-see for you? If so, make that number one on the list, and then add a few more things you simply can't leave without seeing. After that, write down some things that you'd like to see but wouldn't devastate you if you missed them.
• Visit the museum’s website to see what’s new or what’s most popular. Or ask friends and family who’ve been there before what they recommend checking out.
• Pick 1-2 exhibits that interest you, or about 20 pieces of art, sculptures, or other items of interest to look at in depth. [7] X Research source

Walking around the Museum

Helping Kids Enjoy the Museum

• Consider limiting your museum visits to those that are kid-friendly and allow outside food and drink. This information can often be found on an FAQ page of the museum’s website. [17] X Research source
• If budget isn’t a concern, visit the museum cafeteria to buy a snack and drink for your child.

Community Q&A

• International Museum Day is celebrated in mid-May every year. It's a good excuse to get out and enjoy your local museum culture. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Do not take pictures unless you’ve been specifically told that you can. Even if there aren’t signs posted saying that you can’t, it’s often frowned upon since the flash is damaging to artwork and antiquities. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.fieldmuseum.org
• ↑ https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/paris-museums-tips/
• ↑ http://www.nextavenue.org/10-tips-to-make-the-most-of-a-museum-visit/
• ↑ http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/met-fifth-avenue
• ↑ http://discoverytheater.org/forms/Smithsonian%20Kids%20Tips.pdf
• ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/travel/how-to-navigate-a-museum.html
• ↑ https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2016/summer/feature/how-visit-museum
• ↑ http://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/met-tours/guided-tours
• ↑ https://www.arts.gov/art-works/2014/preparing-children-art-museums
• ↑ http://www.earlychildhoodeducationzone.com/best-childrens-museums/

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Topic: Museums | IELTS Speaking Part 1

Museum Do you often visit museums? Did you visit museums when you were a child? Are there many museums in your hometown? When was the last time you visited a museum?

Do you often visit museums?

To be honest, I’m not a big fan of museums, so I rarely visit museums. The idea of visiting museums is not very appealing to me. I don’t go there unless I have to some research on a certain a topic related to museums or I need to take somebody there.

Did you visit museums when you were a child?

Yes, I did. Actually there is one museum not so far from my home so my friends and I would hang out there, it’s a war museum with a huge collection of war artifacts, debris from planes and a host of guns and weapons. Also, in my school, there were a lot of extracurricular activities at museums across the city.

Are there many museums in your hometown?

As far as I know, there’re about 5 museums in the city I live in, war museum, museum of cultural history and some others that I can’t remember.

When was the last time you visited a museum?

This is interesting, I last visited a museum a year ago, roughly. It was an English project in my school, we asked the students to spend half a day at the museum of cultural history and then they had to write a report and make a short video illustrating and talking about what they learned there. I was the one assisting the students, guiding them around. It was quite fun.

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Like many people, 25-year-old Jane August needed to find something to do after she was laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I need to leave the house,” she recalled thinking. “I need to feel some cultural enrichment that is not in my bed watching Netflix.”

So now, the Brooklynite is on a mission to visit every museum in New York City.

“I think living in New York City is such a privilege of having access to so much history and culture, that not taking advantage of it kind of feels like a disservice to yourself,” August told The Post.

But the go-getter didn’t want to visit just one museum in New York City — she wanted to visit them all.

Some she had never visited before, including the Statue of Liberty Museum , thinking they were overrated tourist attractions, and others she had never even heard of — the Woodside Heights Art Museum , for one.

Now, she’s a fan of them all. Nothing is overrated in her eyes.

“Part of the project has been me realizing that most of these big museums we assume are overrated, actually aren’t. They all serve a unique purpose,” August said.

“Being New Yorkers, we’re so over tourists [attractions], but then you realize, ‘Oh, there’s a reason they come to this stuff.’ Now I understand why people from all over the world come to these museums and institutions.”

But where to even begin?

The music-venue worker has always been a goal-oriented person and loves lists, so in 2021, she sought out a roundup of all the museums in NYC and began checking them off, one by one.

@janeaugust The End of Fossil Fuel at @climatemuseum runs through April 25 and admission is free #EveryMuseumInNYC #climatemuseum #theclimatemuseum #thingstodoinnyc #nyc #freeinnyc #environment #climatejustice #soho #museumtok @💜 j e s s e 🖤 ♬ Life Will Be – Cleo Sol

That’s when August discovered that none of the “comprehensive” lists of museums in the city seemed accurate, especially because many of them included places that she didn’t consider museums — like the Museum of Ice Cream .

“I think a museum should have some kind of artistic or historical information or enrichment,” August explained — and not just be a “backdrop for Instagram.”

So August decided to create her own list.

There are currently 190 museums on her agenda — 115 of which she has already visited and crossed off. And in true Gen Z fashion, August began to document her journey on TikTok to keep herself accountable and inspire others to get out there.

She’s now become TikTok’s “museum girl.”

“I don’t have an art history background. I’m not from this museum art world, and I think that’s something that has felt really inaccessible to a lot of New Yorkers,” the content creator said.

“So being able to show that these museums are cool and fun and accessible is really important.”

She also recently started a companion podcast — titled “The Next Stop Is … “ — that expands on her artistic endeavor.

Jane August’s NYC Museum Guide

• Most Unique: The Living Museum , Queens Village
• Most Underrated: The Society of Illustrators , the Nicholas Roerich Museum and the Museum at FIT
• Biggest Hidden Gem: Woodside Heights Art Museum
• Best Food: Terrace Cafe at MoMA
• Most Interactive: National Museum of Mathematics
• Best View: Whitney Museum of American Art
• Best View of the Whole City: The Panorama of the City of New York at Queens Museum
• Best Location: South Street Seaport Museum

“I get to meet so many cool people throughout my adventures and could never figure out how to incorporate those people and conversations into my TikTok videos,” she said. “My podcast allows me to have longer conversations with artists and tastemakers about the city and beyond.”

August realized that visiting museums is also a great way to explore new parts of the city. After spending a day in Staten Island, it has become one of her favorite boroughs.

@janeaugust One of the newest museums in New York City! And we visited for free using CulturePass with our library cards #EveryMuseumInNYC #jackierobinsonmuseum #jackierobinson #jrfoundation #jackierobinson42 #thingstodoinnyc #baseballhistory #civilrightsmovement #baseballtok #brooklyndodgers #museumtok #sportsmuseum #nyc ♬ Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball – Count Basie

“I’m going to lots of neighborhoods that I’ve never been to,” she confessed, adding that “it’s kind of fun to explore” that aspect of her travels.

August still has 75 museums to check off her list, but so far she thinks The Living Museum in Queens Village is the most unique; the Society of Illustrators , the Nicholas Roerich Museum and the Museum at FIT are the most underrated; and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, Guggenheim , American Museum of Natural History and Whitney may seem overrated — but they’re worth a visit.

“There’s a lot more to do than eating and drinking in New York City.”

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A family night at the museum — sleepovers and culture after dark for tots to teens

Embark on your own family night at the museum with these sleepover experiences.

From drifting off beside a dinosaur skeleton in London to watching dancers on the streets of the Maltese capital Valletta, there are plenty of ways for families to extend cultural fun beyond normal daytime hours and into or even through the night.

1. Natural History Museum, London

Best for: animal fans Just down the road from the Science Museum, the popular prehistory-themed Dino Snores sleepovers for seven- to 11-year-olds sell out fast. Families get to explore galleries by torchlight, create a dinosaur T-shirt and watch a child-focused show by a resident scientist. VIP (Very Important Palaeontologists) ticket-holders also get a camp bed near Sophie the Stegosaurus, access to an animal-handling show and a snack box for late-night munchies.

2.   Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Florida

Best for: space nerds NASA’s epic visitor centre at Cape Canaveral, home of many of the US’s space launches, runs sleepovers in two different but equally thrilling locations: a defunct space orbiter vehicle called Space Shuttle Atlantis or the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where a Saturn V moon rocket is displayed. The experience is aimed at small groups of 10- to 14-year-olds travelling with a chaperone, and has educational elements including STEM-based challenges and scavenger hunts.

3. Science Museum, London

Best for: aspiring astronauts   Designed for seven- to 11-year-olds, this vast museum dedicated to human ingenuity runs space-inspired Astronights. The experience includes workshops, science shows and sessions in both the museum’s IMAX cinema and its Wonderlab, which has seven zones dedicated to scientific phenomena. If you upgrade to a VIP ticket, you get an airbed instead of a camping mat, plus extra treats at breakfast.

4. British Museum, London

Best for: history-lovers   Created for eight- to 15-year- olds, the nocturnal adventures at this vast repository of artefacts from around the globe have a changing historic theme. Workshops, activities and storytelling help bring the past vividly to life. Families then bed down in the Egyptian and Assyrian galleries, surrounded by kings and gods from the ancient world. After breakfast the next morning, guests are privy to an exclusive gallery trail before the museum opens to the public.

5.   National Museum Cardiff

Best for: budding palaeontologists As an alternative to the popular Natural History Museum experience in London, this Welsh venue invites kids aged six to 12 on sleepovers centred around its geology and natural history exhibits. It includes a torchlit tour, craft workshops inspired by fossils from the collection and a pre-bedtime movie. VIP ticket-holders also get a visit from ‘Ranger Chris’ with one of his reptiles, time with a palaeontologist and a peek into the museum’s store of dinosaur bones.

6. Grand Théâtre, Geneva

Best for: drama students   A Swiss institution built in 1879, retaining its original beaux-arts facade, this opera house and ballet venue organises sleepovers open to all ages. Stays include a tour of the building and its maze-like backstage areas, set to a soundtrack of music from days gone by. Afterwards, you’ll bed down with your sleeping mat, sleeping bag or blanket, pillow and teddy bear in the grand foyer with its chandeliers, gilded surfaces, frescoes, wood panelling and lavish paintings.

7. Intrepid Museum, New York City

Best for: Top Gun fans Travellers to the Big Apple can sleep over in this museum on the Hudson, housed inside a Second World War aircraft carrier. The exhibits focus on American military and maritime history, and Operation Slumber gives families with kids aged six to 17 the opportunity to delve deeper into what it takes to live, eat and sleep aboard an aircraft carrier. The experience includes a torchlight guided tour of the flight deck, unlimited simulator rides and a pop-up planetarium.

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IELTS SPEAKING PART 1: MUSEUMS [ANSWERS]

Do you think museums are important?  

(Answer 1)  

Yes, they are! Museums play an important role in educating the public about art, history, culture, and science, among others. From an economic perspective, museums generate jobs and contribute to the growth of the local economy because of tourists. So, they are indeed indispensable in the community.  

(Answer 2)  

Absolutely! Because of the existence of museums, we get to widen our understanding of culture, history, and traditions. Also, museums will always have a role in educating future generations, making them understand how their history was formed, and that’ll surely teach them to be appreciative of the life that they have.   

LEXICAL RESOURCE

  Among others [phrase] – used for saying that there are additional things or people that you could mention Indispensable [adj.] – absolutely necessary    

Are there many museums in your hometown?    

Unfortunately not, my hometown is just so small with only less than 5, 000 residents. It’s a remote hometown where all you can see are farms, lakes, and mountains. So, if we want to visit museums we need to travel to the city which normally takes us 5 hours by car.

Yes, there are plenty of museums in our hometown since it’s the center of tourism.  We have museums of art, science, military and war, history, and archaeology. Honestly, I’ve had enough of those museums, I mean, I visited all of those innumerable times for education purposes since I was little up to my college days. For me, they’re not special anymore. 

Remote [adj.] – faraway; far  off

Archaeology [noun] – the study of human history and prehistory  

Do you often visit a museum?  

No, it’s such a shame to admit but I’m not the type who enjoys strolling around museums. I know the importance of those museums but I feel like I easily get bored. I couldn’t stay for long learning those things that we can find in museums like artifacts. I’m sorry to say, I’m not entertained by museums. 

Well, just rarely these days but when I was a student, I oftentimes visited museums for the obvious reason – it’s for our history or art education class. We needed to visit lots of museums so we could expand our knowledge and appreciate art and history better. It was actually fun, learning some things that we couldn’t learn in the classroom.   

  Stroll around [idiom] – to walk slowly and leisurely 

Artifact [noun] – an object made by humans, one of cultural or historical interest  

When was the last time you visited a museum?  

Well, let me recall, I suppose that was early last year before the imposition of the lockdown. I went to an art museum with my friends to support our dearest friend who is an artist. His artworks were included in the art exhibition in that art museum and we dropped our jaws with awe at the amazing works of the artists who joined the exhibition. We’re so proud of our friend because he’s in line with those great artists.   

If my memory serves me right, the last time was when I traveled to Tokyo, I went to the National Art Center. I was mesmerized by its architecture. That was stunning. Also, I was surprised because it’s not a traditional museum, that museum is an empty museum – without collections or permanent display. That museum is for temporary exhibitions sponsored by organizations.   

  Imposition [noun] – the process of imposing something like a law

In line with [phrase] – in alignment 

Mesmerize [verb] – to transfix; to capture one’s attention

Stunning [adj.] – extremely impressive          

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Describe a museum you have visited and liked - cue card # 599, describe a museum you have visited and liked..

• what kind of museum it was
• when you went there
• what you saw and did there

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Cue card topic: describe a museum you have visited and liked..

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Describe a Museum That You Have Visited Speaking Cue Card

Describe a museum that you have visited. You should say:

• when you visited the museum
• describe the museum
• how do you feel after going there
• and describe your experience of the visit.

Sample 1 Describe a museum that you have visited Speaking Cue Card

On this occasion, I would like to tell you about museums . At first, I thought visiting museums was a waste of time and boring. But, nowadays, I have to change my opinion about it. Well, I have visited a few museums in different cities. I enjoyed visiting “Lawang sewu” or thousand doors in Semarang the most. I went to the museum almost two years ago while we were in Semarang. Visiting the museum was not a part of our original tour plan, yeah, just in leisure time. Actually, We visited this area for a different reason, because we went to Semarang as representatives, part of a scholarship program in my City. I went there with six of my friends and a guide who accompanied me during the tour. To be honest, two of my friends were not interested in visiting that museum as they had gone there before. But I insisted on going there and convinced them by saying that if you did not enjoy it, I would pay for breakfast! They agreed, and I was really happy about it. After I had bought entrance tickets, I entered the museum, and there was a wide garden in front of it that mesmerized me. At that very time, I realized that the inside would be more astonishing. This place was far larger than I initially thought it would be. There were three floors in the museum, and the interior of the building reminded me of the colonial era. I could see a lot of doors of the building from the ground floor. There were a lot of tourists, both domestic and international, visiting this museum and I had a feeling that most of them were enjoying it. Taking photos was allowed as well, so sometimes I took some snaps with my friends almost hundreds of times!

Sample 2 Describe a museum that you have visited Speaking Cue Card

Well, I am fond of Interested to travel to new places. I always love to travel the places. In my perspective, travelling is the best way to utilize their quality time with friends. But today here I would like to talk about a time when I visited a museum. Actually, I remember last Sunday I and my family members decided to visit the first-E-Khalsa museum which was situated in Anandpur sahib. It was very popular. Furthermore, It was a huge building. It was approximately 200km far away from my hometown. It describes the Sikh religious history. This museum used a large amount of technology to interact with the visitors. There are a number of amenities available in this museum, such as the air conditioner rooms and the water facilities for individuals who visit the museum. Apart from it, in this museum, many states are situated. In this museum, 3D videos are presented of the Sikh religion as well as many types of weapons and clothes available here. I feel over the moon after visiting the museum. Adding more, in this museum one souveniers shop is also there where you can see the many religious things which describe the culture and history of the museum. It was a very interesting place. I recommend it to everyone who visits this museum.

Part 3 Questions Describe a museum that you have visited Speaking Cue Card

Question 1:- how often do you visit museums.

Answer 1:- Actually, I went to a museum two years ago, so it’s been a long time. Because, during this pandemic situation, this historical place could not be visited.

Answer 2:- No, I do not usually visit the museum. After that, during the school holidays, I and my kith and kins visited the museum by car. Apart from it, I am fond of interested in visiting the new places as well as I love to religious places because it describes my tradition.

Question 2:- What type of museum is popular in your country?

Answer 1:- Here, in Surabaya, people still believe in mystical stuff, so the most popular place is the health museum. In this place, we could find a lot of witch tools in the past.

Answer 2:- Well, there are a number of museums available in my nation. Apart from it, in my country the Virsat-E-Khalsa museum is famous. It is situated in Anandpur sahib. After that every Sunday I visit their with my kith and kins as well as I always like to religious places because it describes my culture.

Question 3:- What do you think of the importance of museums in history?

Answer 1:- Well, as we know, Indonesia gained its independence in 1945. After the colonial era, younger people mostly forgot about the past how hard the ancestors fought to get this, so this is the role of museums, to keep protecting and reminding us about history.

Answer 2:- Well, the museums are well popular in my country because it describes the history and tradition of the country. Apart from it, like as virsat-E-Khalsa museum is famous in my country. After that, the museum plays a part and parcel role in my nation. Because with the help of museums people can get the knowledge about any religion.

Question 4:- What do you think of the heritage of a country?

Answer 1:- In my opinion, the heritage of the country has an important role in giving the knowledge of the youth about the past. Let’s say, In Indonesia, we can find Batik and Prambanan temple as the heritage, so it’s about the culture that has been given from the past.

Answer 2:- Honestly speaking, I have no knowledge about your question. In my perspective, the heritage of the nation means to describe the culture and tradition of the country. Apart from it, my nation is also famous for its heritage.

Question 5:- Compare museums nowadays and in the past!

Answer 1:- This is an interesting task, well actually I’m not sure about that, since I am a mathematics educator in the school, so never touch the historical place so often, but if I have to say, maybe the facilities of today’s museum will be more comfortable than in the past, there would be an addition to make the visitor feel comfortable to enter, such as the air conditioner, amazing lighting, and others.

Answer 2:- Well, in the salad days of the millennium, due to the advancement of technology, the museum is well maintained as compared to the past. After that, these days the museum building is huge, and rooms are also well conditioner. Apart from that, in the museum, there are a number of amenities available. But in the past the museum buildings are small and the lack of some facilities rather than the present.

Question 6:- Have you ever been to a foreign museum?

Answer 1:- Until now, I have never gone to the International Museum. But if I had a chance, I would go there, that would be nice for me to enhance my knowledge as well.

Answer 2:- No, I not have been visited the overseas Museums. Apart from it, I have a little bit of knowledge about foreign countries due to the advancement of technology. After that, I get a chance I will definitely visit there in the foreign museum.

Question 7:- What are the tourist attractions in your City?

Answer 1:- In general, we have several interesting places for tourists here. I will tell you about the most popular place, and it is a ski area. In here, we have tropical weather, so something about winter and snow would become encourage more people to visit in.

Answer 2:- Well, there are numerous tourist places in my nation. Apart from that many visitors also come here for enjoying the tourist places.

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Describe a museum you have visited and liked, describe a museum you have visited and liked..

• what kind of museum it was
• when you first went there
• what you saw and did there

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Simple Past Tense (Did) – With Explanations Pictures and Exercises

Simple past tense (past simple tense) is a verb tense that describes completed actions or past habits before now. It is also used to talk about a series of events in the past. “Did” is the helping verb of simple past tense. For affirmative (positive) sentences we use past simple form of a verb.

⬤ Formation of simple past tense

For affirmative sentences we use the formation of “verb + ed” . For negative sentences and questions we use the auxiliary “did” or “did not”. See the chart below to learn the structure of simple past tense.

Examples with Pictures Dialogue exercise Sentence scramble game Translation exercise

⬤ Which auxiliary (helping verb) to use for simple past tense?

The auxiliary verb in simple past tense is “ did “. However we use “ was-were ” to talk about a state in the past. Examples:

• I walked in the park.
• I didn’t walk in the park.
• Did you walk in the park?
• I was in the park.
• I wasn’t in the park.
• Were you in the park?

⬤ Positive (Affirmative) sentences

For the formation of positive sentences in simple past tense we add “ -ed “, “ -ied ” or just “ -d ” to the verb. We do not use “ did ” for the positive sentences.

• I asked a question.
• She studied maths.
• She cleaned her room.
• Jack repaired the car last week.
• A traffic accident happened yesterday.

⬤ Negative sentences

For the formation of negative sentences in simple past tense we use “ not ” together with “ did “. The short form is “ didn’t ”

• He did not want tea.
• We didn’t wait for the bus.
• I didn’t use your pen.
• Susan didn’t lie.

⬤ Interrogative sentences

For the formation of question sentences (interrogative) in simple past tense we put “ did ” before the subject.

• Did you enjoy your holiday.
• Did she write an email.
• Where did Yuto go?
• What did Ali want?

⬤ Sentence forms in simple past tense

⬤ what are the regular verbs.

Regular verbs are the verbs that gets “ -ed “, “ -ied ” or “ -d ” for the the past simple forms.

⬤ What are the irregular verbs?

Irregular verbs are the verbs which don’t get “ -ed “, “ -ied ” or “ -d ” to form past simple form or past participle form. There are a number of irregular verbs which needs to be memorized. Because the formation has no standard rule. Some verbs have the same form as bare form, past simple form or past participle form. For example “cut, put, let, hit”.

• (+) I  visit ed  my uncle. 
• (-) I  didn’t visit  my uncle yesterday. 
• (?) Did you visit your uncle yesterday? 
• (+) They found the cat.
• (-) They didn’t find the cat.
• (?) Did they find the cat?

SIMILAR PAGES: ❯❯ Learn verb to be here ❯❯ Learn simple present tense here ❯❯ Learn present continuous tense here ❯❯ Learn future simple tense (will) here ❯❯ Learn be going to future tense here ❯❯ Learn past continuous tense here ❯❯ Learn present perfect tense here

⬤ Explanations and usages of Simple Past Tense

Let’s go on with the explanations, usages and time adverbs of simple past tense:

⬤ 1- Finished actions in the past

Simple Past Tense is used to describe a finished action in a specific time in the past. Examples: I  watched  a film yesterday.  I  did n’t watch a film yesterday.  Last year, I  traveled  to Italy.  Last year, I  did n’t travel to Italy.  She  washed  her hands.  She  did n’t wash her hands.  I bought a hat yesterday. Did you like your cake? Where did you go? What did Ethan say? How did she get 100 points in the exam?

⬤ 2- A series of finished actions.

Simple Past Tense is also used to describe past actions that happen one after the other. The series of actions are all expressed in simple past tense. Examples: I  went out,  walked  to the park, and  watched  the sky silently.

He  arrived  from the airport at 11:00,  looked  for someone to ask the way, and called  a taxi.

⬤ 3- Past habits

We can also use simple past tense to talk about habits in the past. Examples: I  always played  basketball when I was a child. He  often played  the guitar. They never  went  to school, they always  skipped . She  worked  at the hospital after school.

⬤ Using “was”, “were” to talk about past states.

If you want to talk about a past state or condition we use “was, were”. The negative form is “was not, were not” or “wasn’t weren’t”. To make questions we use “was/were” before the subject.

⬤ I lived in London. ⬤ I was in London.

Examples (did) Sally worked at the hospital. Sally didn’t work at the hospital. Did Sally work at the hospital? Where did Sally work?

Examples (was-were) Sally was at the hospital. Sally wasn’t at the hospital. Was Sally at the hospital? Where was Sally?

⬤ What are the time expressions in simple past tense?

⬤ yesterday   I went to the cinema yesterday.  ⬤ last  week, last  year, last  Sunday, last month etc. He bought a car last week.  ⬤ two years ago , four days ago , three minutes  ago etc. I saw her five minutes ago. ⬤ in 1995, in 2003 etc. I had an accident in 2014.

⬤ Time adverbs exercise

You can see the simple past tense time adverbs below. Click on the cards and tell the meaning of them in your native language..

⬤ Images and example sentences

You can learn simple past tense with images and example sentences below.

⬤ A conversation example

Here is a dialogue to learn simple past tense. You can make similar conversations.

Did you win the match yesterday?

Yes, we did.

How was the game?

I don’t know.

What do you mean?

Didn’t you play?

Actually I didn’t.

I had a traffic accident

so I spent the night at a hospital.

We won the match.

My teammates dedicated the goals to me.

Well. Your team needs you. Get well soon.

⬤ Translate these sentences

You will see random examples of simple past tense below. Try to translate them into your own language.

⬤ Sentence scramble game

You will see scrambled words of simple past tense sentences. Click on them in order to make a sentence.

⬤ Example sentences about simple past tense

You can see many sentences below to learn simple past tense.

➔ 10 examples of about simple past tense

• I listened to the new pop album yesterday. It’s great.
• She liked the film but she didn’t like the music.
• There was a problem with the plug.
• I was happy to see her with a smile in her face.
• Her parents travelled by train from Istanbul to Moscow.
• I phoned you four times last night but you were out.
• There were many workers waiting outside.
• We walked along the beach yesterday. It was lovely.
• I had a problem. So I asked to my mother about it.
• Last week I was in Paris. I stayed in a hotel.

⬤ Questions and with answers

Read the questions and the answers below to learn how to use about simple past tense.

➔ 10 questions and answers about simple past tense

• Did you like the film? Yes, I liked it very much.
• Did they give her a present after the ceremony? Yes, they gave her a new camera.
• When did you start playing the guitar? I started playing the guitar when I was nine.
• Was there a guard at the door? No. They let us in.
• When did you leave school? I left school when I was sixteen.
• Who invented the radio? Guglielmo Marconi invented it.
• When did you give your first concert? We gave our first concert in a wedding in Liverpool.
• How many sandwiches did he eat? He ate 3 sandwiches.
• Were you with Sally when she had an accident? Yes, I was.
• What did she do with the book? She sat on a bench and started reading.

External resources: You can go to British Council page and study simple past tense , or watch a video from the popular movies about past simple tense .

related pages

Fill in the blanks quiz for simple past tense, sentence scramble game for simple past tense, accessories vocabulary 👓 exercises pictures audio, body parts in english 👨 with games and listed images, classroom objects vocabulary in english 📕 with games, clothes vocabulary in english 👕 learn with images and flashcards, colour names in english 🎈 with tests and images, computer parts (hardware) vocabulary: pictures audio, verb to be (am, is, are) – with examples and online exercises, modal “can” – with explanations exercises and activities, present continuous tense – with usage examples and pictures, simple present tense (do-does) – with usage, pictures and example sentences.

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Watch CBS News

Things to do in Detroit while you're in town for the NFL Draft

By Sara Powers

Updated on: April 25, 2024 / 8:41 AM EDT / CBS Detroit

(CBS DETROIT)  - The  NFL Draft is expected to bring thousands of visitors to Detroit this weekend, and while it's the main event, there are plenty of other things the city has to offer. 

So, if you're looking for something to do outside of the draft, here's a list: 

Visit Belle Isle

Belle Isle is a 982-acre island in the Detroit River. Since 2014, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has operated Belle Isle as a state park as part of a 30-year lease with the city of Detroit. 

Visitors can check out the Belle Isle Aquarium, Belle Isle Nature Center, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. 

It's also a great place to walk around and take in the city, as it provides a great view of the Detroit skyline. 

Take a ride on the Detroit People Mover

If you're staying in downtown Detroit for the draft, you can probably walk to the events, but taking a ride on the Detroit People Mover is still a fun experience. 

The Detroit People Mover operates in a one-way, nearly 3-mile loop in downtown Detroit. From 7 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, through midnight on Sunday, April 28, the People Mover will operate 24 hours a day. 

It will be free to ride, and the stations closest to NFL Draft entry locations are the Financial District and Millender Center stops. 

Grab a slice (or a pie) of Detroit-style pizza

While Detroit-style pizza can be found across the country, it only makes sense to try the square-shaped pizza in its birthplace. 

The pizza, known for its crusty, cheesy corners,  originated in 1946  at Buddy's Rendezvous Pizzeria on Six Mile in Detroit. 

There is a Buddy's location at 1565 Broadway St. in downtown Detroit. There are several places to get Detroit-style pizza in the city, though, including Michigan & Trumbull, Pie Sci and Grandma Bob's. Two other places outside of the city but still in Metro Detroit, known for having good Detroit-style pizza, are Green Lantern in Madison Heights and Loui's Pizza in Hazel Park. 

And just to add in one more place, because Detroit's thriving pizza scene provides many options for recommendations, check out Supino Pizzeria for New York-style pizza if that's more your vibe. You can visit Supino's Eastern Market location for take-out or dine-in at its New Center location. 

Coney dogs and Coney Islands

While we're on the topic of food, if you're visiting Detroit, you might want to stop at a coney island to grab a bite to eat. There are several staples in and around the city, including Kerby's, Leo's, National, Grandy's, and more, that serve a variety of foods, such as breakfast items, Greek salads, pita wraps, sandwiches and saganaki, and are open early and late, with some open 24/7. 

Coney Islands also serve coney dogs, and if you're in Detroit for the draft, you can grab one at American or Lafayette (or both to participate in the longtime debate over which Coney Island serves a better coney dog). 

Detroit Institute of Arts 

The  Detroit Institute of Arts , or DIA, is a museum located in the Midtown neighborhood of Detroit. Its collection is among the top six across the country, with more than 65,000 pieces of work. 

Last month, the DIA was named the best art museum in the United States in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

Motown Museum

The Motown Museum is where Berry Gordy started Motown Records in 1959. The museum is located in the original headquarters and recording studio for Motown Records and has a variety of artifacts, including photos, costumes and more.

Visit the  museum's website  for all the specific information on admission prices and hours. 

Where to dance the night away 

If you're looking to get some dancing in while you're in town for the draft, Detroit has plenty of options for you. Detroit is also known as the birthplace of techno music, and you can find tributes to its origin throughout the city.

On Friday,  the Saunderson Brothers , the sons of Detroit techno and house pioneer Kevin Saunderson, will have a show at Big Pink. 

Marble Bar is also hosting a  12-hour party  on Saturday, April 27, with a lineup of artists, including Shigeto, a Detroit favorite. Other popular spots for dancing include Spot Lite, TV Lounge, Temple Bar and SpkrBox. 

NFL Draft Details 

While you're having fun checking out all that the city has to offer, be sure to check out our  list of important information to know for the NFL Draft . It includes information about registration, security procedures, road closures, transportation and more! 

• 2024 NFL Draft

Sara Powers is a digital producer for CBS Detroit. Sara covers local news, often focusing on crime, politics and entertainment.

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