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Virtual Museum: 13 ways to explore from home

Delve into the Museum from home with a virtual self-guided tour of the galleries, an interactive experience about Hope the blue whale and audio guides narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

1. Stroll around the Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature exhibition

Although the exhibition at the Museum closed on 3 January 2022, you can still step into an online world full of fantastic real-life and magical beasts. There are highlights, stories and games galore. 

Walk around the exhibition from home with a 360° virtual tour on Google Arts & Culture.

2.  Take a deep dive into the life of a blue whale

Explore the rich history of Hope, the blue whale suspended from the ceiling in Hintze Hall. In this online interactive, see what her life was like in the ocean, find out how she got to her home in the Museum and get a behind-the-scenes peek of the Museum's collections.

Go one step further by viewing the skeleton in augmented reality (AR) with Google Arts & Culture. 

3. Hang out with scientists online

Catch up on all the Nature Live Online talks featuring topical discussions with our scientists and cutting-edge research. 

Free event recordings. 

Image:  NASA .

4.  Sound choices: listen to these podcasts

Every year the Museum attracts millions of curious visitors eager to learn about the natural world.

Bring that curiosity home, and learn more about natural history, science, and the world around you with these great podcasts. 

5.  Let Sir David Attenborough guide you around Hintze Hall

Sir David's unmistakable voice and expertise on all things nature make him the perfect person to take you on a tour of Hintze Hall's star specimens (including the blue marlin), all from the comfort of home.

6.  Go on a virtual tour of the Museum

Google Arts & Culture gives you access to 300,000 specimens within the Museum's collections, along with 35 digital exhibitions , virtual tours and an interactive gigapixel photo (so enormous you can zoom in on the tiniest detail) of Hintze Hall's gilded canopy. 

7.  Flick through Wildlife Photographer of the Year images

Explore the exhibition at your own pace in this online gallery filled with stunning nature photographs. 

8.  Watch us on the small screen

The Museum's stunning architecture has made it a popular choice as a filming location for everything from blockbuster movies to TV dramas.

Discover which films and television shows feature the Museum.

Paddington (2014)

9. Examine a 3D model of Dippy's skull

Get up close to the skull of the Museum's iconic Diplodocus cast produced by our Imaging and Analysis Centre. See more 3D models on Sketchfab , including Darwin's fossil mammals and the Crystal Palace sculptures .

10. See illustrations from HMS Endeavour

Our collection of botanical illustrations from HMS Endeavour make up some of the most scientifically significant artworks in our archive. It features works by Sydney Parkinson .

11.  Browse the Library and Archives digital collections

Dig deep into the archives, where you'll find scientifically important art, books, prints and manuscripts, including drawings by William Smith and brothers Franz and Ferdinand Bauer.

12. Uncover highlights from the collections

We've wrapped up some of the highlights from the collections on display including specimens from space , the spirit collection , Charles Darwin and the Treasures gallery .

Discover more stories from the collections  including stories from the Museum at Tring .

13. Zoom in on beetles

Open the drawers and zoom in on 16 Coleoptera collections held at the Museum including those from Thomas Broun (1838-1919), David Sharp (1840-1922) and Charles O. Waterhouse (1843-1917).

Find out more about the  Entomology collections .

Virtual expeditions with our scientists

What is it like to go on a dino dig?

Explore an interactive story about Museum experts' adventure to Wyoming, USA, when they went off-grid in search of Jurassic dinosaurs.

Explore a 360 panorama of Antarctica

Join Dr Adrian Glover as he journeys to the site of a collapsed Antarctic ice shelf. Experience the awe-inspiring view from the ship deck.

Let the exploration continue

Enjoy nature on your doorstep

Find activities and ideas to occupy yourself and family at home, in your garden or local outdoor space.

Try this at home

Discover more stories from the collections

Uncover colourful stories behind the specimens, meet collectors and curators past and present and read about their contributions to our understanding of the natural world. 

Teaching resources

A range of downloadable educational curriculum-linked resources that you can adapt for home use.

Find out more

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20 Famous Art Museums You Can Visit from Your Living Room

Art from around the world has never been closer to home.

Did you know that you can access art museum virtual field trips, tours, and resources from around the world for free ? Why not take your students on virtual museum tours to the lavish Louvre in Paris? Or the majestic Metropolitan Museum of Art? Or any one of these historic art museums from around the world? Check out the list below to get started!

1. Benaki Museum

Located in Greece, the Benaki Museum features European and Asian pieces of artwork dating all the way back to prehistoric ages. In addition to having a massive collection of art you can explore virtually, the Benaki also offers audio tours for several of their larger exhibits. Our favorites include Chinese and Korean Art, Historic Heirlooms, and Childhood, Toys, and Games.

2. The Frick Collection

Frick, yeah! Click your way through this interactive map for a tour of the beautiful building and collections of art from the likes of Bellini, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and more.

3. The J. Paul Getty Museum

Explore thousands of items in the Getty’s collection  with help from Google Arts & Culture. The J. Paul Getty Museum specifically has several interactive options for exploring their collection: a “museum view” virtual tour, three ebook-style online exhibits, and the library of over 15,000 collected pieces of art.

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4. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

The largest art museum in the western United States is offering art museum virtual field trips. Watch videos and museum walkthroughs, listen to soundtracks and live recordings, learn with online teaching resources and courses, browse their art collection, and more on LACMA’s redesigned website.

5. The Louvre

One of our favorite art museum virtual field trips—and the world’s large museum—is the Louvre with options for some of their best exhibition rooms and galleries. Explore rare Egyptian artifacts, iconic paintings, the beautiful structure of the building, and much more through their 360-degree viewing feature.

(NOTE: Several of these virtual tours require Flash Player.)

6. Metropolitan Museum of Art’s #MetKids

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (aka the Met) developed #MetKids for, with, and by kids—but we think parents and teachers will have just as much fun using it. Our favorite features include a fun and highly interactive map, a “time machine” search function, informational and how-to videos, and so much more.

7. Musée d’Orsay

Instantly transport to the middle of Paris with the Musée d’Orsay and their online tours and art collection. Here you can explore art history with the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces from renowned artists such as Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and many more.

8. Museo Frida Kahlo

Also known as La Casa Azúl (the Blue House), this historic art museum was developed where renowned artist Frida Kahlo lived and created masterpieces. While there, you can learn about her life, her art, and more as you take a virtual tour through her former residence.

9. The Museum of the World

The British Museum and Google Cultural Institute teamed up to create one of our favorite interactive projects: The Museum of the World. The British Museum’s digital art collection lets users travel through time—starting with 2,000,000 BC—while seeing how each historical piece in their collection connects with others. Wow!

10. The National Gallery

Click and scroll your way around the National Gallery in London with their three interactive virtual tour options. The National Gallery has hundreds of paintings in its collection ready to be viewed online, many of which are from the Renaissance period.

11. The National Gallery of Art

Washington D.C.’s National Gallery of Art has a wide variety of great educational resources,  including video tours of their exhibitions, in-depth looks at the best pieces of their collection, downloadable learning resources and exercises, pre-recorded lectures by artists and curators, and more.

12. Pergamon Museum

One of Germany’s largest museums, Pergamon is home to a variety of ancient artifacts, including the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and the Pergamon Altar.

13. Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the museum of the Netherlands and contains an online collection of well over 160,000 items. Not only is their digital collection incredibly stocked, but it’s also one of the more immersive collections online today. In addition, we highly recommend you try their “stories” feature (shown above), which walks users through the story and emotions behind the artwork created.

14. San Diego Museum of Art

Step inside the San Diego Museum of Art from anywhere! Enjoy 360-degree scans of your favorite galleries, zoom in to see art details, and read full label text in both English and Spanish, all from the comfort of home.

15. San Francisco Museum of Modern Arts

The San Francisco MoMA offers exclusive content featuring artists and their work online. Watch videos, read articles, and more right on their website.

16. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation has several art museums around the world, which means more history to absorb virtually! Their Collection Online has over 1,700 diverse artworks by over renowned 600 artists—and it is definitely worth checking out as one of our top art museum virtual field trips!

17. Tate Modern: Andy Warhol Exhibit

The Tate Modern put together this video tour of their famous Andy Warhol exhibit. Museum curators Gregor Muir and Fiontán Moran talk in-depth about Andy Warhol and his work through the lens of the immigrant story, his LGBTQ identity, and more.

18. Uffizi Gallery

Here you’ll find the art collection of one of Florence, Italy’s most famous families, the de’Medicis. Wander the halls from any classroom!

19. The Van Gogh Museum

With an obvious focus on Vincent van Gogh, the Van Gogh Museum is home to the largest collection of van Gogh pieces in the world. The museum, virtual tours, ebook “stories,” and online collection dive into the life of van Gogh and the inspiration behind his art. Moreover, we think teachers everywhere will appreciate how big a fan he was of reading books!

20. The Vatican Museums

You can finally say you’ve seen the Sistine Chapel thanks to this online program! And, you can also virtually visit the Raphael Rooms, the Chiaramonti Museum, and more historic sites through these virtual tours by the Vatican Museums.

Did we miss one of your favorite art museum virtual field trips? Share them with us, and we might just add it to this list!

Also, check out the best field trip ideas for every age and interest (virtual options too).

You Might Also Like

40 Amazing Educational Virtual Field Trips

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Not Your Grandma's Museum Tours

Museum Hack leads renegade, guided tours of the world’s best museums. We do art tours, history tours, walking tours, city tours and more. Our museum tour guides are experts in the obscure and collectors of amazing hidden stories about the art, objects, artifacts and museum itself.

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5400+ Reviews

What Makes Our Tours Awesome

World class guides.

Renegade Guides are award winning entertainers, comedians, academics and nerds; this is not your average docent tour. New guides train in the Museum Hack craft for 3 months before ever leading a tour.

Smart Humor, Mind Blowing Facts, Juicy Gossip

If you prefer your history drunk and a little sassy then you are our kind of people. We do deep research into the museum collections to learn the facts you won't find on the plaques, and then build out stories that connect with stuff in your life.

Small Group, VIP , Social Experience

Our standard group size is 10 or less, which is important because your guide will know you by name and can personalize the tour for what you want to see. It's also a great social experience, so you can come solo and make new friends or bring your SO, BFF, mom, grandma, OkCupid / Bumble / Grindr-crush, Tamagotchi, FWB or entire squad.

Admission Included, Skip the Line

All full price tickets include museum admission, up to a $25 value (so the tour portion is more like $34 - $44). When you arrive at the museum, your guide will have your admission ready so you can launch right into the tour without waiting in line.

Featured on TripAdvisor, 5400+ 5 Star Reviews

Guests often call our guided tours "the best museum tour you will ever go on" and sometimes "pretty f***ing awesome!" You may have noticed companies intentionally sharing average reviews of like 4.7 stars, which they do because a study a few years back said the internet trusts that more than a perfect 5.0. Our actual average is 5/5, so f**k it.

100% "You'll Love It" Guarantee

Our Renegade Guides are wicked smart and will take you on a sassy, whirlwind tour of the museum. Most guests LOVE this experience and if you feel anything other than 10/10 then we will refund your money.

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Tourismuseum

The best museums in Washington, D.C. to visit year round

Art, sculptures, spy mobiles and famous slippers—the world's history and treasures are on display at the best museums in D.C.

History buffs, art enthusiasts and people simply interested in America's past need to look no further than the best museums in D.C. The nation's capital has much to offer in the way of cultural institutions, many of which are free to enjoy, we might add. You'll find most of them within walking distance to one another, if not a short ride or drive away. Washington, D.C.'s best museums are housed in some of the country's most remarkable buildings. So, if what's inside doesn't pique your interest, marveling at the architecture will keep you busy for many hours.

Visiting the best museums in D.C. can get a bit overwhelming, but we're here to guide you to the galleries and spaces you can't miss—whether you're into modern art, pop culture, African American history or old nuclear missiles. Trust us, there's something for you. 

RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best  things to do in Washington, D.C. 🏛️ The best  Washington, D.C. attractions 🍴 The best  restaurants in D.C. right now 🏘️ The best  Airbnbs in Washington, D.C .

This guide was written by Washington, D.C . locals.   At Time Out, all of our  travel guides  are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our  editorial guidelines . 

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Best museums in D.C.

1.  National Museum of African American History and Culture

• Things to do

The most iconic museum in D.C., the National Museum of African American History and Culture, has eight floors of fascinating historical exhibits. Here, you’ll find tributes to historical figures, moments, and events that have shaped America’s past and present day. You’d actually need a number of days to fully explore everything here, but you can still get a mighty lot done in a few hours (with a stop at the lovely Sweet Home Café for lunch). 

2.  National Museum of Asian Art

The National Museum of Asian Art is an incredibly thoughtfully put together group of exhibits to help visitors learn about Asian history in the US and beyond. From Chinese and Japanese contemporary art to artifacts from Ancient Egypt, this museum is a central hub for the Asian community and more in D.C. You can book self-guided visits, virtual tours or onsite tours, and there are kid-friendly days and tours too. 

3.  National Museum of the American Indian

Dedicated to America’s colonized and historically abused Indigenous people, the National Museum of the American Indian joined the Mall in 2004, bringing with it significant Native American artifacts and a renowned cafeteria. (The Mitsitam Native Foods Café offers a stunning collection of dishes inspired by Indigenous cuisines.)

The building is as much a part of the message as the exhibits. The details are extraordinary: dramatic, Kasota limestone-clad undulating walls resemble a wind-carved mesa. The museum’s main entrance plaza plots the star configurations on November 28, 1989, when federal legislation was introduced to create the museum. The museum is also curated with art in various mediums from a diverse assortment of Indigenous American nations. Artwork includes film, photography, pottery, textiles, woodworking, and much more. 

4.  Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

• Art and design

This spectacular, aggressively modern cylindrical building enlivens the predominantly neoclassical architecture lining the Mall. The structure, which was completed in 1974, was meant to house self-made Wall Street millionaire Joseph Hirshhorn’s collection of 20th-century paintings and sculptures. The museum now presents art in a range of media, including works on paper, painting, installation, photography, sculpture, digital and video art. The museum has housed some of the most-hyped visiting exhibitions on earth, from Ai Weiwei’s "Trace" to Kusama’s "Infinity Mirrors."   

5.  National Museum of African Art

This museum ’s entrance pavilion lies across the amazing Enid Haupt Garden, directly across from its twin, the Sackler. The museum opened in 1987, and its primary focus is ancient and contemporary work from sub-Saharan Africa. The museum draws visitors into different aspects of African art and culture. The rich ceremonial garb and textiles, including blankets made in Mali and embroidered hunters’ shirts, are a must-see.  

6.  Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

The Renwick's informal motto might be "go big or go home." The museum is popular for its interactive exhibits and large-scale modern art pieces. Perhaps best known for its blockbuster, much-Instagrammed exhibits, 2015's "Wonder" and 2018's "No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man," this Smithsonian museum celebrates craft and design in the digital age. Other notable exhibits have included the quirky “Murder Is Her Hobby,” a collection of gruesome doll houses used to help detectives solve crime scenes. 

7.  National Air and Space Museum

Air and Space tops visitors’ to-do list, year in, year out. In the central Milestones of Flight Hall, towering U.S. Pershing-II and Soviet SS-20 nuclear missiles stand next to the popular moon rock station, where visitors can see a lunar sample acquired on the 1972 Apollo 17 mission. The 1903 Wright Flyer—the first piloted craft to maintain controlled, sustained flight (if only for a few seconds)—and Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St Louis are both suspended here. Carve out three to four hours and don't miss the test model of the Hubble Space Telescope, which is currently orbiting in space, taking snapshots of the universe. 

8.  National Museum of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History is iconic on the Mall. The museum boasts longtime favorites like the Hope Diamond, which has drawn crowds for over sixty years, and state-of-the-art exhibits like the Hall of North American Mammals. The recently renovated Hall of Fossils is a must-see— visitors may feel as if they've traveled back in time. But don't worry, these dinosaurs don't bite.  Dinosaur fossils are posed interacting with each other, even engaged in life-and-death battles.

9.  United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

This three-floor museum contains more than 900 artifacts and four theaters showing archival footage and survivor testimony from the Holocaust. Themes such as the murder of the disabled, Nazi eugenics and resistance, and Jewish resistance all present a chronological history of the event.

The objects and symbols make powerful impressions: thousands of camp victims’ shoes piled in a heap personalize the losses. While the main exhibition is suitable for children of 11 and over only, a specially designed children’s exhibition, “Daniel’s Story,” at ground level, is presented to children of eight and over and teaches about the Holocaust through the story of one boy. Guests should consider reserving their tickets beforehand since wait lines can be long. 

10.  Smithsonian American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum take up two sides of the same interconnected building. Among the most notable portraits are Gilbert Stuart’s seminal “Lansdowne” portrait of George Washington and Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn. The Portrait Gallery houses the only complete collection of U.S. Presidents' portraits, while the American Art Museum houses prominent works by American artists, including Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keefe.

Unlike many other museums in the area, the dual museums also include an open, airy courtyard—the perfect place to rest, eat lunch, read a book, or splash your feet in the flowing water fountains.

11.  National Gallery of Art

• National Mall

Comprising two separate buildings connected by a trippy underground moving walkway, the National Gallery of Art is a world-class museum with artwork from around the globe.

The West Building highlights European and American art from the 13th to the early 20th centuries, as well as Spanish, Dutch, Flemish, French and German works from the 17th century. Don't miss Leonardo da Vinci’s almond-eyed portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci, the artist's only work in the Western Hemisphere.

The East Building represents more current work, including a skylit atrium that houses a 32-foot-long still mobile by Alexander Calder. Stroll through the sculpture garden, a six-acre square across 7th Street that includes a Louise Bourgeois 10-foot bronze spider and a pyramid by Sol LeWitt. Free timed entry passes are required.

12.  National Museum of Women in the Arts

The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) houses a collection of more than 4,500 works by more than 1,000 women from the 16th century to the present. Highlights of the permanent exhibit include Frida Kahlo’s defiant 1937 Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky , as well as works by Elisabetta Sirani, Alma Woodsey Thomas and Barbara Hepworth. There are also special collections of 17th-century botanical prints by Maria Sibylla Merian and works by British and Irish women silversmiths from the 17th to 19th centuries. The museum hosts free community days every other week, on the first Sunday and second Wednesday of every month.

13.  Postal Museum

The Postal Museum is perhaps the most obscure of the Smithsonian’s offerings. A museum devoted to postal history and philately (stamp collecting) may sound like a hard sell, but there’s a trove of interactive and entertaining exhibits housed within the skeleton of what was once the enormous D.C. City Post Office. Check out the permanent exhibit “Systems at Work,” which recreates the journey of letters, magazines, parcels and other mail from sender to recipient. Pick out stamps from around the globe to start your own stamp collection. Write and ship a postcard directly from the museum. And go to the downstairs level of the museum to explore how mail has traveled across the country on trains, planes, and carriages.

14.  National Museum of American History

The continuing transformation of the National Museum of American History has led to several renovations that highlight some of America's most beloved artifacts. Floors are organized around loose themes, allowing a huge diversity of exhibits to tell American stories in an entertaining and informative manner. We love the First Ladies' dresses and Dorothy’s ruby red slippers. Oh! And there’s Julia Child’s actual kitchen. 

15.  National Building Museum

• Judiciary Square

A privately run collection, the National Building Museum produces smart, noteworthy exhibits focusing on architects and the built environment, both contemporary and historical. Among the exhibitions, "House & Home" discovers the history and many meanings of 'home,' both physical and cultural, with an array of all things household, from household goods and decorations (including a poster of Farrah Fawcett and a fondue set), to building materials to mortgage papers. Fittingly, the building itself is gorgeous: an Italian Renaissance-style Great Hall features eight colossal 75-foot Corinthian columns that lead to a ceiling 15 stories above. 

16.  International Spy Museum

• Penn Quarter

The world of D.C.’s prestige paid-entry museums was shaken up dramatically in 2019, with the Newseum closing indefinitely and the International Spy Museum moving to sleek new digs in L’Enfant Plaza. In its larger space, the museum boasts many exhibits that lean so hard into “infotainment” that a trip can feel less like learning about spies and more like a game of pretending to be one. Test your sleuthing abilities and gawk at an array of spy gadgets, including KGB-issued poison pellet shooting umbrellas and Germany’s Steineck ABC wristwatch camera. James Bond junkies will be in heaven—the groovy silver Aston Martin from 1964’s Goldfinger assumes a central spot in the museum. 

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Paul McCartney. Self-portrait, London , 1963. Pigmented inkjet print. © 1963 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP

Paul McCartney. Self-portraits. Paris , January 1964. Pigmented inkjet print. © 1964 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP

Paul McCartney. John and George. Paris , January 1964. Pigmented inkjet print. © 1964 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP

Paul McCartney. Ringo Starr. London , January 1964. Pigmented inkjet print. © 1964 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP

Paul McCartney. West 58th Street, crossing 6th Avenue. New York , February 1964. Pigmented inkjet print. © 1964 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP

Paul McCartney. John Lennon. Paris , January 1964. Pigmented inkjet print. © 1964 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP

Paul McCartney. Photographers in Central Park. New York , February 1964. Pigmented inkjet print. © 1964 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP

Paul McCartney. George Harrison. Miami Beach , February 1964. Chromogenic print. © 1964 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP

Download  our app and ask your own questions about this exhibition during your visit. Here's one that others have asked.

“McCartney’s hitherto unseen photos . . . record a pivotal moment in popular culture”

“We’ve never seen Beatlemania from the inside — until now”

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm

May 3–august 18, 2024, iris and b. gerald cantor gallery, 5th floor.

#EyesOfTheStorm

As The Beatles captured the hearts of millions, founding member Paul McCartney captured it all on his Pentax camera. Traveling from the UK to New York—just as “the boys” did six decades ago— Eyes of the Storm takes us inside the frenzy of Beatlemania in 1963–64, when the band’s first U.S. tour skyrocketed them to superstardom. More than 250 of McCartney’s photos, recently rediscovered in his archives, reveal his singular vantage point at the center of this whirlwind of attention and adoration. Many of the prints buzz with the electricity of 1960s New York City, which has had a love affair with The Beatles ever since.

Displayed alongside video clips and archival material, the photographs not only showcase McCartney’s artistic versatility but also serve as a personal and historical record. They convey the intensity of The Beatles’ touring schedule, as the Fab Four were swept from concerts to hotels to the road with rabid fans and paparazzi at their heels. The images also evoke an affectionate family album, picturing McCartney and bandmates John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr at a time when their lives were changing irrevocably. See through the “eyes of the storm,” as McCartney describes his unique perspective on this extraordinary period, and relive a musical legend’s meteoric rise.

This exhibition is included in general admission .

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm has been organized by the National Portrait Gallery, London, England, in collaboration with Paul McCartney. It is curated by Sir Paul McCartney with Sarah Brown for MPL Communications and Rosie Broadley for the National Portrait Gallery. The presentation at the Brooklyn Museum is organized by Catherine Futter, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Senior Curator of Decorative Arts, and Jennie Tang, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director of Art and the Director of Curatorial Affairs. 

Upcoming Events

Brooklyn Afternoons Online: Paul McCartney

June 11, 2024 2–3:15 pm

Individuals with memory loss and their care partners are invited to a virtual exploration of Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm .

Verbal Description Tour: Paul McCartney

June 18, 2024 3–4:15 pm

Blind individuals and those with low vision are invited to experience Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm in a vivid, detailed verbal description tour incorporating multisensory interactions with art.

Brooklyn Mornings: Paul McCartney

June 25, 2024 11 am–12:30 pm

Individuals with memory loss and their care partners are invited to an interactive exploration of Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm .

Curator-Led Member Tour: Paul McCartney

June 27, 2024 6–7:30 pm

Members: Join us for a special after-hours tour of Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm .

Studio Immersion: Paul McCartney and Candid Photography

June 30, 2024 2–6 pm

Inspired by Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm , create dynamic images that capture your point of view and tell compelling stories.

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

Electrostal History and Art Museum - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

Tickets are going fast and limited time remains to purchase tickets by June 14 for A Historic Evening with Stephen Lang, Jeff Shaara & Harold Holzer - Battle Hymns: Gettysburg in Myth, Music & Memory  on July 5, 2024. Reserve your seat today for this must see Gettysburg exclusive performance.

ALERT: Little Round Top is currently closed to all visitation for rehabilitation. The National Park Service estimates Little Round Top to reopen to the public in late Spring or early Summer 2024.  Learn more .

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A Rough Coarse Life: The World of the Civil War Soldier

Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center

Help preserve history.

Proceeds from tickets and other purchases in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center benefit Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site. 

Gettysburg National Military Park  Museum & Visitor Center

The official start to your gettysburg visit.

The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center is your hub for activities and experiences during your visit.

Begin here.

The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center provides exclusive resources and unique experiences to introduce you to the Battle of Gettysburg and prepare you for your tour of the battlefield:

• Set the framework for your visit and prepare for a tour of the battlefield with the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience .
• Board your bus with a Licensed Battlefield Guide or meet your guide onsite for your personalized car tour to begin your Gettysburg Battlefield Tour .
• Connect to the battlefield and its stories through National Park Service Ranger programs .
• Visit Eisenhower National Historic Site   for a self-guided tour of the property in fall/winter. Home tours available in spring/summer.
• Walk the path or take the short drive from the Museum & Visitor Center to visit the Gettysburg National Cemetery .
• Experience our exhibits, tours and events and visit our historic sites and experiences for a truly historic visit.
• Refuel at the Refreshment Saloon   and the Battlegrounds Café & Grille   and enjoy meals, snacks, beverages and sweet treats.
• Shop the Museum Book Store for books, gifts and memorabilia.
• Get in touch with your Civil War ancestry in the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Resource Room .
• Host your next event at the Museum & Visitor Center where you and your guests can experience history as part of your event.

The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center is in the top 10% of attractions worldwide and recognized as Tripadvisor travelers’ favorite attractions around the world, based on reviews and ratings collected over the last year. We value our visitors' feedback and invite you to review your experience with us on Tripadvisor.

At A Glance

1195 Baltimore Pike

Gettysburg, PA 17325

717-334-2436

877-874-2478

March-November 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

December-February 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Annual Holiday Closures:

Thanksgiving Day | Christmas Eve, Early Closure 1 p.m. | Christmas Day | New Year’s Day

Set the Scene to Explore Gettysburg

Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience

Set the stage for your visit with the film,  " A New Birth of Freedom ." Then, feel the fury of Pickett's Charge all around you with the light and sound show of the iconic Gettysburg Cyclorama . Through rare artifacts and interactive stories, journey back to the events and issues surrounding the battle in the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War .

Dining Options

Refreshment saloon | battlegrounds café & grille.

Modeled after an actual Civil War-era saloon, the Refreshment Saloon provides leisurely a-la-carte dining.

Enjoy hot and cold food selections along with your favorite made-to-order coffees (lattes, espressos, iced coffee) and bottled beverages at the Battlegrounds Cafe & Grille . Choose from a variety of cold sandwiches, snacks, hot dogs, pizzas and paninis. If you’re looking to soothe your sweet tooth, we feature regional favorites, ice cream and apple dumplings.

For your convenience, order a boxed lunch for your family, small group, or couple, and dine indoors or outdoors on our terrace or in the designated picnic areas (seasonal availability). Order boxed meals in advance .

Battlegrounds Café & Grille Hours: 

Daily, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Request group dining and accommodations online or call 717-338-1243, option 5.

Refreshment Saloon Hours:

Now open daily, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. for the spring/summer season.

(Hours subject to change)

For Groups:  Request group dining and accommodations online or call 717-338-1243, option 5.

Group Dinner  Reservations: To make your group reservations for dinner, call in advance, 717-338-1243, option 5.

Host An Event & Catering:  Ask about our on-site catering to host your event at the Museum & Visitor Center . Call 717-338-1243, option 5.

Gettysburg Museum Book Store

Museum Book Store

Shop the   Museum Book Store and our extensive collection of   books, gifts, memorabilia and–of course–that must-have Gettysburg t-shirt.

National Park Service Information Desk

Visit the National Park Service Information Desk inside the Museum & Visitor Center for details on Ranger programs, battlewalks, living history and other special events at Gettysburg National Military Park, Eisenhower National Historic Site, the David Wills House museum and Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Get to know Dwight D. Eisenhower —General, 34 th President of the United States and Gettysburg resident. The Eisenhower Exhibit Spotlight is open in the Museum Lobby inside the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center where you can learn more about Eisenhower's life and legacy.

Then, visit Eisenhower National Historic Site.

Get a glimpse of President Dwight and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower's home life through their original furnishings, decor and memories and their picturesque property adjacent to the Gettysburg battlefield.

In winter, as weather permits, enjoy a self-guided tour of the grounds, open sunrise to sunset.

For the spring, summer and fall season home tours schedule and driving directions, visit nps.gov/eise .

The exhibit spotlight is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Pritzker Military Foundation , on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library .

Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Resource Room

McKenna Resource Room

Regular hours:, friday, saturday & sunday march-nov. | 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. dec.-feb. | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. open additional hours based on availability., free and open to the public..

Thanks to powerful databases supplied by Ancestry.com and Fold3.com, visitors can connect to resources that aid in facilitating archival information on a family relative, a regiment, a monument and other basic Civil War information.

Updated with new equipment in 2022, volunteers are available to help you research a relative or soldier who may have fought in the Battle of Gettysburg or the Civil War.

Guest Guidelines & Policies

Hallowed ground.

Join us in respecting the site and those who gave their last full measure. To ensure a positive guest experience for everyone, please adhere to some simple guidelines.

Plan Your Visit to Gettysburg.

Whether you are visiting for the first time, or you return year-after-year, let us help you plan your visit.

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