Make the Most of Your Museum Visit - Guide for USA Museum Visitors

Tips for Planning and Enjoying Your Museum Visit

Around the USA there are numerous museums, institutions, galleries and centers that offer a wealth of programs, activities and exhibits on a variety of different topics and subjects. Regardless of whether you are interested in history, science or art, you will be certain to a find a museum that will suit your taste.

If you have never visited a museum before, you may find it helpful to learn a bit about planning your visit to the museum and how to make the most out of your visit. The same is also true if you have children and you are planning an upcoming visit to a museum. In order to make sure that you get the most out of your visit to a museum, there are some tips and guidelines that you can follow in planning your visit to the museum as well as knowing what to expect when you arrive at the museum.

In this guide, you will find two sections. The first section presents tips and guidelines that will help you to make the most of your visit to a museum. In the second section, you will find brief guides to some of the most interesting museums across the country. From Atlanta to San Jose, there are many museums that you will certainly find to be of interest. You will find information presented regarding how to contact the museum, a description of the museum and information about the hours and admission prices for the museum.

Let's get started!

 

Table of Contents

Section 1          

Tips for Planning and Enjoying your Museum Visit

Introduction

 

Chapter 1

Make the Most of your Visit to a Museum

Choosing Where to Visit

Prior to your Visit

After you Arrive at the Museum

 

Chapter 2

Visiting Art Museums

Make the Most of your Visit

Understand the Rules and Relax

Visit the Website First

Socializing

Arriving at the Museum

Be Prepared

Take Time to Rest         

Should you Visit with the Docents?

Photography

Touching

Be Sure to Visit the Gift Shop

 

Chapter 3

Visiting Museums with Children

Make it Painless and Interesting for Everyone

Prior to your Visit

About Attention Span

Snacking           

During your Visit

After your Visit

Tips for Visiting Museums with Tweens and Teens

 

Section 2

Museum Guides

The High Museum of Art-Atlanta

Atlanta History Museum

The Museum of Science-Boston

Children's Museum of Boston

Brooklyn Museum of Art

Chicago Museum of Art

Chicago History Museum

Columbia Museum of Art

Miami Children's Museum

Miami Museum of Science

Tampa Museum of Science

Orlando Museum of Art

Orlando Science Center

Omaha Children's Museum

Philadelphia Art Museum

Portland Museum of Art

San Diego Museum of Fine Art

San Jose Museum of Art

The Smithsonian Museums

 

The Museums

Smithsonian Institution Building

Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building

Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum

Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Smithsonian Freer Gallery

Smithsonian Sackler Gallery

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

Smithsonian Natural History Museum

Smithsonian American History Museum     

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Smithsonian International Gallery

National Zoo

Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

Smithsonian Renwick Gallery

National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum           

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

 

Planning your Visit to the Smithsonian Museums    

Before your Visit

After you Arrive

 

Security Policies for the Smithsonian Museums

 

Conclusion