10 Tips for Overcoming Museum Fatigue

Do you ever find yourself walking through a museum chock full of priceless works of art or millennia of human history, only to find yourself sighing from boredom?

Guess what? You’re not alone.

There’s a century-old term for this feeling – Museum Fatigue – and I suffer from it, too.

It took visiting a few world-class museums for me to learn this about myself – to notice that I would enter a museum with anticipation, spend the first half-hour soaking in each piece and reading every placard, before suddenly losing interest and speed-walking my way through the rest of the collection.

Michael, however, loves visiting art museums and can spend hours perusing the wings. Since he’s so incredibly patient while I pore over every rack in a thrift shop, or will walk across the city with me in search of a great pastry, it’s important to me to overcome my museum fatigue to make sure he gets to enjoy his experience.

(Even if it means staring at yet another paint splatter on canvas that’s only slightly different from the other six paint-splattered canvases we’ve already seen).

If you’re like me, or if you’re the parent of a little kid who’s kind of like me, today I’m sharing ten tips for avoiding museum fatigue – to make everyone’s experience a little more enjoyable:

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1. PREPARE FOR YOUR MUSEUM VISIT

Before you even leave for your trip, do a little research, because oftentimes adding in a little context can make all the difference. Why is this painting so valuable? What measures did past peoples take to ensure this historic artifact survived for you to see today? Read up on some of the famous works in the collection, or try to find a YouTube video for a quick bite of information. And don’t forget to check out the museum’s website before you go – you may not be intrigued by the general collection, but perhaps there’s a rotating exhibit you find more interesting.

On the day of your visit, mentally prepare yourself. You’re going to a museum, and it’s going to be fine! Maybe you’ll find something that speaks to you. Maybe you’ll learn something that inspires a little faith in humanity. Mindset is incredibly important – only you can choose to be open to what’s presented to you and interpret it through your very own lens.

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2. DRESS COMFORTABLY

Wear supportive shoes and dress in layers in case the museum is chilly (use the coat check if it’s running a little warm). Need some inspiration? Check out my past travel packing lists for some of my favorite comfy sightseeing outfits.

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3. EAT A DECENT MEAL BEFOREHAND

Speaking from experience, hunger and museums do not mix.

There’s nothing quite like plodding along through maze-like corridors with a growling stomach to make you suddenly disinterested in everything you are seeing, so eat something hearty right before you leave. If you’re a coffee drinker, it might be worth having a cup beforehand, too.

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4. CHOOSE YOUR MUSEUM WISELY

Some of the world’s museums are so expansive, they would take a week to fully explore (I’ve visited the Louvre twice and still haven’t seen it all). Choose a museum with a number of exhibits or wings that appropriately matches your schedule, and everyone will leave feeling happier.

And along these lines: don’t visit more than one museum on the same day – or if that can’t be helped, pair different types of museums (say, an art museum and a science museum) with a full meal between.

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5. SET A TIME LIMIT FOR YOUR VISIT

This is how you and your museum-loving companions reach a compromise. Figure out when you hit your museum limit (One hour? Two hours?), and agree to leave once that time is up. Note: if you’re the one setting the time limit, your travel companions get to choose the museum route and set the pace.

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6. TAKE THE AUDIOGUIDE OR CONSIDER A TOUR

Here it is again: context.

An engaging tour guide can answer questions and provide entertaining anecdotes about the artist or their work, completely transforming what can be an isolating experience into a memorable social one. But if a tour isn’t available, consider taking the audioguide (or increasingly, downloading the museum app and using your own headphones). You can skip the parts you find boring and move right into the good stuff.

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7. HAVE SOMETHING FUN PLANNED AFTERWARD

Give yourself something to look forward to after your visit – even if it’s just happy hour at the bar around the corner. It’s practically guaranteed to perk you up while roaming the collections.

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8. BE A LITTLE IMMATURE

You have to admit, there is a lot of absurdity within fine art. When I find my appreciation for the artistic nature of the works dwindling, I start to look for the humor within them. I love spinning funny backstories or coming up with creative captions for art (you may have seen them on my Instagram Stories at some point…).

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9. TAKE A BREAK

Starting to feel a little antsy or sleepy? Give yourself some grace and take a little breather. Find a window for some prime people-watching, sit on a cushioned bench in front of a work you enjoyed, or stroll through the museum’s gardens. I bet you’ll feel more refreshed and ready to return with open eyes and an open mind.

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10. IF ALL ELSE FAILS, JUST LEAVE

There – I said it.

If you find yourself feeling miserable and you can’t seem to shake it, it’s probably time to leave. After all, you can always come back another day.

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FINAL THOUGHTS ON OVERCOMING MUSEUM FATIGUE

I think it’s incredibly helpful to realize that museum fatigue is a completely valid and common feeling and you’re not alone. Take a good look inward to better understand your tendencies without passing judgment, and then try to implement these tips during your next visit. Pushing past fatigue or boredom isn’t an easy thing to do, but it can impact both your experience and the experience of others in a positive way. Who knows? You may find a new appreciation for the art around you.

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Tell me: what is the “biggest” museum you’ve ever grown bored in?