How To Beat Museum Fatigue During Your Travels

Museum fatigue is so real. And it’s nothing new. Research as far back as the 1920s shows that museum visitors show decreased interest in exhibitions and museum assets as visits progress beyond the typical scope of interest. Pair that with traveling to a novel new place, full of historic and cultural treasures you’re eager to see, and the feeling can be, well, confusing? You don’t want to miss anything, but every museum feels more tedious or monotonous or just a burden on the itinerary. Here’s how to beat museum fatigue and actually enjoy your travels.

What Causes Museum Fatigue?

Visiting too many museums, or a few museums for too long, will leave visitors fatigued. A full day spent at The Louvre, an afternoon split between Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry and The Field Museum, a week trotting up at down New York’s Museum Mile can all cause museum fatigue.

What are the Signs of Museum Fatigue?

Museum fatigue can include physical exhaustion, mental overwhelm and a general tiredness. Museum fatigue can appear differently in different people. Museum fatigue may look like quickly browsing exhibits, or being highly selective in which museum exhibits to even visit inside the institution. Museum fatigue may make visitors want to curl up for a nap on one of the gallery benches or bring on the yawns as you try and appreciate art. Museum fatigue may also be physical — you can’t envision walking through any more galleries, or just pushing past more crowds to see a famous artifact. A general lack of interest in the museum you’re currently in is a pretty good indicator that museum fatigue has or will set in.

How can you Avoid Museum Fatigue?

Being aware of museum fatigue is the first sign! As you plan an itinerary, consider which museums are worth visiting and diversify the itinerary. History, natural history, art museums, interactive museums and other categories should be scattered. Exploring a Renaissance art museum every day of a week-long trip to Tuscany may not itch your brain in all the right ways. Booking tours can also help avoid museum fatigue, as docents and guides know which pieces to highlight, will give your brain a rest when navigating through the museum (no map necessary), and offer an interactive, human experience within a specific period of time. Planners can also avoid museum fatigue by looking ahead at prioritizing which exhibits they want to see, mapping out an efficient visit plan to avoid the general overwhelm of visiting a new, potentially large and crowded, space.

What Should you do if you Start to Experience Museum Fatigue?

Take a break! If you notice your eyes glossing over exhibits or your legs starting to feel weary, rest for a minute. Grab a snack at the museum cafe or stop for a meal if there’s an in-museum restaurant or cafeteria. If there’s an outdoor area, get some fresh air to recalibrate. Some museums will also let you leave and come back in the same day with your ticket, so if time allows, it’s perfectly acceptable to take a break with another activity and return to the museum later on if there’s more you’re interested in seeing.

When is the Best Time to Visit a Museum?

The best time to visit a museum is typically early in the morning, at opening hours, when crowds tend to be lightest. Visiting an hour or two before closing can also be beneficial, as it offers a limited time structure and crowds start to clear out. Many museums also offer special night hours, which can include free or discounted tickets, and typically have fewer crowds. Many companies not associated with museums also offer special interest tours, such as Women in Art or Food in History, and may be the best guides to pique your particular interests.

How can you Best Fit a Museum Visit in your Vacation?

Research which museums are in your destination and plan ahead. Pack comfortable shoes, look at the museum’s bag policy and know which hours you want to visit. You can also have a list of museums on hand in case of bad weather. Many museums offer free tours by volunteer docents or curators, or have programming like talkbacks or film screenings, which can be a unique way to visit a museum and enjoy its offerings.