Comments on: Museums are Overrated: Here Are 8 Alternatives

By: KathrynD

KathrynD — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:35:14 +0000

I think we’re getting too caught into the “hook” for this article. Of course museums are worth visiting. I don’t think the article is trying to say they aren’t. I don’t know about you, but I get “museumed-out” sometimes when I travel. I see the big stuff, then I start to feel like I need to get outside. In those cases, I think these are excellent suggestions. I’ve always enjoyed grocery stores as a window to a culture. There’s nothing like discovering that something you thought was “just the way things are” isn’t. They didn’t mention street markets, but I really enjoy those. It’s also good to drop in on your religion’s place of worship in another country. It is both a comfortable and foreign experience all at once. I also agree with playgrounds when you have kids, I’ve learned alot from other parents about local stuff.

By: bearshapedsphere

bearshapedsphere — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:32:10 +0000

here here to seeing alternatives to museums. Or mix it up and see both. You’ll often find me in the supermarket/market whereever I go, often wishing I had a real kitchen to prepare food in. Museums (for me) require a special kind of patience which can be hard to come by. But real life (supermarkets, parks, etc) rolls on, regardless!

By: Craze_b0i

Craze_b0i — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:20:25 +0000

First, the premise of this article is wrong. Museums are merely one of many touristic sights in a city, there are castles, cathedrals, mosques, monuments, historic streets and colonial plazas, Mexican wrestling, Russian ballet. Are not all of these alternatives to museums? Modern-day anthropology (hanging out in local shops and cafes etc.) is fine too but there are other choices.

Second, your definition of a museum seems to be restricted to just an art-gallery. These days ther are museums for every subject you can possibly imagine. You don’t like museums, fine nothing wrong with that. But by restricting your definition to galleries full of paintings you are just creating a straw man to knock down.

Having said all that I must admit I work in a museum myself, so maybe I am biased.

By: wandering educators

wandering educators — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:11:35 +0000

i love museums. it is often a place of quiet for me to recuperate from the stresses of travel and big cities. sitting on a bench in an art museum and viewing both the art and people are restful to me – and it makes me happy!

that said, i am always heading to grocery stores 1st in a different place. THAT is my favorite thing to do!

By: Traveller At Heart

Traveller At Heart — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:10:44 +0000

I agree, Mandy, lots of folks do things simply because it is the thing to do. Or, their tour has museums “on the list” so they go in spite of their own interests.

Well said, Mark2u, museums (like anything else) ought to be a personal endeavor. If not, stay away from them.

By: mark2u

mark2u — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:06:25 +0000

Museums can be overwhelming, no doubt. But they can in fact be enormously gratifying if you know a little about what you are seeing. Taking a “good”… and it has to be well taught… Art History class can make a world of difference in your enjoyment. The other ideas are also good… but I think they should be done along with museums, not in place of them if you really want to understand a culture and its history… and remember, museums often have a modern art section which is often much easier to enjoy for many… and can be very interactive as well. Don’t give up on those museums… but also, don’t go if you really have no reason to.

By: wandermom

wandermom — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:11:33 +0000

One small addition: hang out at a park or playground. Easier if you’re traveling with kids, I know, but it’s surprising how much you’ll learn about the culture of a place just by chilling in the town square or park while the locals are having their lunch or whatever around you.

By: KatieHammel

KatieHammel — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:27:47 +0000

This is totally me. While I can appreciate many museums and will go explore one or two if I have time, it’s not a priority. Rather than stand in line to see the David in Florence, I spent an afternoon with an old Italian granny learning to make pasta from scratch, which I think was a much better use of my time and a a much more memorable experience.

I figure I’ll visit more museums as I get older, when I’m say 50-60 and will need to do lower-impact activities on my trip. But for now, just wandering a city, shopping at the market, learning to cook regional dishes, and talking and drinking with locals are my favorite travel activites.

By: Mandy Vitello

Mandy Vitello — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:08:31 +0000

Although I happen to choose travel destinations based on which cities have the best museums, I agree with the premise of this article. If you don’t enjoy museums it is really better for everyone if you don’t go. The reason that many museums are so crowded is because they are full of tourists who feel obligated to visit but have no idea what they’re looking at.

By: Traveller At Heart

Traveller At Heart — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:32:13 +0000

You make good points, but to say museums are overrated is overstated and indicative of only one perspective. There must be a reason they are crowded.