Most travel adventures include at least one stop in a world-renowned museum to view the extraordinary collections of antiquities and artworks. While the intended purpose of visiting a museum is to admire the artistic and historical works contained within, many travelers also visit museums in order to learn about the culture of the native peoples who produced them. A third purpose of museum visits is to experience the place, the physical space itself, and understand why the works on display were chosen for preservation. Many travelers visit museums simply as a time filler on a long itinerary. The reasons people visit museums are as diverse and subjective as the travelers themselves, and it is important to understand why museum visits are undertaken if museums are to maximize their impact.

The first reason that people visit museums when traveling to a new destination is to explore the history of the area. The artwork on display in a museum may illustrate the history of the area, and, in some cases, may even support the claim that this area was once the capital of a kingdom or the center of a powerful empire. Visitors to the museum can gain insight into the culture of the people living in that time period and the nature of the society in which they lived. For example, the ancient Egyptian civilization was famous for its art, and visitors to an exhibit depicting common people, nobles, and pharaohs can gain insight into the beliefs and values of the people in ancient Egypt. The art is often accompanied by explanatory text, which tells visitors about the subjects depicted and the significance of the subject in Egyptian culture.

The second reason people visit museums when traveling to a new destination is to experience the culture of that area. Museums often contain artifacts from different cultures and time periods, and, when visiting the exhibit, visitors are immersed in the culture of the people who created those artifacts. For example, the ancient Egyptian exhibit mentioned above might contain reproductions of hieroglyphics, scrolls, and funerary artifacts, all of which are created by ancient Egyptians. As visitors explore the exhibit, they may feel as if they have traveled back in time and are seeing life as it was in ancient Egypt. This type of experience can be especially powerful for those who are sensitive to the spiritual or religious elements of life. Depending on the location, the museum may feature exhibits from different cultures, and, by viewing the artifacts, visitors can gain insight into the lives of various peoples throughout history. For example, the National Museum of African American History and Culture contains exhibits that explore the culture and history of African Americans, and these artifacts allow visitors to see life much like it was for African Americans during different points in their history.

The third reason that people visit museums when traveling to a new destination is to experience the actual physical space of the exhibit. Some exhibits are housed in beautiful old buildings, and many exhibit designers take great care to preserve the original architecture and décor of the space. The intricate detail of the buildings is striking, and, by walking through the building, visitors are transported to a different time and place. This type of experience is powerful because visitors are able to sense the history of the space through both the artifacts on display and the architecture of the building. Some museums contain exhibits in authentic settings, which recreate historical areas, such as colonial towns that are lined with original colonial buildings.

Museum exhibits are powerful educational tools that are designed to inspire visitors to learn more about history, culture, and the places they visit. Some museums are designed to address the needs of children, and, by seeing artifacts and learning about history in an interactive way, children are inspired to learn more about the subjects that interest them. Museums are integral parts of travel and an important part of any travel experience. Understanding the reasons people visit museums allows museums to maximize their impact and help visitors get the most out of their museum experiences.