museum tour description

What Does a Museum Guide Do?

Find out what a Museum Guide does, how to get this job, salary information, and what it takes to succeed as a Museum Guide.

The Museum Guide serves as the face of the museum’s educational mission, offering visitors a window into the rich tapestry of history, art, and culture housed within its walls. Through engaging narratives and insightful explanations, they enhance the visitor experience, making each exhibit more accessible and enjoyable. This role involves a delicate balance of sharing knowledge, facilitating discovery, and fostering an appreciation for the museum’s collections. By tailoring their approach to suit diverse audiences, Museum Guides ensure that each guest leaves with a deeper understanding and a heightened curiosity about the subjects on display. Their contributions are instrumental in creating a memorable and educational visit, encouraging public engagement with the museum’s offerings.

Museum Guide Job Duties

• Greet visitors and provide them with an overview of the museum, including layout, special exhibits, and general rules.
• Lead guided tours, tailoring the presentation to the specific interests and age groups of the audience.
• Answer visitors’ questions about the museum’s collections, exhibits, and history in an informative and engaging manner.
• Monitor galleries to ensure the safety of the exhibits and the comfort of visitors, addressing any concerns or issues that arise.
• Facilitate interactive educational activities and workshops for a variety of audiences, including school groups and families.
• Collect and report feedback from visitors to museum management to help improve the visitor experience.
• Assist in the setup and takedown of temporary exhibits, ensuring that all pieces are handled with care.
• Perform light maintenance and cleaning tasks in exhibit areas to ensure spaces are presentable and welcoming to visitors.

Museum Guide Salary & Outlook

Salaries for Museum Guides can vary based on the institution’s size, funding, and prestige. Experience and specialized knowledge in the museum’s focus area significantly impact earnings. Guides fluent in multiple languages or with expertise in engaging diverse audiences may command higher salaries. Seasonal visitor traffic also influences income potential.

• Median Annual Salary: $51,975 ($24.99/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $109,800 ($52.79/hour)

The employment of museum guides is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

This growth is driven by increasing tourism, a rising interest in cultural education, and museums expanding their interactive and educational programs to enhance visitor experiences. Museum Guides are crucial in facilitating these engaging, informative tours, thus elevating the demand for their expertise.

Museum Guide Job Requirements

Education: Museum Guide positions often require a diverse educational background. Candidates typically hold degrees ranging from Associate’s to Bachelor’s, with majors in history, art history, archaeology, or museum studies being particularly relevant. A High School Diploma is a minimum for some roles, emphasizing the importance of courses in history, communication, and public speaking. Education in these areas equips guides with the knowledge and skills to engage and educate visitors effectively.

Experience: Museum Guides often come from diverse backgrounds, with a significant portion having prior experience in customer service, public speaking, or educational roles. On-the-job training is common, allowing guides to familiarize themselves with the museum’s collections, exhibit themes, and the storytelling aspect of their role. Training programs may also cover crowd management and engagement techniques, ensuring guides can effectively communicate and interact with visitors of all ages. Continuous learning is encouraged to keep up with new exhibits and historical research.

Certifications & Licenses: Museum Guide positions typically do not require specific certifications or licenses.

Museum Guide Skills

Art History: Delving into the progression of artistic movements, techniques, and their socio-political influences equips museum guides with the tools needed to enhance visitor experiences. Such knowledge facilitates accurate presentation of artworks and fosters a deeper appreciation among audiences, effectively bridging historical contexts with contemporary perceptions.

Public Speaking: The ability to share the history and art with enthusiasm and clarity ensures that visitors of all ages gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the exhibits. Skilled communication transforms a simple tour into an engaging, memorable experience, highlighting the importance of this skill for museum guides.

Exhibit Design: Creating engaging and educational displays involves a thorough understanding of subject matter and visual storytelling principles. Attention to detail in selecting artifacts, and strategic use of lighting and space, are crucial for crafting immersive experiences that captivate diverse audiences.

Cultural Sensitivity: Guides adeptly respect the diverse cultural backgrounds of their audience, ensuring narratives are inclusive. This approach fosters a welcoming environment, encouraging appreciation for artifacts and stories from various cultures, thereby enhancing the educational experience.

Visitor Engagement: Through storytelling, interactive dialogue, and tailored presentations, guides create memorable and educational experiences. This method enriches the visitor’s journey, promoting a deeper appreciation and understanding of the museum’s collections.

Educational Programming: Designing engaging, informative experiences for diverse audiences requires blending historical accuracy with storytelling. Guides must have a profound knowledge of the museum’s collections and the ability to create programs that are both accessible and engaging, ensuring visitors of all ages leave with a richer understanding of the exhibits.

Museum Guide Work Environment

Museum Guides operate in a unique setting where history and art converge, spending most of their time within the museum’s galleries and exhibit spaces. Their workspace is dynamic, surrounded by artifacts and artworks, requiring them to navigate through different rooms and sometimes confined spaces. The tools of their trade are relatively simple, often including audio-visual aids, mobile devices for accessing information, and occasionally handling protective equipment for artifacts.

The work hours for Museum Guides can vary, often aligning with the museum’s operating hours, which may include weekends and public holidays. This role demands a certain level of flexibility, especially during special exhibitions or events. Dress codes are generally in place, aiming to reflect the museum’s professional atmosphere, often requiring guides to wear attire that is both smart and practical for their day-to-day duties.

Interaction with visitors is at the heart of a Museum Guide’s role, necessitating excellent communication skills and a patient demeanor. The environment is generally quiet, aiming to create a contemplative space for visitors, though noise levels can rise during busy periods or events. Despite the physical demands and the need for constant engagement with the public, the role offers a rewarding experience for those passionate about education and cultural preservation.

Advancement Prospects

Museum Guides can advance their careers by specializing in certain historical periods or types of art, positioning themselves as experts and potentially leading to roles such as Curatorial Assistants. Gaining experience in various exhibitions enhances their prospects for such transitions.

Developing strong storytelling and public speaking skills can open opportunities in educational programming within museums. Guides with a knack for engaging diverse audiences might progress to Education Coordinator positions, where they design and implement public programs.

Another path involves moving into administrative roles, such as Visitor Services Manager, where responsibilities expand to overseeing staff, budgeting, and enhancing the overall visitor experience. Success in this area requires a deep understanding of museum operations beyond the exhibit halls.

To achieve these advancements, Museum Guides should seek opportunities for involvement in project management and exhibit planning, demonstrating their capability to handle larger responsibilities within the museum setting.

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Guided Tours

Discover works of art that span 5,000 years of art and culture across the diverse Met collection. Join engaging, hour-long tours with Museum-trained volunteers at 11:30 am, and 12:30 and 2:30 pm daily. Spanish and French tours are also available. All tours depart from the Vélez Blanco Patio, Gallery 534.

Public tours are free with Museum admission, and do not require tickets or reservations. For information about group visits and private guided tours, see Group Visits .

current tour programs

Cooper Hewitt offers 45-minute tours aligned to exhibition topics. Led by our experienced Design Guides, tours will provide opportunities for interactivity and discussion.   

PUBLIC TOURS Tour schedule through August 11th. Free with museum admission. Daily, 1:30 p.m.

Monday, Thursday, and Saturday *An Atlas of Es Devlin

Tuesday Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols

Wednesday and Sunday Acquired! Shaping the National Design Collection

1st and 3rd Fridays Curator Tours. Visit the calendar for tour date details.  

2nd and 4th Fridays Andrew Carnegie Mansion Tour  

* There is a 15-participant capacity for the An Atlas of Es Devlin exhibition tour, available on a first-come basis. Reserve a spot at the Visitor Experience desk.

PRIVATE AND GROUP TOURS The maximum tour group size is 25 people. Design Guide led private tour fee: $150, plus museum admission  

SELF-GUIDED TOURS Any groups over 10 people are required to make reservations. Self-guided tours are welcomed. The maximum tour group size is 25 people. Self-guided tour fee: museum admission  

RESERVATION REQUESTS AND FEES  Reservations are required for all tours. Organizers are encouraged to submit a reservation request at least four weeks in advance.

Request a Group Tour Here

TOUR DESCRIPTIONS

Acquired! Shaping the National Design Collection What does it mean to be a design museum today?  Acquired! Shaping the National Design Collection  highlights how Cooper Hewitt acquires new work to shape the collection to better reflect current issues and design’s evolving role in daily interactions. The exhibition features more than 150 works, including objects that represent the museum’s collecting legacy, as well as works brought into the collection since 2017. Learn more about Acquired! Shaping the National Design Collection →

An Atlas of Es Devlin In this guided tour of An Atlas of Es Devlin , visitors will examine the origins, rigor, and depth of Devlin’s process through a compelling journey into her 30-year archive, charting teenage drawings and paintings, to designs for theater, opera, stadium concerts, and ceremonies, to her current engagement with climate and civilizational crises. The exhibition will reveal thematic connections and trace the development of Devlin’s groundbreaking ephemeral architectures. There is a 15-participant capacity for the An Atlas of Es Devlin exhibition tour, available on a first-come basis. Reserve a spot at the Visitor Experience desk. Learn more about An Atlas of Es Devlin →

Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols From the STOP sign to the laugh-cry emoji, symbols play a critical and ubiquitous role in everyday life. As communication tools designed to break language barriers, symbols instruct, protect, entertain, connect, and communicate beliefs. This exhibition demonstrates how symbol design is a dynamic and collaborative effort through which individuals and communities have created, adopted, and redesigned symbols over time. Marking the 50th anniversary of Henry Dreyfuss’  Symbol Sourcebook: An Authoritative Guide to International Graphic Symbols , this exhibition will feature never-before-seen material from Cooper Hewitt’s Henry Dreyfuss Archive. Learn more about Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols   →

Andrew Carnegie Mansion Tours Cooper Hewitt is housed in the former home of industrial magnate Andrew Carnegie. Learn about the history of the mansion and its transformation from home to museum.

ACCESSIBILITY 

• Location: Tours will take place in person throughout Cooper Hewitt (2 East 91st Street, New York, NY). The areas covered are fully wheelchair accessible. Tours will begin in the Great Hall located on the first floor of the museum. Read more about accessibility at Cooper Hewitt .  
• What to Expect: The tour involves moving through gallery spaces and standing to view the details of the building; wheelchairs and portable stools are available for those who can’t walk or stand for long periods of time.  
• Accommodations: For general questions, or if we can provide additional accessibility services or accommodations to support your participation in this program, please email us at [email protected] or let us know when registering. Please make your accommodation request as far in advance as possible—preferably at least one week before the program date when possible.

HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES Please visit Cooper Hewitt’s Plan Your Visit page for up-to-date information on health and safety guidelines.  

EXPLORE COOPER HEWITT AT HOME

An Atlas of Es Devlin

An Atlas of Es Devlin is the first monographic museum exhibition dedicated to British artist and stage designer Es Devlin (born 1971), who is renowned for work that transforms audiences. Since beginning in small theaters in 1995, she has charted a course from kinetic stage designs at the National Theatre and the Metropolitan Opera to installations at major institutions including the World Expo, Lincoln Center, and the United Nations headquarters. Her sculptures for Olympic Ceremonies, NFL Super Bowl halftime shows, and stadium tours for Beyoncé, The Weeknd, and U2 frame narratives that feel personal at a monumental scale. Over the past decade, she has adapted her craft to address climate and civilizational crises. Her public installations on endangered species and languages have inspired audiences to reimagine their connections to each other and to the planet. She shapes stories in ways that stay with us and reframe our thinking.

Dark, A Light, A Bright: The Designs of Dorothy Liebes

American textile designer, weaver, and color authority Dorothy Liebes ( 1897–1972)  had a profound influence across design fields, helping to shape  American tastes in areas from interiors and transportation to industrial design, fashion, and film.  The “Liebes Look”—which combined vivid color, lush texture, and often a glint of metallic—became inextricably linked with the American modern aesthetic.

Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols  examines the fascinating histories behind many of the symbols that instruct, protect, entertain, empower, and connect people. As important communication tools in our daily lives, symbols are constantly evolving based on new needs and users. They formed some of the first written human expressions and today animate our digital chats.

Willi Smith Community Archive

The Willi Smith Digital Community Archive invites friends, collaborators and admirers of American designer Willi Smith to share in writing his history. This site collects and publishes personal recollections, new scholarship, video, and digital ephemera that contributes to a greater understanding of Smith’s life, work, and times.

Mansion History

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is housed in the former home of industrial magnate Andrew Carnegie. Learn about the history of the mansion and its transformation from home to museum.

For Educators and Caretakers

Smithsonian Learning Lab

The Lab is a free, interactive platform for discovering millions of authentic digital resources for your virtual or physical classroom. Create with online tools and share in the Smithsonian’s expansive community of knowledge and learning.

Design at Home

In these short video lessons led by Cooper Hewitt educators, be inspired to solve design challenges.

Design at Home Activity Book

In Design at Home, you’ll get hands-on experience in thinking like a designer. Explore design solutions, relax with a coloring page, and dream up your next big idea. Design on your own or with friends and family—all are welcome!

Featured Image: Cooper Hewitt Design Guides lead public and private tours of Cooper Hewitt's exhibitions.

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Around the world in 90 minutes tour

Gallery talks & tours / 3 May 2024 – 30 Jun 2024

Adults and children aged 12+

A tour in the Mexico gallery (Room 27).

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Event information

3 may 2024 – 30 jun 2024.

11.30–13.00 14.00–15.30

Meeting point

Information Desk (Great Court)

Sign up to our emails  and be the first to hear about upcoming events.

Explore some of the most famous objects on display at the Museum on this guided highlights tour.

Follow our knowledgeable volunteer tour guide on a journey of discovery around the galleries. See spectacular sculptures from ancient Greece, explore life and death in ancient Egypt and get closer to many more highlights from the collection.

Booking information: 

• The tours will begin at 11.30 and 14.00 and will last for 90 minutes. 
• We advise that you get to the British Museum early to allow sufficient time to pass through security, as long queues can form. 
• Please meet at the Information Desk in the Great Court about 10 minutes before the start of the tour.
• The maximum number of places per session is 20 people.
• In line with current government and NHS guidance, face masks are not mandatory but guests are welcome to wear them if they wish. The Museum maintains a robust cleaning schedule and hand sanitiser stations are available across the site.

Scheduled dates

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Secrets of the Louvre Museum Tour with Mona Lisa

Get to know venus de milo, liberty leading the people, and napoleon's coronation like never before.

This small group guided tour makes seeing the best of the world’s largest museum easy! With your passionate guide, you'll skip the line for a fascinating tour of the Louvre’s most famous attractions, including the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and even France’s crown jewels. With expert insights and stories that’ll bring the art to life, there’s no better way to see this unmissable museum!

• Meet your guide at the Louvre Pyramid
• Louvre Museum
• Liberty Leading the People
• Venus de Milo
• Winged Victory
• Coronation of Napoleon
• Raft of Medusa
• End your tour inside the Louvre

After meeting your friendly local guide at the statue in front of the Louvre pyramid, you'll be lead into the famous museum to begin your in-depth 3-hour tour. Along with your small group, you'll visit some of the world's best known artworks, including masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa , Venus de Milo, and works by Raphael, Botticelli, Bernini, and many other renowned artists from history. To top things off, you'll even get to see France's collection of crown jewels.

Best of all, your guide is a true expert on the Louvre's extensive collection, so you'll learn the stories behind the art and gain insights that most tourists will never know. Whether you're an art enthusiast or a novice, you're sure to be spellbound by what you'll see in this world-famous gallery. Looking for a smaller group? Check out our Semi-Private Tour of the Louvre Museum's Treasures that has a maximum group size of 6.

Louvre Museum Tour Description

Your 3-hour tour includes:

Skip-the-line entry to the Louvre Museum

Guided tour of the Louvre's famous artworks and exhibits

Fun, English-speaking guide with art history expertise

Maximum group size of 18

Skip-the-Line Louvre Tour

Follow your expert Louvre guide into the world's largest museum and discover some of the most fascinating art exhibits in the world. The lines to get inside the museum can be long, but your guide will help you navigate the crowds to start exploring straight away.

Sculptures of the Louvre

The Louvre is not only filled with paintings but it also features many iconic sculptures. Of all the works in the Louvre, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo are some of the most admired. The life-size sculpture of the mythological Sleeping Hermaphroditus carved by Bernini is also an amazing piece of work. These incredible ancient sculptures only represent a fraction of the Louvre's Greek and Roman antiquities you'll get to explore and learn about with your guide.

The Mystery of Mona Lisa’s Smile

Why is the Mona Lisa so famous? For starters, Mona Lisa ’s expression has been often debated since its creation in the 16th century. Is she happy or sad or playful? Another intriguing thing about Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is that it's the highest insured work of art at a whopping $800 million!

Renaissance Masters: Raphael, Leonardo Da Vinci, and more

The Mona Lisa is not Leonardo’s only work of art inside the Louvre, and your tour guide will show you more of da Vinci’s works as part of the Louvre’s Italian Renaissance collection.

Besides Leonardo da Vinci, the Louvre also contains works by Renaissance artist Botticelli, master of the 16th-century Venetian school Titian, and the grand scale artist Veronese. Raphael also has work featured throughout the Louvre, one being the famous painting depicting Saint George on a magnificent horse. 

Famous French Artworks

Although the Louvre is filled with the works of many international artists, you'll also see some truly iconic French masterpieces—after all, you are in France! The Louvre offers opportunities to visit works by Jacques-Louis David, Napoleon's personal painter, and Eugène Delacroix. Delacroix's most famous piece, Liberty Leading The People , is one of France's most beloved paintings, depicting the 1830 French Revolution. It was also the inspiration for one of the world's most famous landmarks: the Statue of Liberty in New York.

The Crown Jewels of France

Did you know that the Louvre is a former royal palace? With such a strong association to royalty, a visit to the Louvre is incomplete without seeing the crown jewels of France. The surviving French crown jewels are on display in the Louvre’s Galerie d'Apollon.

It was a tradition to have a new crown created for each coronation in France. With your guide's narration, it is easy to imagine the extravagance of the crowns created throughout history for each new king and queen.

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What you get with this tour

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417 total reviews

Louvre tour

Our guide clearly knew all about art. She efficiently took us all over the museum hitting the highlights and then some- she was so interesting to listen to that the 3 hours flew by! Fantastic!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

Comfortable shoes are encouraged since the tour involves 3 hours of walking. A small water bottle is also recommended.

Can I use my Paris Museum Pass to get a discount on our Louvre tour?

We pre-book all of our reservations and tickets for the Louvre Museum in advance, so personal museum passes are not valid for entry or a discount.

Can we stay longer in the museum after the tour ends?

Once your group tour is finished, you must exit the museum with your guide.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

This group walking tour does require you to be on your feet for 3 hours with a few stairs to navigate and some elevator access. If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest taking a Private Louvre Museum tour so we can better accommodate your needs.

Free 24-hr cancellation on group tours! Learn more

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With a diverse menu of free tour experiences, the NCMA has something for all audiences! Whether you’d like to learn more about the People’s Collection , check out the latest special exhibition , or explore nature in the Museum Park , there is an option for you.

Public Tours

Our NCMA docents love our Museum and engaging with the community so much that they are available every Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 pm to welcome you in and provide insight about the exhibitions on view.

Saturday, January 6, January 20, February 3, February 17, March 2, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18, 10:30–11 am

Free with registration

Have you wanted to learn more about sculptures in the Museum Park? This playful tour creates family time to explore a work of art or two that might be an old favorite or a new discovery! Look together, move through the natural world, and have fun with an experienced docent. Best for kids ages 5–11 with adult caregivers.

March, April, May, September, October, and November: Fridays and Saturdays, 10:30 am–noon June and July: Fridays and Saturdays, 9:30 am–11 am

Meet your Park guide at the Welcome Center . Routes include variations in surface and incline. Walking shoes, hats, and water bottles are highly recommended.

The route includes variations in surface and incline. Walking shoes, hats, and water bottles highly recommended.

Register Here 

Check out the NCMA Park App for self-guided tours you can listen to at your own pace. Illuminate your next visit to the Museum Park with tours focused on art, nature, and the land’s history.

Join us on a 50-minute tour of the People’s Collection. These tours are great during a first-time visit, after lunch at NCMA Café or East Café, or if you’re curious about the 5,000+ years of art and culture exhibited at the Museum.

Tours vary and are subject to docent availability. NCMA docents may explore several galleries, focus on specific artists, or delve into the fundamentals and elements of art. All ages are welcome!

To participate, meet your docent in West Building at the public tour sign.

Adult Group Tours

The NCMA’s guided tours of the People’s Collection are docent-led and free to the public. During hour-long tours, adult groups have the opportunity to explore works of art, ask questions, and enjoy the range of objects on view in the NCMA’s galleries. A five-person minimum is highly encouraged.

On the registration form, you have the option of selecting a theme for your tour. The NCMA’s current thematic offerings include:

• Carolina Connections: The Art of NC
• Power of Portraits (6-12)
• Women Artists (9-12)
• Calling NC Home (Adult)
• Judaic Art Gallery

French and Spanish tours are available upon request. All tour offerings are subject to docent availability.

The NCMA welcomes community groups of all kinds to request 50-minute virtual tours led by a volunteer docent.

Tours available by request only. Email [email protected]

The Museum welcomes adult self-guided groups into the galleries to explore the People’s Collection independently. Registration is encouraged.

Guided tours of the NCMA’s special exhibitions are limited to docent availability. Please email [email protected] with questions regarding special exhibition tours.

Student and Youth Group Tours

Student and youth visitors of all ages have the opportunity to connect critically, intellectually, and joyfully with the art of the People’s Collection. Listed here are tour themes with recommended grade levels. However, the NCMA’s docents are flexible and can adjust aspects of any theme to fit your age group. Let us know your interests in the notes section of the registration form or email the NCMA tour administrator at [email protected] .

We offer student and youth group tours Wednesday – Sunday at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1pm and 2pm and subject to docent availability. Tours of The People’s Collection are always free. Current thematic offerings include:

• Eye Spy, Grades K–2 Building on young learners’ ability to identify elements of art, such as color, form, and shape, Eye Spy encourages confidence and curiosity around the art of seeing to describe and interpret a variety of works of art.
• Look for the Story, Grades 3–5 Students are led through the rigors of close looking to describe stories depicted in works from the NCMA’s collection. Investigation of various cultures and art movements encourages learning from others and helps build articulation of students’ own perspectives.
• Art of NC, Grades 3–12 The Art of NC tour encompasses paintings, textiles, ceramics, sculptures, and photographs—works as varied as the state is wide. Each object inspires and teaches, just as did many of the artists who led local and national art movements. Come explore new connections in NC’s cultural history.
• Power of Portraits, Grades 6–12 How do you define a portrait? Students explore how portraits have both upheld and challenged systems of power throughout history.
• Ancient Cultures , Grades 6–8 Dive into ancient worlds by exploring stories behind the makers and purposes of objects from these civilizations. Students learn how cultural expressions reflect the values of societies and regions across four continents.
• Women Artists as Influencers , Grades 6 –12 Explore the innovations and influence of women artists involved in 19th-century art movements to contemporary art exploration. Students learn the names, techniques, and intent of women artists across time and place.

The NCMA offers a variety of virtual field trip programs. We can also design a custom program according to your curricular needs.  Learn more and request a program here .

The Museum offers self-guided tours for groups to explore the People’s Collection on their own. Opportunities are also available for eligible school groups to receive free tickets to special exhibitions. Click here to learn more . 

reserve your FREE tickets

Student and youth group tours of the NCMA’s special exhibitions are limited to docent availability. Please email [email protected] with questions regarding special exhibition tours.

Access Tours

Audio Description (AD) interpretation is available for any tour of the permanent collection or special exhibitions with 10 business days’ notice.

To request a tour, please reach out to our accessibility coordinator, [email protected] .

Tours in American Sign Language (ASL) are offered on the third Saturday of every month. Please check the events calendar regularly for the most current schedule.

ASL interpretation is available for any tour of the People’s Collection or for tours of special exhibitions with 10 business days’ notice.

Designed for visitors who are blind or have low vision, these docent-led tours explore the Museum’s collection through audio description, tactile experiences, and by engaging the senses. Ancient figurative sculpture and numerous bronzes by Auguste Rodin are highlighted during these 60- to 90-minute tours.

To request a tour, please reach out to accessibility coordinator, [email protected] . Tours must be scheduled with 10 business days’ notice.

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NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF ART 2110 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh, NC 27607

(919) 839-6262

Mailing address 4630 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699

The NCMA is a division of the  Department of Natural and Cultural Resources .

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Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation ®

American ideas and innovation, today at henry ford museum of american innovation®.

• “To Establish the Rule of Justice”: 60 Years of the 1964 Civil Rights Act 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Experiment with History 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Overland Touring Car 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Model Train Layout 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• See all of today's happenings

Find your breakthrough moment.

Step into a world where past innovations fuel the imagination of generations to come. A vibrant exploration of genius in all its forms, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation allows you to experience the strides of America’s greatest minds while fully immersing yourself in their stories. Step inside the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand by taking a seat. Play pilot as you explore flight innovations, starting with the Wright brothers' achievements, or make yourself at home inside Buckminster Fuller’s circular Dymaxion House. Put yourself in the place of the movers and shakers who blazed the trail to where we stand today. And in doing so, discover your own path.

Featured Museum Exhibits View Map

Looking for inspiring things to do? From race cars to freedom rides, modular houses to microprocessors, the wide-ranging exhibits of the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation bring you face to face with real things that have the power to inspire, inform and engage you in ways no image or description can do on its own.

Mathematica

Get inspired by the playfulness of math.   Details 

Davidson-Gerson Modern Glass Gallery

Trace the innovation story of Studio Glass from its founding in 1962 to the present by examining selected artists and their contributions.   DETAILS 

Driven to Win: Racing in America

Experience the winner’s circle up close and personal in this unprecedented exhibition of American auto racing.   DETAILS 

What We Wore

Explore this changing exhibit of garments and their stories from The Henry Ford's rich collection of clothing and accessories.   DETAILS 

Agriculture

Climb aboard a real combine, and get a close look at what is considered the finest collection of American agricultural equipment.   Details 

Dymaxion House

Enter Buckminster Fuller’s circular aluminum dwelling, and sample a suburbia never realized.   Details 

Your Place in Time

Explore the rich interplay between people and technology by looking at five generations that came of age in the 20th century.   Details 

Fully Furnished

Explore an amazing collection of seemingly ordinary and yet extraordinary American furniture dating from 1670 to the present.   Details 

With Liberty and Justice for All

Learn about moments of American freedom, from the revolution through the civil rights movement.   Details 

Heroes of the Sky

Let your imagination take off amid newly enhanced, multisensory experiences inspired by the men and women who helped launch the concept of flight.   Details 

Made in America: Manufacturing

Explore artifacts large and small documenting American manufacturing ingenuity from the 18th to 20th centuries.   Details 

Made in America: Power

Discover the great innovators from the 18th to 20th centuries who made America a manufacturing superpower.   Details 

Driving America

With an unparalleled collection of vehicles, explore how much of our culture has been influenced by the automobile over the past 100-plus years.   Details 

Presidential Vehicles

Admire and appreciate the evolution of presidential travel through five significant vehicles.   Details 

Marvel at a mammoth collection of giant steam-engine locomotives, passenger rail cars and more.   Details 

Discover ways to save when you purchase tickets online.

Visit our carefully curated shops and join us for some inspired dining.

Exclusive Discounts at our Partner Hotels

Answers to common questions about the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation experience.

Over 6,500 5-Star Reviews for The Henry Ford on Trip Advisor

Tinkering for Tots

October 2023-May 2024 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Little learners get hands on, minds on at Tinkering for Tots: A program designed for curious preschoolers to develop an innovative mindset and make connections through storytelling, play, artifact exploration and a take-home STEAM activity kit.

Visit with Santa

November 29-December 1, 2024 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Start your holiday season by visiting history’s greatest toymaker at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

• An Ordinary Man, His Extraordinary Journey
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Museum Docent/Tour Guide

SUPERVISED BY: Museum Curator (exhibit training), Educational Programs Coordinator (tour training, including schools), Volunteer Coordinator (tour assignments)

PURPOSE OF JOB: Provide a welcoming, hospitable environment and rewarding learning experience to museum visitors through guided tours.

DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Conducting museum tours of approximately 1 - 1 1/2 hours in length. Be comfortable speaking to small and large groups of people of all ages.
• Conducting occasional tours, if necessary, of museum and facilities (behind the scenes) for VIPs, special visiting groups, etc.
• Greeting and welcoming tour groups upon their arrival at the Library.
• Dealing skillfully with a variety of visitors under a variety of circumstances.
• Continually keeping informed about changes in museum exhibits.
• Assisting staff at the information desks by providing information to museum visitors and answering their questions about the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum, particularly if your tour is late arriving.
• Assisting, on occasion, with evening special event programs.
• In the event that a tour fails to show up, docents might wander through the exhibition gallier to engage individual visitors and families in impromptu tours or conversations.
• Taking responsibility to find a replacement docent if you cannot give a tour that has been assigned to you. A list of current docents and phone numbers is provided to all docents. Tour schedules are completed and docents are assigned tours approximately four weeks in advance. Schedules are then mailed to docents. Docents are required to confirm that they can give the tour(s) they have been assigned.

A minimum commitment of four tours a month for a year is required. Docents are needed for weekday and/or weekend tours. During the summer, in addition to booked tours, public tours are scheduled a month in advance, three every day Monday - Saturday and two on Sundays. Outside of the summer months, booked tours consist of school groups, adult groups, chartered tours, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED:

Must be age 21 or older

High School degree

Enjoy meeting and interacting with other people

Personable, outgoing

Reliable, responsible

Extensive prior knowledge of the Truman Presidency is not required, but a prospective docent should have a working knowledge of American history and a desire to learn

Capable of learning new material rapidly and willing to invest time and expend the effort necessary to study material on the Truman Administration and the Truman Library

Able to work independently

Attend a 6-8 week training program

Able to accept supervision

Able to speak comfortably before groups of people

Physically able to lead tours around the museum

Enthusiastic , flexible

TRAINING/ORIENTATION PROVIDED:

Following at least three tours by different tour guides

Viewing several films, including the Charles Guggenheim film being shown in the museum auditorium

Reading material including biographies by McCullough and Hamby

4-5 sessions with the Museum Curator and/or the Educational Programs Coordinator concerning the exhibits, as well as tour and question techniques

Give a sample tour to 4-6 museum visitors accompanied by staff

Docents receive additional training while assisting Visitor Services staff at the museum information counters. This on-the-job training enables docents to learn more about the day-to-day questions that visitors ask.

Total time involved in training is approximately 6-8 weeks.

LOCATION OF JOB:

Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum, Independence, Missouri

VOLUNTEER BENEFITS:

Knowledge about Harry S. Truman, the Library and Museum, and the educational aspects offered to visitors through a variety of programs/exhibits; discount prices in the museum gift shop; invitations to special events; volunteer appreciation programs; free parking; free subscription to "Whistle-Stop," the quarterly newsletter of the Harry S. Truman Library Institute; free admission to the museum for you and your immediate family.

What is a museum tour guide and how to become one

A museum tour guide is a professional who leads visitors through museum exhibits and shares information about the artifacts and history on display. They provide educational tours for individuals, groups, and even schools. They also prepare curriculum for educational programs, manage customer service, and handle financial transactions in museum gift shops. Their role also involves answering questions about the museum, its exhibits, and its history. Tour guides must have a good understanding of the museum's collections and be able to explain them in a clear and concise manner.

How long does it takes to become a museum tour guide?

It typically takes 2-3 years to become a museum tour guide:

• Year 1-2: Obtaining an associate degree in a relevant field, such as art history or museum studies.
• Year 3: Accumulating the necessary work experience in tour guide duties, such as leading tours, providing information about exhibits, and answering visitor questions.
• Salary $31,318
• Jobs Number 1,113
• Most Common Skill Museum Tours
• Most Common Degree Bachelor's degree
• Best State Tennessee

Museum Tour Guide career paths

A museum tour guide's skills and knowledge can lead to various career paths. They may become a teacher, imparting their knowledge to students, or a consultant, helping organizations make informed decisions. They may also consider roles like a project manager or executive assistant, where they can manage and oversee projects and operations.

Key steps to become a museum tour guide

Explore museum tour guide education requirements.

The educational requirements for a museum tour guide are varied, with the majority holding at least an Associate degree. According to the data, 32.48% of museum tour guides have an Associate degree, 30.03% have a Bachelor's degree, and 3.85% have a Master's degree. However, a significant number, 21.82%, have only a high school diploma. Certifications such as First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor, Travel and Tourism Professional, and Certified Tour Guide / Director can also be beneficial. Common majors for museum tour guides include History, Graphic Design, Psychology, English, and Business. Top schools for these majors include Stanford University, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, and Cornell University.

Most common museum tour guide degrees

Bachelor's

Master's

Start to develop specific museum tour guide skills

Museum tour guides need a range of skills. They provide educational tours of exhibits, perform customer service, and answer questions. They may also develop and present programs, research topics, and monitor visitors' activities to ensure safety. They must be able to communicate effectively and answer inquiries from visitors.

Complete relevant museum tour guide training and internships

Research museum tour guide duties and responsibilities.

Museum tour guides provide educational and informative tours of exhibits, conduct workshops, and answer questions for visitors. They also handle customer service and fiscal transactions in the gift shop, and even conduct interactive programs like campfires and summer-school classes. They may also design personalized tour guides and assist in customer service for prospective students.

• Manage the canoe landing including guests, workers, and canoe traffic in a way that all run smoothly and safely.
• Facilitate a therapeutic outdoor adventure experience for teenagers struggling with a variety of behavioral, mental health and substance abuse challenges.
• Deliver a service-focuse guest experience through excellent leadership and communication skills, and problem-solving expertise.

Prepare your museum tour guide resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your museum tour guide resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a museum tour guide resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Museum Tour Guide Resume templates

Apply for museum tour guide jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a museum tour guide job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

• Browse job boards for relevant postings
• Consult your professional network
• Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
• Watch out for job scams

Are you a Museum Tour Guide?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average museum tour guide salary

The average Museum Tour Guide salary in the United States is $31,318 per year or $15 per hour. Museum tour guide salaries range between $17,000 and $56,000 per year.

What Am I Worth?

How do museum tour guides rate their job?

Updated April 25, 2024

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Paul McCartney. John and George. Paris , January 1964. Pigmented inkjet print. © 1964 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP 

Verbal Description Tour: Paul McCartney

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

3–4:15 pm

Meet in the Rubin Lobby, 1st Floor

Blind individuals and those with low vision are invited to experience Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm in a vivid, detailed verbal description tour incorporating multisensory interactions with art. Step into Beatlemania and the meteoric rise of four musical legends as seen through Paul McCartney’s Pentax camera. Enjoy the artworks and one another’s company.

Free; registration is required. Service animals are welcome.

Questions or need assistance registering? Contact us at [email protected] . 

Featured Events

Brooklyn Talks: Takashi Murakami

Mon, April 29, 2024

7–9 pm

Pop-Up Talks: Art, Literacy, and Our Changing Communities

Sat, May 4, 2024

12–1:30 pm

Brooklyn Pop-Up Market

Sun, May 5, 2024

10:30 am–5:30 pm

Yoga on the Stoop

Sat, May 11, 2024

10–11 am

Weekend Art: Sunday Art Hang

Sun, May 12, 2024

2–4 pm

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Become a member

Join a docent-led tour for visitors who are blind or have low vision. Discover highlights from SAAM’s collection through rich verbal description and sensory experience. Touch tour components for sculpture may be included. Tours are often followed by live musical performances in the museum’s courtyard.

View the Schedule of Upcoming America InSight Tours

To join our America InSight mailing list and receive e-mail updates on upcoming programs, email [email protected] . America InSight tours also available by request. Contact our Tour Scheduler at 202-633-8550 or email [email protected]

In the News

• November 30, 2018 - “ Smithsonian Offers Tours for Visually Impaired , ” Victoria Sanchez, feature story on ABC7 News
• January 5, 2017 - “ Blind Art Lovers Make The Most Of Museum Visits With 'InSight' Tours ,” Susan Stamberg, National Public Radio
• August 9, 2016 - “ Art Museum Tours For Visitors Who Are Blind ,” Eye Level blog explores what it is like to experience an America InSight tour from the point of view of a docent and a blind visitor.
• July 10, 2015 - “ At some museums, blind visitors can touch the art ,” Menachem Wecker, Washington Post

Soviet Tour in Moscow

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Description

Highlights:.

• Explore a massive Soviet Park VDNKh (or VVC);
• Experience this special feeling of the good old Soviet times & dark and gloomy Cold War era;
• Get to the highest spot in Moscow city and one of the deepest metro in the world;
• Find out the rough truth about the insane 900-day siege of Leningrad (present St Petersburg);
• Take in the Triumphal Arch;
• Capture an extraordinary sculpture-memorial to the Holocaust;
• Join a guided Bunker-42, Cold War Museum tour (optional, not included in the price).
• See a harmony trio: an orthodox church, a synagogue and a mosque all in one park.

Tour Itinerary

With the 1000-year history, Russia has had a rich portfolio of conflicts, battles, wars. On this Soviet tour, we'll talk about various wars that happened in Russia, focusing on WWII.

Mother Russia has undergone a lot in its long life. Since ancient times, Russian rulers have taken nearly all political power into their own hands. By the beginning of the 20th century, the Russian oppositional movement was deadly set for the total destruction of the ever-lasting tsarist regime. All of Russia got involved in the bloody revolution of 1917 in an effort to abolish the current state of the government and gain freedom for the ordinary people.

You will learn about the every-day life of the Soviet people during the bloody Second World War with the Nazis, including the legendary Battle for Moscow, the 900-day siege of Leningrad, the hardships that local citizens went through, the consequences of the war and the scars it left on the Soviet people, as well as why the Cold War happened and what was the fundamental reason.

Our mission on the Soviet Russia tour is to find out

• - How much this 1917 revolution cost the people;
• - Whether they actually got the freedom they wanted and was it worth it;
• - What happened over the next 74 years;
• - Who were the main political communist leaders of the Soviet Union;
• - Were Russians happy and satisfied with the Soviet Union?

Our tour itinerary will lie in most Soviet areas of Moscow, which are quite spread throughout the city, as very few of them are left. You can choose how much you are ready to live this Soviet life on a 5, 7 or 10-hour tour. Depending on the duration of the tour, you will see part or all of the places below:

If you want to extend the tour, you are welcome to do so by paying $20/extra hour in cash on the tour.

Time stands still in Red Square. The Red Square is the heart of Moscow (and whole Russia). Saint Basil's Cathedral will make your mouth drop. If it is from May-October, have a cocktail on the outside terrace and simply people watch! The massive square offers so much to enjoy.

Lenin's Mausoleum

The burial place of one of the most influential communist leaders in the world.

Revolution Square Metro Station

Rub the Soviet dog's nose for good luck and admire the 76 bronze sculptures, devoted to the passionate, strong-willed and patriotic Soviet people.

Poklonnaya Hill

The highest point in Moscow, where Napoleon waited for keys of the city.

All-Russian Exhibition Center (VVC)

With its giant arch, amazing fountain, and huge pavilions of different Soviet Republics.

Victory Park Metro Station

The deepest undeground station in Moscow and one of the deepest in the world.

Victory Park

For an open-air museum as big as 135 ha (1 350 000 square meters), Victory park sure doens't lack diversity. The park is dedicated to the Russian victory in WWII, and was laid out in 1995 in commemoration of 50-year anniversary of victory.

Stalin had planned for its construction already in 1941, being sure of victory from the very start of the war.

Greeting Hill

The highest points in Moscow (172 meters), where Napoleon waited for keys of Moscow in vain.

Triumphal Arch

Stunning monument consisting of 12 cast-iron columns, each 12 meters high, and weighing 16 tons. Built to mark Russia's victory over Napoleon in 1812.

Museum of the Great Patriotic War

In the city that is as much about wars as it is about victories, there is one essential stopover - the Museum of the Great Patriotic War (that's what WWII is called in Russia). Must-do for those wishing to understand Russia's past and look at the whole war from the different perspective - Russian.

The museum is not for the faint-hearted. Here you can see films about the partisan experience, the scenes that will haunt you forever (no subtitles, but they are not necessary).

Museum of Contemporary History (from outside only)

We'll have a glance at Russian life of the XX century in the  Museum of Contemporary History , which houses bits of everything from Russian history of XXth century: from English club to a storage of Stalin's presents.

Memorial to the Holocaust,

devastating and breath-taking!

Unleash your inner spy. Highly recommended  Bunker-42 ,  Cold War Museum , explore the place where Khrushchev lived during the Cuban Crisis. Go down 18 floors to a gigantic bunker under Moscow that was designed to withstand a nuclear attack. Watch a short film about the severity of the Cold War. If you lived through the Cold War, you will hardly believe it is possible that you are in Bunker 42!

Wander through  Sparrow Hills  and climb up to the highest observation deck of Moscow with stunning views of all seven Stalin’s skyscrapers, including  Moscow State University . After that, experience the excitement of taking a  river cruise  on the Moscow river and catch the views of the Kremlin and Soviet times.​

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting tour, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

*This WW2 and Cold War tour can be modified to meet your preferences.

Write your review

Casa Gorordo is a house museum located in the historic Parian area of Cebu, the oldest city in the Philippines. It is owned and managed by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) under its Culture & Heritage focus area. The house was acquired by RAFI from the Gorordo family in 1979, renovated and enhanced, and opened to the public as a museum in 1983.

In recognition of its historical and social significance, the National Historical Institute (now National Historical Commission of the Philippines) conferred on Casa Gorordo Museum the title “National Historical Landmark” in 1991.

It recently underwent a two-year enhancement project to elevate the visitor experience it offers to patrons by incorporating interactivity and digital age technology in its presentation.

History of Casa Gorordo

Casa Gorordo Museum evokes the lifestyle of a family experiencing

the transformation of  the Philippines from a  colonial to a modern society. 

Within its walls and objects are stories  from centuries past which  we

love to share with each  visitor who comes to us.  We tell  these  stories

through innovative means to stimulate  interaction, imagination,

learning and  enjoyment. All guests  are hosted by guides who are friendly

and have well-rounded  knowledge of the history of Casa Gorordo and of

Cebuano  culture.

Our House Traditions

We continue to live out the traditions of the Gorordo family.

These embody many  aspects  of the  culture of the old Parian

community and Cebu.  We invite people  to participate in  these

so they themselves enact these rich heritage traditions.

Museum-based Activities

We engage our varied audiences through tailored museumbased activities.

These come in  the form of fun-oriented crafts learning sessions,  cultural events,

forums and curriculum-focused  tours.  Our preference is to co-create activities

with our audiences to let  meaningful experiences  happen.   Let us know if you

have an  activity or experience in mind that you  want have with us!

Our Shop and Bo's Coffee Casa Gorordo Branch

Complete your museum experience at our shop and Bo’s Coffee.

Bring home stories from local  culture woven into carefully

selected items at our shop.  Unwind first at Bo’s Coffee and have

a sampling of Cebuano delicacies before exploring  other

heritage sites in the downtown area.

News & Updates

Sinug 2024: The Tradition Continues

Casa Gorordo Museum: 40 YEARS OF TOUCHING PEOPLE AND SHAPING THE FUTURE

OPEN SECRET at Kawit, Cavite

Museum notes.

Our role in the New Normal

The term “New Normal” has become a household name in the last  six months. I find that it can be a little misleading. It’s as if a new form of normal has set in. The truth, however, is that it’s our feeble way of describing a frighteningly rapid and disconcerting series of changes in our way of life that is not going to slow down in the foreseeable future.

Museums, at present, are challenged not only to adapt to this revolution but be visible enablers of people who are trying to survive and make sense and meaning out of it. The French phenomenologist, Paul Ricoeur, wrote that crisis is like the riddle of the Sphinx: answer or be killed. Throughout its long history, Casa Gorordo has witnessed the families who have lived in it and their community withstand several crises that threatened their existence.

As a program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), CGM is propelled by a larger vision of “touching people, shaping the future.” For this reason, the museum has been the site of relief operations of RAFI in response to several social crises before. The current one is not an exception.

But we are dealing with an impact of the pandemic at work in a less visible level: cultural displacement. It is in this aspect that CGM and other museums can be most relevant and effective. So, CGM has tasked itself to bring out the best stories from local history and culture, and convert these to become sources of awareness and inspiration for Cebuanos in these most trying times.

The answer to the Sphinx’s riddle is simple: the human being. Our hope and capability to prevail over this crisis is certainly within us. It is found in the stories we remember, create and pass on.  These stories we share are our virtual “agbay” to Cebuanos as we push on in the New Normal .

Florencio A. Moreño II Curator, Casa Gorordo Museum Aug. 30, 2020

• Casa Gorordo Museum 35 E. Aboitiz St., Cebu City 6000 Philippines
• Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858). Suidō Bridge and Surugadai (Suidōbashi Surugadai) , no. 48 from 100 Famous Views of Edo , 5th month of 1857. Woodblock print, 14 1/4 × 9 1/4 in. (36.2 × 23.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum; Gift of Anna Ferris, 30.1478.48. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Virtual Verbal Description Tour: Hiroshige

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

6–7:15 pm

Blind individuals and those with low vision are invited to gather online for a journey to mid-nineteenth-century Edo (today’s Tokyo) through Utagawa Hiroshige’s 100 Famous Views of Edo . Envision strolling through the vibrant city, encountering its people, beauty, and hotspots. Hear all about Hiroshige’s famous prints, and enjoy one another’s company. 

Free; registration is required.

Questions or need assistance registering? Contact us at [email protected] .

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THE 10 BEST Moscow Museums

Museums in moscow.

• Specialty Museums
• Art Galleries
• Art Museums
• History Museums
• Children's Museums
• Science Museums
• Military Museums
• Natural History Museums
• Observatories & Planetariums
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• Boulevard Ring
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Adventurous
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. State Tretyakov Gallery

2. Moscow Kremlin

3. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

4. Armoury Chamber

5. Kolomenskoye Historical and Architectural Museum and Reserve

6. The Museum of Cosmonautics

7. Kuskovo Estate

8. Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

9. New Tretyakov Gallery

10. State Darwin Museum

11. Diamond Fund (Almazny Fond)

12. Experimentanium Museum of Entertaining Sciences

13. Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center

14. Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines

15. Art Gallery of the European and American Countries of the XIX-XX centuries

16. Orlov Paleontological Museum

17. Muzeon Art Park

18. Mikhail Bulgakov State Museum

19. Moscow Planetarium

20. Historical Park Russia - My History

21. Entertainment Center Arbat 16

22. Museum-Diorama Tsar-Layout

23. Bunker-42 Cold War Museum at Taganka

24. The State A.S. Pushkin Museum

25. Museum Moskovskiy Transport

26. Victor Vasnetsov House Museum

27. Gorky's House (Ryabushinsky Mansion)

28. Novospasskiy Monastery

29. Borodino Battle Museum Panorama

30. The Victory Museum

What travelers are saying

• State Tretyakov Gallery
• Moscow Kremlin
• Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve
• The Museum of Cosmonautics
• Armoury Chamber
• Museum-Diorama Tsar-Layout
• Victor Vasnetsov House Museum
• Museum Moskovskiy Transport
• Kolomenskoye Historical and Architectural Museum and Reserve
• Museum in the Dark Sensorium
• Art Gallery of the European and American Countries of the XIX-XX centuries
• Kuskovo Estate
• Muzeon Art Park
• Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center
• Orlov Paleontological Museum
• Gorky's House (Ryabushinsky Mansion)
• Historical Park Russia - My History
• Experimentanium Museum of Entertaining Sciences
• Mikhail Bulgakov State Museum
• Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines
• Entertainment Center Arbat 16
• Bunker-42 Cold War Museum at Taganka
• Museum of Illusions
• Museum of Death

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

Your 48-hour tour guide of Moscow this winter!

9 am – Visit the Red Square 

Christmas market on Red Square

The first thing that every tourist should do by default is visit the very heart of Moscow – it’s main and most beautiful (which ‘krasnaya’ actually meant in Old Russian) square! 

There are several ways to explore it:

• Take a selfie with Spasskaya Tower
• Have a warm drink at the Christmas market (which lasts until mid-January)
• Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum
• Shop in the gorgeous adjacent GUM department store
• Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral (and learn that it’s actually several churches under one roof).           

11 am – It’s Kremlin time! 

Inside the Moscow Kremlin

Entering the Kremlin is, actually, a bit of a quest, as it’s a presidential facility with no general access. You need to buy a ticket or, better still, book a guided tour. Inside the Kremlin’s walls, you will find ancient cathedrals, in which Russian tsars used to be crowned and buried, as well as explore the magnificent architecture of the Kremlin that reflects the rich history of the country. And, finally, you could also make a quick visit to the Moscow Kremlin Museums and admire artifacts from various Russian tsarist eras: carriages, thrones, crowns and the most incredible armory and jewelry. 

For more information, visit the official website of the Kremlin . It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm (and it’s closed on Thursdays) in winter.

2 pm – Watch the changing of the Guard

The honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A very spectacular (and free) thing to do is watch how the honor guard does their ceremonial change at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame, situated in Alexander Garden, right next to the Kremlin wall. Every hour, from 8 am to 8 pm, the 1st Company of the Kremlin (Presidential) Regiment performs this rather old and beautiful tradition. But, be warned, it's often overcrowded. 

3 pm – Enjoy a green oasis just in the center

Florarium in Zaryadye

Just a few steps from the Red Square, you will find the fabulous Zaryadye park. Opened in 2017, it is designed by renowned American architect bureau ‘Diller Scofidio + Renfro’. You can walk among the very cozy botanical decorations and explore Russia’s climate zones, as each of them is represented in dedicated areas, complete with flora from those zones.

The floating bridge in Zaryadye Park

The park also has an underground museum, an “ice cave” and a 3D cinema, where you can take part in a virtual adventure – a flight over Moscow! However, the piece de resistance is a floating boomerang bridge over the Moskva River, one of the best places to take a selfie.

You can also grab a quick lunch or relax with a cup of coffee or tea in the park.

7 pm – Arrange a ballet night

The Bolshoi Theater

Of course, the most fancy way to finish your day in Moscow would be to go to the ballet at the Bolshoi Theater (in a perfect world, to see ‘The Nutcracker’!). However, getting tickets to the Bolshoi is not an easy task and should be done well in advance of your visit. 

But, don’t be upset if you don’t manage to get tickets to the Bolshoi. Moscow has dozens of other options to see a ballet (or opera). No less brilliant performances can be seen in the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theater or in The State Kremlin Palace (by the way, this is another way to get a quick glimpse inside the Kremlin!).

10:30 pm – Have a late dinner in a fancy restaurant

Dr Zhivago restaurant

There are not so many other cities with such a big choice of restaurants in a range of tastes and styles. In 2021, the authoritative Michelin guide announced their pick of the best of Moscow’s restaurants. And here’s our guide to all the places with Russian cuisine for any budget. But, if you happen to be in the area of the Bolshoi or Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater, then ‘Dr. Zhivago’ would definitely be a nice option (and it’s open around the clock).

DAY 2 

9 am – grab a moscow coffee.

Winter festivities mood in Moscow

Moscow is definitely a coffee city! You can find coffee shops on every corner and they all offer a huge range of drinks. Try a ‘raf’ coffee, a sweet, creamy drink that was created in Russia, or dare to pick one of the very unusual offers, like cheese coffee or a Soviet candy style one (check out our coffee guide here ).

10 am – Take a river cruise

Winter boating along the Moskva River

Another exciting way to explore Moscow is to observe it from the water. Boats cruise along the Moskva River all year round. Most begin their route from the Hotel Ukraine, one of Stalin's ‘Seven Sister’ skyscrapers, and will bring you back to the same spot after passing the medieval Novodevichy Convent, Moscow State University and Luzhniki Stadium, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and giant monument to Peter the Great and many other sightseeings. 

It’s always at optimum temperature inside the boat, which also has huge panoramic windows. Select boats also offer a full dining experience, so it is also a nice place to have breakfast or lunch.

If you are not a water person, then discover other, unusual sides of Moscow – pick one of the activities we’ve prepared for you here ! 

1 pm – Visit ‘Russia’ Expo and taste a bunch of Russian regional cuisines

Russia Expo at VDNKh

Until April 2024, the Soviet-era VDNKh exhibition park is hosting the huge ‘Russia’ expo, with tons of activities and expositions devoted to Russia, its culture, science and nature. Check out our special guide on what to do there!  

An entire ‘House of Russian Cuisine’ has been opened at the expo. You will find 15 food stands with flagship dishes from Kamchatka, Siberia, Karelia and other regions of Russia. Imagine trying a range of cuisines and dishes in one place without even having to travel anywhere, be it Altai pelmeni, Tula kalach or Caucasian pies! A perfect place to grab some lunch.

House of Russian cuisines at VDNKh

The VDNKh exhibition park is a great place to visit, in general! Its pavilions are the perfect example of Stalinit Empire style architecture and you can almost feel as if you’ve traveled back in time! You will also find several interesting museums in the park – devoted to space exploration, Russian history and even a ‘Special Purpose Garage’, which showcases the various vehicles used by the country’s leaders. 

'Sun of Moscow' wheel

And, finally, you can ride Europe's tallest panoramic wheel – ‘Sun of Moscow’ – that will give you panoramic views of the city – from a height of 140 meters!

5 pm – Ice skate with view & mulled wine

Ice skating rink on Red Square (GUM department store on the background)

Ice skating is one of the most popular and affordable activities in Moscow. There are several great ice skating rinks in picturesque locations that are open all winter long. One of the biggest rinks in Europe is also at the aforementioned VDNKh or you can visit the one in Gorky Park, another very popular Moscow spot, or the small, but fancy rink – right on Red Square! 

All the parks offer ice skate rental, so the only things you need are warm clothes, a charged phone to record your memories and a good mood!  Moscow also gets dark at 4:30 pm in winter and hundreds of lights are switched on, turning the city into a giant fairy tale! 

A mulled wine with a view

And, if you are not a sports person, we’ve picked several other unusual activities that you could do in Moscow instead. For example, did you know that there is an entire district of dacha (countryside) houses, just 10 minutes from the center, surrounded by giant new highrises? How about taking a stroll there and feeling the early Soviet atmosphere?

8 pm – Warm up & laugh out loud

After all these outdoor activities, what could be better than a warm cozy bar with a hot drink and nice company? Moscow is a city full of entertainment for all tastes. So, if you know the Russian language or want to practice it, go to a theater or catch a stand-up comedy show. Moscow even has comedy shows in English, where you can hear both Russians speaking fluent English or foreigners (including Brits and Americans) who live in Russia speaking in broken or heavily-accented Russian (Check their show dates on the ‘ Moscow English Comedy ’ Telegram channel)!

11 pm – Finish by partying the night away!

Propaganda club in Moscow

Moscow never sleeps, as you might have heard. Which means there are plenty of bars and nightclubs where you can have a drink (or two or three; be sure to check out how Russians make Black Russian and White Russian cocktails) and chat with incredibly different people. Have fun and don’t miss your flight (or miss it and stay longer in the best city in the world!)!

That's it! See you soon in Moscow

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