Are you also a museum lover and a travel maximizer? If so, visiting the Vitra Design Museum might just be your perfect day trip! Situated in a full-on, vast campus setting, this unique museum offers a captivating blend of architecture, design, culture – and a bit of retail therapy for your interior design dreams!
To help you make the most of your campus and museum visit, here are five essential tips to ensure you have an unforgettable experience at this beautiful museum located in Weil am Rhein in Germany.
1. Start Early, Enjoy Breakfast on the way there
With opening hours from 10 am to 6 pm, it’s best to arrive early to fully explore the full Vitra campus and all the ongoing exhibitions. Consider having breakfast on the train to make the most of your time on-site. Or if you arrive at Badischer Bahnhof have a coffee at Bar du Nord, a cute café nestled inside the train station.
Remember, this isn’t your typical museum – it’s an full on campus with multiple buildings and things to do that deserve your time and energy to be fully appreciated. As once said by architectural critic Philip Johnson : “Since the Weissenhofsiedlung in Stuttgart in 1927, there has not been a gathering in a single place of a group of buildings designed by the most distinguished architects in the Western world.”
2. Bring Your Passport:
Yes your read that correctly, this museum is probably one of the few museums in the world that requires you to bring your passport along. The Vitra Design Campus is located in a tri-state area between Switzerland, Germany, and France. The chances are pretty high that you‘ll be crossing at least one border during your visit, so ensure you have your passport with you. While it might seem like a small detail, it’s crucial to have your documents on hand, just in case.
3. Check for Special Events going on At the Museum
While any day is a good day to visit the museum, keep an eye out for special events and exhibitions. Check their schedule to see if they have something extra special going on, like a talk with a renowned artist and designer Sabine Marcelis or an exclusive showcase of a new collection. Coordinating your visit with these events will add an extra layer of excitement and enrichment to your experience.
I‘d also suggest subscribing to their newsletter to stay up to date and if you want to take your museum-going very seriously enrolling in their „Design Circle“ Club.
4. Begin with the "Museum Shop"
Upon arrival, make a beeline for the iconic Herzog & de Meuron building, that looks like houses stacked upon one another, which serves as one enormous, beautiful showroom. Start by taking the elevator to the top floor and then work your way down, marveling at the stunning furniture designs on each level. Take your time to create a wish list of your favorite pieces. On the ground floor, you’ll find the museum shop, so feel free to browse around and save your purchases for later.
5. Don’t Miss the Architecture Tour:
One of the most rewarding aspects of visiting Vitra Design Museum is the guided architecture tour. Plan your visit around the lunchtime tour at 12 p.m. places it into you day in the most ideal way, giving you time to explore before and after the information. The tour offers a fascinating insight into the stories behind the architects and buildings on the campus featuring Zaha Hadid, Tadao Ando, Frank Gehry, Nicholas Grimshaw, Herzog & de Meuron, SANAA, Álvaro Siza and more… Each tour guide has their unique way of sharing these stories, making it a memorable experience even if it’s not your first time visiting. I‘ve done the tour three times and learnt something new each time.
In conclusion, a visit to the Vitra Design Museum promises a day of exploration, inspiration, and appreciation for design and architecture. By following these five tips, you’ll make the most of your time on the campus, ensuring an enriching and enjoyable visit to this exceptional cultural hub. So pack your passport, plan your day wisely, and get ready for an unforgettable experience at the Vitra Design Museum.
Happy exploring – and subscribe to the Art Museums of the World publication for Part II — where we’ll be covering the museum exhibits and where to eat on the Vitra Campus.
....
This blogpost was inspired by the tiktok video sharing how best to visit the Vitra Design Museum. For more video and visual content check out @artmuseumsoftheworld on tiktok and/or instagram.
This article was originally published on 7th AUgust 2023 on our medium publication. You can read the full article here.
Comments