The Detour Index

A museum score for the visit you actually have.

The Index measures museum experience, quality, and value. Visitor Fit separately explains who a museum suits and what conditions to expect. Accessibility is not a Detour Index score.

Six lenses. One editorial verdict.

Every complete score uses all six categories, equally weighted today. The configuration is versioned and can change weights without changing museum records. Incomplete scorecards remain unpublished.

Exhibits & CollectionExperience & StorytellingValueTime Well SpentVisitor ExperienceDetour Factor

9.0–10

Make the Pilgrimage

Exceptional. Worth making this museum a major reason for the trip.

8.0–8.9

Take the Detour

Excellent. Worth changing your route or making an extra effort to visit.

6.0–7.9

Stop If You’re Nearby

Good and worthwhile, though probably not the trip’s whole reason.

4.0–5.9

For Enthusiasts

Most worthwhile for visitors with a strong interest in the subject.

Below 4

Skip the Detour

The experience does not currently justify the time, cost, or effort for most visitors.

Transparent inputs

No score is inferred from a description, missing information, or third-party ratings.

Dates matter

Review dates and pricing update dates are separate so visitors can see what was checked and when.

Context stays separate

Use Visitor Fit for kids, sensory conditions, accessibility, price, timing, and practical needs.