stokebailey

Wonderful help! Thank you so much, travelerjan, mariha, traveler1959, and stanbr. I can see it's time to get the map out and start looking seriously.

cathies

Traveller1959 reminded me of the National Archeological Museum in Athens. We spent almost a full day there and loved it. If you don't have that much time to spare then I strongly recommend the sculpture wing which is fabulous.

stokebailey

Ah, thanks cathies. This daughter and I loved Seville's archeological museum, but spent too much time in the first part then had to rush through the wonderful Roman areas. Good to know we should go to sculpture wing first and budget our time from there.

mariha2912

National Archeological Museum features some fantastic collections. Official website would be better, but still gives you an idea:
http://www.namuseum.gr/index-en.html

Although I completely appreciate that there is no time to fit everything on a sort visit, I am tempted to throw an idea for an other, often overlooked museum:
The Numismatic Museum of Athens.

Now you would think that looking on coins after coins might be boring, but coins reveil a lot not only about finances of an era, but about politics, artwork, historical background, technology and much more. And the museum building itself, -called "Iliou Melathron"=Palace of Illium(Troy)- is very interesting and bares a fascinating history, been the former house of Heinrich Schliemann... Yes, the guy who discovered Troy and made important excavations on Mycynae, Tiryns etc. And last but not least, the museum has a very pleasant outside area/cafeteria.
Once again, I recommend a book sold on museum's shop, adition of the Numismatic Museum itsself, called "Coins and Numismatics"...
http://www.enma.gr/exb_1stf1_en.htm

stokebailey

Thank you, mariha. My own family were casual coin collectors, but I never could get our girls interested. Since Numismatic is not too far from our hotel, maybe I can lure my daughter there or slip over by myself.

We're Iliad fans, too, so bonus.

traveller1959

Practically each archeological site has its own museum where they display the small pieces and those which need protection from the elements. Most of these on-site museum are just excellent.

The National Archeological Museum in Athens displays the best of the best from all Greece. There is, of course, the huge bronze statue of Zeus (or Poseidon) and the golden treasure from Mycenae (the Mycanae museum display replicas). But there is much more. For me, the 5,000-year-old Cycladic statues were a real discovery because in their abstract beauty, there look like contemporary art (of course, I bought a few replicas as souvenirs and gifts).

mes2525

I recommend the Benaki Museums (there are 3, main museum, the Islamic and the Pireos Avenue) and the Byzantine Museum.
The Byzantine Museum has been renovated, has a nice coffee shop with a view of southwestern Athens and has some beautiful pieces and since most Americans haven't studied Byzantine history very much, it gives you insight into a neglected subject.

All of the Benaki Museums are beautifully curated and have restaurants or snack bars so you can easily spend a few hours in each.

The Museum of Popular Musical Instruments is also popular because they display the instruments and have recordings you can play examples as you go around.

The National Archaeological and the New Acropolis Museum are great but others have already mentioned these. The Frisaris has modern painting in the Plaka.

There are a wealth of museums to choose from so if you have rain there is a great choice.

clausar

mes2525

I think you mean the Frissiras Museum

http://www.frissirasmuseum.com/english/index.aspx

travelerjan

A very helpful guide (print & take) to Athens Landmarks and museums etc is http://www.athensinfoguide.com/open.htm -- huge list, with hours and admission fees if any (always have your hotel desk phone to recheck hours if uncertain; these may vary this winter). Your daughter can get discount as student. Has some often overlooked gems that I've LOOOVED:

• MUSEUM of GREEK CHILDREN'S ART - Right in Plaka, u can pop in enroute elsewhere. FAB children's work: a national contest to paint "My Hometown" the winner was a STUNNING Athens panorama by a 9 year old, a poster of it framed in my Dining room & I gave it also to top Classical=Art prof at U of Pennsylvania! In addition, great greeting cards of childrens art.

• Melina Mercouri Foundation - Near Roman Agora: Fascinating Photo gallery of this Amazing woman's contribution to Modern Greece, as actress, patriot, Minister of Culture. Very emotionally affecting.

•Ilias Lalaouni Jewelry Museum - Think combo of Mr TIffany/Mr Cartier! He was Greece's Greatest jewelry designer ... & u can see his gallery of designs drawn on THREE ancient cultures, and watch artisans working on new pieces. Very handy, right off promenade, near Acropolis Museum.

•Musical Instruments Museum -- each exhibit has earphones so u can hear what everything sounds like! A hit w every musician I've traveled with .. plus CDs for sale (I have an old-timey mandolin orchestra disc i adore)

•Jewish Museum (A townhouse right in Plaka) - The Heritage, the war, the sadness in a setting of dignity and poignance. Memorable.

PS on BENAKI MAIN MUSEUM -- U see chic Athenians lunching here every day, Plus Thursday's It's FREE & open til Midnight (par-tay!).

stokebailey

I'll definitely look for those pieces, traveler1959. Thank you.

Oh, nice, mes2525. Made notes.

Got it printed finally, travelerjan. And marked accordingly.

We really appreciate all of your help!

travelerjan

Stokebailey, we'd love it if you come back to FOdors on your return, and tell us how things worked out.

mes2525

Yes, I do mean the Frissiris. Thanks Clausar. Hope to get back there on my May visit.

NomadLass

We rented a car at the Athens airport and drove to Nafplio which we used as a base for 4 days to tour sites in the Peloponnese - our favorites were Acrocorinth, Mycenae, and Epidaurus. Also, don't miss the small but beautifully displayed Archeological Museum of Nafplio located in Syntagma Square. We really enjoyed staying in Nafplio - one of the loveliest seaside towns we've ever visited.

stokebailey

Ah, thanks, NomadLass. Good to know!

We're heading there in a couple of weeks. This evening I "drove" via google maps from ATH to the Nafplio port, checking out how it looks at exits and intersections. That gave me confidence. Well marked roads.

Have also been brushing up on Pimsleur Greek (will rental cars in Greece have CD players?) and am all the way up to a few simple phrases. Reading Fodors guidebook. Getting psyched, and noticing Greek roots for words like that.