Acropolis Museum Questions - Pre-book? Attend Before or After Acropolis?

I don't see any reference to pre-booking on the museum's website, so, no. I'd suggest going there before you visit the Acropolis itself, so you can see the sculptures as they were displayed and then imagine them in place when you see the buildings later. The museum is very well designed to replicate the arrangements on the pediments and the metates around the sides. I believe the original "maidens" are in the museum, while those on the Acropolis are reproductions. Plus you're smart to consider the afternoon heat and spend the hottest hours inside. Allow plenty of time for the museum.

Of course if you can't do the museum beforehand, it's better to do it after than not at all! Have a great trip with your lucky kids.

I don't think it matters which is first. The museum is interesting if you're into archaeology. The best part (okay, second-best after the Elgin marbles copies) is the rooftop restaurant, which you can access without entering the museum, through the gift/book shop. The restaurant has a large patio with great views of the Acropolis and most of the seating is covered by awnings. When I was there (several years ago, sigh), the prices were very reasonable. Open for dinner too - and more views of the Acropolis. Anyone could access the rooftop without patronizing the restaurant.

My husband and I were in Athens this May and toured the Acropolis Museum after the Acropolis. In retrospect, I wish we would have visited the Acropolis Museum first. It would have helped us put in context what we were seeing when we visited the Acropolis. The Acropolis Museum is well laid out and is worth at least an hour first. As for pre-booking, we were on a tour and therefore were at the Acropolis Museum about 1:00 in the afternoon. Even with pre-booked tickets there was a long line.