Capitoline Museums or The National Museum of Rome?

Capitoline for sure. It was beutiful and the art was wonderful. There is a fabulous view from the roof right at the cafe. Don't miss it. Get an espresso and take it in. I did not care for the National. However to be fair it was at the end of an exhausting day. I remember what seemed like 100's of busts of heads and it wasn't nearly as interesting as Capitoline.

Thanks for the replies. So far, it looks like Capitoline for sure. I was already leaning that way, based on what I've read about the museums and what works are at each. However, Rick Steves himself started guiding me the wrong direction in his book! :-)

Well, whether it is "wrong" or not is subjective I guess, and I'm the last person who can say since I haven't been to either one. Still, Rick does give the National Museum of Rome a 3 (best rating) and Capitoline a 2. So I had to get other people's opinions.

For what it's worth, Fodor's and Michelin have practically nothing to say about the National Museum of Rome, and the DK Top 10 has Capitoline placed higher.

Actually, the Michelin Green Guide does cover (what you're calling) the National Museum and Michelin agrees with Rick that it's worth **. Michelin has about a half dozen pages describing what it calls the Palazza Massimo (what you're calling the National Museum), which is probably why you didn't see it in Michelin (they use a different name).Michelin also gives the Musei Capitolini ** with 5 pages of coverage.The Palazzo Massimo Alle Terme (a section of the National Museum) houses the most important part of the Museo Nazionale Romano, which is a large collection of ancient Roman art with many Classical masterpieces, which are divided into four museums--with the most section being in this building. It's not possible to accurately describe the connection in the space we have here. Generally, it features Roman statues/sculptures and also some original Greek sculptures and later Roman copies of Greek masterpieces. The labeling in English is good.

What is your opinion Kent? If I could only choose one?

I couldn't choose between them but went with Michelin's opinion that both were worth seeing--so, on my first trip to Rome I saw them both and was glad I did.

I loved the Capitoline Museum. There are tons of things to see like the original Marcus Arelius, the bronze statue of the She-Wolf and you can stand out on the observation deck that has the most beautiful view of the Roman Forum.

I personally liked the Capitoline more as well, but both are worth the visit.

While I totally agree with Kent that both museums are very worthwhile for different reasons, I think you might enjoy the Capitoline more after having seen the Vatican Museums and Borghese Gallery. The collection at the National Museum is amazing, but I find the presentation less interesting than at the other 3 museums. Good news is that you can't make a wrong choice.