Based on data from Beijing museums spanning 1980 to 2020, this study employs spatial analysis methods such as geographical concentration index, imbalance index, kernel density and standard deviation ellipse characterize the temporal and spatial evolution of Beijing museums and analyze their influencing factors. The research shows that the museum development in Beijing has undergone three stages: a slow start, high-speed development and high-quality upgrading. The development of cultural relics and industrial museums tends towards balance, and the market-oriented development of museums continues to improve. The “single core” concentration distribution of Beijing museums is prominent, showing a typical “center edge” distribution with a trend of new core formation during expansion. Temporally, Beijing museums exhibit an inverted “L” evolution pattern, trending from north to east with Haidian and Chaoyang districts poised to become new centers. Distribution across intervals is uneven, yet the overall pattern is evolving towards a balanced distribution. The research on factors influencing the spatial distribution of museums, including population, resources, economy, and transportation, innovatively introduces educational factors. It shows that Beijing museums are transforming from “population driven” and “resource driven” to “education driven” over time.