Location: Philadelphia
Top Things to do in Philadelphia
The 10 Best Art Museums in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PA)
One of the most historic cities in America, Philadelphia is an ideal place to spend a weekend - preferably a long one. Be sure to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed. Both are part of Independence National Historic Park. Philadelphia also boasts some outstanding art museums, including the Rodin Museum. The Franklin Institute Science Museum is one of many area attractions honoring the life and work of Benjamin Franklin, the city's most famous ambassador. After digesting all of that history, be sure you save room for a classic Philly cheese steak sandwich.
Restaurants in Philadelphia
1. Stephen Girard Collection
2. Rodin Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,443 reviews
With over 140 bronzes, marbles, and plasters - including "The Thinker" - the distinguished collection housed in the Rodin Museum represents every phase of Auguste Rodin’s career. Located on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the elegant Beaux-Arts–style building and garden offer an absorbing experience and the largest collection of Rodin's work outside of Paris.
Reviewed By mininani - Madrid, Spain
A small museum plenty of beatiful sculptures, most from Rodin, in a very nice house sourrounded by a nice garden. The entrance fee is "pay what you wish" all the days, and it's on the way to the Museum of Art.
3. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 402 reviews
A dazzling museum, as much for its interior design as for its collection.
Reviewed By ArriveWith5 - Philadelphia, United States
Historic art gallery and school steps away from convention center. We were fortunate to see the exhibit ‘FROM THE SCHUYLKILL TO THE HUDSON: LANDSCAPES OF THE EARLY AMERICAN REPUBLIC which chronicled influence of Philadelphia art on Hudson school. The permanent collection features mostly American art from 18th- and 19th century and housed in the beautiful Frank Furness’s Historic Landmark Building which combines a range of architectural details with Moorish, Victorian, and Gothic features. One of our favorite exhibits were once that featured art work from recent and past students and faculty of the school. Perfect sized museum for kids as you can spend 2-3 hours and see majority of exhibits. Also, children under 12 can view museum for free.
4. Woodmere Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By kylesE8563QS
This lovely art museum is located in a 19th century stone mansion in the historic and beautiful Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. It is on six acres of beautiful land with multiple sculptures.Inside is a great display of local artists . In the collection are works of Joan Curran, Carol Jones,Littlefield ,Dowell. Santore,Lear,Wirtz, Sessile, Biddle, Remenick, Edekschein, Pinto, Shils, Laub,Kohn.
5. Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,088 reviews
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens (PMG)is a mosaicked visionary art environment, gallery, and community arts center that preserves, interprets and provides access to Isaiah Zagar's unique mosaic art environment and his public murals. The Magic Gardens site, Zagar's largest artwork, includes a fully tiled indoor space and large outdoor mosaic sculpture garden that spans half a block on Philadelphia's famous South Street. Inside, view PMG's ever changing exhibitions in two indoor galleries.
Reviewed By staceyp96 - North Andover, United States
I can’t recommend this place enough. It’s absolutely stunning. Both my teens and I loved it. Even as teens they could appreciate the beauty here. Younger ones will also be fascinated with the maze like structures and scavenger hunt while being introduced to a unique view of art. Make sure you have your camera as you can get some great photos.
6. Barnes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,320 reviews
The Barnes Foundation houses one of the finest collections of nineteenth- and twentieth-century French painting in the world. An extraordinary number of masterpieces by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse provide a depth of work by these artists that is unavailable elsewhere. Established as an educational institution, the Barnes carries out its mission teaching classes in its galleries and Arboretum.
Reviewed By LisaC712 - Asheville, United States
I visited here over 30 y ago when reservations were difficult to acquire and gettting there was also not easy. The new building is an architectural beauty and the art- week , for the Barnes family to have bought what they did and preserved it for everyone to see and learn and experience all that beauty- it is truly amazing and an experience every lover of impressionist art should have
7. Philadelphia Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,268 reviews
A surprise around every corner - discover the cultural heart of Philadelphia. The museum’s landmark building houses one of the most remarkable collections in the country, featuring some of the greatest works of American, Asia, and European art anywhere. You’ll find van Gogh's Sunflowers, the world’s largest Marcel Duchamp and the only dedicated Rodin Museum outside France. Eat. Drink. Shop. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the fiftieth, you’ll always see something new. Catch a world-class exhibition or get to know the masterpieces that live year-round in the museum’s 200+ galleries, including many stunning architectural spaces and period rooms. Then, browse an impressive collection of art books and more at the Museum Store and grab a bite made by Constellation Culinary at one of the cafés or Stir, the only Frank Gehry–designed restaurant on the East Coast. Kids 18 and under are always free. Bring the whole family and enjoy kid-friendly programs all year long.
Reviewed By katsusanna - Raleigh, United States
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the best art museums I have ever visited. Unfortunately, we only had about two hours to spend in the museum, which isn't nearly enough, so we had to move at a brisk pace and be selective about the exhibits we visited. We aren't big fans of contemporary art, so we focused primarily on the classical European and American galleries, which were just overwhelmingly impressive. We actually started in the medieval Europe section, viewing arms and armor from that period (my husband could have spent a LOT more time in that section!). We then moved on to the art from our favorite periods -- 18th and 19th century. They have a wonderful collection from that period (both European and American), and my personal favorite galleries were the period rooms that were transported and recreated -- using the original furnishings, artwork, and architectural elements -- from authentic period homes. They have an absolutely wonderful collection of 18th-century paintings, which was the other highlight for me. We also viewed the Impressionist galleries, where they have a nice representation of works by the most famous Impressionists, such as Renoir and Monet, although the paintings themselves are not necessarily the most famous or iconic works by those artists. Again, we had to move at a brisk pace to see all of that in two hours, and I would definitely like to return again someday and be able to spend more time there. Before entering the museum, we did view the Rocky statue outside, although we opted not to wait in line to have our photo taken with the statue. (I've never seen the movie Rocky, but my husband has, and he insisted on doing the obligatory run up the museum steps and doing the "triumphant Rocky pose" at the top.). One nice surprise --- the day we visited happened to be a "pay what you wish" day, which was really nice, since we knew we'd only have about two hours to spend in the museum and were able to pay a bit less than the usual admission price of $25. I will say, though, that $25 is a reasonable price to pay if you have the time to be able to visit the museum at your leisure, and I would absolutely have no qualms about paying that if I visit again on a regular admission day. If I am ever in Philadelphia again, I definitely hope to make a return visit to the art museum. It is truly a world-class collection, exhibited in a beautiful facility!
8. Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 6 reviews
9. Second Bank of the United States
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By hannahtare
We were so happy and impressed at this portrait gallery. We had been on a walking tour beforehand that recommended this amazing site. There were a few rooms but the back room was definitely the coolest one. I can’t explain but hopefully you see for yourself. I would totally recommend this even for groups with young kids. I would make around 30-45 minutes if you want to see/read everything
10. Wonderspaces Philadelphia
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 10 reviews
Please note: due to the new “Safer at Home” coronavirus restrictions and recommendations from the City of Philadelphia, Wonderspaces is temporarily closed until January 1, 2021. Wonderspaces partners with artists from around the world to present extraordinary, immersive, & conversation-provoking works of art in a fun, informal setting that invites visitors to connect with family, friends, & loved ones through unique shared experiences.
Reviewed By Flyaway2day5019 - Coopersburg, United States
There are two floors of rooms and spaces for visual artists. Start on the second floor. The first piece is a living room from the 1940's or so. This is weakest piece there. The next is a virtual reality piece. A full table setting for 16 or more people experience is a telling of Betty and Barney Hill who where famously abducted by aliens in early 1960's. With headphones and VR gear, you see them hosting a dinner party and then go into Betty's alien experience, the Barney's in 360 degree VR. That's just one piece. Then there is a sculpture of painted wooden cylinders hanging from the ceiling. Fortunately there are people there to guide you to the expierence of this piece, which you have to step waaaaaaay back, and with the help of your cell phone, Apple better than Android, you will see the real image. Another VR piece has you floating in a setting in the far east, with large water lillies and koi fish floating beneath you. You are joined by a dog in your wooden boat and continue on your lovely, peaceful journey. This installation should be at every corporate center and airport for destressing. I will run out of space here. Just go. there's a lot more to experience here.
