art museum to visit in philadelphia

15 Best Museums in Philadelphia

For art and history lovers, there's truly nothing like spending the day exploring museums, and Philadelphia museums are among the greatest and most renowned in the country, if not the world, thanks to the City of Brotherly Love's rich history and art culture. With dozens of amazing exhibits and collections to check out, you can find museums across the city dedicated to vastly different niches — from classic automobiles to medical mysteries to the nation's founding and history.

Discover the 15 best museums in Philadelphia, and find out for yourself why Lonely Planet has named Philadelphia the 5th best city in the world to visit and 1st in the U.S.; USA Today readers gave Philly the top spot for walkability in the U.S. noting the city’s cultural and historical attractions; and travel magazine Afar listed Philadelphia as one of the top 25 places in the world to visit in 2024, particularly noting upcoming exhibitions at the Rodin Museum and Philadelphia Museum of Art.

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Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) has a remarkable history as the first art school and museum in the U.S. Today, the museum showcases innovative collections and exhibits of American art, highlighting the work of renowned regional talent and featuring an outstanding permanent collection.

Among its outstanding, 16,000-piece permanent collection, you’ll find 18th- and 19th-century masterpieces by greats including Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, and Mary Cassatt. No worries if your taste runs to works by 20th and 21st century artists. Their collection also features the art of several modern/contemporary artists including Charles Demuth, Mickalene Thomas, Andy Warhol, and Kehinde Wiley.

The academy is located in the heart of Philly, at 118-128 North Broad Street, just blocks from Philadelphia City Hall. If you enjoy getting the nitty gritty details when exploring an art collection, you can request a reservation for private tours from their dedicated and knowledgeable staff.

The PAFA museum is closed Monday through Wednesday every week. On Thursdays and Fridays, doors are open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Weekend hours shift slightly, and the museum is open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution offers an immersive look into our country's unique history with walking and guided tours, living history demos, and the hands-on, family-friendly discovery center, Revolution Place. It's an excellent day trip for students just beginning to learn about the American Revolution, but also for history buffs, art enthusiasts, and scholars. The museum's extensive collections include:

• Personal artifacts of leaders of the revolution, soldiers, and civilians.
• Late 1700's weapons including muskets, swords, and other armaments.
• Art from the era depicting key battles, as well as portraits and posters.
• Rare documents including manuscripts, newspapers, and books.

This museum is conveniently located near Penn's Landing in the eastern portion of the city at 101 South Third Street. Visitors can enjoy special events, including classes and hands-on workshops, and the newest exhibits. Regardless of when you visit the Museum of the American Revolution, you'll leave with a deeper and more meaningful appreciation of the hardships endured and the incredible bravery of both soldiers and civilians and the devoted leaders who founded this nation.

The Museum of the American Revolution is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. To fuel your visit, enjoy a warm coffee and light snack at the museum's Cross Keys Cafe.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia

The African American Museum in Philadelphia tells the story of the African American experience in Philadelphia and the U.S. over the past several centuries. The museum’s impressive collection of art, artifacts, and memorabilia document the remarkable history, heritage, and culture of African Americans and people of the African Diaspora through four galleries of exhibits.

The permanent collection is organized chronologically so visitors can walk through the Black experience from America's pre-Colonial days through the Civil Rights movement with a key focus on family life, and the impact African Americans have had on the arts and entertainment, sports, medicine, architecture, politics, religion, law, and technology.

You can find The African American Museum at the corner of 7th and Arch Street. That's just a stone's throw from Franklin Square and the National Constitution Center in the city's Historic District.

The museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Before you go, they ask that you reserve one of the following four time slots to visit:

• 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
• 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The Franklin Institute

Have kids who love science and/or looking for the premiere technology and science museum in Philadelphia? With three stories of interactive, hands-on exhibits, a planetarium on the first floor, and an observatory on the roof, The Franklin Institute is your must-visit, science-y destination.

Be sure to visit the "heart" of the museum — literally. The iconic, two-story-high Giant Heart walkthrough exhibit has been educating visitors about the human heart and public health issues for more than 50 years. It even features sounds of a real human heartbeat so you can see if your heartbeats are in synch with the display.

You can explore the museum solo or register as a group. Be sure to sign up for the fun and impressive live science demonstrations, such as their liquid air or combustion shows, making the museum the ideal spot for families and friends to enjoy together.

The Franklin Institute is located at 222 North 20th Street and takes up an entire city block. Visit any day of the week from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a convenient, designated parking garage right off North 21st Street.

The Rosenbach Museum & Library

The Rosenbach is among the most treasured museums in the Philadelphia area. Its stunning collection of rare art , furniture, and manuscripts will transport you to a different time. And for all the big readers out there, its renowned research library is home to hundreds of rare books you can peruse to your heart's content. Literature lovers, keep your eyes peeled for collections that include works by Bram Stoker, Lewis Carroll, and Charles Dickens.

Founded in 1954 by renowned fine art and book dealers Dr. A.S.W. and Philip Rosenbach, The Rosenbach is situated in a row of historic 19th-century townhomes. You'll find the beautiful brick building at 2008-2010 Delancey Place in Center City West, just a few blocks away from Rittenhouse Square.

The Rosenbach is open Thursday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Their Sunday hours are shortened by just an hour and a half, opening at 10:30 a.m. and closing at 4:30 p.m. Visitors are strongly encouraged to pre-register for timed tickets online.

Please Touch Museum

If you're looking for cool museums in Philadelphia that are kid-friendly and interactive, you've got to check out the Please Touch Museum . While other institutions discourage and often prohibit visitors from getting too close to the displays, the Please Touch Museum encourages kids to get physical and interact with nearly everything on display.

In addition to three separate toddler zones, kids can have fun exploring these interactive exhibit zones at the Please Touch Museum:

• Roadside Attractions
• Flight Fantasy
• City Capers
• Wonderland Centennial Exploration
• River Adventures

The museum is located in Memorial Hall at 4231 Avenue of the Republic in Fairmount Park near the Schuylkill River. You can tour on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Sunday hours are shortened to 11 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. You can reserve your spot online for children older than one year.

Eastern State Penitentiary

With crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers, the nearly two-century-old Eastern State Penitentiary is one of the most haunting and memorable museums in Philadelphia. About 85,000 people were imprisoned behind its walls before it closed in 1970 — some famous, some infamous, but most whose names are lost to history.

Visitors can explore the remnants of this empty, haunting world of grand architecture and America's most historic prison by taking a daytime tour where you can see gangster Al Capone's furnished cell during his eight-month stay at the prison, complete with fine furniture, oriental rugs, and cabinet radio. For a truly creepy, fright-filled, and fun evening experience, you can visit Eastern State Penitentiary for their Halloween Nights experience in October.

You can find Eastern State Penitentiary at 2027 Fairmount Avenue. Visitors can tour Eastern State daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Independence Hall

No trip to Philadelphia is complete without touring Independence Hall , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beacon of freedom for the world and icon of American democracy is where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were drafted, debated, and signed by the nation's Founding Fathers.

The key stop on the half-hour tour is the Assembly Room where all the action in the nation’s founding took place. The room is set up just as it was in 1776 (or as close as historians have surmised), complete with George Washington’s famous “Rising Sun” chair.

There are a few things to know before you go. Unless you’re touring the building in January or February, you’ll need to present a timed ticket obtained beforehand . The tickets are free, but there is a $1 handling charge. You can print your tickets or have a digital copy ready on your phone. It's also a good idea to arrive about 30 minutes before your tour because everyone is required to go through a security screening.

You can find Independence Hall at 520 Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th Streets, in Philadelphia. It is open for daily tours from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tours last about 20 minutes, so Independence Hall is a fantastic place to explore if you have limited time in the city.

Science History Institute

If you are a chemistry or engineering enthusiast looking for fun museums in Philadelphia, you'll marvel at the hidden circumstances of some of the most important moments of discovery at the Science History Institute Museum and Library , which shines a spotlight on overlooked stories of scientific innovations. Fine art, instruments, artifacts, and an oversized mass spectrometer are just a few of the items you can expect to uncover. You can also access preserved documents and photographs of significant individuals throughout scientific history.

This museum is not just for adult science enthusiasts. Kids will also enjoy an afternoon exploring a wide range of scientific concepts, from vaccinations to rare elements. Visit the museum on Saturday for a family-friendly program that highlights the many strange and surprising stories from the history of science, with fun, interactive activities designed for science lovers of all ages.

The Science History Institute is located at 315 Chesnut Street on the eastern side of Philly. Admission is free for all visitors. You can tour the museum Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Most visitors spend about an hour or two, exploring the permanent and rotating exhibits.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the very best Philadelphia museums. From its iconic “Rocky” steps to its 200 galleries housing the museum’s remarkable collection of masterpieces, the museum will delight art lovers and those who simply enjoy looking at pretty (amazing) pictures. The building itself is a treat to experience as one of Philadelphia’s major landmarks.

The museum’s collections feature the works of artists from throughout the world and range from the “old masters” to today’s contemporary artists, with African and African Diasporic art one of their newest collections. The tens of thousands of objects that comprise their collections include sculptures, textiles (including Grace Kelly’s royal wedding dress) and other decorative arts, prints, drawings, and photographs.

You can find the main building at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway near the Schuylkill River in downtown Philly and visit the museum anytime between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visitors can enjoy a pay-what-you-wish admission on Friday nights and the first Sunday of each month.

Mütter Museum

The Mütter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia is not for the faint of heart. Its exhibits are the most novel and mesmerizing of the downtown Philly museums. If you are deeply interested in anatomy and medical history (and have a strong stomach), this is the destination for you.

With the tagline "disturbingly informative," you can probably guess the museum showcases a wide range of astonishing but sometimes hard-to-look-at medical artifacts. You can expect to see real human body parts, anatomical marvels, and shocking medical instruments from the “dark ages” of medicine.

You can find the Mütter Museum in the heart of Philly at 19 South 22nd Street. They are open Wednesday through Monday, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Visitors can also visit the Historical Medical Library on the weekends with the same operational hours.

Barnes Foundation

The Barnes Foundation is one of the best museums in Philly for European art lovers. Their impressive collection of paintings includes multiple works by some of the world's most famous and renowned painters. Even people who aren't typically "wowed" by museums will likely find themselves breathless seeing art by Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse, Modigliani, and Picasso!

It is worth the trip just to see the unique way the artwork is displayed. Unlike most museums where art is labeled and displayed by artist, genre, or time period, the works at the Barnes Foundation are arranged in ensembles that emphasize visual relationships between light, color, lines, and space. Here you are likely to see a work by one of the great masters hung alongside African masks, native American jewelry, Greek antiquities, or decorative metalwork, just as the museum’s founder, Dr. Albert C. Barnes, visualized.

To get the most out of your visit, plan to take one of their guided tours or use your smartphone and their mobile gallery guide, Barnes Focus, to learn more about a specific piece of art on your own.

You can find this museum located at 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the heart of Philadelphia, just a three-minute walk from The Franklin Institute. The Barnes Foundation opens its doors Thursday through Monday, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Members who pay an annual fee can enjoy early members-only access from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. along with other member benefits.

National Constitution Center

The National Constitution Center is one of the best Philly museums for history buffs and those interested in the U.S. Constitution and how it has influenced, informed, and guided the nation for more than two and a half centuries. Here, you can take a deep dive into the nation’s founding and history with rare artifacts and manuscripts to peruse and the live performance, Freedom Rising, described as "the best 17-minute civics lesson in the country" and the perfect place to start your museum experience.

Be sure to visit Signers Hall with its 42 life-size bronze statues of America's Founding Fathers. The statues recreate the final day of the Constitutional Convention with each statue in a life-like pose. There is also a display dedicated to Alexander Hamilton — perfect for all the "Hamilton" fans among us. You can grab a snack or lunch from a variety of on-site options, including a coffee shop and a few cafes.

The National Constitution Center is located at 525 Arch Street on the eastern side of Philadelphia. They are open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The Academy of Natural Sciences

If you love learning about wildlife and the marvels of the natural world, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is one of the best museums in Philly. Consider this museum your window into the wilderness. Many of their exhibits are kid-friendly and highly interactive, bringing science to life and sparking meaningful conversations.

There is so much to do at The Academy of Natural Sciences . You can tour a room with massive dinosaur skeletons or explore a display to help you visualize the wild food chain. On weekends, kids can become amateur paleontologists with fossil brush in hand to dig for dinosaur bones at The Big Dig.

The Academy of Natural Sciences is located near Logan Square at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia and just a five-minute walk to the Franklin Institute and a six-minute walk to the Barnes Foundation. The museum is open Wednesday through Friday, starting at 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., with weekend hours from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m.

Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

If you ever wanted to peer inside a super-high-performance Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley, Porsche, Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford, or other of the world’s greatest racing cars, a visit to the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum clearly should be at the top on your “must-visit” and lifetime bucket list.

With the theme "The Spirit of Competition,” they are passionately devoted to preserving and showcasing the evolution of these “magnificent machines.” Organized largely by race course to show how competition has led to substantial improvements in car design and performance, many of the 75 cars in their outstanding collection have appeared in at least one race, with the earliest a 1907 Renault 35/45 Vanderbilt Racer and 16 cars that have raced at Le Mans.

Located at 6825 Norwitch Drive in South Philly near the Philadelphia Airport in a former engine manufacturing plant, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is also home to one of the largest specialized collections of automotive books, periodicals, and photographs in their research library.

The museum and its accompanying library are open Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. They also host Demo Day on two Saturdays each month, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. where you can see high-value classic cars in action. It may make the perfect Father's Day excursion!

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The 21 best Philadelphia museums

The City of Brotherly Love is home to an astounding number of cultural offerings: here are the best Philadelphia museums

No visit to the City of Brotherly Love is complete until you’ve wandered inside at least a few of the best Philadelphia museums. And, given the diversity we’ve got going on in town, you’ll never have to worry about finding one that you like.  

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway—a work of art in itself—is ground zero when you want to ogle art (and, yes, the Rocky Statue) by the world’s most famous creatives, like Picasso, Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo. Looking for history? Find it in spades in Old City, where the revolutionary era comes alive in a handful of high-tech museums that are fun for grownups and kids alike. The campus of the University of Pennsylvania is also home to a diverse group of destinations—including a couple of underrated gems that are absolutely free to enter.

Feel up on some cheesesteak at the best restaurants in town and then get ready to peruse the city’s top cultural offerings.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Philadelphia

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Philadelphia museums

1.  Philadelphia Museum of Art

• Art and design
• Ben Franklin Parkway - Kelly Drive

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is perhaps more widely known for its role in Rocky , but it’s so much more than that. Overlooking the Schuylkill River, this crown jewel on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway wows with a world-class art collection that spans the ages—from medieval relics to seminal Impressionist works and colorful wonders from the Modern era. Its permanent collection boasts masterworks by Picasso, Van Gogh, Brancusi, Kahlo, Duchamp and more, but blockbuster special exhibitions held throughout the year bring in even more pieces of must-see art from around the globe. Your ticket grants you two-day access to PMA, the Rodin Museum, Cedar Grove and the next-door Perelman Building, which holds the art museum’s acclaimed fashion and textile collection and features displays of prints, drawings, photographs and modern design.

2.  Barnes Foundation

• Greater Philadelphia

Step inside this modern marvel of architectural design to explore the renowned art collection of Albert C. Barnes, a wealthy chemist who made his fortune by inventing a medicine called Argyrol. Barnes amassed one of the world’s leading collections of works by impressionist and modernist masters, including Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Pierre-August Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Henri Rousseau. With so many noteworthy artists, it’s no wonder that the museum’s 4,000 holdings are worth an estimated $25 billion. Check out the 2013 documentary The Art of the Steal for more on the Barnes’ fascinating backstory.

3.  Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

• Middle City East

You’ll know you’ve found the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) on Broad Street when you spot a 51-foot-high inverted paintbrush and a crashed fighter jet stuck in the pavement. These works, respectively by Claes Oldenburg and PAFA alumnus Jordan Griska, are dramatically installed on the plaza outside the elegant Victorian-era museum and art school that opened in 1805. The destination takes the viewer on a chronologically arranged tour of American art from the 1760s to today, with works by notable art all-stars, such as Benjamin West, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, Alice Neel, Jennifer Bartlett, Alex Katz and Frank Stella. That's in addition to an itinerary of well-thought-out special exhibitions happening throughout the year.

4.  Penn Museum

• University City

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, familiarly known as the Penn Museum, houses a staggering one million objects—including art and fascinating relics from far-flung lands, such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia, the Middle East and ancient Greece and Italy. The star of the show is the Egyptian gallery with its 15-ton granite sphinx, ancient hieroglyph-inscribed columns and mummies. The Chinese rotunda, with a soaring ceiling that stretches to 90 feet, houses sculptures and the famous Qing Dynasty 55-pound flawless crystal ball. Wander down hallways and discover treasures in the Etruscan, African, Greek and Canaan galleries that will bring out your inner explorer. Also, don’t miss the spectacular artifacts, jewels and the famed Ram-in-the-Thicket statuette in the newly remodeled Middle Eastern galleries.

5.  Mütter Museum

• Science and technology
• Center City West

This is invariably the museum that out-of-town guests beg to be taken to when visiting Philadelphia. It houses a curious collection of antique medical oddities, deformed organs floating in jars of formaldehyde, and anatomical specimens and wax models. Get, as the museum touts, “disturbingly informed” as you ogle the 200-year-old conjoined liver of Siamese twins Chang and Eng Bunker, slices of Albert Einstein’s brain and the famed “Soap Lady,” a woman from around here whose body was exhumed in 1875 after being encased in a bizarre soaplike fatty substance. If that’s not enough to scare you away, maybe the interactive exhibit that lets you experience what it’s like to have your arm amputated will.

6.  Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

• Bainbridge St Booksellers Row

You can’t miss this imaginative museum on South Street, with its facade—and even some surrounding buildings—plastered with bits of colored glass and shards, broken ceramics and even bicycle wheels. The experience continues inside, as you wind your way through mosaicked hallways and step into glistening courtyards. The labyrinthine museum is the product of the insanely creative mind of local artist Isaiah Zagar, who’s gone on to contribute hundreds of mosaics throughout South Philadelphia. See how many you can spot while you’re strolling around the area.

7.  Eastern State Penitentiary

• Attractions
• Historic buildings and sites
• Fairmount District

Once the world’s most expensive prison, Eastern State Penitentiary is now a fascinating museum, charting nearly 150 years of criminal history. The imposing fortress closed its doors in 1971, but not before it held renowned inmates like Al Capone and Slick Willie Sutton, who famously tunneled out of the prison in 1945. Guests are able to walk through the creepy halls and peek into the empty cells, all while listening to a Steve Buscemi-narrated audio guide. If you’re here in the fall—and brave enough—the facility turns into a monstrous haunted attraction called Terror Behind the Walls, which offers multiple haunted experiences and a pop-up bar near Capone’s former holding cell.

8.  Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is where you go if you want to see ultra-contemporary, experimental works and installations. The compact museum has been mounting exhibitions of works by major contemporary artists since its opening in 1963, when it vowed to bring in what was “new and happening on the art scene.” Andy Warhol presented his first-ever solo museum show here in 1965. Since then, the ICA has added artists like Robert Mapplethorpe, Laurie Anderson, Glenn Ligon, Agnes Martin, Damian Ortega, Pepon Osorio and Lisa Yuskavage to its impressive roster. Another thing: the ICA is absolutely free, so stop in and get your culture fix completely gratis.

9.  Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution is a fun, high-tech addition to the city’s historic offerings—and it’s a blast to explore for kids and adults alike. Located in Old City, where the rumblings of revolution began, the place boasts weaponry displays, interactive experiences and thousands of artifacts from the colonial era—including the tent George Washington used as his headquarters from 1778 to 1783.

10.  National Museum of American Jewish History

Rising dramatically above Independence Mall in Old City, this sharp, modern museum utilizes thousands of artifacts, papers, photos and films to tell the story of being Jewish in America—beginning at the time Jews arrived here in 1654 and moving through the present day. The experience includes creative, interactive exhibits, like a booth where you can record you own story, and famous artifacts from Jews who have made an impact on American life and culture. You can check out a costume Barbra Streisand wore in the cult-fave 1980s musical Yentl , Stephen Spielberg’s first camera and a pipe that once rested on Albert Einstein’s brilliant kisser.

11.  National Constitution Center

For better or worse, politics is a hot topic these days—all the more reason to make sure you know your rights. Get started at the National Constitution Center, devoted to telling the story of the U.S. Constitution—which was drafted and signed just across Market Street in Independence Hall. Learning is fun here, with high-tech exhibits—both permanent and temporary—interactive displays and historic artifacts. A display of life-size bronze statues of all 42 of the Constitution signers is great fodder for your Instagram feed, because who wouldn’t like a selfie with a founding father?

12.  Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

• Natural history
• Parkway Museums

This spot on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a no-brainer for kids, with its towering dinosaur skeletons, hands-on fossil digs and animal dioramas, but it’s a must for lovers of natural history as well. Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences is home to 18 million plant and animal specimens—both living and long-dead. There are more than 30 dinosaur and Mesozoic reptile species, including a fully constructed Tyrannosaurus rex; an exhibit where you can walk among a myriad of fluttering butterflies from around the world; and a hall filled with dozens of dioramas from the 1930s and ’40s, including Kodiak bears, bison, moosn, zebras, gorillas, tigers and pandas.

13.  The Franklin Institute

• Logan Square

If your kid can’t find something at this science museum to get excited about, you better check their pulse. Step inside the rotunda to greet a 20-foot-high marble statue of Benjamin Franklin, the museum’s namesake, before zooming in to explore room upon room of fun, interactive exhibits in this historic—and super hands-on—science museum. Permanent exhibitions and attractions include the four-story Foucault’s Pendulum; a giant heart that you can walk through and hear pulsing with blood; the 350-ton Baldwin steam locomotive and the 1948 T-33 Shooting Star jet. While a lot of this is for kids—and kids at heart—adults can find plenty to love in two Escape Rooms, the Fels Planetarium and a host of virtual reality experiences.

14.  Mummers Museum

• Special interest

Venture into South Philly and pay the cheap $5 admission to learn all about one of the city’s most time-honored, kooky traditions: the Philadelphia Mummers. For nearly 120 years, the New Year’s Day Mummers Parade has featured dozens of Mummer troupes made up of men, women and children who wear over-the-top costumes and put on outlandish musical shows for spectators lined up along Broad Street. The Mummers Museum delves deeper into the history of the trend with a colorful collection of costumes, videos and a demonstration on how to do the “Mummers Strut.” Keep in mind the venue is only open Wednesdays through Sundays.

15.  Arthur Ross Gallery

Situated in a gothic Victorian library on the University of Pennsylvania campus, the 2,000-square-foot Arthur Ross Gallery is free and open to the public. Named after the New York investor, philanthropist and Penn graduate who founded it in 1983, the gallery showcases works from Penn’s collection in addition to four major exhibitions each year. The thoughtfully curated shows embrace a variety of cultures and mediums—from photography to painting and sculpture.

16.  African American Museum in Philadelphia

Learn about African American contributions to culture and art in the U.S. at this modest Old City museum that’s located just a few blocks from Independence Hall. The story unfolds through interactive computer displays, photographs, videos and an impressive lineup of rotating special exhibitions that explore the African American experience through fine art, multimedia storytelling and historic artifacts shipped in from across the country.

17.  Woodmere Art Museum

• St Pauls Church

The trip to Chestnut Hill is totally worth it, if only to spend an afternoon art-peeping at the Woodmere Art Museum. Housed in a charming 19th-century stone mansion, the museum has an easily browsable nine galleries that spotlight Philadelphia art, artists and classic paintings and sculptures from the 6,000-works-strong permanent collection.

18.  Fabric Workshop and Museum

This contemporary art center just around the corner from Reading Terminal showcases art made with new materials and media. Shows include anything from sculpture to works on fabric to architectural exhibitions and video installations. Another perk? Admission is totally free.

19.  United States Mint

Philadelphia’s mint does not print paper money, but it does stamp coins by the tens of millions per day. The free self-guided tour explains what the process entails from start to finish as well as how it has all changed from earlier days. Along the way, kids will get to design their own virtual coins, try to lift a sack of nickels and see what happens to all the money that falls off the conveyor belts.

20.  Science History Institute

Catch up on all the lessons you slept through in science class at this Old City museum that was founded to preserve and explore the history of science and teach the indelible impact that it has had on humankind throughout the ages. Step inside to look through one of the most renowned collections of rare books on chemistry, a host of historic scientific instruments and works that merge the worlds of science and modern art.

21.  Fireman’s Hall Museum

• Elfreth's Alley

Just outside of Old City, this restored firehouse offers close-up looks at antique fire trucks as well as artifacts rescued from some well-known fire-related events. Upstairs, look through old ship registers and get up close and personal with some of the many antique fire extinguishers on display. This is a free self-guided tour not to miss—especially if you have little ones in tow.

Museum-hopping on a budget?

Check out our guide to the best free things to do in Philly

• Things to do

Many of the museums on this list offer free or deeply discounted nights throughout the week or month.

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Art museums in Philadelphia

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All art museums and attractions to visit in Philadelphia

Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) has a lot to offer for art lovers. Below we list all 18 art museums that are located in Philadelphia.

Do you like art and are you looking for the best art museums to visit in Philadelphia? These are the ones:

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Rodin Museum

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Barnes Foundation

African American Museum In Philadelphia

Institute of Contemporary Art

Philadelphia Center For Architecture

Mount Pleasant

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Powel House

Hill-physick House

Portrait Gallery In the Second Bank

Perelman Building - Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art

Rosenwald-wolf gallery, romanian folk art museum, la salle university art museum.

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Best museums

Best museums in united states, best museums in pennsylvania, best museums in pittsburgh.

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Best Art Museums In Philadelphia, Art Lover’s Guide

When it comes to art, Philly is an absolute treasure trove. To my mind, the only city that beats it is New York City. In Philly, you’ll find art museums catering to every taste and preference.

In this article, I’ll delve into the best art museums in the city, from large to small. I give you an overview of the museums, their collections, and identify the must see masterpieces.

Take a close look at the opening hours of each museum, some of which vary drastically. For example, some (but not all) of the museums are closed on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

Many of these museums are included in the  Philadelphia Go City Pass . So if you’re planning to visit a few of them, along with Philadelphia’s historic sites , it may be worthwhile to invest in the pass.

Best Art Museums In Philadelphia

So, here we go art lovers. These are the art museums you need to see in Philadelphia.

1. Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest and most famous art museums in the country. it’s one of the city’s most prominent landmarks and known for its iconic “Rocky Steps.”

Inside, you’ll find an extensive collection of art spanning various cultures and time periods. The museum is celebrated for its impressive collection of American and European art.

Among its American treasures, you’ll find a remarkable assemblage of American masterpieces by the likes of Thomas Eakins, Charles Wilson Peale, Jonathan Singleton Copley, Mary Cassatt, and Benjamin West.

The museum also houses an impressive collection of Medieval art, British art, and Asian art.

It’s especially strong in Impressionist works, with pieces by Monet, Manet, Renoir, Pissarro, and Degas. And it has Post-Impressionist pieces by the likes of Van Gogh and Cezanne.

The must see masterpieces include Cezanne’s Large Bathers , Van Gogh’s Sunflowers , Roger van der Weyden’s  The Crucifixion , Rubens’  Prometheus Unbound , and Marcel Duchamp’s Nude Descending a Staircase .

This is a massive museum. You probably can’t cover it all in one day without some museum fatigue. Fortunately, a ticket gives you admission for 48 hours so you can break up your visit.

• Address : 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Hours : The museum is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The other days of the week the museum is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Friday night, it’s open until 8:45 m.
• Tickets : Adults $30, seniors $28, students $14, under 18 free

2. Barnes Foundation

Coming in at #2 is the amazing Barnes Foundation . It’s a unique museum renowned for its exceptional collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early Modernist paintings.

The Barnes Foundation was founded and curated by Albert C. Barnes. It started out as an “art class” of sorts. Barnes would only let in people he approved of to see his private collection. This turned out to be mostly ordinary folks, not anyone he deemed an art critic or art snob.

When Barnes died, he left his private collection to a trust and stipulated that it could never be changed or altered. The paintings are hung according to Barnes’ original vision, with the theme of visual connections between the art. They are hung chock-a-block on top of each other in rather haphazard fashion.

As a result, the museum is a one of a kind experience. The only other museum like it is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston .

As you walk from room to room, you will come upon masterpieces by Cezanne, Matisse, Renoir, Degas, Picasso, Soutine, Modigliani, and Van Gogh. In my opinion, the Matisse works are the best.

The real showstoppers in the collection include Cezanne’s Card Player s, Van Gogh’s Postman and Smoker , Modigliani’s Portrait of a Red Haired Woman , and Matisse’s The Joy of Lif e and The Dance .

It’s a small museum that you could cover in an hour or so. But if you really want to check everything out, plan on 2 hours.

There are no label or information panels. But there are “cheat sheets” with the paintings identified and marked in benches in each room.

• Address : 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
• Hours : Thursday through Monday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed Tuesday
• Tickets : $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $5 for college students & under 18

3. Rodin Museum

The Rodin Museum features a remarkable collection of sculptures by the renowned French artist Auguste Rodin. It’s the second largest collection of the artist’s artworks in the US.

Rodin never visited the US. But US collectors were gaga over his artworks. Like Michelangelo, his rippling muscly sculptures evoked life’s struggles — love, heartbreak, death, and misfortune.

The museum is housed in a gorge Beaux Arts building right on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Yet, it’s surrounded by gardens and feels tucked away and serene.

The building was designed by architect Paul Cret and completed in 1929. The Neo-Classical design was inspired by the Hôtel Biron in  Paris , which served as Rodin’s studio and now houses  Paris’ Rodin Museum .

In fact, this art museum in Philly was established just 10 years after the Paris museum, and it’s a similar visiting experience, like stepping into a serene oasis.

The museum is small and can be covered in an hour or so. Yet, it’s home to some of Rodin’s greatest sculptures — The Thinker , The Burgers of Calais , Adam, The Three Shades , and The Gates of Hell .

If you’ve purchased a ticket to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you’ll have free admission here.

• Address : 2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
• Hours : Closed Tuesday through Thursday. Open the other days from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Tickets : Admission is pay what you can, but they suggest $15 for adults and $14 for seniors. They definitely expect you to pay.

4. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is the oldest art museum and academy in the United States. It’s an off the beaten track museum for art aficionados where you can admire great art without bumping elbows with fellow visitors.

The museum’s permanent collection is internationally known for its 19th and 20th century paintings and sculptures. The museum is especially strong in early American art, with many iconic images of the Founding Fathers.

It’s housed in one of the most beautiful museums I’ve ever stepped into. A Victorian concoction with a three story stairway, colorful interior, and gorgeous marble floors

You’ll find works by Mary Cassatt, Benjamin West, Winslow Homer, Gilbert Stuart, and Thomas Eakins to name just a few.

The most famous paintings are Thomas Eakin’s The Gross Clinic , Gilbert Stewart’s George Washington (The Landsdowne Portrait ), and David Martin’s Portrait of Benjamin Franklin .

In an adjacent building, the museum shows off its contemporary art. Many of the artworks on display are by students of the academy.

The museum hosts temporary exhibitions as well. Right now, the exhibition Rising Sun has taken over the whole museum.

• Address : 118-128 Broad Street
• Hours : Thursday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 p. Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Tickets : $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and students. $10 under 18. The museum is free on Sundays.

5. The Institute of Contemporary Art

The ICA is a cutting-edge institution dedicated to showcasing contemporary and experimental art in all mediums.

It was founded in 1963 by the dean of the School of Fine Art, who wanted to expose students to the “new and happening” in the art world. In 1965, the institute hosted the first solo show by Andy Warhol , one which propelled him to superstardom.

Today, the museum is a “crucible of creativity” committed to pushing the boundaries of contemporary art and promoting under-recognized artists.

It’s a rather tiny space. Yet, despite its small size, it puts on some big, risky exhibitions. In fact, the ICA may outdo larger, more well known museums when it comes to putting on an edgy show.

• Address : 118 South 36th Street
• Hours : Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
• Tickets : Free

6. Woodmere Art Museum

The Woodmere Art Museum is a cultural institution located in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. It’s a lovely location, housed in a 19th century stone mansion surrounded by 6 acres of lawns and trees.

It features an impressive collection of works by Philadelphia artists, including the Pennsylvania Impressionists. The core of the collection is the gift of Charles Knox Smith.

His collection was particularly strong in Hudson River paintings.

Smith donated works by Benjamin West, Rembrandt Peale, Gabriele Schachinger, and Thomas Sully. Be sure to admire the lovely marble sculpture of the The Flute player .

There are also works by Violet Oakley, Edward Redfield, Nelson Shanks, Antonio Pietro Martino, and Daniel Garber.

If you like Impressionism, this is an excellent venue. And it will be much less crowded than the Barnes Foundation.

• Address : 9201 Germantown Avenue
• Hours : Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00pm
• Tickets : $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, students and youths free. You can reserve a $35 guided docent tour online in advance.

7. Second Bank of the United States

The Second Bank of the United States is often referred to as the “Second Bank Portrait Gallery” due to its significant collection of portraits.

It’s not a traditional art museum but rather a historic site that houses a notable collection of 18th and 19th century portraits of prominent individuals from American history.

You’ll see key figures from the American Revolution, early American government, and intellectual circles of the time.

To me, portraits are so revelatory. I’d rather see a portrait first and then go read a biography.

A whopping 84 paintings are by one of America’s greatest and earliest portraitists, Charles Willson Peale.

The most famous ones are his portraits of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson. 

• Address : 420 Chestnut Street
• Hours : Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

8. The James A. Michener Art Museum

Located in nearby Doylestown in Bucks County, the Michener Art Museum is a regional museum housing a collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings.

You’ve heard of the novelist James Michener, right? The Pulitzer Prize winning author didn’t just write; he collected art.

The Michener museum is located in a former Victorian era town jail and was endowed by Michener. It’s a beautiful building actually, in an Italianate style with some medieval details. At the entrance, you’ll see the impressive sculpture Waif’s Anchor .

Like the PA Academy of Arts, it’s a collection focused on American artists. There are works in all mediums, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and folk art.

One of the museum’s highlights is its collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings, featuring works by notable artists such as Edward Redfield and Daniel Garber. There are also modern works by Franz Kline and Grace Hartigan.

The museum also recreates the writer’s Bucks County office, including his writing desk and typewriter.

The museum holds special temporary exhibits. And you can also wander through the Patricia D. Pfundt Sculpture Garden.

• Address : 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown PA 18901
• Hours : Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Tickets : $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $8 for colleges students, $5 for under 18

9. Arthur Ross Gallery

The Arthur Ross gallery is part of the University of Pennsylvania. It’s named in honor of Arthur Ross, a philanthropist and art collector. The museum is situated in a gorgeous Victorian library on campus.

The gallery is as an important cultural and educational resource within the university community. Its mission is to provide a platform for the exhibition of visual art, both from the university’s collections and on loan from other institutions.

This is where you come to see exciting temporary exhibitions. The museum puts on four major exhibitions per year. Coming up is an exhibition of Francisco Goya prints from the Ross collection.

• Address : 224 South 34th Street. Housed in the Fisher Fine Arts Library building.
• Hours : Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Closed Monday.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the best art museums in Philadelphia. You may enjoy these other Philadelphia travel guides.

• 2 Days in Philadelphia Itinerary
• Top Attractions in Philadelphia
• Guide to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Guide to Philadelphia’s Rodin Museum
• Guide to Eastern State Penitentiary
• Guide to Independence National Historical Park
• Guide to the Betsy Ross House
• Guide to the Mutter Museum
• Guide to The Barnes Foundation
• Best history museums in Philadelphia

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Last Updated on September 28, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

O. Christine

The Art Lover’s Guide to Philadelphia: 18 Places You Can’t Miss

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This article’s recommendations may include affiliate links.

Disclosure: A few of the aforementioned places were visited during my Philadelphia press trip with Visit Philly. Visit my  Travel Instagram account  for more photos from the trip.

Originally the land of Lenape Indians , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a bucket list city for every U.S. history fanatic. From battles and the Liberty Bell to the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, some of our young country’s most taught history is rooted in the city of Philadelphia.

Less than four hundred years later — after industrial and railroad booms, the great migration, and many established colleges and universities — Philadelphia is now home to 1.5 million people and visited by 41 million, each year. 

A city that so many adore, Philadelphia offers plenty for every type of visitor — especially art enthusiasts. From street art to museums, music, and dance, if you love art in every form, there is much to see and do during your visit to Philly.

Here are 18 of the top Philly Culture activities + locations to visit:

Celebrate Afro Latinx Heritage in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is home to the second largest population of Puerto Ricans, after NYC. During and after the great migration (in which six million African Americans left the rural south), there was a Puerto Rican migration to Philadelphia from both Puerto Rico and New York.

Today, they make up 75% of Philly’s Latino residents and help spearhead much of the area’s Hispanic and Latino arts and cultural events (like the free annual Feria del Barrio during Hispanic Heritage Month).

During your visit to Philadelphia, celebrate diverse Latino roots by attending plays led and performed by Afro-Latinos, concerts celebrating music from the Diaspora, and more. For a lineup of Afro-Latino and Taino happenings, visit AfroTaino Production’s calendar of events  or sign up for Taller Puertorriqueño’s events and workshops . 

📍 Taller Puertorriqueno :  2600 N 5th S

Transport to a Magical Garden

I can’t believe it took me so long to visit Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, but alas — part of my reluctant adulting journey is to realize when I’ve made a mistake.

If you love art even a little , Isaiah Zagar’s Magic Gardens will transport you to a mosaic Narnia. From its breathtaking basement mosaic to its outdoor maze designed with glass, mirror, and ceramic tiles, Magic Gardens has a way of enchanting seemingly mundane props.

Pricing starts at $8 for adults. Visit the Magic Gardens website for visitor information.

📍 Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens:   1020 South St

Jam with local musicians 

Whether you attend the annual Root’s Picnic jam session with big-name celebrities or swing by a speakeasy for an evening of soothing tunes, Philadelphia is a music hot spot; you must see at least one performance during your visit.

The Curtis Institute of Music hosts their Student Recital Series at Field Concert Hall (open to the public for free) and many dining establishments include live music. 

During my last couple of visits to Philadelphia, I enjoyed a dinner-jazz jam sesh while dining at Heritage  restaurant in Northern Liberties (musicians signed up to collaborate on the spot). Before that, I vibed to Mason x FortuneWest and The Ones Group at Milkboy , a bar-restaurant and live music venue. 

📍 Curtis Institute of Music :  1726 Locust St 📍Heritage :  914 N. 2nd St 📍 Milkboy :  1100 Chestnut St

Enjoy a day exploring Philly murals

Is Philadelphia home to the most murals in the country? Unofficially — absolutely! Thanks to Mural Arts  (a local art program part of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network since 1984), striking murals brighten Philly’s urban streets like daisies — and everyone loves it ! 

These murals transform public spaces and offer opportunities to professional artists, prosecuted graffiti artists, and underserved communities.

Take a self-guided mural tour along the Mural Mile, both north and south of Market Street or book online to join one of their many guided theme tours  (I’m obsessed with these murals honoring women ). 

📍 Tours depart from :  128 N. Broad St

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Tour Philadelphia’s historical architecture

Philadelphia’s streets are brimming with well-preserved architecture; eye candy for art lovers who live for structural design. 

While you are in Philly be sure to soak in the grandeur of City Hall, the United States’ largest municipal building; climb (via elevator) to the top of One Liberty Observation Deck for sweet art installations and a bird’s-eye view of the city (you can spot Two Liberty Place: Philly’s first skyscraper taller than William Penn’s city hall statue); and head to Elfreth’s Alley : our nation’s oldest residential street. 

📍 Philadelphia City Hall:   1401 John F Kennedy Blvd 📍 One Liberty Observation Deck :  1650 Market St 📍 Elfreth’s Alley: Elfreth’s Alley at N. 2nd St

Buy from local Philly Artisans

There won’t be a shortage of local buys during your visit to Philadelphia, thanks to the many indie artisans selling handmade goods, jewelry, and artwork. Buy a statement piece (or five) while dining at the famous Reading Terminal Market, or browse jewelry, paintings, and book collections along Antique Row.

While there stop by Women-owned and Black-owned Philly restaurant , Sweet T’s Bakery: it is the first Black-owned bakery to be in the terminal market since it opened over 100 years ago.

📍 Reading Terminal Market : 12th and Arch 📍 Antique Row : 9-13th Streets

Celebrate African and African American Art in Philadelphia

It is no secret that African-American talent, innovation, and intellect breathe life into the city of Philadelphia (and this country). While visiting some of the art world’s most prestigious names, be sure to check out equally impressive African and African-American artwork throughout Philadelphia.

The Barnes Foundation , for instance, was one of the first collectors to showcase African art among its impressionist and modern works, dating back to the early 1900’s. Its displays show how African art influenced artists like Picasso. In Center City,  Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts  was the first art museum and art school in the United States.

The artistic splendor doesn’t stop there: the Philadelphia Museum of Art houses “more than 500 works by 130 African-American artists” and the Penn museum offers archeological art and artifacts from around the world, including a 12-ton Egyptian sphinx.

For a celebration of community-driven art by African American curators visit Rush Arts Philadelphia , a gallery co-founded by Run DMC’s Rev Run in Northern Philadelphia. 

📍 The Barnes Foundation :  2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy 📍 The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts :  118-128 N Broad St 📍 Philadelphia Museum of Art:   2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy 📍Penn Museum :  3260 South St 📍 Rush Arts Philadelphia :  4954 Old York Rd

Fall in love with Philly and flaunt it!

You can’t leave Philly without taking a photo with Robert Indiana’s iconic “LOVE” and “AMOR” sculptures. Both at different points of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the works are quintessential Philly and an Instagram *must*.

You can find the “LOVE” sculpture at John F. Kennedy Park and — if you look close enough — you’ll notice it perfectly frames the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The “AMOR” sculpture is near The Franklin Institute at its new home, Sister Cities Park. 

📍 LOVE Park :  16th Street and JFK Boulevard 📍 AMOR, Sister Cities Park :  18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Pkwy

Where to Stay in Philly, Philadelphia Transportation Tips, & More

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Philadelphia, PA is quite easy to get to from most major cities and surrounding counties. You can arrive by car, train, bus, or air, with reasonable pricing. While there, you can get around via Uber, Lyft, city taxi, car or bike rental, Septa public transit, or on foot.  

I’ve visited Philly on Mega bus for $9 from NYC and get around on foot or by car, as an example.

Uber + Lyft Promo Codes

• Get $5 Off Your Lyft Ride:  New Lyft users can use code  OLIVIA292359  for a $5 ride credit.
• Get $5 in Uber Discounts:  New Uber users can use code  olivia p70  for $2 off each of their first three rides.

Getting around Philly on a budget

Center City’s Phlash shuttle offers a downtown loop schedule at just $5 for a day pass, during the months of May thru September, and holidays.

Artsy hotel to stay at in Philly

As part of my artsy theme, I recommend staying at the Warwick Rittenhouse : a landmark building with a bright, contemporary design that contrasts historic English Renaissance architecture. There are numerous amounts of Airbnbs to stay in as well.

Are you ready for your Philadelphia vacation?

I hope you fall in love with all things art in Philly! There is so much culture to experience. Let me know which ones you love (and other art suggestions).

In the meantime, check out my 3-day Philadelphia travel guide — perfect for a Philly weekend.  

Note: A few of the aforementioned places were visited during my Philadelphia press trip with Visit Philly. Visit my  Travel Instagram account  for more photos from the trip.

Hey Pinterest Fam!

Share this guide to Places You Can’t Miss In Philadelphia   by pinning the image below to your planning board.

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Such a gorgeous city!

Wow I’m really blown away by your picture, they’re so pretty I want to go there right now and see it by myself ! Great article, I know now why people enjoy Philadelphia !

Thanks for reading! You should definitely go!

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When you can get into Philadelphia’s best museums for free

There are plenty of options to explore the Philadelphia Museum of Art, PAFA, Barnes Foundation and more, for free.

Museums can easily become a person’s favorite place. The colors, art, history, and stories are enticing — but admission can add up. Whether you’re a local or just visiting Philadelphia, the trick is knowing the best times to snag discounted rates, attend special events, or visit on pay-as-you-wish days.

To help you get the most out of Philly’s best cultural institutions, we’ve compiled a list of local museums and how you can access them for free (or at least on the cheap).

Philadelphia Museum of Art

When it’s free: As of publication, there are currently no free-entry events planned. However, the first Sunday of the month and every Friday night, from 5 to 8:45 p.m., you can pay what you wish to enter — it must be at least $0.01.

Standard admission: $25 for adults.

Kids admission: Those 18 and under visit for free.

Student admission: $14.

Senior (65 and older) admission: $23.

Pro tip: Sunday is best for families and children. Friday evenings are better for adult visitors. Saturday afternoons tend to be the busiest. The $25 admission cost covers two days of visits.

📅 Monday-Sunday. Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. ⌚10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Saturday to Thursday), closing time extends to 8:45 p.m. on Friday. 📍2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 📞 215-763-8100, 🌐 philamuseum.org

Rodin Museum

When it’s free: Admission is always pay-what-you-wish. However, as at the Museum of Art, you can’t pay less than a cent.

Kids admission: Children under 18 enter completely free.

Suggested admission: $7 for students, $11 for seniors 65 and over, and $12 for adults.

Pro tip: In the summer, the Rodin is open late on Friday evenings for the Rodin Garden Bar. If you buy a ticket for the Art Museum, it covers your visit to the Rodin Museum.

📅 Monday-Sunday. Closed Tuesday to Thursday, ⌚10 a.m. to 5 p.m.📍2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 📞 215-763-8100, 🌐 rodinmuseum.org

Barnes Foundation

When it’s free: The first Sunday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but registration is required. The first Sunday of February will honor Black History Month with story time, performances by Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collective , and a tribute to Nina Simone. Registration opens 10 a.m. on Feb. 2. Additionally, you can expect free admission in the summer, during Barnes on the Block, but those dates are still in the works.

Standard admission: $30 for adults.

Kids admission: Children younger than 13 enter for free. Teens 13 to 18 pay $5.

Student admission: College students with ID pay $5, but you have to buy tickets over the phone.

Senior (65 and older) admission: $28.

Pro tip: According to a representative, Mondays and Thursdays are the best days to visit if you want to avoid the influx of people on the weekends.

📅 Thursday-Monday. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, ⌚11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 📍2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 📞215-278-7000, 💵 $30 for adults, 🌐 barnesfoundation.org

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

When it’s free: During Wawa Welcome America festival (late June or early July), and Collegefest (dates to be announced). The rest of the year, the Family Arts Academy program grants you museum access on select Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. for a free art workshop. PAFA alumni and military families have free admission throughout the year.

Standard admission: $18 for adults.

Kids admission: Children 12 and under get in for free; teens 13 to 18, $10.

Student admission: Free for Philadelphia Community College, Saint Joseph’s University, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Pennsylvania, University of the Arts, Ursinus College students with a valid ID. All other college students pay $15.

Senior admission: Seniors 55 and older pay $15.

Pro tip: The busiest days are Saturday and Sunday.

📅 Thursday-Sunday. Closed Monday to Wednesday,⌚10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Thursday and Friday), 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. 📍118-128 N. Broad St., 📞215-972-7600, 🌐 pafa.org

Institute of Contemporary Art

When it’s free: This museum is free at all times but if you are planning on visiting with eight or more people, you need to notify them at least 48 hours before arrival.

Pro tip: Wednesday evenings are best for special programming events, and Thursdays are reserved for more artist lectures. In March, expect a solo museum exhibition of film and video artists Terence Nance and Carolyn Lazard.

📅 Opens on March 10, Wednesday- Sunday, ⌚noon to 6 p.m.📍118 S. 36th St, 📞215-898-7108, 💵 Free, 🌐 icaphila.org

Academy of the Natural Sciences

When it’s free: Currently there are no free events during regular hours. However, the Dinos after Dark event is pay-what-you-wish one Friday a month, from 4 to 8 p.m. — the current dates are Jan. 27, Feb. 24, and March 24, with dates for the rest of the year to be announced. Technically, you can pay nothing, but the suggested donation is $10.

Standard admission: $27 for adults.

Kids admission: Children younger than 2 enter for free. Kids 2 to 12, $23; teens 13 and over pay the regular adult fee.

Student admission: Admission is free for college students during Collegefest only. Drexel University DragonCard holders enter for free year-round. All other students pay $24.

Reduced admission: Military members and seniors pay $24.

Pro tip: Buying tickets online saves you $2. If you visit the museum after 3 p.m., tickets are $10 for everyone over 2. For less crowded days, consider visiting from Wednesday to Friday. If you are looking for a quiet and relaxing museum trip, 2 p.m. is the best time, according to a museum representative.

📅 Wednesday-Sunday,⌚10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, open until 5 p.m. on weekends.📍1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 📞215-299-1000, 🌐 ansp.org

Penn Museum

When it’s free: Penn Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia patients and families, teachers, active duty military members, and veterans with IDs can visit for free all year long. If you don’t fall under any of those groups, worry not. Penn Museum will be free for a single day during Wawa Welcome America upon online advanced registration — the date has not been announced.

Standard admission: $18.

Kids admission: Children under 6 can visit for free; teens under 18, $13. In 2023, Penn is bringing back their Winter Break event, and underage children will be able to visit for free, from Dec. 26 to 29.

Student admission: Teens 13 to 19 can enter for free every Tuesday to Friday (3 to 5 p.m.), Saturday to Sunday (10 a.m.- 5 p.m.), and the first Wednesday of the month (5-8 p.m.). Tickets must be acquired at the museum, but you just need your zip code and the name of your school. College students can also enter for free on the same days except for the weekend.

Senior (65 and over) admission: $16.

Pro tip: Weekends tend to be busier, so if you are looking for a calmer visit consider going during the work week. To find free tours, keep an eye on their events calendar .

📅 Tuesday–Sunday,⌚10 a.m. to 5 p.m.📍3260 South St., 📞215-898-4000, 🌐 penn.museum

Please Touch Museum

When it’s free: Free community days are available throughout the year but the schedule for 2023 is yet to be announced. Check the museum’s event calendar .

Standard admission: General admission is $19 Monday to Thursday, and $22 Friday to Sunday.

Kids admission: Children and adult tickets cost the same. However, for children with autism, learning disabilities, and other sensory or communication needs, the Play without Boundaries program gives free admission one Sunday a month for kids and caregivers. In February and March, this will be Sunday the 19th. Registration is required.

Student admission: Philadelphia School District and public charter kindergarteners and first graders on a field trip can visit the museum for free. Check the guidelines before going.

Reduced admission: Active duty military, police, and firefighters pay $2. The general public can also visit for $2 on the first Wednesday of the month, from 4 to 7 p.m. Members of the Association of Children’s Museums can get tickets at half price.

Pro tip: Weekends tend to be busier. If you prefer lighter crowds, consider visiting Monday through Friday, particularly in the morning. Tickets are only available online. Tickets are $3 more from Friday to Sunday.

📅 Monday – Sunday. Closed on Tuesday,⌚ 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., opens at 11 a.m. on Sunday. 📍Memorial Hall, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, 📞215-581-3181, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org

Museum of the American Revolution

When it’s free: The second Sunday of each month, people who want a sensory-friendly experience at the museum can enter for free, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The event requires registration . If you want a more traditional visit, entry will be pay-what-you wish on March 24 for the “ Black Founders Women’s History Night .”

Standard admission: $21.

Kids admission: Children 5 and under visit for free; kids 6 to 17, $13.

Student admission: $19 for all students.

Reduced admission: Seniors 65 and over, teachers, and active duty military members pay $19.

Pro tip: Wednesdays tend to be the quietest day. If you have a SEPTA Key card, you can get $2 off the admission ticket when you buy in person. Buying online saves you $3. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days.

📅 Monday–Sunday,⌚ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.📍101 S. Third St., 📞215-253-6731, 🌐 amrevmuseum.org

National Constitution Center

When it’s free: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Juneteenth, and Constitution Day. Active military members have free entry year-round.

Standard admission: $14.50.

Kids admission: Children younger than 6 can visit for free. Kids 7 to 18, pay $14.50.

Student admission: College students with ID pay $13. For middle and high school students, the Constitutional Ambassadors Program offers free field trips, including transportation, from now until the end of March. Register your class before going.

Reduced admission: Seniors (65 and older), $13; veterans admission, $11.

Pro tip: For folks who want to check out the museum outside of normal hours, it will be open on Monday, Feb. 20 for Presidents Day. During Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Spring Break, the center will have special programming for educators, students, and families, including talks, tours, story time, arts and crafts, and historical reenactments.

📅 Wednesday–Sunday,⌚ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.📍525 Arch St., 📞215-409-6600, 🌐 constitutioncenter.org

Eastern State Penitentiary

When it’s free: On Martin Luther King Jr. Day and during special events like Searchlight Series, Family Fall Festival, and Wawa Welcome America — 2023 dates TBD. For folks living in zip codes 19130 and 19121, admission is free every second Sunday of the month — no reservation required.

Standard admission: $17.

Kids admission: Kids under 7, free. Children up to 12, $13.

Student admission: $13 with ID. Group visits from Philadelphia public and charter schools are always free. Teachers can book class trips for groups of 15 or more online.

Senior admission: $15.

📅Monday–Sunday,⌚ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry is at 4 p.m.)📍2027 Fairmount Ave., 📞215-236-3300,🌐 easternstate.org

The African American Museum in Philadelphia

When it’s free: The museum may have free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Juneteenth, and Kwanzaa, but it depends on programming. The next confirmed free day will be June 19, for Juneteenth.

Standard admission: $14.

Kids admission: Children under 4 are admitted free. Children under 13 have a reduced fare of $10.

Student admission: $10 with a student ID.

Senior admission: $10.

Pro tip: According to an AAMP representative, there is no best day to visit but weekends are busier.

📅Thursday–Sunday,⌚ Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but entry is done in time slots, so it depends on your group.📍701 Arch St., 📞215-574-0380, 🌐 aampmuseum.org

Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

When it’s free: It’s free all year long due to a grant, through 2025.

Pro tip: Come early for special events to avoid crowds. And if you are hoping to see the Future Will Follow the Past exhibition, it just got extended through Independence Day weekend.

📅Friday-Sunday,⌚ Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.📍101 South Independence Mall, 📞215-923-3811, 🌐 theweitzman.org

Wagner Free Institute of Science

When it’s free: Wagner offers free admission throughout the year.

Pro tip: This is the first year visitors will have the option to participate in scavenger hunts at the institute. If you are looking for special programming , the first Saturday of the month, from September through May, is the best time to visit.

📅Tuesday- Friday, ⌚ 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. First Saturday of the month, noon to 4 p.m. 📍1700 W. Montgomery Ave., 📞215-763-6529, 🌐 wagnerfreeinstitute.org

Science History Institute

When it’s free: This museum is free year-round. Currently, they offer three main programs: family day (the third Saturday of the month), museum after-hours exhibits (the first Friday of the month), and drop-in tours (with a new topic to explore every Saturday at 2 p.m.).

Pro tip: The museum is much less crowded midweek.

📅Wednesday–Saturday, ⌚ 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 📍315 Chestnut St., 📞215-925-2222, 🌐 sciencehistory.org

American Swedish Historical Museum

When it’s free: During Smithsonian Museum Day on Sept. 22, Swedish National Day on June 6, and during the Wawa Welcome America tour. On Veterans Day and Memorial Day, active military members enter for free.

Standard admission: $10.

Kids admission: Children under 5 are admitted free, and children under 12 are admitted for a reduced fare of $5.

Reduced admission: Seniors and active military members pay $7.

📅Tuesday-Sunday, ⌚ 10 a.m.– 4p.m (Tuesday-Friday), noon to 4 p.m. during weekends. 📍1900 Pattison Ave., 📞215-389-1776, 🌐 americanswedish.org

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A Guide to Teen-Friendly Activities in Greater Philadelphia

Philly's most exciting games, activities, outdoor fun and more for teenagers....

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Philadelphia offers many exciting experiences perfect for teens and their families.

We’re talking ax throwing, mini-golf and table tennis to an interactive performing arts scene and reduced admission at major museums and attractions.

The extensive lineup means families have tons of opportunities to create lasting memories with their teens here in the City of Brotherly Love.

Below, find a curated list of some of the top offerings for teen-friendly activities for visitors and residents. Enjoy!

Games & Activities

Bury the hatchet.

Ax-throwing pros and first-timers alike can enjoy a thrilling experience at Bury The Hatchet in South Philadelphia. This stress reliever offers an exciting outing for people of all ages, who can check out the state-of-the-art, indoor throwing range and learn the secrets of ax throwing from an in-house ax master. Bonus: Guests can bring in their own food and drink.

Where: Bury The Hatchet, 1719 Washington Avenue

Independence Blue Cross RiverRink

Open seasonally in summer and winter

The Independence Blue Cross RiverRink is a multi-seasonal Philadelphia tradition, offering an ideal spot for fun, food and waterside views. During the warmer months, teens can hit up Summerfest, complete with a roller skating rink, double-decker carousel, 60-foot Ferris wheel and mini-golf. Come chillier weather, the venue launches Winterfest, when the rink freezes over for ice skating — becoming Philadelphia’s only pro-sized outdoor rink.

Where: Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard

Loomen Labs

Loomen Labs offers a reimagined, eco-friendly candle-making experience. Sessions at Loomen Labs include planter, candle and perfume making, and must be booked in advance online. At-home candle-making kits are also available to order.

Where: Loomen Labs, 620 S. 5th Street

Dust off those bowling skills and head over to the North Bowl (or its sister spot, South Bowl ) for a night of classic bowling. Keep the fun rolling or explore other options including billiards, foosball, air hockey, arcade games, pinball and a vintage photo booth. Guests under age 21 are welcome until 9 p.m. Note that bowling lanes are walk-in only on a first-come, first-served basis.

Where: North Bowl, 909 N. 2nd Street

This tech-driven mini-golf course in Center City offers nine holes, live entertainment and a full menu of food and drinks. Puttshack also welcomes players of all ages before 8 p.m., meaning teens can bring their game faces for some friendly competition in groups of up to six people.

Where: Puttshack, 1625 Chestnut Street

Queen & Rook

Popular board game cafe Queen & Rook , located in Queen Village , provides a fun gaming experience with more than 1,200 games and puzzles. There’s also an analog game room, plus plenty of food and drink options, including many vegan and vegetarian items.

Where: Queen & Rook, 607 S. 2nd Street

SPIN Philadelphia

Teens can strap in for an amazing time at SPIN Philadelphia , a ping-pong bar that features graffiti walls, live DJS, themed cocktails and even a bathtub full of hollow plastic balls (hello, Instagram moment). Guests can pay for half-hour or full-hour time slots, and all ages are welcome before 9 p.m.

Where: SPIN Philadelphia, 211 S. 15th Street

Thirsty Dice

Gamers of all ages won’t want to miss out on Thirsty Dice , a board game cafe in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood . This spot offers a tasty menu of shareable bites and full meals including homemade flatbreads, sandwiches, cocktails, and ice cream from Philly’s own Bassetts that can all be enjoyed while trying your hand at more than 950 games. Reservations are highly encouraged.

Where: Thirsty Dice, 1642 Fairmount Avenue

Whether you’re a golf fanatic or it’s your first time stepping up to the tee, Topgolf offers the ultimate golf experience that blends cutting-edge technology with the world of sports. Pick up a complimentary club and enjoy a game at one of the climate-controlled bays, where you can also order food. Guests under age 16 must be supervised by someone age 21 or older, while golfers under age 18 must be supervised by someone age 21 or older after 9 p.m.

Where: Topgolf, 2140 Byberry Road

Treetop Quest Philly

Open seasonally from spring through fall

Teens can climb through the trees in Fairmount Park at Treetop Quest Philly . Adventurers can harness up and zip line through the trees at any one of the adventure parks, featuring 60 elevated obstacles and ziplines spanning five difficulty levels.

Where: Treetop Quest Philly, 51 Chamounix Drive

Performing Arts

Arden theatre company.

The Arden Theatre offers Teen Nights for those ages 13-18 where they can experience a new perspective of the theater’s mainstage production. For just $15, teens can check out a live performance and enjoy an exclusive post-show conversation with the performers.

Where: Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd Street

Red Rum Theater

As Philly’s only venue dedicated to murder mysteries , Red Rum offers an interactive crime-solving theater experience where the audience takes the stage. Teens can put their active minds and detective skills to use while participating in an interactive world of murder mysteries.

Where: Red Rum Theater, 601 Walnut Street

Check out Philadelphia’s elevated urban green space situated on top of a parking garage in University City . Cira Green features grassy spots, skyline views, and plenty of food and drink options (when Sunset Social is open for the season). Whether looking for a lunchtime picnic, outdoor games or catching a free movie al fresco, Cira Green offers plenty of space for teens to be teens.

Where: Cira Green, 129 S. 30th Street

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art  features extensive art collections including Renaissance, American, East and South Asian, Impressionist and contemporary masterpieces. Admission is free for those 18 and under , and, on the first Sunday of the month and every Friday after 5 p.m., all visitors can take advantage of pay-what-you-wish entry.

Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Rodin Museum

Featuring the largest collection of works by Auguste Rodin outside of Paris, the Rodin Museum is a must-see in Philadelphia. And good news for teens: Visitors ages 18 and under can get in free. Highlights include the only original cast of The Gates of Hell  in North America, plus an iconic garden that displays a bronze cast of  The Thinker .

Where: Rodin Museum, 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Restaurants

Craft Hall is one of the city’s most family-friendly breweries, welcoming people of all ages — and their four-legged, furry friends — before 9 p.m. Alongside beers from on-site Mainstay Independent Brewing , Craft Hall’s open gourmet kitchen offers barbecue from its 700-pound smoker, including dry-rub spare ribs, black-pepper brisket, smokehouse pizzas, and a BBQ tower complete with three meats and choice of sides.

Where: Craft Hall, 901 N. Delaware Avenue

Nifty Fifty’s

Inspired by 1950s-era diners, Nifty Fifty’s transports guests back in time, where they can order from an impressively large menu of shakes, burgers and fries. (Don’t forget a side order of nostalgia.) While grooving to the throwback vibes, teens can pick from 100 handcrafted soda fountain flavors and relish in the classic red leather booth setup.

Where: Nifty Fifty's - Fishtown, 2431 Aramingo Avenue

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Nifty Fifty's - Northeast Philadelphia, 2491 Grant Avenue

Nifty Fifty's - South Philly, 2700 S. 10th Street

The Continental Midtown

The Continental Midtown boasts an array of mouthwatering dishes ranging from global tapas and iconic cocktails to signature dishes like French Onion Soup Dumplings. Whether lounging in a retro diner-esque booth or swinging in a basket chair, guests can savor their meals in a unique ambiance. The Continental Midtown offers a two-story atrium, lounge and outdoor rooftop patio.

Where: The Continental Midtown, 1801 Chestnut Street

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Come for Philadelphia. Stay (Over) for Philly.

The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.

Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, or the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.

Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.

Which will you choose?

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The Best Museums To Visit In Vienna

Europe is a dream destination for many. After all, it's home to some of the most historic, charming, and friendly cities in the world. From Amsterdam's canals and endless museums to Florence's incredible food and London's endless family-friendly attractions , there's something for every type of traveler. The list of popular holiday destinations in Europe is extensive, but there is one place that's often overlooked. In fact, it may just be Europe's most underrated metropolis: Vienna.

It's time to change that! The Austrian capital is home to royal palaces, top-rated art museums, family-friendly attractions (like the world's oldest zoo), a rich cafe culture with mouth-watering cakes at every turn, and more. Many of its star attractions are located within walking distance of each other and a large portion are clustered in the MuseumsQuartier. Exploring the historic city center on foot is not only easy but a must. Meanwhile, attractions that are further afield are well connected by an extensive metro and tram network. To help inspire your next trip and make planning your itinerary a little easier, here are the very best must-visit museums in Vienna.

The Hofburg

The Hofburg was once the imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty and served as the royals' winter residence as of the 13th century. It's one of the largest palace complexes in the world and today, it's home to numerous museums. Interestingly, it's also the official residence of the President of Austria. As a tourist, you can visit the Imperial Apartments to see where and how the Habsburgs lived for over six centuries and walk through lavishly decorated bedrooms, salons, and even Empress Elisabeth's exercise room. The empress, who was nicknamed Sisi, also gets her time in the spotlight in the second major museum here: the Sisi Museum . Comprising over 300 personal objects – including a milk glass complete with a traveling case! – it paints a full picture of the life (and personality) of Emperor Franz Joseph I's wife. A single-day ticket will get you into both attractions. 

Hofburg is also home to the Imperial Treasury where you can see crowns and other royal treasures; the Spanish Riding School where you can see Lipizzaner horses in action at a training or dressage performance; and the Austrian National Library, whose 18th-century State Hall is one of the most beautiful in the world. These require separate tickets.

The Belvedere

Set in a sprawling park, the Belvedere  museum complex is made up of two historic palaces (Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere), a modern-day addition dedicated to contemporary art (Belvedere 21), and lush Baroque-style gardens. You could easily spend an entire day here, but if you're tight on time and still want to visit all three museums (Tip: Opt for the 3-in-1 day ticket), you'll need to allocate about three hours.

Built by Prince Eugene of Savoy in the early 1700s, Upper and Lower Belvedere were meant to serve as his summer home. Now, the lavish estate houses some of the world's greatest art. Start at Upper Belvedere to see works from the Middle Ages running through Baroque, Modernism, and all the way up to the 1970s. Here, you'll have the chance to view pieces from greats like Egon Schiele, Claude Monet, and Vincent van Gogh. However, it's the Gustav Klimt collection – the largest in the world – that sets art lovers' hearts aflutter, including the iconic "The Kiss."

As for Lower Belvedere, it's home to temporary exhibits, like 2023's "Klimt. Inspired by Van Gogh, Rodin, Matisse," and offers a chance to glimpse how Prince Eugene lived through preserved period rooms, including the Marble Gallery, Gold Cabinet, and Hall of Grotesques. Finish off your visit at Belvedere 21, which was specially built to showcase contemporary art, film, and music.

Schönbrunn Palace And Schönbrunn Zoo

Located just outside the historic city center, Schönbrunn Palace is perhaps the most popular attraction in the city. The sprawling complex became the Habsburgs' summer home under the 18th-century rule of Maria Theresa. Today, the imperial palace, along with its lush gardens and award-winning Schönbrunn Zoo, is on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. While you could easily spend half a day exploring the palace, walking through the various green spaces, and getting lost in the park maze and labyrinth, you can tailor your visit to your time frame. Ticket reservations for the palace are a must and you can opt to visit the State Apartments (about 25 minutes), take the Imperial Tour (about 40 minutes) to see Emperor Franz Joseph I and Sisi's private apartments, or the Grand Tour (about 60 minutes) which covers all of the above, as well as Maria Theresa's rooms.

Schönbrunn Zoo, where you can spend the rest of your day, is equally impressive. In addition to being the oldest zoo in the world, it's repeatedly been voted Europe's best zoo and is home to 700 species, from Siberian tigers to capybaras, bearded dragons, exotic birds, and the show-stealing giant pandas. Tip: Make sure to check the daily animal feeding schedule for an added treat.

Depending on what you'd like to visit, there are various combination tickets available. For a family day out, be sure to also stop by the Children's Museum Schönbrunn Palace where kids can learn about royal life through hands-on exhibits.

Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna

The Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna looks like a palace and the collection it houses is truly royal in nature. Opened in 1891, the museum was commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph I as a place to display the Imperial Collections of the Habsburgs. Step into the opulent entrance hall and you'll be greeted by a dizzying array of sculptures, marble columns, and gold. Walk up the grand staircase and admire the paintings created by brothers Ernst and Gustav Klimt and Franz von Matsch, which decorate all of the empty spaces between arches and columns.

This breathtaking beginning sets the tone for the impressive (and varied!) art collection you'll experience inside. Spanning Ancient Egypt to the late 18th century, artifacts range from Egyptian sarcophagi to Greek and Roman antiquities, some 600,000 coins, as well as paintings by an impressive array of Old Masters. Here, you'll be able to admire works by the likes of Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Johannes Vermeer, as well as experience the world's largest collection of works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. In need of a break? You can stop by the café-restaurant for a traditional coffee and torte served in the gorgeous Cupola Hall or settle in for a full breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Natural History Museum Vienna

The Natural History Museum Vienna has a history as impressive as its displays. Franz I Stephan of Lorraine was a Habsburg monarch, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire as of 1745, and an avid lover of the natural world. It was he who founded the Schönbrunn Zoo in 1752, followed by Schönbrunn Palace's botanic garden the following year. His passion was so strong that he even funded scientific expeditions abroad and, in 1750, purchased what was then the world's biggest collection of natural history objects. Among the 30,000 pieces he acquired were fossils, minerals, corals, and much more. Following his death in 1765, the collection was made public, laying the foundation for today's museum.

Located right next to the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, it brings together biology, earth sciences, anthropology, and archaeology. The rich permanent collection features everything from fossils to meteorites, minerals, animal specimens, and (always a hit) dinosaurs. Just some highlights include a full-sized pteranodon model, pterosaur skeletons, and an animatronic version of an allosaurus placed next to the real deal.

Leopold Museum

The Leopold Museum is conveniently located next to the Natural History Museum Vienna and Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna and is home to an impressive array of Austrian modern art collected by Dr. Rudolf Leopold and his wife, Elisabeth Leopold. Dr. Leopold began acquiring works in the 1950s and eventually ended up with over 5,000 pieces from local masters like Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, and Oskar Kokoschka. As his obituary in The New York Times pointed out, Dr. Leopold was particularly fond of Schiele, even though his works were taboo and quite controversial at the time. In addition to writing books about the artist, he amassed the largest Egon Schiele collection in the world, comprising 42 paintings, 187 original graphics, and various manuscripts.

In 2001, the Leopold Museum opened to allow everyone to enjoy the fruits of Leopold's art collecting. The space is truly a love letter to the art of Vienna, particularly Viennese Modernism. In addition to the Schiele collection, the permanent exhibition, "Vienna 1900. Birth of Modernism," brings together 1,300 paintings, sculptures, photographs, textiles, furniture, and more to present a well-rounded picture of the art of the times.

Albertina And Albertina Modern

Although these two museums are housed in separate buildings, it's just a nine-minute walk between them and buying a combined entry ticket will save you over 25% on admission. Begin at Albertina and get lost in the stellar permanent exhibition "Monet to Picasso: The Batliner Collection," which features works by greats like Marc Chagall, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, and Paul Cézanne. The museum also hosts top-rated temporary exhibits, like 2023's "Dürer, Munch, Miró: The Great Masters of Printmaking." But it's not just fine art you'll see here. The building that houses Albertina was once the residence of the Habsburg Archdukes and today, there are 20 restored and furnished Habsburg State Rooms for you to visit.

Once you've finished your journey to the past, you can venture over to Albertina Modern for a big dose of contemporary art. While the permanent collection focuses on post-1945 Austrian artists, temporary exhibits take a more international approach with shows like 2022's "Ai Weiwei: In Search of Humanity" and 2023's "Andy Warhol to Damien Hirst: The Revolution in Printmaking."

Tip: It makes sense to do both museums on the same day, given their proximity, but your ticket allows you to visit them on different days within one year.

Former Apartments Of Beethoven, Strauss, And More

Think of a famous composer and chances are, they lived and worked in Vienna – at least for a time. Indeed, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Strauss, Franz Schubert, and Joseph Haydn all called the city home and six of their former apartments have been turned into museums. You can purchase a combined ticket to save nearly 40% on admission and gain access to: Haydnhaus where Haydn spent the last 12 years of his life; Johann Strauss Wohnung where Strauss lived and worked for seven years; Schubert Geburtshaus where the composer was born; Schubert Sterbewohnung, the apartment where he spent the last few weeks of his life before his death at just 31; Beethoven Pasqualatihaus where Beethoven worked on many of his famed symphonies over eight years; and the Beethoven Museum which showcases the famed maestro's life, work, and struggles. While the museums are compact, they are spread out across the city, so you may want to visit them on separate days. Luckily, your ticket is valid for a full year.

Note: You may also wish to visit Mozarthaus Vienna, the only remaining Viennese apartment that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once called home, but that will require a separate ticket.

Klimt Villa

Located close to Schönbrunn Palace, Klimt Villa is a must-visit for Gustav Klimt fans. While it may not generate as much buzz as, say, Upper Belvedere's collection of Klimt paintings, it is the only space in the city where you can literally walk in the artist's footsteps and learn more about him as a person.

What is now an impressive villa used to be a single-story summer house which Klimt rented and used as a workshop from 1911 until his death in 1918. Notably, while the home was later expanded (and nearly demolished!), the studio space was left untouched. Today, it has been meticulously reconstructed to look as it did when Klimt was in residence. With help from photographs and historical accounts, curators were able to bring Klimt's reception room and studio back to life, offering visitors the unique chance to experience the space as the artist himself would have seen it. Once you're done inside, you can wander out into the very garden he once painted and imagine yourself the subject of one of his works. Tip: If you happen to be visiting on a weekend between May and October, you can enjoy a coffee break in the Garden Café.

Jewish Museum Vienna

The first Jewish museum in the world was founded in Vienna in 1895 and today's Jewish Museum Vienna continues that storied legacy. During WWII, Nazis closed the museum and confiscated its collection, over half of which was never to be seen again. The surviving objects now make up the core of today's museum, which aims to shine a light on Jewish history, religion, and culture. It is split into two locations – Museum Judenplatz and Museum Dorotheergasse – but they can easily be visited at the same time, as they're just an eight-minute walk apart. However, your ticket is valid for seven days, so you can also split them up if you prefer.

We recommend starting at Museum Dorotheergasse where the permanent exhibit "Our City! Jewish Vienna - Then to Now" will teach you about Jewish life from the Middle Ages until the present day. Other highlights include the Atelier, which showcases the art of celebrating various holidays and festivities, as well as Visible Storage, which houses the remaining collection from the original museum. Then, you can make your way to Museum Judenplatz, housed on the site where a 13th-century synagogue once stood until its destruction in 1421. This was the heart of the Jewish quarter at the time and the synagogue's remains can be seen inside the museum alongside a virtual reconstruction.

Museum Of Applied Arts (MAK)

The Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) dates all the way back to 1863 when Rudolf von Eitelberger, the first-ever professor of history at the University of Vienna, dreamt up the space to rival London's Victoria and Albert Museum. Initially called the Imperial Royal Museum of Art and Industry, the MAK showcases a wide-ranging collection, from furniture to textiles, contemporary art, and Venetian glass. Its permanent exhibition, titled "Vienna 1900," is a must-see made up of 500 pieces that shine a spotlight on the various art forms of the time. Fans of Gustav Klimt will be delighted to find that the exhibit is home to a shimmering design drawing that runs over three feet in length and is covered in gold leaf, silver leaf, and platinum leaf. The panel depicts the design from the Stoclet Frieze, which Klimt designed for the Palais Stoclet in Brussels (a private home) around 1900.

Other highlights include the MAK Permanent Collection Asia, as well as temporary exhibits from the likes of French performance artist Lili Reynaud-Dewar and New York Minimalist Rosemarie Castoro.

Ernst Fuchs Museum (Otto Wagner Villa)

Yes, the Ernst Fuchs Museum (Otto Wagner Villa) is off the beaten path, but it rewards those who make the effort to reach it with a truly surprising gem of a visit. Accessible by public transport from the Maria-Theresien-Platz, this unique museum brings together two great artists – Otto Wagner and Ernst Fuchs – and offers a rare respite from the crowds.

Famed Austrian architect Otto Wagner (born in 1841) left his stamp all around the city and you can still admire his Art Nouveau creations while wandering Vienna's historic center, from his Majolikahaus (Majolica House) to the Karlsplatz metro station. However, this villa offers the unique opportunity to visit an entire home dreamt up by Wagner. Built in 1888 as a summer getaway for his family, the villa later changed hands and fell into disrepair until Viennese painter Ernst Fuchs (born in 1930) purchased it in 1972. With help from Wagner's original designs, he lovingly restored the home and went on to use it as his own studio. These days, a visit offers the chance to admire the works of both men.

Walk through the opulent rooms filled with period furniture (including Art Nouveau decor designed by Wagner himself), take in the Fuchs paintings adorning the walls, and get ready to have your breath taken away by beautiful touches, like the stunning stained glass windows by Adolf Böhm.

Read this next: It's Time To Ditch These 10 Outdated Travel Tips

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‘Black women in art’: 2 installations at the Delaware Art Museum tackle underrepresentation

“there is a woman in every color” aims to celebrate womanhood and the contributions of black women to the world of art..

• Johnny Perez-Gonzalez

The highlighted photograph within Shakira Hunt's installation, "Give Me My Flowers — Soft Pedals," embodies the essence of womanhood. (Courtesy of the Delaware Art Museum)

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“Womanhood really feels like, in a serial space, every evolving and blossoming and shedding, and it literally feels like we get to bloom at the time that we feel like we need to bloom, and also the times that we may not feel like we are blooming, we’re still always a work in progress,” she explained.

Central to her collection is an image of four women from different generations, symbolizing the diverse facets of womanhood. Surrounded by nature and flowers, it emphasizes the significance of honoring women’s struggles and contributions.

“Flowers have always been an integral part of the series,” Hunt noted. “Physically, but metaphorically, too. The idea for me was rooted in being able to honor oneself and also honor the folks that we love the most.”

The exhibition will run through May 26 at the Delaware Art Museum.

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Unidentified Maker​​, Crazy Star ; ca. 1920​​, Arthur, Illinois​​, cotton and wool; 74 x 63 ½ in. (detail), Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown, Promised gift to the Smithsonian American Art Museum 

Explore the creative practice of Amish quilters in the United States. Pattern and Paradox: The Quilts of Amish Women looks beyond quilting as a utilitarian practice. It reveals historical quilting among the Amish as an aesthetic endeavor that walked a line between cultural and individual expression. The quilts paradoxically twin the plain with the spectacular, tradition with innovation, and a dismissal of personal pride with objects often seen as extraordinary artworks.

Description

In the late nineteenth century, Amish women adopted an artform already established within the larger American culture and made it distinctly their own, developing community and familial preferences, with women sharing work, skills, and patterns. The quilts in Pattern and Paradox were all made between 1880 and 1950 in communities united by faith, values of conformity and humility, and a rejection of “worldly” society. No specific guidelines governed quilt patterns or colors, so Amish women explored an uncharted territory, pushing cultural limitations by innovating within a community that values adherence to rules. Styles, patterns, and color preferences eventually varied and distinguished the various settlements, but it was the local quilters who drove and set the standards. 

When Amish quilts traveled into the non-Amish world in the late twentieth century, they developed a dual identity: part icon of Amish culture, part abstract artwork, with art enthusiasts embracing them in part due to a perceived resemblance to modern paintings. By the mid twentieth century, Amish quilts were increasingly being shown in museums. As the art world embraced the striking color combinations and inventive patterning of Amish quilts, the Amish became uneasy for having made and possessing museum-worthy, valuable artworks. Consequently, Amish families began to divest themselves of the quilts that had captivated the art world and consumer culture alike. Some rejected the “old dark quilts” and shifted to lighter and brighter colors for their own quilts. Others continued the older ways, and many Amish women began making quilts as a source of income. 

Although vintage quilts remain among the most recognized manifestations of Amish culture, they represent the historical, localized trends of only a finite period from a living and changing culture. Pattern and Paradox celebrates the quilts, the women who made them, and considers their unique role in American art today, roughly a century after the quilts in this collection were made. 

The exhibition celebrates a major gift of Amish quilts to the museum by Faith and Stephen Brown. They began collecting quilts in 1977, four years after encountering Amish quilts for the first time at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. The 50 quilts featured in “Pattern and Paradox” include 39 from the museum’s collection and 11 promised gifts. Around 100 additional quilts from the Browns’ exemplary collection are promised to the museum as a bequest.

The exhibition is organized by Leslie Umberger, curator of folk and self-taught art and Virginia Mecklenburg, senior curator, with support from Anne Hyland, curatorial assistant. Janneken Smucker, who is a fifth generation Mennonite quiltmaker of Amish Mennonite heritage, a cultural historian, and a professor of history at West Chester University, is primary author of the exhibition catalogue and contributed to the exhibition.

Visiting Information

Pattern and Paradox: The Quilts of Amish Women is organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Generous support has been provided by Faith and Stephen Brown, Billings and John Cay, Barbara Coffey Endowment, and the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation. This exhibition received federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, and from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

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