The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest and oldest art museums in the United States. It holds over 240,000 artworks from different parts of the world and has a history of more than 2,000 years.
It opened in 1928 and became a major center for art and culture in Philadelphia. Today, it is visited by people from all over the world. In addition to paintings and sculptures, the museum also includes period rooms, outdoor art spaces, and family programs.
In this guide, you will learn what the museum offers, how to plan your visit, and what makes it a must-see place in the city.
History of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art began in 1876. It was first created as a museum of decorative arts for the country’s 100th birthday. The first location was inside Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park. However, the collection soon became too large for that space.
In response, a new building was planned. It opened in 1928 and is still the museum’s main home today. It sits at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The design was inspired by Greek architecture and looks like three Greek temples joined together. One of the lead designers, Julian Abele, was the first Black graduate from the University of Pennsylvania’s architecture school.
Since then, the museum has grown into one of the largest in the country. It holds over 240,000 works of art, including pieces from ancient times to today. The building includes 200 galleries, a one-acre outdoor sculpture garden, and a complete 14th-century Buddhist temple.
Over the years, the museum has also become known for other reasons. For example, the east entrance steps were featured in the Rocky movies. Many people visit to run up the steps and take photos.
Today, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is known for its history and collection. It is often called the Phil Art Museum or the Art Museum Philadelphia tourists visit most.
Philadelphia Museum of Art Highlights & Collections
The Art Museum of Philadelphia has a large and detailed collection. Its collection includes paintings, sculptures, armor, textiles, and even full rooms from different time periods and cultures. Because of this variety, it’s one of the top places to visit for anyone interested in art, culture, or history.
To understand what’s inside, let’s look at the museum’s main collection areas:
American Art
The American Art collection is one of the largest in the country. It includes more than 12,000 works from the 1700s to the early 1900s. Visitors will find paintings by artists like Thomas Eakins, Mary Cassatt, and Winslow Homer. Also, this area includes early American furniture and objects, and it covers topics such as immigration, trade, colonialism, and daily life in early America.
European Painting and Sculpture
This group has about 4,000 works from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. Some key artists featured here are Rembrandt, Monet, Degas, Cézanne, Poussin, Rubens, and Manet. Important works include The Large Bathers by Cézanne and Prometheus Bound by Rubens. The museum also holds paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec, Modigliani, and Renoir.
East Asian Art
The East Asian Art section has over 9,000 items from China, Korea, Japan, and nearby regions. These items date from 2500 BCE to today. Visitors can see paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and furniture. There are also temple pieces and religious items. One major highlight is a 14th-century Indian temple that was moved and rebuilt inside the museum.
South Asian Art
This area includes more than 3,000 works. It focuses on countries like India and nearby areas. Visitors will find temple sculptures, miniature paintings, and a full 16th-century temple hall from South India.
European Decorative Arts and Sculpture
This collection has over 22,000 objects, including furniture, tapestries, metalwork, ceramics, and more. The items range from the Middle Ages to the present. One part of this collection is the armor display, which includes full suits and weapons used in battles and parades.
Costume and Textiles
This is one of the oldest and largest collections of its kind in the U.S., with more than 30,000 items. It includes historical clothing, modern fashion, embroidered fabrics, and accessories. A well-known piece in this collection is Grace Kelly’s wedding dress, worn when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956.
Contemporary Art
This collection contains over 1,000 pieces from 1950 to now. It includes work by artists from many backgrounds and covers many styles. The museum uses this space to show new ideas and social topics. This section changes often and includes art by local Philadelphia artists.
Prints, Drawings, and Photographs
This is the museum’s largest department, with over 160,000 works. It includes European prints, modern drawings, and photography from around the world. This section holds works on paper that are not always on view but rotate in and out of exhibits.
Outdoor Attractions at the Museum
In addition to its indoor exhibits, the Philadelphia Museum of Art also has several outdoor attractions that are open to the public and add to the overall experience.
Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden
One major outdoor space is the Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden. It is located next to the main building, above the parking garage, and is open every day from sunrise to sunset.
The space was designed by OLIN landscape architects and Atkin Olshin Schade Architects. It has an upper and lower terrace, two gravel galleries, and a paved plaza. The garden features large sculptures by several artists. For example:
- Giant Three-Way Plug (Cube Tap) by Claes Oldenburg
- A bronze bell by Toshiko Takaezu
- Curve I by Ellsworth Kelly
- A whale’s tail sculpture by Gordon Gund
The garden is named after Anne d’Harnoncourt, a former director of the museum who helped shape its direction and growth.
Rodin Museum and Garden
Another outdoor site connected to the museum is the Rodin Museum, located down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It is part of the Philadelphia Museum and is included with general admission.
The building holds almost 150 sculptures by Auguste Rodin, including The Thinker and The Gates of Hell. In front of the building is the Dorrance H. Hamilton Garden, which is free to the public all year. The garden is a quiet place with sculptures, open paths, and benches.
Visitors can also access free Wi-Fi, an accessible restroom, and free wheelchairs at this location. The Rodin Museum is about a 20-minute walk from the main building. Visitors can validate their parking tickets there as well.
Rocky Steps and City Views
The museum’s east entrance is popular from the movie Rocky. The Rocky Steps lead up to the front of the building. Many visitors run up the stairs to copy the famous scene from the movie. At the top, there is a clear view of the Philadelphia skyline and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Know Before You Go: Key Visitor Information
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is located at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130. It is one of the most visited cultural sites in the city.
Here are the main details to help you plan a visit.
Museum Hours of Operation
The museum is open on the following days:
- Monday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Tuesday and Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM to 8:45 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Tickets and Admission
General admission gives access to the main building and the Rodin Museum for two consecutive days. There are special ticket options:
- On the first Sunday of each month, visitors can pay what they wish.
- On Friday evenings, between 5:00 PM and 8:30 PM, tickets cost $15.
- Children 18 and under can always enter for free.
The museum offers an audio guide for $5 or $4 for members. It is available in seven languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, French, German, Japanese, and Korean. Visitors who are blind or partially sighted can get the guide for free.
Accessibility and Facilities
The Philadelphia Museum of Art inside has been updated to include ADA-compliant ramps, making it easier for people who use wheelchairs or have trouble with stairs. There are also free wheelchairs available. New signs, open walkways, and natural lighting help visitors find their way and feel more comfortable.
The museum includes:
- A museum store with books and local gifts
- Multiple cafés
- Stir, a full-service restaurant designed by Frank Gehry
- Free Wi-Fi, both indoors and in the outdoor garden spaces
Directions and Parking
The museum is in the Fairmount area of Philadelphia. Visitors can get there by car, on foot, or by public transportation. There is a parking garage under the main building.
Plan Your Visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Now that you know what’s inside, outside, and all around, it’s a good time to start planning your trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
There’s a lot you can learn here, and once you visit, you’ll see how art can open your mind to new ideas, cultures, and stories you may not have known before.
Check the latest Philadelphia Art Museum exhibits, view current hours, and get your tickets at philamuseum.org.
