At 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Philadelphia Museum of Art fills a Grecian-style building with art from Europe, Asia and the Americas. Its galleries range from medieval armor and French Impressionist paintings to decorative arts and a fully reconstructed Japanese teahouse. Look for works by Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso, then take in the Parkway and city skyline from the famous front steps. The collection is extensive, so start on the third floor and work down, or focus on a few galleries and leave time to pause in quieter rooms.
A collection across periods and continents
The Philadelphia Museum of Art grew from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Fairmount Park. Its present main building was completed in 1928, and the institution now encompasses a broad collection of paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, textiles, photographs and armor. The works span more than 2,000 years and include art from Europe, Asia and the Americas.
European galleries include Renaissance works and French Impressionism, alongside modern art by artists such as Picasso, Marcel Duchamp and Salvador Dalí. In the Asian collections, paintings, ceramics, sculpture and architectural settings give visitors several ways to explore the region’s artistic traditions. American art, including work connected to Pennsylvania, is another strength of the collection.
Rather than trying to cover every gallery in one visit, choose a few areas that interest you. The museum’s scale can make a full tour a substantial undertaking. Starting on the third floor and moving down gives you a suggested route through different periods and styles; quieter rooms provide places to slow down between better-known works.
Period rooms and objects to look for
Some galleries recreate architectural spaces, so you can experience the design of a room as well as the objects displayed in it. Highlights include a Japanese teahouse, a medieval cloister, and Chinese and Indian temple settings. The museum also has French Impressionist works, medieval armor and decorative arts. These varied displays make it possible to move from paintings to rooms, furnishings and objects within the same visit.
Works by Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso are among the names to look for. The collection also includes photography, costumes and textiles, and an extensive arms and armor display. Because the museum’s holdings are spread across a large building and multiple areas, check the museum website before your visit for current information about gallery access.
The building and its famous steps
The main building’s Grecian temple-inspired design gives the museum a distinctive presence at the end of Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Its wide staircase, known as the Rocky Steps, became familiar through the Rocky films. A bronze statue of Rocky Balboa stands near the steps, where people often stop for photographs.
The steps are also a place to pause for views down the Parkway and toward Philadelphia’s skyline. You can visit the exterior and staircase without setting aside time for the galleries, but the museum’s collection is inside. If you plan to see both, leave room for the climb, photographs and a gallery visit rather than treating the steps as the whole stop.
Planning your visit
The museum is at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It has a café, restaurant, gift shop and coat check, as well as family facilities and accessible entrances and restrooms. Advance tickets are recommended. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and on Friday it stays open later than on other open days.
Several hours is a sensible starting point for the galleries, with additional time if you want to explore at a slower pace. The collection is large enough that one visit may not cover everything. If a particular room or exhibition matters to you, check the museum’s website before setting out, especially because gallery access can change during maintenance work.
Perguntas frequentes
How long should you spend at the Philadelphia Museum of Art?
Set aside at least three hours for a visit. The collection is extensive, so a focused route or more than one visit may suit you better if you want to see more.
What are the Rocky Steps?
They are the museum’s broad front steps, made famous by the Rocky films. From the top, you can look along Benjamin Franklin Parkway toward the city.
What are some highlights inside the museum?
Look for the Japanese teahouse, French Impressionist paintings, medieval armor, decorative arts and works by Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso.
Is the museum closed on any days?
Yes. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check its website for current ticket information and gallery access before your visit.
