Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia

With a splendid location this immense building easily reached by the hop-on hop-off bus, provides great views.

Without time to enter and admire its collection, one of the greatest in USA, we could only appreciate the site, but it deserves the trip, specially if you have time to enter, of course.

The Musts:
1) See Van Gough's Original Sunflowers on display
Who? Anyone who appricates Van Gough or art
Why? Unlike other famous pieces of original work Sunflowers is not croweded with tourists and you will be able to actually photograph yourself next to it
2)Do the Rocky (Run up the steps and get your picture cheering next to his statue)
Who? For any moviefan or just Rocky fan
Why? To say you did it

How? Take SEPTA bus on route 7,32,38,43, or 48
Cost? $16- Adults $12- 13-18 Free- Kids $14- 65+ (first Sunday of the month pay any price)
When? Tues.-Sun. from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

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Most famous for the Rocky movies, the Philadelphia Museum of Art apparently also has some sort of art exhibits inside. The museum was in Rocky, Rocky II, and Rocky V, and earned its screen time for the scene of Rocky running up the stairs while training for the prize fight. At one point, there was a statue of Rocky at the top of the stairs, but has since been moved off to the side of the steps...this museum is reserved for "real" art only.

Speaking of real art, the museum's most famous collections include Pennsylvania German art, early Pennsylvania furniture, and works by a Philadelphia artist named Thomas Eakins. I've never heard of him either (but I have heard of Rocky).

The museum was opened in 1876, and construction of the current facility was begun in 1919. The front of the museum is aligned to face directly down broad, tree lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway to City Hall just over a mile away.

The Art Museum is a favorite photo spot for new brides; one busy Saturday in October we counted at least five wedding parties on the stairs in front of the museum for photos just during a single 30 minute period of time.

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It says volumes about the psyche of Philadelphia -- and, in particular, its sports psyche -- that the city's greatest hero is Rocky Balboa: somebody who LOST his big fight (let's forget the sequels). Philly identifies with someone who went all-out in an effort to triumph, even if the celebrity opponent ultimately won out. It's as if defeat is a foregone conclusion, so giving it your best shot is what really matters.

It says volumes about many visitors to Philly that the main reason they come to this building isn't to see a world class collection of art, but to view the spot where Rocky ran up its steps. Apparently a LOT of people also identify with Rocky, and want to show that, by refusing to accept being second-class, they too can fight the good fight.

The steps used in the film are on the Parkway side of the museum. Note that taxis and tour buses, including the Phlash, drop off people at the opposite entrance -- you'll have to walk around the building or pay to get in.

The steps became so iconic that Sylvester Stallone created a bronze statue of Rocky, and used it as a movie prop for Rocky 3, with a scene of the statue being placed at the top of the steps. Right after filming, this statue was moved to the sport arena, but popular demand was for it to return to the steps. The museum curators (correctly) noted that the statue was not a work of art, but a movie prop, and resisted this move. On 2008 September 8, popular opinion won out, and the stature was returned to near the bottom of the steps.

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During my visit - I made the point of visiting the Museum of Art. Friday night is late night opening at the main building.

There was a concert and I enjoyed a light supper when listening to live jazz.

There is a combined ticket and a shuttle bus to nearby annexes.

After visiting the art museum, rent a bike or walk along Kelly Drive for a few minutes to see one of the prettiest places in Philadelphia--along the river. You can buy ice cream, soft pretzels, or other snacks from the vendors and watch the roller bladers, joggers and others just hanging out. In the spring the Azaela gardens are in bloom and it's a beautiful place to take photos with the art museum in the background. There is also a restaurant here--The Waterworks. I haven't been personally, but others say it's very nice, though a little pricey on some items.

The art museum is a stop on most tours or you can see the drive via one of the trolley tours of Fairmount Park, another highly recommend thing to do. It gets you out of the city and into the park.

If you bring Fido with you, there is a doggie park accross the street by the Abraham Lincoln statue.

A beautiful art museum. There are many galleries but it’s funny that many visitors come just because S.Stalone (as Rocky Balboa) ran up its step! You can see a statue of Rocky (that was originally placed here for the promotion of Rocky 3 movie!).

On Friday evening you may catch a jazz concert at Great Hall for free! We didn’t catch that but we enjoyed some of its galleries. The museum houses more than 225,000 items covering a long period of time (items from Asia since the 3rd millennium BC, European items from medieval times to date, arms and armor, Dadaist gallery, tapestries about Constantine the Great etc), yes, yes, this museum is huge, maybe I will return some day.

The entrance fee is $16, expensive it is yes, but on first Sunday of every month is for free (actually they advertise it as pay what you wish day!). Special Exhibitions are always charged of course.

It is open Tuesday to Sunday 10.00-17.00 (on Fridays till 20.45)

As I dont have any pic from the beautiful paintings I will put this distance pic of the museum that I took from the Tower of City Hall

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The Art Museum is worth the price of admission just for its world-class art. On Friday evenings, however, there's a bonus for visitors -- live jazz and pop concerts at no additional charge! After several hours of roaming the galleries, relax a little in the Great Hall, either with drinks, dinner (these ARE extra cost), or just sitting down on the stairs. Want a break from the music? Go back into the galleries -- about half (but not all) are still open after 5 pm.

Spend the morning in Old City, the mid-day at Reading Terminal Market, the late afternoon at the Art Museum, and your early evening listening to an intimate concert. It's hard to beat!

Note: smoking is prohibited throughout the Museum, even during jazz concerts.
While glancing a the photos, some may wonder why nobody is sitting against the stones around the steps -- due to safety concerns, that too is prohibited.

Special Exhibits Information: Require advance purchase. You will need to buy tickets in advance and you can do it online. Make sure you choose a time convenient for you, and allow at least an hour to go through the exhibit.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the finest collections of art in the U.S., if not the world. Even without a special exhibit, the admission price is worth every penny.

The first Sunday of every month is a "pay what you wish" day. It's perfectly acceptable to pay nothing on such days. I HOPE that, after you've seen what this place has to offer, you'll glady support its mission by dropping off some money after you leave. Note that, no matter what, you MUST pay an admission for any special exhibit.

This art museum has reciprocal privileges with other major U.S. art museums, such that if you give at "Supporter" level at one such institution, you may well get free admission here at Philadelphia. Check with the art museum in your nearby metropolis, and see if paying a yearly fee for admission to it, will save you enough when you visit other ones around the country.

A problem comes when it comes time to pay for parking. This is not a problem for those using the Philly Phlash or the Septa #38 bus -- either recommended for visitors here for a couple days.
If you're using your car, however, parking can be an added expense. You can park at the Art Museum Lot at these prices:
www.philamuseum.org/visit/12-270.html?page=3
or the Eakins Oval parking area for $10, flat rate.

Or you can, if you plan wisely, pay nothing for parking. Here's some ways how:
1) If you do a map search for "Waterwork Drive" in Philadelphia (ZIP 19130) you'll see that this street is adjacent to the Art Museum. On most any day, OTHER than weekends with good weather, you can find a parking space here. There is no cost for the first two hours -- but, if it's not crowded (and, on weekdays with miserable weather, it's never crowded), you can USUALLY park here for a lot longer with no trouble (Note, if you get a ticket for doing so, don't complain that I PROMISED you wouldn't get one, as I'm only saying I've never gotten one). After that, it's a short UPHILL walk to the main entrance.
2) If the weather is nice, or you don't want to take a chance, park anywhere near the Perleman Building. Street parking, while not easy to find, is safe and free for up to four hours. You can pay for admission at the Perleman (make certain you pay for BOTH buildings) and then ride the free shuttle up to the Main Building. When done, take the shuttle back to the Perleman, see it if you like, and then return to your car. Note that city streets look a LOT alike after several hours looking at this much art, so make ABSOLUTELY certain you remember where you parked.
3) If all else fails, park along Sedgely Drive in Fairmount Park. Again, it's safe and free for several hours. The only problem is that it's longer to walk to either the main building or the Perleman.

In all three of the above, you can drive right to the main entrance, drop off passengers, park your car, and then meet everyone else at the main lobby.

If you have a coat, you must either wear it or check it (no charge) at the coat check. Tips there are not expected, but are always appreciated.