Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Blue Bell

"What started with Albert C. Barnes’ passion for collecting and teaching others how to view art, has blossomed into an institution with more than 4,000 objects on display, including the works of Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso, and Greek antiquities, African art, Indigenous art, and other one-of-a-kind collections. The building also features a 150-seat auditorium, a conservation and research lab, classrooms, a restaurant, and a beautiful reflecting pool near the entrance. Highlight: “The Barnes Foundation houses many iconic paintings, but Cézanne’s ‘The Card Players’ was probably our founder’s most hard-won purchase."

"By the number of slow-walking, French-speaking people strolling around with their hands clasped behind their backs, you'd think you were smack in the middle of the Musée D'Orsay; but alas. This is where Philadelphia's Main Line sophisticates of a certain age spend weekend afternoons after brunch at The Rittenhouse hotel, and where obliging boyfriends bring their Vera Bradley-toting significant others to pass an afternoon gazing lovingly at Renoirs. Prepare to spend a few hours eyeing nearly-inconceivable amounts of Impressionist art in what feels like a very rich person's manor home."

"2025 Benjamin Franklin PkwyPhiladelphia, PA 19130(215) 278-7000. The Barnes Foundation is an art collection and educational institution nestled in Philadelphia that promotes the appreciation of art and horticulture."

"Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts – PAFA founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is America’s first school and museum of fine arts. A beneficiary of the National Medal of Arts, PAFA provides undergraduate and graduate programs in the fine arts, innovative exhibitions of historic and contemporary American art, and a world-class collection of American art. PAFA’s esteemed alumni include Mary Cassatt, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Thomas Eakins, William Glackens, Barkley L. Hendricks, Violet Oakley, Louis Kahn, David Lynch, and Henry Ossawa Tanner."

"Source: Photo by user Difference engine used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is the first museum ever built in the US. It is also one of the oldest art schools and art museums in the country, dating back to the year 1805."

"128 N Broad StPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19102Phone: 2159727600. This location has served as both a museum and an art school since its opening in 1805. It was founded by artist and scientist Charles Wilson Peale and sculptor William Rush."

"Institute of Contemporary art was founded in 1963, and since its beginnings, it has been focused on discovering up-and-coming stars of the contemporary art world. The best example is Andy Warhol's first solo exhibition in 1965 that was hosted by the Institute and which attracted a great deal of attention, launching him into the stardom. Some of the other artists who had their first shows in this venue are Laurie Anderson, Vija Celmins, Karen Kilimnik, Agnes Martin and Robert Indiana."

"If you’re looking for the next big name in contemporary art, the ICA is a go-to destination. Founded in 1963 by the visionary Holmes Perkins, the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania was designed to expose students to innovative, up-and-coming areas of art and culture. Committed to bringing under-recognized artists into the spotlight, the gallery hit the ground running, holding Andy Warhol’s first-ever museum solo show in 1965."

"Part of the University of Pennsylvania, the Penn Museum is an archaeology and anthropology museum with grounds that feature gardens, a rotunda, a fountain, a reflecting pool, and more. Founded in 1887, the museum houses more than a million objects like Bangongo tribal masks, an Apalaii Headdress, and an Asian collection with objects from an expedition to India from 1915 to 1918, with some of the earliest Indian art in America. Explore extensive artifacts from Africa, Mexico, China, Egypt, and beyond, designed to illustrate connections between cultures, and remember civilizations and tribes long gone."

"In November 2019, West Philly’s renowned Penn Museum debuted the transformative restoration of more than 10,000 square feet of the attraction with the grand reopening of major galleries. Inside the transformed Mexico and Central America Gallery, 250 artifacts — the largest collection of Mayan monuments in the U.S. — await museum guests. Additionally, inside the renovated Africa Galleries, objects from 21 countries are on display, including Kuba textiles, carved ivory and Ashanti gold beads."

"3260 South StPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19104Phone: 2158984000. Formally known as the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, this museum features over one million artifacts, including its 15-ton Egyptian sphinx. For the past 125 years, the establishment has funded scientific expeditions, which yielded many of the location’s artifacts."

"A Victorian mansion in the Chestnut Hill section of the city, the Woodmere holds the private collection of Philadelphian Charles Knox Smith, who asked in his will that his collection be shared with the community. The permanent collection displays works from the founder and the exhibitions consistently showcase Philadelphia artists. For an evening event, head over on the weekends to enjoy Friday night jazz or the musical performances on Saturdays."

"In the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, Woodmere Art Museum tells the story of Philadelphia's art and artists. The 19th-century stone Victorian mansion sits on a six-acre lawn that includes a treasure trove of sculptures fashioned by Philadelphia-area artists. On the grounds is a Children's Garden that contains fanciful wooden creatures like birds, butterflies, and a giant bird's nest nestled within the flowerbeds."

"Woodmere Art Museum is located in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, which has a collection of paintings, prints, sculpture and photographs focusing on artists from the Delaware Valley. Location:9201 Germantown Ave |  Phone:(215) 247-0476. Please tell us in the comments below, which Philadelphia Museums are your favorite or which museums you would like to visit."

"I am not as crazy as to ask you to take a taxi just for the sake of ice cream: this awesome ice cream shop is located right next to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and that’s the next stop on our itinerary. First of all, I couldn’t miss a café with such a catchy name. I know it’s temping, but don’t ask the counterperson what’s so gay about this ice cream and whether eating it is going to make you gay. Apparently, they get asked these questions a lot, so the answer is printed on the menu."

"Near Sam's Morning Glory Diner is the famous Philadelphia Magical Gardens: an extensive art gallery adorned with mosaic art made from recycled materials. From the fantastical lower level to an outdoor "backyard" with twisting paths, you'll use up your camera's storage space taking photos galore."

"This limited time pop-up photo exhibit event features an array of photo booths decorated by Philly artists - all for one reason: selfies. This event is the first of its kind in the city and is only going on until September 3, 2018 - so if you haven't already gotten your tickets, do it now!"

"They don’t ever repeat themselves, which is rather remarkable. And with a recent expansion into the space next door, they now offer cocktails, live music, room for larger groups, and a short, tight menu of bar snacks and small plates. 55-61 North Main Street, Ambler."

"A bit outside of the city center, Philly turns a bit greener, a bit quieter, and a lot more in tune with the trends. The chill, friendly folks over at Wissahickon Brewery fit right into this scene. The space is packed on weekends with not only groups of hearty beer drinkers but also their babies, parents, and pets."

"An unpretentious, family-owned shop with plenty of reasons to visit: live music, bar games, beer yoga (yes, really), and regular food trucks. Wissahickon offers flights of eight beers and tours in a lively setting. This is a destination brewery on the rise, offering solid beers like the popular Kelpius Kave."

"Bars Breweries Fishtown. Fishtown welcomed Evil Genius’s 185-seat brewpub earlier this year, offering a powerful lineup of craft beers in bold flavors like Purple Monkey Dishwasher, a choco-peanut butter porter; I Love Lamp, a German-inspired hefeweizen brewed with fresh pineapple; and This One Time at Band Camp, a strong double IPA. The operation includes a stable of 15 barrels, and a rotating selection of experimental varieties is available exclusively in the on-site tasting room, dubbed the Lab."

"Evil Genius Beer Company not only brews some of Philadelphia’s best beer, but they also have, without a doubt, the most creative names for their brews. Beer lovers can enjoy beers with fantastic pop culture references such as Bye Felicia IPA, Purple Monkey Dishwasher Porter, and I Love Lamp Hefeweizen. Their tasting room, dubbed The Lab, is located in Philly’s Fishtown neighborhood and features a laid back atmosphere and many great board games for visitors to enjoy."

"FishtownEvil Genius made it big with quirky beer names and a taproom filled with nostalgia, but even as COVID-19 makes visiting said taproom not quite possible, Evil Genius has been growing. With the launch of its hard seltzer line last year -- as well as the seasonal returns of favorites like Santa!"

"Recognized by Guinness Records as the home of the largest collection of pizza memorabilia, this "pizza museum" also serves up some very memorable pies. Whole pizzas are available in a variety of eclectic flavor combos with toppings like honey goat cheese, Buffalo sauce, spicy mustard, sirloin and soy chorizo, or diners can order single slices from a smaller list of rotating choices. Adventurous kids looking to try something a little different can try the Bob Shieldsmoose, a white pie with brisket, blue cheese, garlic and horseradish."

"A post shared by Pizza Brain + Desert Bar @ PB (@mypizzabrain) on Aug 19, 2019 at 2:42pm PDT. *Must be love pizza on the brain.* Believed to be the world’s first museum dedicated to the fan-fav dish, Pizza Brain’s Museum of Pizza Culture (located in Pizza Brain’s pizzeria), houses a range of items celebrating ‘za. With pieces dating back to the 1940’s all the way through the present day, the collection tells the tale of pizza’s rise to popularity."

"Pizza Brain might be home to the most delicious museum in Philadelphia. That’s because this Fishtown museum is located inside one of the city’s best pizzerias. Pizza Brain claims to be the world’s first pizza museum, and they feature many interesting pizza-related artifacts, toys, and advertisements throughout the establishment."

"Start off your visit on the 22nd (Sun): revel in the low prices at Phildelphia Premium Outlets, then witness the site of a historic battle at Valley Forge National Historical Park, then pause for some photo ops at National Memorial Arch, and finally buy something for everyone on your list at King of Prussia Mall. For more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Limerick trip itinerary planner ."

"I am not as crazy as to ask you to take a taxi just for the sake of ice cream: this awesome ice cream shop is located right next to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and that’s the next stop on our itinerary. First of all, I couldn’t miss a café with such a catchy name. I know it’s temping, but don’t ask the counterperson what’s so gay about this ice cream and whether eating it is going to make you gay. Apparently, they get asked these questions a lot, so the answer is printed on the menu."

"Near Sam's Morning Glory Diner is the famous Philadelphia Magical Gardens: an extensive art gallery adorned with mosaic art made from recycled materials. From the fantastical lower level to an outdoor "backyard" with twisting paths, you'll use up your camera's storage space taking photos galore."