Best Arts and Culture Places 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."

"Unlike many of the other museums and galleries in Philadelphia, Indigo Arts celebrates folk and contemporary art from all corners of the world. This is where you can find the likes of Haitian paintings, sculpture, and Vodou flags, and Nicaraguan “primativista” paintings. In addition to its exhibits, it also sells a number of its pieces–from a Haitian papier maché sculpture to Peruvian retablo sculptures."

"Vox Populi is the exhibition place and an artistic collective, which was established in 1988, when seven artists met at a local bar and decided to tackle the problem of too few artistic opportunities, through self-organized action. They formed Vox Populi, found a venue, and recruited 30 new members. Nowadays, Vox Populi hosts solo and group exhibitions of its members, but also guest exhibitions."

"Climb three floors through the graffiti-festooned stairwell into this experimental art gallery, where there's something oddly delightful around every corner. The best times to visit are on First Fridays or for the sporadic live band shows, at which the music tends to be as strange and fun as the art that's on the walls."

"This jewel of a museum holds the biggest collection outside France of the work of sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840–1917). Occupying a 20th-century…"

"The Rodin Museum, one of the largest collections from the thoughtful French sculptor. A replica of Rodin’s The Thinker outside the museum"

"Rescue Spa is Philadelphia's top spa featuring the best facials, massages, manicures, pedicures and other luxury spa services. Hours:12:04 AM - 9:00 AM todayThu: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PMFri: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PMSat: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PMSun: ClosedMon: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PMTue: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PMWed: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Address:1601 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103"

"255 South 17th Street, 2nd Floor Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215-772-2766rescuerittenhousespa.com. Sometimes it takes a glamorous aesthetician who was born in Poland, trained in France, and then toiled in Manhattan to really get it. Five years after she opened Rescue, Danuta Mieloch remains peerless."

"Should you need to be saved from stress, you should come to Rescue Spa. There’s never a bad time to get pampered, and this Philly spa is one of the best places to do so. Here, you can have plenty of fun while you’re unwinding and getting yourself refreshed."

"A large octopus presides on the wall of Roy Pitz, a brewery a few short steps away from Union Transfer, making it an ideal spot before or after a show. A quirky urban space and a seasonal menu of salads and sandwiches make for a well-rounded beer tour stop."

"This industrial-feeling brewpub makes award winning beers, craft spirits, and wine. Roy Pitz Barrel House also has a fantastic seasonal menu featuring local farm-to-table ingredients. Roy Pitz Brewmasters refer to their brews as Liquid Art."

"American , Bar Food"

"Restaurants Greater Philadelphia. Built on the concept of passion for great craft beer, 2nd Story Brewing Company creates its suds on site in Old City. The bi-level facility brews and serves classic varieties like the Declaration IPA, made with four types of hops, as well as unconventional options like the Schwartz Court, which incorporates notes of coffee and baker’s chocolate."

"Located in the heart of Old City, 2nd Story features a light-drenched room and a comfortable wood interior. It’s made for groups in the heart of Philadelphia looking for a place for snacks and true-to-their-style beers like tripels, stouts, and lagers."

"2nd Story Brewing is a fun spot with regular live music and trivia nights. It has a bright atmosphere, a solid food menu, and plenty of great beers to choose from. **Now open for limited dining, pickup, & delivery"

"Bars Breweries Kensington. Merging old-world style with modern techniques, Philadelphia Brewing Company operates in the oldest and largest brewing facility in Philadelphia. The brewery churns out more than a dozen varieties each year, most with monikers inspired by the City of Brotherly Love."

"Philadelphia Brewing Co. opened its doors in 2001 in Philly’s industrial Kensington neighborhood area. The brewery itself was originally constructed by the Weisbrod & Hess Oriental Brewing Company in 1885. Check out this spot for a great outdoor beer garden and free tours on Saturdays."

"Philadelphia Brewing is selling their entire inventory, including mix and match cases of beer for $33 and $11 six-packs of cider. There are also industry specials, and kegs for purchase - check their Instagram for more information, and call ahead to place an order."

"Cafe La Maude is lovely, with seating outdoors beneath a black and white striped awning and a clean, bright interior. The cuisine is French and Lebanese inspired and beautifully presented. The Parisian zá is a must try, as are the gypsy eggs, scrumptious and unique like the rest of Cafe La Maude’s menu items."

"Cafe La Maude offers Northern Liberties the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast, lunch, brunch or just beverages and pastries. During warmer months, sit outside and enjoy the nice weather. All year, feel free to dine and savor the French-Lebanese cuisine served with superior service from the staff here."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user JIP used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo is only for illustrative purposes. Not just a popular nightspot, but also home to one of Philly’s higher-rated eateries, L'Etage is situated within the popular Beau Monde restaurant and will appeal to those who wish to make a long evening of it and are maybe looking to fill their stomachs with some tasty treats before hitting the dance floor."

"Every city needs a great crepe place and Beau Monde is Philly’s. At the sunny corner bistro, downstairs from bar/club L’Etage, crepes are available for lunch, brunch, and dinner with options ranging from smoked salmon, poached eggs, and artichokes to beef bourguignon with blue cheese. Or go sweet with a combo of fruit, chocolate, and gelato."

"June BYOB is an upscale French restaurant that offers its clients remarkable customer service and meals. Also, this restaurant offers traditional French cuisine and some modern influences. Moreover, they have an impressive chef who exemplifies tasty French dishes and has been trained in top French restaurants such as Le ben Fin and Parc."

"June BYOB is offering no-contact curbside pickup with two-hour advance notice (you can call or email the restaurant to reserve your meal). For $38, you’ll get a whole chicken and sides to feed 4-5 people, or a half chicken and sides for $20. You can also now place delivery orders here."