Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia · United States · Founded 1876
Quick answer
Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, United States — the Philadelphia Museum of Art was founded in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition. Open Thursday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday until 8:45 PM; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Admission: $30 standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Philadelphia Museum of Art at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Thursday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday until 8:45 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Tuesday and Wednesday |
| Admission | $30 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Friday evenings until 8:45 PM for pay-what-you-wish admission and fewer crowds. |
| Getting there | Bus: SEPTA Bus 38 to the museum's west entrance on Kelly Drive |
| Address | 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA |
| Official website | philamuseum.org |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Philadelphia Museum of Art known for?
The Philadelphia Museum of Art was founded in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition. Its current building atop Fairmount opened in 1928 and is one of the largest art museums in the United States.
A landmark Frank Gehry renovation completed in 2021 added new public spaces and connected the building's two main entrances through a soaring vaulted walkway beneath the famous Rocky Steps.
The collection spans 2,000 years and five continents — European painting from the Middle Ages to Surrealism, American art, Asian art, and one of the finest collections of arms and armour in the Western Hemisphere.
The museum's east entrance and its 72 steps were immortalised by Sylvester Stallone in Rocky (1976). A bronze Rocky statue stands at the foot of the steps in Eakins Oval.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Families
How long do you need at Philadelphia Museum of Art?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Philadelphia Museum of Art without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Large Bathers
📍 European Galleries, second floor
Cézanne's final, monumental exploration of the bather motif — three monumental nudes beside a pool in a compressed Provençal landscape.
- 2
Étant donnés
📍 Duchamp Gallery
Duchamp's secret final work — a peephole through a wooden door revealing a nude figure lying on branches before a landscape.
- 3
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mifflin (Sarah Morris)
📍 American Art Galleries
A masterful double portrait of a Philadelphia Quaker merchant and his wife — Copley's finest American-period work, showing the couple in an elegant interior with a stormy landscape visible through the window.
- 4
Temple Hall
📍 South Asian Art Galleries
A sixteenth-century teak temple hall from Madurai, South India — reassembled stone by stone inside the museum.
What are the must-see works at Philadelphia Museum of Art?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Large Bathers, Étant donnés, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mifflin (Sarah Morris) and more.
The Large Bathers
Paul Cézanne · 1900–1906
📍 European Galleries, second floor
Cézanne's final, monumental exploration of the bather motif — three monumental nudes beside a pool in a compressed Provençal landscape. A cornerstone of modern art that influenced Picasso and Matisse.
Étant donnés
Marcel Duchamp · 1946–1966
📍 Duchamp Gallery
Duchamp's secret final work — a peephole through a wooden door revealing a nude figure lying on branches before a landscape. Installed posthumously according to the artist's instructions.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mifflin (Sarah Morris)
John Singleton Copley · 1773
📍 American Art Galleries
A masterful double portrait of a Philadelphia Quaker merchant and his wife — Copley's finest American-period work, showing the couple in an elegant interior with a stormy landscape visible through the window.
Temple Hall
Indian craftsmen · c. 1550
📍 South Asian Art Galleries
A sixteenth-century teak temple hall from Madurai, South India — reassembled stone by stone inside the museum. One of the largest Indian architectural installations in any Western museum.
Collections and highlights
- • European painting — Cézanne, Rubens, Van Gogh, Monet
- • Marcel Duchamp's Étant donnés
- • American art from colonial to contemporary
- • Indian and Himalayan art — temple hall and thangkas
- • Arms and armour collection
- • Frank Gehry's vaulted Core Project walkway
Tips for visiting Philadelphia Museum of Art
- 1.
Best time to visit
Friday evenings until 8:45 PM for pay-what-you-wish admission and fewer crowds. Thursday–Monday daytime for full gallery access.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Weekend afternoons are busiest, especially around the Rocky Steps. Galleries on upper floors are quieter.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
$30 standard admission; pay-what-you-wish on the first Sunday of each month and Friday evenings. Book online at philamuseum.org.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Granite Hill restaurant inside the museum; food trucks at the base of the Rocky Steps; restaurants on Fairmount Avenue.
- 5.
Accessibility
Fully accessible after the Gehry renovation. Wheelchairs and strollers available. The Rocky Steps have a ramp on the north side.
How do you get to Philadelphia Museum of Art?
- bus SEPTA Bus 38 to the museum's west entrance on Kelly Drive
- walk 30-minute walk from City Hall up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- car Parking garage beneath the museum on Anne d'Harnoncourt Drive
Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
Philadelphia Museum of Art: frequently asked questions
Where are the Rocky Steps?
The famous 72 steps lead up to the museum's east entrance from Eakins Oval.
Is there a pay-what-you-wish day?
Yes, the museum offers pay-what-you-wish admission on selected days each month.
How long should I spend at Philadelphia Museum of Art?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Philadelphia Museum of Art. Our 4-stop route — The Large Bathers, Étant donnés, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mifflin (Sarah Morris) and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Philadelphia Museum of Art best known for?
The Philadelphia Museum of Art was founded in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition. Its current building atop Fairmount opened in 1928 and is one of the largest art museums in the United States. Key highlights include The Large Bathers by Cézanne, Étant donnés by Marcel Duchamp, Indian and Himalayan galleries.
How do I get tickets for Philadelphia Museum of Art?
Admission: $30 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.philamuseum.org/
What did the Gehry renovation add?
The Core Project (2021) created a vaulted walkway connecting the east and west entrances, added 90,000 square feet of public space, and opened previously closed areas beneath the main stairs.
Is Philadelphia Museum of Art open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays?
No — Philadelphia Museum of Art is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday (closing days: Tuesday and Wednesday). It is open Thursday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday until 8:45 PM. Plan a different museum for those days, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Philadelphia Museum of Art's opening hours?
Philadelphia Museum of Art is open Thursday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday until 8:45 PM, and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Philadelphia Museum of Art free to visit?
No — standard admission is $30 standard admission.