Philly’s Best Art & Culture Spots: A Local’s Top 5 Picks

Philadelphia, you know, it’s a place just overflowing with history and brimming with, well, just all kinds of beautiful artistry. From its grand museums, to its intimate little galleries, and of course those historic spots, there’s something to speak to everyone, in some respects. If you’re someone looking to, perhaps, experience the soul of this amazing town, alright, well, culture might be just the ticket. That said, pinning down where to begin can, you know, feel slightly overwhelming, so I’ve curated a list of my five, really absolute must-visit art and culture stops that could be the best, honestly.

1. The Philadelphia Museum of Art: More or Less the Cornerstone of Philly’s Artistic Scene

The Philadelphia Museum of Art, right, it isn’t only like, just a museum. Actually, that’s just a very big understatement. It is arguably, that cultural icon maybe even more than those famous “Rocky Steps.” Is that correct? Here, that gigantic collection spans from ancient treasures all the way to pretty recent masterpieces. Think, more or less, grand paintings by Renoir, interesting sculptures by Rodin, and then entire rooms pulled straight, like literally, out of ancient castles. Anyway, you might want to give yourself a chunk of time because you can easily spend all day browsing through its halls. I mean, you’d think it doesn’t sound that fun, yet, you get invested when you’re there!

What’s truly special, so it seems, is the museum’s effort to offer stuff for all types of visitor. It often has interesting, special events like lectures, art workshops, and, wow, really creative themed exhibitions that you probably will just adore, actually. To make the most of your visit, by the way, you might consider taking a tour – this often sheds light on pieces you would have easily skipped right by. Then you can make a choice on a handful of things to go view!

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2. The Barnes Foundation: An Oddly Captivating, Very Different Experience

The Barnes Foundation, well, it’s just a bit unlike, almost any art space that, well, probably you have gone to before. That is, if you had gone to art places, or perhaps if you just decided you had to experience different spaces. Founded by Albert C. Barnes, the collection features, in fact, an absolutely amazing array of post-impressionist and early modern paintings, and the arrangement is, too, kinda different. Very peculiar! Barnes, it’s said, displayed artwork by, maybe even arranging them based on really the color, space, and also that balance of it. Then, the thing is, the layout really encourages you to make some cool, honestly awesome visual connections, really by forcing you to actually look closely at each piece’s every, singular element.

Is that a bunch of blah? Alright, the Barnes it’s certainly known for masterpieces by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and, wow, just simply the Picasso. That said, it offers much, much more than just paintings. Here, you can explore, in some respects, great metalwork, plus a bunch of Pennsylvania German furniture – a little hodgepodge you really might end up enjoying. Because entry it’s ticketed with timed slots, it might be slightly advantageous for you to plan way in advance; so your time there can feel less crowded and more personal to, really, you. Actually, planning can really save you time.

Read our full review: The Barnes Foundation Full Review and Details

3. Independence National Historical Park: Just a Touch of Where it All Started

Let’s say if art, truly it doesn’t float your boat too much, how about traveling a bit deeper in time, just a tad? Independence National Historical Park, and not to mention, all its spots like Independence Hall where they did sign the Declaration of Independence. Also, you know, that really symbolic Liberty Bell will give your trip just all kinds of deep emotions, actually. Just walking in all these footsteps that folks of olde days might have felt is like, a big thing to feel for yourself. Actually, what this park offers is pretty cool.

But before your day starts you could swing by the Independence Visitor Center. It’s a fine starting-off spot! You could grab all sorts of pamphlets and sign up for any ranger-led tour you kinda like to check out. Now you are set up great for your historic adventure that you definitely won’t find a lot of places, really.

Read our full review: Independence National Historical Park Full Review and Details

4. Mural Arts Program: Art Where the Ordinary Person Might Be

Now, for those thinking of something totally outdoors or very interesting: The Mural Arts Program kinda puts art all over the city’s various areas. Instead of, almost, getting stuck into a dusty place or very old room, so to speak, Philly kind of shows art everywhere! Since its start, the project it feels more than likely took grey buildings or dark tunnels and gave it great visuals that pop off a city and kind of make it much, much more pleasant or at least colorful.

When, too, you wanna make a deep impact just go to a walking tour where you have the benefit to take snapshots or gather historical details about particular pieces that you love looking at as you walk. Actually, with just loads of murals scattered all around the areas of this urban town there’s plenty for everyone visiting Philadelphia.

Read our full review: Mural Arts Program Full Review and Details

5. Eastern State Penitentiary: When it Is Actually Just “Fun” to be Freaked

Do, alright, you happen to enjoy some, slightly spooky spots where you kind of enjoy historical things? What about some chills or, like your own adrenaline pumping away. That means you could drop in to Eastern State Penitentiary that kind of sits here or almost haunts our very own city with really, its somber stuff that gives an unsettling type tour that has much more to offer then you just see. Maybe the high stone walls where they housed the 1829 bad boys has that grim thing you might find almost so very special.

Too, they did it so it felt kind of solitary for all folks with bad behaviour because many suffered mental conditions in such total isolation and being apart for real long periods. If some cells could really just whisper with their stories: maybe that experience you just might find worthwhile for what the Eastern State Pen can still kind of provide if you decide to think of your own vacation stop being quite meaningful.

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