118 N. Broad St., 215/972-7600,
www.pafa.org [1]
HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
COST: $7 adult, $6 senior and student, $5 child 5–18, free member and child under 5
Having recently celebrated its 200th anniversary—take that, Guggenheim!—the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the oldest art school and oldest museum in the country. Inside the National Historic Landmark building, holdings include paintings and other works by many of the masters, including Cecilia Beaux, William Merritt Chase, Frank Duveneck, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, Childe Hassam, and Edmund Tarbell.
Eakins is particularly associated with PAFA, as its most controversial and paradigm-shifting director. Now, the academy he led is one of the most prestigious art schools in America, and is a must-see for any art-loving visitor.
Guided tours are included with admission, at 11:30 and 12:30 p.m. on weekdays, and noon and 1 p.m. on weekends. The Morris Gallery exhibitions on the ground floor are free and open to the public.
Links:
[1] http://www.pafa.org