Philadelphia\u2019s best-known canvas, The Declaration of Independence, is one of the world\u2019s premier political and historical masterpieces. It no longer resides in Philadelphia, but its enthusiastic spirit of independence roams free, creating a thriving art scene for artists and art lovers from around the world. It has been a momentous year in art for Philadelphia, so make a trip to check out all that its local museums, galleries and institutions have to offer.<\/p>\n
Arthur Frommer of Frommer\u2019s Guidebooks<\/em><\/a> writes, \u201cupcoming developments…will make [Philadelphia] a real contender for the top American position in the world of art. Three imminent openings of new art museums and museum exhibits will make Philadelphia the equal of any other U.S. city in the cultural field.\u201d Intrigued? Check out our list of the top ten must-see art destinations in Philadelphia<\/strong> to find the one that brings out the creative spirit in you.<\/p>\n The Philadelphia Museum of Art<\/strong><\/a> Note:<\/strong> Visitors to the exhibit can take advantage of discounts on Amtrak rail travel throughout the city; information is available at philamuseum.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts<\/strong> First Friday<\/strong><\/a> The Mural Arts Tour<\/strong> The Franklin Institute<\/strong><\/a> Magic Gardens<\/strong><\/a> The Philadelphia Flower Show<\/strong><\/a> Rodin Museum<\/strong><\/a> The Barnes Foundation<\/strong><\/a> Take Megabus<\/a> or Consult the Philadelphia Transportation guide<\/a> in the Transportation Advisor section of offMetro.com NY.<\/em><\/p>\n Photo: By Karolina Skupien, courtesy of Art Resource, NY\/Art Resource<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWhile the Vincent van Gogh exhibit and its sunflowers and sheaves of wheat has moved on, this museum always has something special up its sleeve for the next museum-goer, be it the iconic garments from Ronaldus Shamask: Form, Fashion, Reflection,\u00a0<\/em>the sculptures of Cy Twombly, or Audubon to Warhol: The Art of American Still Life, <\/i>opening October 27, 2015.<\/p>\n
\nIf you missed Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit, kick yourself a little and then discover there are plenty of experiential works and comics-inspired paintings to make it worth stopping here along your artsy tour of the town.<\/p>\n
\nIf you happen to make your visit to Philadelphia on the first Friday of any month, you\u2019ll be treated to the longstanding tradition of open houses at galleries and boutiques in the historic Old City neighborhood, known as First Friday. Today several other neighborhoods like Northern Liberties and East Passyunk have joined the First Friday festivities with their own art-themed events and activities. Wandering in and out of local galleries is one of the best ways to see art from the ground up in Philly.<\/p>\n
\nMurals are a signature sight in Philadelphia, thanks in part to a 1984 initiative started by the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network. You\u2019re likely to spot several towering works of outdoor art (there are over 3,000) as you stroll around the city or ride the rails on the new Love Letter Train Tour<\/a>. Get a closer look, plus an insider perspective and background info, during a guided Mural Arts Tour. You can choose a walking or trolley tour, and pick from several themed options (spirituality? love? culinary arts?) to suit your personal interests.<\/p>\n
\nFor a kid-friendly art destination, hit children\u2019s favorite The Franklin Institute for Next Stop Mars, Learn the Science of Sports, and Meerkats 3D if there’s time. The exhibits are hands-on here, so visitors of all ages can get creative with video game design, architecture, theme park engineering, DJ technology and more. Who knows what future interests you\u2019ll spark?<\/p>\n
\nA stroll around Philadelphia would not be complete without a sighting of the glittering mosaic work of local artist Isaiah Zagar. While you\u2019ll surely notice Zagar\u2019s work on buildings around town, especially in South Philadelphia, his Magic Gardens are the pinnacle of his artwork. This walk-through site showcases the depth and resourcefulness of Zagar\u2019s prolific mosaic work. Take the kids on a stroll through the Magic Gardens on a sunny day, and watch their imaginations come alive.<\/p>\n
\nIf you consider intricately crafted landscapes and sculptures of flowers to be living, breathing works of art, then The Philadelphia Flower Show should be your destination. Come March 2-10, 2013, the British Invasion theme promises to be a “Brilliant” spectacle of royal proportions, so expect to see all sorts of icons represented, like red telephones, Parliament, football, the Duchess of Cambridge,\u00a0the Gherkin, Twiggy, Beefeater gin, and of course, The Beatles.<\/p>\n
\nUnder renovation since 2008, Philadelphia\u2019s Rodin Museum has recently reopened. Outside the\u00a0Mus\u00e9e Rodin in Paris, Philadelphia\u2019s Rodin museum features the largest collection of works by the artist, nearly 130 sculptures, and includes bronze casts of his instantly-recognizable The Thinker<\/em>,<\/a> as well as of his final work, The Gates of Hell<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nThe newly reopened Barnes Foundation is widely thought to be the crown jewel of the Philadelphia art world. The long-awaited, controversial museum project relocated the peerless art collection of the late Dr. Albert Barnes (think: 69 works by Cezanne, 59 by Matisse, 49 by Picasso and 181 by Renoir alone!) from its small campus in suburban Philadelphia to the center of the city, where it joined several other prominent museums along the Ben Franklin Parkway.<\/p>\nHow to get to Philly from NYC:<\/strong><\/h2>\n