10 Art Museums in Maryland That You Shouldn't Miss

The Walters Art Museum is a cultural hub in the heart of Baltimore. Located in the city’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, the Walters is free for all. The museum’s collection spans more than seven millennia, from 5,000 BCE to the 21st century, and encompasses 36,000 objects from around the world. Walking through the museum’s historic buildings, visitors encounter a stunning panorama of thousands of years of art, from romantic 19th-century images of French gardens to mesmerizing Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur’ans and Gospel books, ancient Roman sarcophagi, and serene images of the Buddha. The Walters' mission has been to bring art and people together and to create a place where people of every background can be touched by art. Admission to the museum and special exhibitions is always free.

Spend an evening on Annapolis' Gallery Row in the heart of the Arts District and visit the Annapolis Collection Gallery. It's devoted to six Annapolis masters plus it houses one of the largest collection of black and white photographs of the Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay, circa 1890-1950. Located 1 block from Church Circle and 7 doors from Rams Head. Open late.

Recognized as a top cultural site by the Maryland Department of Tourism, this free museum contains several rare historical artifacts from the surfing world collected by surfing legend Bruce Gabrielson over a 60 year period. Displays include Dale Velzey's original 1950's templates and planer, an original Makaha Skateboard, the first day edition of the Duke Stamp from both Huntington Beach and Waikiki, signed posters from numerous surfing legends, a signed poster from the Wooden Year's exhibit opening at the International Surfing Museum, a set of Rick Griffin drawings, plus paintings and photos from artists and surf photographers from the East and West Coast. Several antique boards are also on display. The museum requires reservations and is located in the offices of the National Surf Schools and Instructors Association. During the summer months the museum is closed when the surf is good.

The mission of the Academy Art Museum is to provide the knowledge, practice, and appreciation of the arts and to enhance cultural life on the Eastern Shore by making available to everyone the Museum's expanding collection, exhibitions, and broad spectrum of arts programs.

Housing a priceless collection of more than 200,000 objects, this museum displays a significant number of Maryland cultural artifacts plus items such as dolls and toys that provide a glimpse of everyday life in Maryland.

The WCMFA is a strong community anchor enhancing cultural opportunities, destination tourism, civic engagement, and economic vitality. Established in 1931 and dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting works of art for citizens from the four-state region, and national and international visitors, the WCMFA is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum is open six days a week, 52 weeks per year, offering free admission to a nationally recognized art collection, changing notable exhibitions, and numerous lively programs, educational offerings, and concerts. The Museum’s art collection includes over 6,500 works of art in the fields of American Art, world cultures, and art of the region. Changing exhibitions bring works of art from national and international sources to the region along with exhibitions recognizing regional artists.

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is home to an internationally renowned collection of 19th-century, modern, and contemporary art. Founded in 1914 with a single painting, the BMA today has 90,000 works of art-including the largest holding of works by Henri Matisse in the world.* The museum is currently undergoing an unprecedented $28 million renovation to provide visitors with a more welcoming environment and more imaginative and inspiring encounters with art. The BMA is remaining open throughout the multi-year project so that visitors can enjoy its outstanding selection of European and American painting and sculpture from the 17th through 20th centuries and the newly reinstalled Contemporary Wing with 14 galleries showcasing the art of our time. Two beautifully landscaped gardens display an array of 20th-century sculpture that is an oasis in the city. The museum's 100th anniversary will be celebrated in November 2014 with the reopening of the grand historic entrance designed by John Russell Pope and a beautiful new presentation of the museum's distinguished collection of American art. Subsequent reopenings include expanded galleries for the African and Asian art collections and a new learning and creativity center that will open in 2015. Since 2006, the BMA has eliminated general admission fees so that everyone can enjoy the power of art. * Many of the BMA's works by Matisse are part of a special exhibition traveling to museums in Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and San Antonio in 2013 and 2014. If you are visiting to see a specific artwork, please call the BMA Box Office to make sure it will be on view.

St. Clement’s Island Museum traces the history of English colonization and the landing on nearby St. Clement’s Island on March 25, 1634. The museum grounds is also home to a 19th century one-room schoolhouse, pier and docking facility. Water taxi service to St. Clement’s Island State Park is available most days June-October, weather permitting. Please call museum for water taxi availability.