Location: Baltimore
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Top 7 Art Museums in Baltimore, Maryland (MD)
Since the redevelopment of the Inner Harbor in the late 1970s, Baltimore has set the standard for urban renewal. While a good part of the city's action centers around the fun and festive Harbor area, where street entertainers, open-air concerts, fireworks and parades abound, the surrounding neighborhoods offer all sorts of interesting landmarks, unique shops and delicious restaurants. Wander around Fells Point, the oldest section of Baltimore, reminiscent of an old English village, complete with pubs and cobblestone streets. Take the kids to the aquarium and check out the imaginative creations at the American Visionary Art Museum. Or stop by the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum for an in-depth look at the Great Bambino's life. Baltimore is also renowned for its African-American heritage sites, plus festivals and cultural events that take place throughout the year. From historic places and harbor cruises to family friendly attractions and fabulous neighborhoods, Charm City is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.
Restaurants in Baltimore
1. The Walters Art Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,445 reviews
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.
Reviewed By davisellu
My most recent trip here was to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School exhibit. It was great-- informative, interactive, and you could get so close to the many items on display. I love the medieval items and many other parts of the collection as well. The museum is free (but I encourage you to become a member to support the work going on here!) and just a few blocks north of the main downtown part of Baltimore. The main building is lovely and the overall floor plan twists around a bit. The gift shop and cafe are worth checking out-- some nice things in the first, and just enjoying the pretty room and ambiance in the second.
2. Maryland Center for History and Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
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.
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
My husband and I both wanted to see the exhibition called “The Spectrum of Fashion.” We wanted to wait until after we were vaccinated to go to the museum. Thankfully, we were able to go the last week it was open. As we are members, we went online and ordered tickets for 10 am on a Wednesday. It was such an easy way to get a ticket. Curious to know how they came up with the name, I googled it. This is what I found. “The Spectrum of Fashion - The word “spectrum” was deliberately chosen for this exhibition as it embodies the encyclopedic nature of the Fashion Archives. In this 3,000-square-foot gallery, you will experience the spectrum of color, the spectrum of time, and the spectrum of Maryland life from 1724 through today.” The exhibition delivered on its name. We were treated to lots of color, lots of period clothing, and time travel thru fashion. The collection spanned some four centuries. There were over 100 women’s and men’s clothing and accessories on display, as well as decorative arts. It was a wonderful exhibit – expertly laid out and labeled. I especially enjoyed seeing the Monkey Gown that belonged to Wallace Warfield Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor.
3. Baltimore Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 805 reviews
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.
Reviewed By MeloraK - Baltimore, United States
The BMA has recently picked up an innovative and exciting air. You can follow them on Instagram to get a taste. In the meantime our recent visit reminded me of what a nice collection the museum has of Matisse and friends from the rich Cone Collection. The interactive apartment was a hit for us this time. The Contemporary Wing is getting more action of late, and since the museum is free I love to go even for a brief cleansing “art bath”.
4. The Baltimore Museum of Art Sculpture Garden
5. Maryland Museum of African Art
A museum featuring African art.
6. Baltimore's Black American Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8 reviews
