Experts' Choice Award Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
What the experts agree on
America's first art school and museum houses three centuries of American art in a stunning 1876 Victorian Gothic building by Frank Furness. Home to works by masters like Thomas Eakins and alumni including David Lynch.
“The museum—a gem designed by Philadelphia’s Frank Furness and George Hewitt in 1876—takes the viewer on a chronologically arranged tour of American art from the 1760s to today.”
– Time Out
Fodor's "This High Victorian Gothic structure is a work of art in itself." Full review
Concierge "The nation's oldest museum and school of fine arts, founded in 1805, preens in the middle of Center City."
Lonely Planet "A prestigious academy that has a museum with works by American painters, including Charles Willson Peale and Thomas Eakins."
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"Housed in an ornate brick and limestone Victorian structure (1876, Frank Furness and George Hewitt), the museum exhibits three centuries of artistic styles." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "One of the country's pre-eminent art schools (alumni include filmmaker David Lynch and painter Maxfield Parrish) is also home to one of Philadelphia's best art museums." Full review
Afar Magazine "The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the nation's first museum and school of fine arts, and home to an outstanding permanent collection of American art." Full review
Where "This National Historic Landmark houses America's first art museum and art school, as well as one of the world's largest collections of American art." Full review
Lonely Planet "This prestigious arts school, founded in 1805, occupies two buildings including a masterwork of Victorian Gothic architecture designed by Frank Furness and George Hewitt." Full review
Frommer's "Two blocks north of City Hall is the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), a wonderful museum and teaching facility that was the first art school in the country." Full review
National Geographic
