Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

The 13 Best Museums in Philadelphia, From Art Galleries to Medical Museums | Condé Nast Traveler

"In a city of firsts, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) was the first art school and museum in the country. The museum's collection is spread across two buildings. First visit the grand, historic building, where you feel like you've stepped back in time—and straight across the Atlantic into Europe. After that, walk outside past Claes Oldenburg's "Paint Torch," an oversized paint brush sculpture, to the contemporary space next door. PAFA isn't on the typical tourist track, instead drawing true art aficionados and intellectuals. Since it's also a highly regarded art school, the museum feels very alive—you get the feeling that many of your fellow perusers may in fact be students polishing their craft." - Nancy DePalma