Nestled in northern Baltimore, the Baltimore Museum of Art is renowned for its art collections and architecture. The museum houses over 90,000 pieces of art from Europe, China, Africa, the Pacific, and the Americas. Built in 1917 on donated land from Johns Hopkins University, the museum was designed with a Greco-Roman theme to showcase its original European and American art collections. Throughout the 20th century the museum added a diverse collection of artwork from Africa, Asia, South America, and the Pacific. Today the museum is a highly popular destination for art lovers visiting the city.
How to get to the Baltimore Museum of Art
The best way to travel to the museum is by car. Parking is available on nearby streets and in an adjacent parking lot. Those using public transportation can use the MATA buses that run up and down Charles St.
Best and worst time to go to the Baltimore Museum of Art
Perhaps the best time to see the museum is during May and June when the Wurtzburger and Levi Sculpture Gardens are in full bloom. Jazz lovers will want to visit in July when jazz concerts are held onsite with some great musicians visiting the museum.
Must see/do at the Baltimore Museum of Art
The museum has a multitude of popular, ongoing exhibits. The American Wing has over 800 pieces of paintings, sculptures, and decor from the United States. The Cone Collection features an amazing collection of modern art works from many famous artists including Picasso, Van Gogh, and Degas. The Asian Collection features art from Chinese artists covering over 2000 years. The African Art Wing includes over 2100 stunning works from over 40 different empires and nations from the continent of Africa. Finally, the European Art Collection showcases painting masterpieces from renown artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn and Jean Baptiste Siméon Chardin.
Other places to visit near the Baltimore Museum of Art
Visitors will want to visit the campus of Johns Hopkins University with its rich history of tradition. Two blocks over from the museum are a number of eclectic restaurants and shops on St Paul's Street. Wyman Park is located adjacent to the museum with many paths for hikers or dog lovers. Families may like a nearby playground just south of the museum.
Insider tip for visitors to the Baltimore Museum of Art
Before visiting, consider calling or checking to see if the museum is closed for any special events. Special tours for hearing impaired, visually impaired, and foreign speakers can be arranged by calling 443-573-1825.
Author's bio: Bruce Emmerling is a freelance writer residing in Baltimore, MD. He's been writing independent articles about technology, travel, events and news for over six years.