It’s not unheard of to see high schoolers in an art museum: maybe they’re on vacation, or maybe it’s for a school trip. But what young people might be able to appreciate in a museum while travelling in New York City, Paris, or London, they’re far less likely to appreciate in their own backyard: Philadelphia.
Philly is an undeniably historically rich city, filled with every hyperspecific museum a person could imagine, usually related to the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, or something from the 1700s.
Though the quintessential history museums have their own merit, they often overshadow the many worthy art museums in our city. But even worse, in the eyes of many teens, Philadelphia’s reputation for “boring” history museums eliminates all museums, art museums included, from their radar.
I’m originally from New York City, and maybe it was how I was raised, but art was just the way of life. Many weekends, my family and I would walk to the Brooklyn Museum for whatever interesting contemporary exhibition they were showing, spend an hour or two, and leave happier than we arrived. Whether it was an installation in the botanical garden, a local concert in the park, or a gallery, engaging with art sustained us.
Naturally, when I moved to Philly four years ago, I immediately began looking for interesting art museums to visit. One of my favorites quickly became The Barnes, which I’ve visited more times than I can count in the last few years.
As someone who likes to make art, I sometimes bring a sketchbook, but most of the time I don’t. I say this to emphasize that you truly don’t need to be an artist or have a particularly “artistic eye” to enjoy art museums.
The real joy should be completely your own. It can be a point of connection. It can be an act of mindfulness and presence. It can serve simply as a way to be in community. And for those who like to create, it can be a source of inspiration.
For a teen looking for something fun and different, spending an afternoon in one of Philly’s many art museums is worth a try. There is really no better time to visit, since as a teen, at many major art museums it is significantly cheaper (if not completely free) compared to the adult rates. Philadelphia Art Museum and the Barnes Foundation are both 30 dollars for adults, while for teens it’s free at PAM and only five dollars at the Barnes if you’re under 18.
If you’re looking for a fun and unintimidating museum experience, the Rodin or Calder Gardens are great options. The Rodin, which consists completely of Auguste Rodin sculptures, is like a miniature version of the Musée Rodin in Paris. The building is small and pristine, made in the traditional French beaux-arts style. On a nice day, look around and take in some complex and often emotional sculpture, and then head outside to enjoy the sculpture garden’s scenery from a bench.
Calder Gardens is similarly enjoyable in how much you can get out of it in a short time. You will be completely entranced in a wooded modernist environment filled with Alexander Calder’s strong contemporary sculpture, hung from ceilings and placed in unusual ways about the space.
The museum is small, with only one floor of gallery space, so there is no rushing around to see it all, trust me, you will easily see it all. The outdoor space and many peaceful sitting places are also perfect for hanging out with friends or just enjoying the environment.
For those that might prefer a more traditional museum experience, Philadelphia Art Museum, the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), or The Woodmere are great choices. The Philadelphia Art Museum is especially strong, particularly for both impressionism and American art.
The Barnes (my favorite) is almost gluttonous with the amount of Renoir paintings and other acclaimed impressionist works it houses within its sleek walls. PAFA is the perfect mix of old and new with both crazy contemporary and traditional. And finally, the Woodmere, located on the edge of Philadelphia, is filled with Philadelphia art from a variety of styles and eras and is, in general, a great space.
For some people, a museum might never be the perfect fit, but for all Philly teens with a little bit of curiosity, now is the time to explore. Amidst the chaos of high school, taking in art can alleviate some of the stress and open up new ways of thinking (and it can be free)!
So even if you think art museums are boring and just for adults with nothing better to do, give it a shot. There is a way for all of us to engage with art in a fulfilling way, so why not use the many great options Philadelphia provides?
Jess • Dec 14, 2025 at 1:20 pm
Museums in general are great. I think they’re a great way to engage with culture, history and art from different eras in a physical way. I believe that they have a lot to offer, especially since museums are constantly changing (via new exhibits, edits to old ones etc.) Art museums in particular are places I like to frequent, some of my favorites being the Philadelphia Art Museum, the Boston Art Museum, and the various art galleries in Washington DC. I think everyone should go to a museum in their life at least a couple of times, they can be a great way to spend time with friends and family, while being educational and fun at the same time. Bottom line, museums are cool, and people should appreciate them more for what they do and what they offer.
Olivia G. • Dec 13, 2025 at 9:08 pm
Wow, thank you so much for this article! Interestingly, I have only visited the Philadelphia Art Museum out of all of the ones that you have mentioned in this article… I’m looking forward to checking them out soon. 🙂 I’m also from New York, and I loved visiting the Brooklyn Museum and the MoMA in Manhattan, among other art museums. Art has been such an important part of my life, especially when I was younger. Being exposed to different artists’ experiences to learn from and being shown different models and types of art really helped me see how I could possibly express myself creatively. Recently, there was a small pop-up art exhibit in the town that I live in, and it was centred around the artist’s family dynamics and how she explored her African heritage and what that meant to her in her current life as a black female. I really think branching out into Philly and the surrounding areas to experience art from all sorts of backgrounds can be really beneficial for so many reasons, like you described. It not only offers a window into someone else’s world, but can bring you peace and introspection… which can be helpful in our busy lives.
Nalani • Dec 12, 2025 at 4:25 pm
I definitely agree with how much museums are a fun way to explore art and see something new. I have always loved going to new places and visiting them. From a young age, my parents often took my brother and me to museums. The Franklin Institute and the Art Museums were definitely frequents for us. This is probably where my interest in museums started. Museums have so much to offer us. Whether it’s about history or art, or an interactive learning experience, museums provide a fun and exciting way to learn about something or someone new. There are so many different types of museums that everyone can find something of interest in different ones across the country.
Anjali Holloman • Dec 10, 2025 at 11:27 am
I agree that museums are an exciting way to get outside and experience something new. I think that museums are the most fascinating way to see the world. Museums curate and present viewers with pieces of history that might be more palatable in forms of art rather than maybe a piece of writing. This summer, I visited the Chicago Institute of Art. They had such a wide variety of art from all over eras of history, and places in the world. Their selection opened my eyes to how museums can take this large world, and piece by piece, present it to a viewer. This is especially important because often (as you said) museums are inexpensive for students. That way, it is accessible for students to gain exposure to cultures all around the world.
Kylie Firmin • Dec 10, 2025 at 11:24 am
I agree that developing an appreciation for art can be beneficial for most teens and perpetuates the role art has in our lives. I feel that art has a lot of historical and cultural significance, but it can also be contemporary in the way it connects people today. Growing up, my family always took my siblings and me to art museums. Maybe it was just to get us out of the house, or maybe it was just for exposure, but I know that those frequent trips to museums like PAM or The Barnes helped shape my appreciation for art into what it is today. I know that I’m not only more knowledgeable about art history, but I’m also curious about modern art in all forms and media. I think now, in a time where there’s so much turmoil in the world, it’s especially important for young people to recognize places where we still have points of connection and see it demonstrated in beautiful ways.
Nathaniel • Dec 9, 2025 at 9:43 pm
I completely agree that museums can be a fun and engaging experience for teens. However, I feel that in the modern era, as people increasingly seem to view them as boring, museums should rethink what it means to display art and focus on creating more interactive art installations. Visiting museums is also a pastime that I enjoy. I am particularly interested in Japanese woodblock brands and recently visited a Hiroshige exhibition at the Boston MFA with my grandfather. I actually encountered a decent amount of people my age there who were interested in exploring museums and discovering art. While museums are, undoubtedly, popular among some teens, on the whole people seem to be less interested in viewing art than they used to be. During family gatherings such as Thanksgiving and Christmas my family used to frequently visit museums. Now, though, my college age cousins don’t want to go because they say it is boring. I think to try and attract a broader audience, museums should try experimenting with some more interactive installations. A few years ago, I attended a pop up Van Gogh installation that featured 3D interpretations of Van Gogh paintings that you could walk through. I found this very engaging, and felt it helped me understand Van Gogh’s art on a deeper level. I think that if more museums instituted similar installations, they would attract more people who would have otherwise considered museums boring.
Avila Widestrom • Dec 9, 2025 at 12:11 pm
Seeing art and supporting these institutions is essential, and as a high school student, it is highly affordable. Of all the museums mentioned, I have been to every one, even some with the author. I grew up in a household that prioritized outings like this, and I remember going to these museums as a kid. The cognitive impact of going, looking and discussing artwork it extremely important as a teen. Our brains are growing and changing and activating the part of our brain that is connected to art helps activate otherwise unused parts of our brain that assist one’s cognitive development and ability. Of all of the reason that one should support the arts, this is an important one because it will allow a student to achieve more.
avery f • Dec 14, 2025 at 6:13 pm
Avila, I completely agree with your perspective. Interacting with art allows for teenagers to not only decompress, but become exposed to new ideas that can provoke conversation and inspiration. Art encourages critical thinking from viewers, allowing for a deeper understanding of society and the world around them. Engaging with different forms of art allows for teenagers to become more well rounded as it inspires empathy and creativity, while also creating a sense of community.
Anjali Tremblay • Dec 9, 2025 at 9:02 am
Thanks Helene for this thorough and interesting article. I think that every young person who can should go to art museums and experience all they have to offer. Growing up, going to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rodin Museum was something my family would do at least once a year. Starting from when I was only four years old, I would look at art and talk about what I saw with my family. This has helped me develop a real appreciation for art. Just this year in Spanish class, we were learning about Picasso’s cubism. As soon as I saw the picture of The Three Musicians, I remembered it being one of my favorite pieces from the Philly Museum. This gave me background for what we were already learning. I didn’t need to take an art class or think about art all the time; art museums have provided me with baseline knowledge that helps me every day.