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Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

ArchitectureArtHistoryOpen until 5pmFrom $25Race-Vine (SEPTA Broad Street Line)

Founded in 1805 by Charles Willson Peale, William Rush and a circle of Philadelphia artists and merchants, PAFA is the longest continuously operating art museum and art school in the United States. Its collection is one of the finest surveys of American art anywhere, running from Colonial portraiture and Hudson River School landscapes through Thomas Eakins, Mary Cassatt and Winslow Homer to contemporary work by alumni and faculty. The 1876 Historic Landmark Building by Frank Furness and George Hewitt is itself a headline exhibit, a polychrome Victorian Gothic pile of patterned brick, incised stone and a sky-lit cast-iron stair hall. A second campus building, the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, houses contemporary galleries, the school's studios and Claes Oldenburg's 51-foot Paint Torch on Lenfest Plaza.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

118-128 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States

Nearest station: Race-Vine (SEPTA Broad Street Line), City Hall (SEPTA Broad Street Line), Jefferson Station (SEPTA Regional Rail)

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Hours

Mon10:00–17:00
TueClosed
WedClosed
ThuToday10:00–17:00
Fri10:00–20:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Admission

From $25

Seniors 65+ $23, students $10, youth 13-17 $5, children 12 and under and members free. Friday evenings 5-8pm discounted: adults $15, seniors $13.

Nearby

The Fabric Workshop and Museum

DesignFree4 min walk

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Children8 min walk

Vox Populi

ArtFree9 min walk

The Franklin Institute

Children11 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts cost?
Standard adult admission to Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is $25. Seniors 65+ $23, students $10, youth 13-17 $5, children 12 and under and members free. Friday evenings 5-8pm discounted: adults $15, seniors $13.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts?
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is open Monday and Thursday-Sunday 10:00-17:00; Friday until 20:00; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The Historic Landmark Building closes early at 15:30 on Monday 21 September 2026 for a private event.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts?
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is located at 118-128 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States, in the Center City area of Philadelphia. The nearest stations are Race-Vine (SEPTA Broad Street Line), City Hall (SEPTA Broad Street Line), Jefferson Station (SEPTA Regional Rail).
What can I see at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts?
America's first art museum and school, in Frank Furness's riotous Victorian Gothic landmark on Broad Street. Current highlights include A Nation of Artists, From the School Collection, Kati Gegenheimer: We've Only Just Begun.
Do I need to book Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

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