Cultural Additions

Enhance your visit with the following cultural packages.

Barnes Foundation

Opening May 2012, the new Philadelphia campus of the Barnes Foundation will feature one of the world’s finest collections of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early Modern works of art. The Barnes is now accepting group reservations for September 2012; call 610-667-0290 or visit barnesfoundation.org for more details.

Centennial Tour at Memorial Hall

Memorial Hall is now home to The Please Touch Museum and is offering Centennial Tours. These tours explore the history, art and architecture of Memorial Hall, first home of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the 1876 World’s Fair. Centennial Tour guests will enjoy: the restored architecture of Memorial Hall, listed on the National Register of Historic Places; a behind-the-scenes tour of Memorial Hall filled with fun facts from the building’s 20th century history as a multi-use recreation center; a fully restored 1908 Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel; an 1889 scale model that depicts the Centennial’s landscape including Memorial Hall, plus 200 buildings erected for the World’s Fair (housed inside the Centennial Exploration exhibit).

Eastern State Penitentiary

Once the most notorious prison in the world, Eastern State Penitentiary now stands in ruin, a haunting world of eerie beauty. Tours of cellblocks, solitary punishment cells, Al Capone’s cell, and the restored prison synagogue are available. Visit easternstate.org for more information or call the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Group Sales office at 215-684-7863 for reservations.

Grounds for Sculpture

Grounds For Sculpture is a 42-acre public sculpture park located in Hamilton, NJ. It was founded in 1992 on the site of the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds by J. Seward Johnson to promote an understanding and appreciation of contemporary sculpture. Visitors to the park can enjoy the outdoor permanent collection, indoor seasonal exhibitions, and learn about contemporary sculpture through a variety of educational programs including lectures and tours. In addition, the park also offers various events, a 42-acre arboretum, shopping and dining, including the highly rated fine dining destination, Rat’s Restaurant. For more information, call 609-586-0616 or visit groundsforsculpture.org.

Independence Seaport Museum

From romantic steamships to commercial tankers, the Delaware River has been a vital artery to the city. The exhibition Disasters on the Delaware: Rescues on the River (May 17–December 31, 2012) will include nautical artifacts, and period prints and photographs of shipwrecks and the struggle for survival. Brave first responders will also be explored. Call 215-413-8630 or visit phillyseaport.org for more information.

Longwood Gardens

Considered one of the world’s premier horticultural showplaces, Longwood Gardens offers 1,077 acres of natural woodlands, majestic gardens, opulent conservatories, and spectacular fountains. The summer 2012 exhibition Light! will showcase British lighting designer and installation artist Bruce Munro’s large-scale indoor and outdoor illuminations. Admission is $12 per person. Visit longwoodgardens.org for more information or call the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Group Sales office at 215-684-7863 for reservations.

Mural Arts Program

Since its inception as a component to the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network in 1984, the Mural Arts Program has created over 3,000 murals, making the city home to the largest collection of public murals in the world. Scheduling a mural tour provides insight into Philadelphia’s diverse neighborhoods and history. For more information or to make reservations, visit muralarts.org or call 215-925-3633.

Philadelphia International Flower Show

March 4–11, 2012
In Hawaii: Islands of Aloha, visitors to the 2012 Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center will be immersed in the dramatic landscapes and tranquil spirit of the Aloha State. See cascades of orchids and a living wall of tropical plants against a backdrop of towering waterfalls and glowing volcanoes. Tickets are $26 per person. Visit theflowershow.com for more information or call the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Group Sales office at 215-684-7863 for reservations.

Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show

November 8–11, 2012
Preview: November 7, 2012
Presented annually as a fund-raising effort by the Women’s Committee and Craft Show Committee for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this premier show and sale of contemporary craft includes a great number the finest and most dynamic craft artists in the United States.

Philadelphia Orchestra

Performances are on Fridays at 2:00 p.m. at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Packages include general admission to the Museum and an Orchestra performance, starting at $58. Call the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Group Sales office at 215-684-7863 for reservations.

For more information, please contact Group Sales by phone at (215) 684-7863, by fax at (215) 684-7360, or by e-mail at .