"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Classic, grand, and impressive, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a cultural institution. It is Philadelphia's answer to the Louvre, and houses one of the country's finest collections of art and sculpture. A museum's permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? It's comprehensive, spanning medieval Europe through contemporary America. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? This Museum is as much an architectural masterpiece as the items it displays, but the sheer size of the place can be dizzying. Come prepared to walk (a lot) to see it all. What did you make of the crowd? Tourists, locals, the stroller set...it's all here and they're all taking in the art at their own pace. Some skip entire galleries based on interests, while others read every placard. It's a choose your own adventure kind of place. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? Wear comfortable shoes and pack a stash of snacks for the little ones to keep them engaged. Any guided tours worth trying? Take a tour of a specific gallery to get a deeper understanding. All tours are free with admission. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? They have the usual suspects (books, postcards, and the like) but some of the more unusual items are definitely worth perusing. Is the café worth a stop? If all of this culture makes you hungry, you're in luck. The Cafe is bright and welcoming and features a variety of tasty sandwiches, soups, pizzas, and more. Prefer to cool your heels in a more formal setting? The Stir is an elegant spot designed by Frank Gehry that's perfect for lingering and lunching. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? Plan to spend the day, since coming for an hour or so will leave you feeling you've missed too much.\" - Alex Van Buren
