Philadelphia Museum of Art Tours

One of the country’s largest art museums -- the third largest, to be exact -- the Philadelphia Museum of Art encompasses 10 acres (4 hectares) with more than 300,000 works spanning over 2,000 years. Impressive collections in Renaissance, American, Impressionist and Modern art abound, as well as pieces from cultures around the world and different time periods. In fact, the second floor of the museum holds over 80 period-themed rooms to explore.

While the entire museum is interesting, there are some highlights not to miss. Check out their collection of arms and armor, the second largest in the United States. Explore architecture by visiting a reconstructed Japanese tea house or a Muromachi period Buddhist temple. For some local art culture, peruse the room dedicated to Philadelphia local Thomas Eakins. Outside, the Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden features one acre (0.4 hectares) of well-manicured gardens littered with rotating sculptures. Before visiting, check the Philadelphia Museum of Art calendar for current and upcoming exhibitions.

Rocky Balboa fans will also love taking a jog up the museum’s front steps, as this is the same grand staircase Sylvester Stallone ran up in the movie Rocky. Outside the museum are numerous vendors selling Rocky memorabilia, as the steps are commonly referred to as “The Rocky Steps.” Before leaving, have your photo taken next to the two-ton (4,409-pound),10-foot (three-meter) tall bronze Rocky statue.