If you love to explore museums, this is the place for you. Philadelphia's museums and cultural repositories comprise one of the finest art collections in the country. The city also has one of the largest concentrations of outdoor and mural art in the world, as well as a variety of galleries in which to browse and shop.

Discover renowned American artists at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the nation's first art museum and school. Opened in 1876 to celebrate the country's centennial, the museum houses a collection of American masters spanning four centuries. Showcasing 2,000 years of human creativity, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is home to one of the most important collections in the U.S., including masterpieces of painting, sculpture and decorative arts from Europe, Asia and the Americas. More than 225,000 works of art are displayed in 200 captivating galleries, including striking Renaissance master paintings, elaborately carved stone altar pieces, entire period rooms and architectural settings from around the world. Keep an eye out for special exhibits like Ansel Adams and Paul Cezanne.

The largest collection of Rodin sculptures and drawings outside of Paris, including "The Thinker" and the "Gates of Hell," can be examined at The Rodin Museum. The African American Museum in Philadelphia, the first of its kind in the U.S., displays historical and contemporary materials and art from African American culture.

More than 100 contemporary works by world-renowned artists fill the galleries of the National Liberty Museum. Nearly every exhibit includes a work in glass illustrating the beauty and fragility of freedom, including the "Flame of Liberty," a dramatic 20-foot crimson glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly. The Barnes Foundation, located in nearby Merion, houses one of the world's finest private collections of early French Modern and Post-Impressionist paintings, including works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Manet, Monet, Modigliani and Picasso. Advanced reservations are required for all visits and are accepted by telephone, fax or e-mail. Visit www.barnesfoundation.org for more information.

A diverse array of media and influences can be found throughout the region at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Brandywine River Museum, Woodmere Art Museum, James A. Michener Art Museum, Mercer Museum, Fabric Workshop and Museum and many others. The beautiful landscapes of the Brandywine Valley and Bucks County provide backdrops for many fine collections and inspiration for new generations of artists.

Philadelphia's world-famous Mural Arts Program is credited for making Philadelphia the "City of Murals" with more than 2,700 multi-story, colorful masterpieces adorning buildings throughout the city. Take a Mural Arts Tour for an in-depth look at the murals and the neighborhoods and artists that created them.

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ART GALLERIES & STORES

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Absolute Abstract
141 S. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA
215- 733-0190
www.absoluteabstractart.com
Featuring exclusive Philadelphia images on canvas and affordable pop art imagery art blocks.

Artists' House Gallery
57 N. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA
215-923-8440
www.artistshouse.com
Featuring work by emerging and established artists, frequently from the Philadelphia area.

Delaware Art Museum
2301 Kentmere Pkwy.
Wilmington, DE
866-232-3714
www.delart.org
The Delaware Art Museum's collection focuses on American art and illustration, as well as the British Pre-Raphaelite movement.

Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th St. and the Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Philadelphia, PA
215-763-8100
www.philamuseum.org
Whether it's your first visit or your hundredth, there's always something new to surprise, enlighten, excite, and inspire.

Pennsylvania Art Conservatory
1824 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA
215-564-2100
www.PAConservatory.com
Providing the highest standards of service and quality products for all your art needs.

Built upon a long history of creativity and philanthropy, the Pittsburgh region is one of America's most vibrant cultural centers. The 14-block Downtown Cultural District offers a vibrant mix of both classic and contemporary performing and visual arts.

The elegant Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, is home to the renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The 2,800-seat Benedum Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Dance Council, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Pittsburgh Opera, as well as first-run Broadway touring productions. Take in a play presented by the Pittsburgh Public Theater at the contemporary O'Reilly Theater, or enjoy a dance performance at the restored Byham Theater. The Harris Theater hosts some of the most provocative independent and foreign films. History buffs can discover the region's heritage at the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Just across the Allegheny River from Downtown, Pittsburgh's jazz legacy lives on at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, and The Mattress Factory exhibits thought-provoking installation art. Nearby, The Andy Warhol Museum showcases the Pittsburgh native's life career in a converted industrial building turned into the largest single-artist museum in the United States.

To the east, in Oakland, The Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History stand as Andrew Carnegie's lasting legacy. Situated alongside the Carnegie Library and Music Hall, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History will soon showcase one of the finest dinosaur exhibits in the world. The Carnegie Museum of Art houses an extensive collection of Impressionist, post-Impressionist and 19th- and 20th-century American works.

Architecture and ethnic heritage meet at the towering Cathedral of Learning's Nationality Rooms. The region's steel heritage is celebrated at Rivers of Steel in Homestead. Pittsburgh's industrialist age comes alive at The Frick Art & Historical Center, where visitors can tour the former residence of steel magnate Henry Clay Frick and view an outstanding permanent collection of Italian, French and Flemish art.

San Diego has long been known as a cultural center and haven for every aspect of artistic expression. A cornerstone of the San Diego cultural community, the San Diego Opera ­ named one of the top 10 companies in the United States by Opera America ­ continues to deliver quality performances year after year. The standout San Diego Ballet offers an eclectic mix of classical and contemporary performances, as well as numerous world premieres. The San Diego Symphony presents classical masterworks, interactive performances and outdoor summer pops. At the La Jolla Playhouse, a three-theater complex located on the beautiful UC San Diego campus, audiences enjoy main stage productions at this Tony Award ® winner for outstanding regional theater. The San Diego Repertory Theater explores issues that affect the diverse communities of San Diego through drama and music. With each performance, "the Rep" aims to unite San Diegans through the exploration of spiritual, political and cultural values that exist within this unique city. The 2006-2007 season marks the 30th Anniversary of Broadway in San Diego. Blockbusters such as "Movin' Out," "Altar Boyz," "Hairspray," "Chicago" and "Stomp" will all make appearances over the 12 months.

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego houses distinguished works, including minimalist and pop art of the 12 60s and 70s, installation art, and Latin American and regional pieces, in magnificent Downtown and La Jolla venues. For tickets to many performing arts events in San Diego, log on to ARTS TIX at www.sandiegoperforms.com, or visit the ARTS TIX booth at Horton Plaza Downtown. Just steps from Downtown and Hillcrest, visitors can enjoy life on the greener side in massive Balboa Park, San Diego's greatest cultural treasure. Balboa Park is the largest urban cultural park in the country, spanning 1,200 acres and home to more than 85 institutions. Arts, culture and science converge here, where a multitude of attractions await visitors of all ages. Stroll along the Spanish Colonial-style buildings preserved since the Panama-California Exposition of 1915 to find bursting fountains, botanical gardens and street performers. Start at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, home to more than 100 interactive exhibits, as well as the world's first (and San Diego's only) IMAX® dome theater. The San Diego Aerospace Museum takes guests on a journey through the history of flight, from the Wright Brothers to the space age. At the San Diego Museum of Art, visitors can browse a fine collection of European old masters, 19th- to 20th- century American art, an encyclopedic Asian collection, and growing collections of contemporary and Latin American art.