Atlanta‘s High Museum of Art is one of the best art museums in the south as well as one of the city’s top attractions. Past exhibitions have brought the most famous work from the Louvre in Paris , the Terracotta Army, and a retrospect on the life and work of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
The museum was founded in 1905 and has a permanent exhibit of European art, folk art, and modern art. It is one of the only museums to specialize in a curatorial department to folk art and works by self-taught artists. The High was originally housed in a family home, but expanded in 1983 and again in 2002 in the Renzo Piano-designed modern wing you see above, which doubled the space.
Main wing of the High Bottle cap art
Start in the permanent collection wing and working your way into the modern and special exhibits. Works not to be missed include Rodin’s The Shade, a statue in front of the museum to memorialize victims of a plane crash, Roy Lichtenstein’s House, and works from Howard Finster’s home at Paradise Garden.
For the best experience at the High Museum of Art, get to the museum early to beat the school groups and stop for lunch around the corner at Highland Bakery, where you can get French toast bigger than your head.
If You Go
The High Museum of Art is located at 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309. It’s close to the Arts Center MARTA station. If you’re driving, get off at the Williams Street exit and turn left onto Peachtree Street. Continue until you see the museum on your left.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm. The High is closed on Mondays. Tickets are $14.50 for adults. Children under 5 and members are free. Some special exhibits and events may cost extra.
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