Baltimore Museum of Art, Maryland

Life in Baltimore circles around the water with plenty of history surrounding the eastern city's seaboard. Sitting at the top of the northern confluence of Chesapeake Bay, the city of Baltimore offers plenty of things to do and see, especially during warm, pleasant weather. The Baltimore Museum of Art is the largest in Maryland and appropriately located in the largest of the state's cities. A sweeping and impressive collection of both contemporary and modern art fills the Baltimore Art Museum and includes sculptures, paintings, prints, decorative arts and a large collection of photographs.

All of the Baltimore art galleries inside the museum have history and roots that stem from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania and extend outside to the impressive sculpture garden where major pieces, created by artists such as Henry Moore, have permanent homes. The sculpture garden is a particular favorite, encompassing almost three acres of space filled with innovative creations. Of all the Baltimore art galleries in the city, the Baltimore Art Museum has the most notable collection of contemporary art situated in the west wing. The area is a full 35,000 square feet and includes features from famous artists such as Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol. The west wing also features a mezzanine of miniature rooms and decorative arts from early American artists.

Lovers of art are particularly attracted to the Baltimore Museum of Art, a haven of wonderful pieces, and especially renowned for its magnificent Matisse collection of stunning Baltimore artwork. This famous cache was lovingly accumulated by a pair of now famous sisters from the city, Etta and Claribel Cone, and is now enjoyed by thousands of tourists and visitors that tour the Baltimore Art Museum each year. Originally collected in Paris during the early 1920s, the Matisse collection has enjoyed its part in the Baltimore art galleries location for almost a century.

The Cone Wing, a four million-dollar project inside the Baltimore Art Museum, is filled with a wonderful collection aside from the famous Matisse works. These paintings include works from artists such as Cezanne, Guaguin, Renoir and Van Gogh. In the Jacobs Wing, a series of beautifully designed rooms, an assembly of European art includes works from the 15th to the 19th century. These highlights at the Baltimore Museum of Art are particularly busy during the first Thursday of each month when admission is free. This is one of the most popular events where the Baltimore art galleries are teeming with people and the museum stays open until 8pm. If you're deciding when to go, in the Baltimore Art Museum sculpture garden there are wonderful jazz events happening all summer long.

The Baltimore Art Museum is located on Charles Street in the city, close to many great Baltimore hotels. It's a relatively easy trip by rental car, just a few miles north of the harbor. There are also two public buses that stop by the museum. For those with a penchant for the arts, other Baltimore art galleries include the Walters Art Museum, also located on Charles Street. The Walters Art Museum is often called underrated and a city "gem". The ever-growing collection of art was first a father and son collection housing pieces from ancient times through to the 20th century. For other excellent attractions head toward the inner harbor for a stroll and some more exploring.