I simply cannot believe that this lovely museum in Baltimore was FREE!! We spent about two hours exploring the 3 floors of art, artifacts and exhibits. We were lucky enough to see the Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture exhibit that showcased her various works and costumes that were made for The Black Panther, which was super cool. A great way to spend a morning or afternoon and cannot complain that it was free!! read more

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Cost: Free (!) Neighborhood: Mount Vernon How much time? 60-100 minutes, maybe. Depends on exhibits and how much you like certain time periods Baltimore Reviews 9/11: I went to this wonderful free museum, located in the historical Mount Vernon neighborhood, while traveling through the city with a couple of others, though apparently I had been there about 10 years earlier when I went to Baltimore for an Orioles game. The space was well air-conditioned, and there were several floors for us to explore. The special exhibit was about contemporary jewelry maker Douriean Fletcher and her exhibition, Jewelry of the Afrofuture, which showcased her modern designs and how she drew inspiration from her ancestry and other African countries. She's probably best known for Black Panther, and the exhibit did a good job of comparing while also including some other useful information. It was nice overall and well spaced. Otherwise, we went to the top and made our way down through the various floors, though we didn't take as much time as I would have liked, since we left at one point to go back to the hotel and get ready for the convention center. My favorite sections were probably on the Middle East and ancient Asia, as there was an impressive amount of antiques, ranging from bowls and jugs to statues and other items. The sections containing European artifacts were also nice, with a good hall to relax in, though I've never been the biggest fan of works from the Italian Renaissance. Some spaces felt a bit discombobulated, but there was a ton of stuff there to see, so it's hard to complain. Overall, we had an excellent time. If you want to see a wide variety of things and prefer more historical objects over modern art, I would heavily recommend this museum. It's hard not to, as it's free, though I did give them a small donation, as they definitely deserved it. read more

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The Walters Art Museum is free admission all the time, yet it was the least populated attraction that we visited in Baltimore on this trip, which made it easier to pace ourselves at whatever our personal museum speed. Me, I like reading up on whatever catches my attention. It was fun to read that a certain lady's head did not belong to the body it originally arrived at the museum with. Regarding another collection, I read that the artists would inscribe their names and certain references, which weren't necessarily correct! And a piece of aged donated gold was discovered to have been crafted more recently due to its popularity amidst its lack of supply, as the wire had evidence of having been extruded, and the holes were cut with scissors. Yup, don't just go around believing everything! We spent perhaps 2 1/2 hours meandering the halls. If you get peckish, they do have a snack counter where their sandwiches and wraps top out at $13. read more

As members of The Walters, we were invited to the "State of the Art" event at The Walters Art Museum for an evening of conversation and connection at the museum especially to hear Kate Burgin's vision for the next chapter of the museum. The evening started with light refreshment in the Level 1 lobby. Then, we went into the Graham Auditorium to hear Kate's vision for the future. It was really interesting. We were then encouraged to visit three floors of the museums that were open. There we could experience hands on explorations, conversations with curators, behind-the-scenes stories from conservators, sneak peak at new and returning exhibitions, and learn about volunteers programs. Being a member of The Walters really has so many benefits. On each floor, they also were serving more refreshments. We were excited to be able to see the Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture. It will be on exhibit until August 9, 2026. What an exhibition this is! We were so excited that we were able to view this without any crowds. What an incredible artist Dourien Fletcher is! Her work is just stunning. It was interesting to see the breath of her work in jewelry, costumes, film, etc. You will see simple to elaborate pieces of jewelry and so much more. Don't miss what she made for the movies Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). read more

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The Walters is a gem in Baltimore. It is free to the public, well maintained, and includes beautiful and interesting pieces of art from many different cultures, time periods and places. I highly recommended spending the afternoon traipsing through the menu rooms and collections they have on display. Close to many restaurants, it makes for a perfect afternoon. read more

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The Walters is one of my Favorite museums to visit no matter the season . It's free and accessible for all . They're 3 buildings to roam , a cafe , interactive activities to keep you occupied. It's the perfect Museum for Dates but it's also great for families with kids . read more

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My friend and I spent 3 hours at this museum and honestly I could have stayed longer. It's huge with lots of paintings, artifacts etc to read and learn about. There are even some interactive exhibits. My favorite pieces had to be Othello and the Passion of the Christ installments. I loved it here and will for sure back. read more

The Walters Art Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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This free admission museum is world class! Absolutely a hidden gem in the Mount Vernon neighborhood. Their collection of art and special exhibits spans multiple floors and two buildings, and there's a great view of the square from the top floor as well. We spent an hour and a half here but didn't go through it in its entirety. I absolutely will come back the next time I'm in Baltimore. read more

The Walters Art Museum - Cat coffins and mummies - Art Museums Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I wasn't expecting to be so impressed, but The Walters Art Museum completely exceeded my expectations. It's not the biggest museum I've ever been to, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in variety and quality. From ancient Egyptian artifacts to medieval armor, Renaissance paintings, and Asian art, the collection is incredibly diverse and thoughtfully curated. Each room feels like a new surprise, and you can tell real care has been taken to make the exhibits engaging and accessible. And the best part? Admission is free! In a time when so many museums charge hefty entrance fees, The Walters stands out as a true gem that's open to everyone. If you're visiting Baltimore--or even if you live here and haven't gone--this place is 100% worth your time. A world-class museum hiding in plain sight! 5 stars! read more

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I was so impressed by this museum. What a hidden gem! Luckily its a hop skip and a jump from the bus stop because we only made it through the 2nd floor of the main building. It housed an extensive collection of mesoamerican artifacts and the ancient greek, egyptian and roman exhibitions were also plentiful (there's an actual mummy). It's also free to attend. But of course donations are encouraged. Would recommend anyone visiting Baltimore who has an interest in history to check this museum out. read more

The Walters Art Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Incredible. Such a great museum and free Very welcoming, lockers, chill staff. Very helpful signs. And of course incredible art. Very diverse and expansive too, geographically, time, medium, workshop details etc. very fun and impressive/humbling collection and presentation of all the things. read more

Baltimore still has free cultural experiences such as the Walters. It's definitely worth your time and effort to check it out. There are a variety of permanent exhibits to peak your interest. Parking in the area can be tricky. read more

Wow what an experience! So much to look at and everything is so beautiful! I took my son here and we spent a long time looking at everything. Parking is right out front and went on a Sunday so it was free. The museum is also free but accept donations! read more

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I feel so fortunate to have this amazing free museum right in our backyard! We visited for the first time and were told there was an event going on to listen to curators discuss an upcoming exhibit and have a drink tasting so we happily joined that. It was very fun. Afterwards, we wandered the top floor and part of the third. We will be returning soon to check out the rest! The staff/volunteers are so nice, the museum is large, and it's nice and cool inside so a great escape on a hot day. There are tons of plaques to read to learn more about all of the exhibits. It's definitely an awesome spot! read more

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The Walters Art Museum is definitely my favorite museum within Baltimore. This museum is free to the public and occupies a beautiful building. The permanent collection explores a large segment of European Art History, from the Ancient World to the Medieval and Baroque. As is typical for me, I gravitated toward the exquisite collection of Classical artifacts. The ancient jewelry is really dazzling. And the two Fayum mummy portraits are not to be missed. The temporary exhibit I visited featured Medieval manuscripts and the (often) toxic pigments used to illustrate them. While it was a very small exhibit, it was really fascinating and featured a well-curated collection of artifacts. This is a museum you could easily spend three or four hours in. Personally, I tend to focus on one or two exhibits at a time. But on a rainy day (or, in the Summer, hellaciously hot) ones), this would be a wonderful respite. Highly recommended. read more

I visited because of the sculpture court and the instagram potential. Of course the sculpture court is closed for renovation. This museum is mostly classical stuff. Medieval Jesus and Moses stuff. A limited amount of Asian/Indian/Buddhist art. The Italian art is kind of fun because everyone is wearing a certain kind of expression. I did a whole #mood series on Instagram. You could make some fun content with the exasperated women in these paintings. Nothing modern here. Nothing edgy. But it's free and the staff are nice. I do love the green and red wallpapers. Stunning and makes a great background for the art. They did have an interesting exhibit on the process of art, sculpture, and illustration, showing how artists go through the process of making art. This museum can be a bit like a maze, as there are multiple sections, entrances and exits, elevators, and staircases. It also connects to a historical house. Near the Peabody library and the Washington monument. A mile from Edgar Allan Poe's grave. Can't go wrong here . . . it's free, so nothing to lose . . . don't like it . . . walk out and find another adventure. read more

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What a massive museum. Just like the tarsus, this is bigger on the inside. You need 4 or so hours to really enjoy this museum at LEAST. There is another building, 4 floors with multiple wings. It's huge. And every SINGLE exhibit is so well curated. I would say, with its permanent exhibitions it does feel almost like a history museum. But with artistic artifacts. There is such a rich amount of history here, held in things of beauty. Art, of course, has always told a story. And from ancient Egyptian, to Greek, Indian, Indonesian, to modern day. There are amazing stories being told here. FOR FREE. ADMISSION IS FREE. So many people that live in this city haven't been here. If you're visiting here, I implore you. You have to come. This is such an amazing chunk of global history. Also. The gift shop is amazing, there are such great gifts for everyone. I only took pictures here because I was too entranced in the art read more

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Fantastic staff and expansive collection for a free public museum. However, the layout is hard to navigate and I was bummed most of the museum-specific souvenirs in the gift shop (I.e. prints, postcards, notecards) were of pieces not currently on display. I would definitely come back here, we spent hours browsing the collections. read more

The workers are very helpful, with the exhibits being interesting no matter the floor. This made the space feel very welcoming and encourages you to explore and try to learn more. I recommend to anyone interested in art from across history. The East Asian exhibit was my favorite which was at the top floor. read more

Wow, what an outstanding art collection. And no entrance fee! I will definitely be bringing out-of-town guests to show off the Walters. We actually went for their Thursday night "exploration" activity: In this case, an examination of infants in Renaissance paintings. It was fun and lighthearted -- and easy on the brain and the feet, so it was suitable for all ages and walking abilities. We also stopped at the café, which is extremely reasonably priced. I was pleasantly surprised that for my $15 I could have a dessert, a glass of wine, and an iced tea. The Walters is a lovely jewel in Baltimore's crown. Don't forget the gift shop! read more

With a couple of hours before dinner, my wife and I got a ride share to the nearby art museum from our Inner Harbor hotel. Admission to the museum is free and the friendly docent/guard at the door warmly welcomed us in. Armed with a map and some suggestions of what to see we ventured in. The museum is spread across numerous floors and a couple buildings so hopefully you got a map. Our favorite gallery was the 18th century art. A large red fabric wallpapered room with over 50 pieces of art covering the walls. My wife thinks it was a damask? We also enjoyed visiting their Claude Monet Springtime painting in the 19th century room We spent about 90 minutes here and felt like we saw the high points. Certainly more to be seen but we can only consume art for so long before starting to glaze over. read more

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This is a huge museum! We were so impressed by the vast collections of art and history! If you have time to kill on a day in Baltimore, I highly recommend checking out this museum. Some of the highlights for us were the gems and jewelry from across the world, the ornate ceramics, the armor, and the mummy! One nice touch is that they intersperse contemporary art pieces that draw from relics of the past in the exhibitions of historic art. I would plan to spend at least a couple hours here. We rushed through the museum but I would have loved some more time there. read more

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Cyndy's Bottom Line: A World-class museum * Admission to the Walters is always free. *No food, drink, or gum permitted in the galleries * Hours: Wednesday,10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday,1-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed: Mon and Tues. *Closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day Juneteenth, Independence Day,Thanksgiving Day Christmas Eve and Christmas Day *Parking available on street or at the Walters lot which can be reserved online in advance. *Complimentary lockers available *Photography is encouraged *Free WiFi *Docent-led tours on Wed. *Downloadable museum map *Gift shop and cafe available The Walters Art Museum is a treasure filled with thousands of years of art. Over 36,000 objects and antiquities from around the world. +Highly recommend +Plan for a couple of visits read more

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East meets West at the Walters Art Museum. Interesting to see an extensive collection of art that was collected by a father and son over a century ago. William Thompson Walters and his son, Henry Walters, travelled extensively in the late 1800s to early 1900s collecting paintings, drawings, sculptures and antiquities. The collection was so extensive that Henry Walters built a "home" to showcase the collection. Upon his death in 1931, Henry Walters bequeathed his entire collection, which included more than 22,000 works at the time, the Gallery building, and his adjacent mansion to the City of Baltimore "for the benefit of the public." Amazing to see such an eclectic collection which includes Egyptian mummies, Roman sarcophagi, biblical manuscripts, Lalique Art Deco jewelry, European portraits and Chinese ceramics. Amazing to see how the family acquired collections of ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Rome, Asia and the Americas. The Medieval and Renaissance European Art collection were interesting. From an Imperial Faberge Easter Egg and a portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart to an alligator hung above a door, you never know what to expect from gallery to gallery. The galleries themselves are also so beautiful as well. Love the open courtyard and elaborate high sculpted ceilings. The Original Main Gallery and the Annex are so different, but fun to explore. The Walters Art Museum is open and free to the public. read more

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This is a niiiiice family spot! There's excellent parking around if you sit look on the map! And so many spots to eat if you don't want to eat there. But the many exhibits and displays really took my breath away! Truly #blessed for seeing such a vast collection. read more

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Favorite go-to spot for some creative inspiration. Normally on Friday afternoons there is a scientist and a conservationist working on restoring art on the 4th Floor! You can meet and speak with them for as long as you want! read more

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It was awesome they had a lot of interesting things and definitely the best museum in Baltimore highly recommend

Underrated gem in the heart of my favorite Baltimore neighborhood of Mount Vernon, especially if you like more classical and antique art. It's relaxing to walk around the Walters. The atrium is beautiful, the rooms are spacious enough, and I never found it crowded. It's surprisingly large and well-curated so allow yourself enough time to really get to experience it at a leisurely pace. read more

So much beautiful art to see and learn about. Have a plan or you'll have to return to see everything. read more

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I came here on a whim one Sunday afternoon and fell in love. This is a hidden gem in Baltimore city and you have to visit. The museum and the historic architecture are chef's kiss! Definitely coming back and plan to stay longer. I will be there for the new exhibits coming next year. read more

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A quick summary of this museum can be stated as "a lot of stuff from a lot of different places". I was surprised to find out that admission is free and I ended up spending close to three hours here, and that was rushing it. I only had time to explore the Centre Street building but if I had more time (say, all day?) I could have visited all the buildings on the campus and still left with more to see on another visit. My only challenge was that the exhibits are somewhat tricky to navigate, even with a map. Most of the galleries branch off into smaller rooms or lead to dead ends while other galleries take you in a circular path that deposits you in any number of conjoined rooms. On more than one occasion I wound up walking through the same set of rooms and halls several times before finding a new path I missed. Most of the galleries are aesthetically themed to match the objects held within so it was like going to many different museums all crammed into one building. Some of the galleries were closed for no apparent reason and staff members were setting up for a program or event that was taking place in The Sculpture Court. Most of the galleries had uniformed security or museum employees wandering around keeping an eye on the guests. There are two elevators but the way they work is by going in one direction at a time instead of bouncing between floors. For instance, if you are on floor 3 and trying to get to floor 4 but the elevator is going down, it will go all the way to the ground floor before allowing you to go up and you have to select the higher floor again once the elevator stops. If I'm in Baltimore again, I'd definitely try and come back for another visit. I walked here from the Inner Harbor area and it only took me about 15-20 minutes. read more

Beautiful museum with art from around the world. Museum store is well stocked and has something for everyone. Skip the cafe as the staff was rude and on their phone rather than helping patrons. read more

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this is such a nice gem in the city! admission is always free and on certain days/nights they have special events which you can find on their website! when I went, their conservator window was open which was really interesting hearing about how they conserve pieces of art in the museum. they also have free lockers to store your items near the entrance. you can put in your own code and pick them up after. I brought my tote bag w me but was told I had to hold it in front of me the whole time by one of the workers so it would've been better to j stash it in the locker. the place is way bigger than I expected w multiple floors and 2 sides on each w v different exhibits! my friend and I spent about an hour and a half here looking through each exhibit, taking pics here and there, and even sitting down for a game of checkers (found in a special room on the 3rd floor I believe). this is a great place if you want to do something in bmore for free or are j in the neighborhood and wanna pop in! read more

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FREE museum that was well curated and fun! I thought there was a lot to variety, from paintings to sculptures to jewelry to historic artifacts. You could probably spend a good couple hours walking around. Even if you're not really into museums, I think even the Chamber of Wonders will still tickle your fancy. Great indoor activity if you're looking to do something in Baltimore during the winter! read more

The Walters has an incredible, world-class collection. A LOT of variety, and a LOT of very unique stuff. It is the perfect place to take out of town visitors, or to keep yourself busy on a rainy day. Finding parking usually isn't too bad, especially if you are willing to park in a paid lot. There are also some good food options nearby if you want to go out for a meal before or after. read more

Years ago, I was a frequent visitor here. Entering the museum prior to its modern addition was like entering a vault. This rambling Noah's ark of a museum leaves the world behind once you go through its doors. I imagine the wealthy Henry Walters escaping from the demands of his empire by gladly locking himself up here as Baltimore society rushed by on the streets outside. In this pandemic environment, it would be nice to do the same. At least I got to visit again before its temporary closure. I have so many favorites here but I find the religious iconography quite compelling in its depth and its display. For all the works in the confusing array of galleries -- it's easy to get lost here -- there is a restful intimacy to these rooms. It's all very soothing. When The Walters opens its doors again, give your pent-up modern anxieties a prescription of art in this most silent of spaces. read more

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I had a wonderful Sunday at the museum . It was nice and quiet . I was able to wonder around and read about the exhibits . I loved the area . Beautiful and historical . read more

I really enjoyed all the exhibits at The Walter's Art Museum. Very educational and insightful. I really wanted to see the Islamic and the Medieval exhibit, but it was temporarily closed (sad face). I thoroughly enjoyed Arts of Asia. I learned the history of Buddist art in East and Southeast Asia in addition to art of India. I was amazed by the different ritual tools , the practice of religion, and the origin of the culture. It's pretty cool how each exhibit introduce ongoing installations. During my visit I experience the activating the Renaissance. Activating the Renaissance features paintings, photography, and sculpture by local artist in the Baltimore area. It's super dope they recognize present artist and embrace their gift amongst famous artist before our time. Best of all the museum is free! Plan a visit soon and check out the ongoing installations while they last read more

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Like the BMA, the Walters is an awesome free art museum in Baltimore City. It's a huge, 3-floor space that mixes modern with old charm. I find myself going a few times a year, and I'm always impressed by the various collections. I visited just yesterday and was absolutely distracted by the gorgeous detail on most door frames and the ceilings. There's a treasure for the eyes in every corner! I will say I'm over Renaissance art. It's just a bunch of stuffy Europeans, but I was quite taken with pretty much every other art donations. I had a good time wandering around there and am looking forward to my next visit! read more

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I really enjoyed my trip today. The staff is so warm and friendly. They all helped me when I got a little confused on how to exit the Asian art wing. The museum is very pandemic friendly and they've equipped the place with hand sanitizing stations throughout the building. There is a beautiful multi-level atrium space which I wasn't expecting. It is absolutely breathtaking. When I was done, I made a quick purchase in the store and the staff there were very kind as well. On my way out, I was asked if I wouldn't mind filling out a survey and I had no objection. This team is fantastic! There is a variety of art to enjoy and the building is walkable in an hour or two's time. I'd highly recommend! read more

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