What is art? A perennially prickly question for some, and the exhibitions and related hotel packages we've come up with here run the gamut from Italian painting, to American realism, to Bruce Springsteen's guitars.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art (tel. 215/763-8100; www.philamuseum.org) just extended its "Cezanne and Beyond" exhibit, which won't be shown elsewhere, through this weekend. It encompasses forty paintings and twenty watercolors and drawings, paired alongside works by artists who bear his influence. A handful of select hotels (Best Western Center City, Four Seasons, Loews Philadelphia, Latham Hotel, and others) is offering a package through the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (the GPTMC is almost always the best source for discount rooms in the city) that includes accommodations for two and two untimed admission tickets to the exhibit. Guests also receive admission into the museum's new galleries at the relatively new Perelman Building, which include costumes and textiles.
New York City's Guggenheim Museum (tel. 212/423-3500; www.guggenheim.org) is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an exhibit that opened May 15 dedicated to the man whose design made the iconic structure possible, but who did not live to see it completed: Frank Lloyd Wright. "From Within Outward," runs through August 23 and looks at many of his designs throughout the years, presented in a variety of mediums To avoid the crowds, try visiting the museum on Sunday or Monday, which enables you to take advantage of the New York City & Company promotion "Sunday Stays" (tel. 212/484-1200; http://nycgo.com/sundaystays). A handful of hotels, from classy mainstays such as the Mansfield and Algonquin to newer boutique properties such The London NYC and Dream Hotel, offer up to 30% off reduced rates for Sunday nights. Some throw in other amenities such as continental breakfast, welcome cocktails, or discounts on spa services. Note: NYCGO.com also has a promo called "The Real Deal" an extensive collection of promos for goods, services, restaurants, etc. including museum admission discounts.
Boston's Museum of Fine Arts (tel. 617/267-9300; www.mfa.org) offers a few different packages and a lot of reasons to visit this summer. "Titian, Tinotretto Veronese: Rivals in Renaissance Venice" runs through August 16, and chronicles the rivalry among three 16th century Italian painters. Another exhibit, "The Art and Craft of Green and Greene," starts July 14 and showcases the decorative arts from this American architect. The Best Western Inn and Longwood has a special package in conjunction with the show. Guests receive two admission passes, overnight parking, and breakfast for two; rates start from $269 and are valid through August 16.
Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (tel. 216/781-ROCK; www.rockhall.com) just opened an exhibit about the Boss called "From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: the Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen" which is on display through spring 2010. His early days are covered here, through his work with the E Street Band and finally as a solo artist, with lyric sheets, clothing, posters, and some of his guitars. The museum has partnered with a group of preferred hotels. Choices range from the Cleveland Crowne Plaza City Center, with rates starting $159 for overnight accommodations, breakfast for two, and free parking, to the Ritz-Carlton's "Be a Rock Star" package, with rates starting from $229 that include deluxe accommodations, valet parking, breakfast for two, a $40 hotel credit and two admission tickets to the museum.
Lovers of the 1960s might enjoy "The Psychedelic Experience," running at the Denver Art Museum (tel. 720/865-5000; www.denverartmuseum.org) through July 19. The exhibit contains 300 posters, along with album covers, underground newspapers and other printed paraphernalia from the era by more than 50 artists such as Wes Wilson, Alton Kelly, Bonnie MacLean, and more. If you stay a Friday or Saturday you pay just $52.80 for the subsequent evening's stay at a select number of hotels based on availability including Hotel Colorado, The Curtis, Grand Hyatt Denver and more (tel. 303/892-1112; www.denver.org/hotels/).
Seattle Art Museum (tel. 206/654-3100; www.seattleartmuseum.org) is running an "Andrew Wyeth: Remembrance," exhibit that starts June 25 and runs through October 18. There are a number of generic, museum-related packages available through the museum, in addition to some that are specific to this show.
Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers on our Cultural Immersion Forum today.
