This fine art museum is one of Atlanta's biggest cultural attractions. From Rembrandts to Picassos, High Museum of Art gets them all as they travel the world. There's a whole lot going on here and a wide range of periods covered. The museum exhibits are a little bit Met, a little bit MoMA, and a little bit Southern (it heavily promotes artists from the region and bears the distinction of being the only major North American museum with a department dedicated to folk and self-taught art). Past exhibits have ranged from "Picasso to Warhol" to "Civil Rights Photography, 1956-1968" to "The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army" to "Frida & Diego: Passion, Politics and Painting." The museum's permanent collection is also broad, including African, American, European, folk, and decorative art. The building itself is a masterpiece: Opened in 1983, the 135,000-sq.-ft., white enamel exterior structure designed by Richard Meier became the High's new home after the institution outgrew the High family home on Peachtree. In 2002, another three aluminum buildings designed by Renzo Piano were added (at a cost of $124 million), more than doubling the size of the museum.
Friday Nights at the High offer half-price admission after 4pm. On the third Friday of every month, there's live jazz from 5 to 10pm. Parking is available at all times in the garage across from the museum for a fee. The museum gift shop is well stocked with books and other art-related knickknacks, and there's a coffee cart, the High Café for light nibbles, and Table 1280 for heavier lunch or dinner fare. Tip: Download the museum's free app ArtClix, a photo recognition software that allows you to snap a photo of the artwork you're viewing, read or hear more about it right from your smartphone, participate in community forums, and share your museum experiences through social media networks. If you're a true art connoisseur, allow 2 to 3 hrs. for a visit to the High.
Atlanta
Travel Guide
Atlanta› Attraction
High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree St. NE, at 16th St.
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Midtown
Hours
Tues–Thurs and Sat 10am–5pm, Fri 10am–9pm, Sun noon–5pm; Friday Jazz 3rd Fri of every month (except Dec.) from 5–10pm
Transportation
MARTA: Arts Center
Phone
404/733-4444
Prices
Admission $19.50 adults, $16.50 seniors and students with ID, $12 children 6–17, free for children 5 and under, fees subject to change for special exhibitions
Web site
High Museum of Art
Map
1280 Peachtree St. NE, at 16th St. AtlantaNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.