High Museum of Art

The High Museum of Art is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and is one of the most popular attractions in Atlanta. The museum is part of the Woodruff Arts Center complex, and is one of the most stunning buildings in all of Atlanta, and possibly the south. The Atlanta High Museum of Art is completely covered in white porcelain, and was designed by Richard Meier, an architect. The High Museum of Art holds more than 11,000 works of art in its permanent collection, and hosts traveling collections frequently.

First founded in 1905, the High Museum of Art started as the Atlanta Art Museum. Later, in 1926, the High family, donated their family home on Peachtree Street to house the museum’s collection. The Atlanta High Museum of Art was then named for the High family. The current porcelain structure was not designed until 1983, with money from the Coca Cola Company, who’s World of Coca Cola Museum is located not too far from the Atlanta High Museum of Art.

Perhaps one of the best Atlanta museums, and certainly the largest, this collection rivals any held at other museums in Atlanta. This Atlanta museum houses a group of significant paintings from nineteenth- and twentieth-century American artists, including Thomas Cole, Frederica Church, Thomas Sully, John Singer Sargent and William Harnett. There are also some distinct collections, including the Virginia Carroll Crawford Collection of decorative arts, as well as an extensive collection of Italian paintings and sculpture from the fourteenth through the eighteenth centuries. French Impressionists, German Expressionists, and twentieth-century American artists are also well represented.

In addition to the excellent art shown at this Atlanta museum, there's also an excellent gift shop and café located right on sight. Since you can easily spend an entire day here at the museum, it can be quite convenient to have a café on sight. Among the museums in Atlanta, the High Museum has perhaps the largest gift shop around. Souvenirs, trinkets to take home, and all kind of art-inspired calendars, mugs, cards and more can be found here.

If you do plan to take a trip to one of the most popular museums in Atlanta, the High Museum, you won’t need to purchase your tickets in advance. Purchasing tickets on the day you plan to go will work just fine, although you can avoid some crowds by going to the museum on a weekday rather than on a weekend. The museum is housed in several buildings, and is open Tuesdays through Sundays. The museum is closed Mondays, as well as holidays, to be sure to call ahead if you think you might be traveling on any sort of holiday. Admission is moderate, with discounts being offered to seniors, students with ID, and children between the ages of 6-17. As a part of your Georgia or Atlanta vacation, a trip to the High Museum fits nicely with trips to the Centennial Olympic Park, the Atlanta Zoo, or the World of Coca Cola.