Description: The Portland Art Museum isn't one of the largest I've come across, but it is one of the museums focusing on quality exhibits. Housed in a large building with a modern facade in the Park Blocks (a part of the city where in between the sides of the street are long, narrow stretches of park and greenery), the outside of the building is misleading. Inside is a classical masterpiece of architectural design.
The cost to get in varies by age and status (student, senior, etc.), though it hovers between $8 and $15, sometimes more or less with special exhibits. I went for the Wonders of Ancient Egypt exhibit in 1998, and it was around $10 per person for adults, minus $2 each for a special coupon from the Oregonian (the local newspaper).
The traveling exhibits do add a lot to the experience, though the standing collections are also impressive and representative of many different styles and periods. One of the parts I particularly enjoyed was the small Rodin gallery at the front of the museum itself, a separate room filled with sculptures and paintings of one artist.
As expected, the gift shop and the cafe are wildly overpriced, though the money spent goes to help maintain the museum itself, and is worth the cost knowing your dollars are going to ensure the museum's continued quality.
If you're an art lover, or just someone looking to kill an afternoon with some quiet culture, do take the time to visit the PAM. It's worth every penny of your admission.
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