Taft Museum of Art
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The Taft Museum of Art is a highly-rated small/medium art museum uniquely set within a historic, ornate home in Cincinnati. It offers a curated experience blending period room settings with high-quality art from masters like Turner and Sargent, alongside extensive decorative arts (watches, china) and special exhibitions (e.g., Masonic expo). Visitors appreciate the beautiful decor, rich historical information, and well-chosen displays.
Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptional quality for a small/medium art museum.
- ✓Features a wonderful Turner watercolor exhibit.
- ✓Remarkable entrance murals are a delightful surprise.
- ✓Extensive and high-quality watch and decorative arts displays.
- ✓Engaging period room settings enhance the historical experience.
- ✓Real art gems from artists like Turner and Sargent, plus religious artwork.
- ✓The Masonic expo is highlighted as a 'must-see'.
- ✓Fantastic, fact-rich information about each piece of artwork and the rooms, bringing the experience to life.
- ✓Beautiful decor throughout the historic home setting.
Standout Features
- ⭐Free onsite parking, making access convenient and cost-effective.
- ⭐Offers free admission on Mondays (and potentially Sundays), providing excellent value.
- ⭐The museum is set in a beautiful, historic home in Cincinnati.
- ⭐Features a small, beautiful onsite cafe.
- ⭐The gift shop is noted for being 'great' with a 'very nice range of souvenirs'.
- ⭐Staff are consistently described as 'really friendly'.
- ⭐Well-curated and high-quality exhibits with insightful information.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Plan your visit for a Monday (or potentially Sunday) to take advantage of free admission.
- →Allocate 1-2 hours to comfortably explore the entire museum.
- →Be aware of the strict 'no outside drinks' policy (even capped bottles are not allowed), unless for medical reasons.
- →Seek out specific highlights mentioned by reviewers, such as the Turner watercolors, entrance murals, and the Masonic expo.
Things to Consider
- ⚠No specific problems or negative points were reported by parents; reviews are overwhelmingly positive.
Price & Value
Offers exceptional value, especially with free admission available on Mondays (and possibly Sundays), as well as free onsite parking. This makes it a very affordable cultural experience compared to many other venues.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility features or accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Strict 'no outside drinks' policy, including capped bottles, unless for medical reasons.
- •A small cafe is available onsite for refreshments.
- •The gift shop offers souvenirs, but no specific mention of snacks or food for purchase there.
🚗Parking Info
- •Free parking is available onsite, making it convenient for visitors.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Described as a 'small/medium' museum, with reviewers indicating it takes 1-2 hours to go through, suggesting it is manageable and not likely to be excessively crowded, though no specific crowd levels were reported.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety measures or features were mentioned in the reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Families with very young children (toddlers, preschoolers) who require interactive play or may struggle with the quiet, observational nature of an art museum.
- • If your primary goal is highly interactive, child-focused entertainment, as this museum is not designed for that.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
A New Look at the Longworths
On View Through November 2
General Admission
An exhibition exploring the Longworths.
Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking
Opening October 4
General Admission
A changing exhibition focused on indigo and quiltmaking.
Lunch & Learn
Various Fridays (e.g., September 26, October 31, November 21)
Museum admission sold separately. Registration required.
Spend your lunch hour with local experts discussing Cincinnati’s culture from new perspectives. Includes topics like 'Cincinnati Parks Foundation: Parks Through the Ages' and 'Holocaust & Humanity Center: Ensuring the Lessons of the Holocaust, Inspire Action Today'.
Coffee Club
Various Saturdays (e.g., September 27, October 25, November 22)
Registration required. Includes admission to special exhibitions and collection galleries.
Connect with fellow art lovers over Taft Café coffee and engage in collective experiences around works of art in the museum’s galleries.
FREE! Family Fundays
Regularly scheduled
Free
Programs designed for families to make memories together through lifelong learning, self-expression, and fun. Walk-in event.
Taft Fundraising Gala
2025 (record-breaking event)
Grossed over $320,000 (ticket price not specified, supports free educational programs)
A tropical, 1960s-themed event raising funds to support Taft’s free educational programs (Art for All, Artists Reaching Classrooms, Family Fundays).
Wharton Esherick’s Pennsylvania Hill House: A Design for the 1940 New York World’s Fair
Not specified
Not specified
An exploration of the collaboration between furniture maker Wharton Esherick and architect George Howe for the 1940 New York World’s Fair.
Signature Talk: Many Hands Make Light the Work: Indigo and Quilting in South Carolina
Thursday, October 23
Registration required. Includes admission to exhibitions and collection galleries.
A talk with Virginia Theerman, Curator of Historic Textiles at The Charleston Museum, sharing insights on indigo and quilting.
Curator Tours (Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking)
October 15, December 17
Registration required. Includes admission to exhibitions and collection galleries.
Guided tours of the 'Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking' exhibition with Angela Fuller, Assistant Curator.
Artist Perspective Tour (Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking)
November 5
Registration required. Includes admission to exhibitions and collection galleries.
A tour of the 'Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking' exhibition with artist Devan Horton.
Indigo Dyeing Workshop with Devan Horton
Sunday, October 19
Registration required. Includes admission to exhibitions and collection galleries.
A hands-on workshop to discover the processes and tools used to create art forms.
Quiltmaking Workshop
Sunday, November 16
Registration required. Includes admission to exhibitions and collection galleries.
A hands-on workshop to learn about quiltmaking techniques and tools.
Quilting Demonstrations with Dorothy Gillstrap
Saturday, October 11; Sunday, November 9
Free event. Museum admission sold separately. Registration not required (walk-in).
Live demonstrations of quilting techniques and tools by local quilter Dorothy Gillstrap.
Holiday Tea
November 28, 29; December 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20
$45 for Taft members, $55 for non-members. Includes admission to collection galleries, exhibitions, and holiday displays. Reservations required.
Celebrate the festive season with special tea blends, small bites from the Taft Café, and live music in a historic setting.
Stitch 'n B*tch (Young Professional Program)
Friday, November 7
Not specified (Young Professional Membership includes perks)
An after-hours craft night (knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing) for young professionals to bring projects, enjoy drinks/snacks, and explore the 'Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking' exhibition and collection galleries.
Members' Opening Reception
To be announced
Registration required (for members)
Invitation-only event for museum members.
Members' Preview Day
October 3 (for Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking)
Admission registration required (for members)
Exclusive access to new exhibitions for museum members.
Create & Play
To be announced
Registration required
A youth and family program focused on creative activities.
Sensory Explorations
To be announced
Walk-In
Sensory-friendly ways to experience the museum, suitable for visitors with neurodivergent and invisible disability needs.
🍎Food Policy
- • Outside food or drink is prohibited in the museum.
- • Water is allowed only for medical purposes.
- • Glass containers, jars, aerosol cans, and liquids other than water are prohibited.
- • Food and drinks are not permitted in the exhibitions or collection galleries.
- • The Taft Café offers boozy brunch, savory lunch, grab-and-go coffee and tea, and includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
- • Taft members receive a 10% discount at the Taft Café (excludes tax and alcohol).
🛡️Safety Policy
- • All bags and containers of any type are subject to security inspection.
- • Prohibited items include: large objects (flags, banners, frames, artwork, shopping carts, sporting goods, recreational equipment), plants and flowers, costumes, weapons and hazardous materials, illegal substances and/or contraband.
- • Backpacks, packages, diaper bags, and laptop bags smaller than 11 x 15 inches may be carried in the galleries. Backpacks must be carried by hand or worn on the front.
- • Coats are not permitted in the galleries; they must be worn or left in the coatroom/lockers (located on the first floor).
- • Do not touch works of art, furnishings, or window treatments to preserve the collection.
- • The museum is a smoke-free facility; smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere in the museum or on its campus.
- • Non-flash personal photography and video in the galleries are encouraged, unless otherwise identified. Professional video cameras, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, and opened laptops are not allowed in galleries/exhibition areas.
- • The Taft Museum of Art routinely takes images and video for marketing purposes. Attendance constitutes acceptance; visitors wishing to avoid appearing in promotional material should alert staff or contact pr@taftmuseum.org.
📅Booking Policy
- • All reservation tickets require creating an account with an email address. Save login credentials for future use.
- • Group visits of 10 or more are recommended to be scheduled four weeks in advance.
- • Summer Youth Group Reservations require adult chaperones and are recommended to be scheduled four weeks in advance.
- • Group Dining reservations are recommended at least four weeks in advance.
- • Taft Café reservations are recommended for groups of 6 or more (contact ve@taftmuseum.org), walk-ins are available first-come, first-served.
- • Holiday Tea requires reservations.
🚗Parking Information
- • Limited, free on-site parking available for guests in the Taft's on-site garage during regular museum hours.
- • Front gates and garage open 15 minutes before museum opening.
- • Cars left in the museum garage after hours will be towed.
- • The Taft's driveway cannot accommodate large buses.
- • Information on nearby garages and competitive parking rates available via BestParking.com.
- • Ability to pay meters from smartphones via CincyEZPark.com.
- • Up-to-date information on downtown road construction and street closures via RoadMapCincy.com.
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Sandor Farkas
a week agoThis was probably the most exceptional small/medium art museum I have ever visited, and I visit a lot of art museums. Even outside of its wonderful Turner watercolor exhibit, it had an ideal Turner to other junk ratio. The entrance murals were really a remarkable surprise, as were the extensive watch and decorate arts displays. The museum really puts its best foot forward with its display choices, and the period room settings make the experience.
Ana Fittipaldi Shepard
2 weeks agoVery beautiful, that’s a museum with lots of china and paints , we took around 2 hours to go through the entire place. The Masonic expo is also a must see.
Micki
3 months agoSmall museum in an old ornate house. Fascinating to walk through. They have a cafe and a gift shop.
Ryan Smith
4 months agoA lovely museum with some lovely exhibits. Free parking was available onsite and free admission on Monday, too..!
Natalie D
a year agoThis is a wonderful art museum set in a historic home in Cincinnati. Inside, you explore the rooms of the home surrounded by art work. There are some real gems from the likes of Turner and Sargent (many more too) as well as religious art work and special exhibitions. The decor of the rooms is beautiful and the information about each piece of artwork and the rooms is fantastic, lots of great facts that bring the experience to life. The museum actually offers free entry on I believe Sunday and Monday which is great value and you can easily spend an hour exploring. They don't allow any drinks in the museum (apart from for special reasons eg medical), even capped bottles. There's a small cafe and gift shop (the shop is great, very nice range of souvenirs on offer!), and all the staff were really friendly too!