One of the best regional art museums in the United States, the VMFA punches well above its weight for a mid-sized American city. The permanent collection is extraordinary in several areas: Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs (one of the world's largest collections), Art Nouveau and Art Deco decorative arts, ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian objects, and an outstanding South Asian gallery. The 20th-century American and European paintings are solid throughout.
Admission to the permanent collection is free, which makes the VMFA an exceptional value. The special exhibitions charge separately. The museum café and rooftop terrace are worth a visit in their own right. Located in the Museum District, which begins at the western edge of the Fan.