In every city I visit, I HAVE to go to at least 1 art museum. I have an art background and I love to wander around the halls pretending that I am even 1/2 as good as the artists hanging on the walls.
The Musee Des Beaux-Arts is located on both sides of the street with one looking more classical (but housing the more modern artwork) and one that is more modern (but houses the more classical works). I was really impressed by the variety of pieces that they had as some fine arts museums have not quite embraced the modern fine arts movement. It was nice to see some of the newer artists and see that they had a proper place within fine arts.
One of the nicer rooms in the Classical looking side (Hornstein/Stewart Pavilion) is hidden off to the side of the upper floor where the art is interactive. You can sit on the furniture, listen to waterfalls and music, and even sit out on the balcony if you need some inspiration for your own artwork.
I agree with one of the other reviewers that the very shallow and long steps in the Desmarais Pavilion were a bit difficult to walk on. Either take very small steps or really long steps. Or I took two at a time. Really worked those glutes!
Best of all FREE!!!