The museum was constructed by the British to conserve and display the historical artifacts found in the vicinity of the state capital. The concept of having a museum arose in 1912, after Bihar and Bengal were separated. Patna Museum started functioning in 1915 from the commissioner's bungalow, on the campus of A. N. Sinha Institute. The artifacts were then shifted to new rooms at the Patna High Court building before being taken to the present building in 1929. The land that was selected for the museum, in 1925, was on Patna-Gaya road (now Budh Marg). The two-storeyed building, designed by Rai Bahadur Bishnu Swarup, was completed in 1928. It was opened as the first museum of Bihar and Orissa Province by then Governor of Bihar and Orissa, Sir Hugh Lansdown Stephenson.

Items on display in the multipurpose museum include archaeological objects, coins, art objects, paintings, instruments, textiles, paintings, thankas, bronze images and sculptures, and terra cotta images by Hindu and Buddhist artists. It has a rare collection of British-period paintings depicting day-to-day life, as well as a fine collection related to the first President of India, Rajendra Prasad. It also houses a World War I cannon. The fossil of a tree said to be more than 200 million years old is on display, as is a casket — unearthed in 1958 by archaeologist, A. S. Altekar, at the Relic Stupa of Vaishali — said to contain the sacred ashes (relics) of Gautama Buddha. A Didarganj Yakshi statue, discovered on a Ganges riverbank in 1917, was the museum's most prized collection, which was later shifted to Bihar Museum. The artifacts from the ancient Indian era to 1764 are kept in Bihar Museum, and those of the post-1764 period are kept at Patna Museum. Rahul Sankrityayan donated 10,000 manuscripts that are written in gold and silver on handmade papers and books on Buddhist philosophy that were once in the library of ancient Nalanda and Vikramshila universities. These manuscripts were taken to Tibet dating back of around 700 years ago before the destruction of these universities. These manuscripts were brought by him. Beginning November 2009, a project was started to build a replacement museum in Patna to enable the display of larger collections.

Patna boasts a rich architectural heritage, blending ancient, colonial, and modern styles. The iconic Golghar, a massive granary built by the British in 1786, offers a unique architectural design with a spiral staircase leading to panoramic city views. The Patna Sahib Gurudwara, with its elegant white facade and intricate carvings, is a marvel of Sikh architecture. The Mahavir Mandir’s towering structure showcases traditional Hindu temple architecture. The Bihar Museum, a contemporary building, stands out with its modern design, blending seamlessly with cultural exhibits. The Patna High Court building, a symbol of colonial architecture, adds to the city’s architectural diversity.

Patna comes alive with vibrant festivals and fairs that showcase its rich cultural heritage. The city is renowned for Chhath Puja, a unique four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God, celebrated with grand rituals on the banks of the Ganges, attracting thousands of devotees. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is marked by illuminating homes and bursting fireworks. Sonepur Mela, one of Asia’s largest cattle fairs, held near Patna, is a spectacular event featuring animal trading, folk performances, and local crafts. The Patna Book Fair, one of the largest in India, brings together bibliophiles and writers, celebrating literature and knowledge.