Philadelphia holds a unique position in American history, but its cultural identity extends far beyond the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The city’s museum landscape is remarkably diverse, offering immersive experiences that range from world-class fine art to interactive science and niche historical collections. Whether you are a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, the sheer volume of options can make choosing where to go a difficult task.
Exploring these institutions is one of the best ways to understand the soul of the City of Brotherly Love. You can walk through the homes of famous poets, stand beneath towering dinosaur fossils, or touch a piece of the moon. Because the city is so walkable, many of these cultural hubs are clustered near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, often referred to as the “Museum District.”
However, limiting yourself to the Parkway means missing out on hidden gems tucked away in historic neighborhoods like Old City and Fairmount. From maritime history to medical oddities, Philadelphia houses collections that cater to hyper-specific interests and general curiosity alike. This guide aims to curate the best of the best, ensuring your time is spent wisely.
We have prioritized institutions that offer not just static displays, but engaging narratives and high-quality curation. The list includes options for families traveling with children, art aficionados looking for masterpieces, and history buffs seeking deeper context. Each entry offers a distinct flavor of the city’s rich past and vibrant present.
Before you map out your itinerary, consider what type of experience you want. Are you looking to spend a full day getting lost in galleries, or do you need a quick two-hour cultural hit? The following selection represents the pinnacle of Philadelphia’s museum scene.
Below is a curated list of the most compelling museums the city has to offer.
The Franklin Institute
| Address | 222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 448-1200 |
Been here before and it is always changing, seems to be different again this time with my granddaughter! We all enjoyed the visit. 3 floors of exploring to do. Each different and exciting! The walk through heart is still a staple remember it from my childhood! The planetarium has a great narrator with a good show.
The Franklin Inst. had many new, refreshing exhibits since the last time I was there which was about 20 years ago. Don't laugh. I know. I must be old. It's not so much new exhibits as it is a restored and updated museum now. It is worth it to browse around on your own. Or take them kids, the grandkids. Everyone will enjoy it on their level. For ex: from historical backgrounds of the times on "display" to gymnasium, interactive type areas for younger generations to run & explore. It is a fun museum. Try to book your day when you can also schedule a "Planetarium" movie (an upcharge) and then Universal Studios Area (another upcharge). I didn't get into the Planetarium, but I do intend to visit again.
The Franklin Institute has finally been checked off our list! We’d wanted to get here for a while, but I wasn’t sure how we’d do with my littles (five and under) , turns out we had a great time. We spent three hours there and the time flew by so fast. Honestly, you could easily make this an entire day; there’s so much to see and engage with, and I love that it’s educational too. If you’re on the fence about going, let this be your sign.
Plus, right now they have Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition going on, and that’s definitely worth checking out as well , it runs through September 7, 2026, and it’s included with general admission.
What Else We Explored
• SportsZone
• Body Odyssey (home of the Giant Heart)
• Your Brain
• The Train Factory
• Sir Isaac’s Loft
• Amazing Machine
• Changing Earth
• Space Command
• The Franklin Air Show
By the three-hour mark we’d made it through nearly everything ,the only thing we didn’t get to was the Fels Planetarium, so that’s on the list for next time.
I loved it. I'm a father and science teacher so for me and my family this was absolutely awesome. My daughter told me she wants to be an astronaut here so yeah I maybe was holding back tears. Lol. Thanks Ben Franklin. The planetarium and the Baldwin locomotive were great!
This is a huge win when looking for a museum.
We loved all the sections and were excited to see the special exhibition for the Universal Studios showcase.
We spent about five hours here and were worried we wouldn't be able to see it all.
And if lunch is on your mind, they have a great cafeteria with great food. We paid for two tenders, a fry, and a cheesteak for only $32.
Highly recommend.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
| Address | 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:45 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 763-8100 |
Simply among the best in the world! Get you walking shoes ready & be prepared to maximize your step count because there is so much to see. I thought Detroit’s DIA was amazing, yet Philly’s was much larger in scope. This might be the best art museum in the US. I felt it competed in a much higher league, such as Berlin’s Pergamon or London’s British Museum. For the most part most major museums maintain quality collections, however Philly’s stands out to me because of the immersion factor and large scale. I’ve travelled all over the world and have patroned large & small. The only negatives is the entrance cost is steep ($30 for an adult) and the halls are brimming with people and it can feel like being sardine in some areas.
Over the weekend, I visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art in downtown Philadelphia. The neoclassical building itself is a work of art, looking from a distance like a majestic ancient Greek temple.
The collection is extraordinarily rich, with over 300,000 pieces spanning from ancient sculpture to modern masterpieces. The Impressionist gallery is one of the finest in the country. Seeing van Gogh's Sunflowers in person was overwhelming—the intensity of the colors far exceeded anything I'd imagined. Picasso's Three Musicians was equally delightful. The Asian art section was also a pleasant surprise, even featuring a complete Ming Dynasty hall from China.
The museum's famous "Rocky Steps" at the entrance are a must-visit photo spot, and from the top you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Philadelphia skyline. Adult tickets are $30, and I'd recommend setting aside at least three hours for your visit. On Friday evenings, the museum stays open until 8:45 PM and often hosts special events. An unmissable art treasure in Philadelphia!
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has a beautiful collection and is definitely worth visiting if you’re in the city. I’ve been to both this museum and the MET, and while I personally think the MET has a larger and more impressive collection, I still really enjoyed my visit here. The exhibits are well curated, and it’s a great place to spend a few hours appreciating art. If you’re already in Philadelphia, I’d definitely recommend adding it to your itinerary.
Beautiful musuem with alot of famous and intricate paintings. Blew my mind on how many things were on display as well as the range from paintings and pots to whole ruins you can walk through. As well as a nice gift shop with very cute trinkets. Would love to go again
An incredible museum with a world-class collection! The galleries are spacious, beautifully curated, and offer something for everyone. Running up the iconic steps for the view of the city skyline is the perfect bonus. Highly recommended!
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
| Address | 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | (215) 299-1000 |
A cute, informative, yet smaller museum that packs a punch. As a part of the ASTC network here’s another great participating museum.
I felt the dinosaur exhibit shined & the dino dig is a lot of fun for kids. The museum echos a very similar style to NYC, NY’s.
Our 10 year old enjoyed this place.
It's a good taxidermy museum I guess.
I went for a school trip. It was extremely disorganized. We were forced to wait in the cafeteria for 30 mins, told we could go to the live exhibit. My group went to the live exhibit first. We explained to the younger female employee what the woman downstairs said. So our small group entered. While the older man with the hiss cockroaches was showing our kids an older female came in and started yelling at us to leave. Then she turned around said we had to leave by a certain time. Which I acknowledged and agreed to, it gave us an additional 8 minutes in the exhibit. Two minutes later she started yelling at us to get out. I turned to the kids and told them no, we had 6 minutes left and we weren't leaving until the agreed upon time. She was really unprofessional and rude to the children.
The kids finished the museum from the top floor down in under 45 mins. We then attended a show in the auditorium as a whole group. That was probably the highlight of the whole thing. I personally learned a lot, I just wished they had some kind of audio system in there instead of yelling to a school of 100+ kids.
We really had nothing to do with the remaining 45 minutes. The kids played in the big dig again, hit the bathrooms and the water fountains.
We also were not allowed on the Botany exhibit, the one exhibit I actually wanted to see, because it was "reserved"... Yet no one ever went in or out of, besides the two employees standing at the entrance to keep us out.
And quite honestly $2.75 for a can of Mt. Dew is ludicrous.
I can say with certainty - I would not go back. To me it wasn't worth the ticket price, the confusion or being yelled at.
From the moment you walk in, you're surrounded by fascinating exhibits that showcase the incredible diversity of life on Earth, from towering dinosaur skeletons and ancient fossils to beautifully preserved specimens.
One of the highlights of my visit was the opportunity to speak with museum staff who were actively working with archaeological discoveries. It was fascinating to hear them explain how artifacts are examined, preserved, and studied, and I appreciated being able to ask questions about their work. Those conversations provided a behind-the-scenes look at archaeology that made the experience even more memorable.
So I took my two kids and their aunt here July 5th and I gotta say this time was really awesome. The woman at intake was so patient with me as I bumbled to find my card and assured me I wasn't holding things up she was so calm and supportive.The staff were out with snakes (shout out to Butter Ball) and critters allowing the kids to touch them (gently!) other staff showed off skulls and beaks! And as were leaving I heard them say over the intercom they were about to start a paleontologist education class on the first floor! The staff really went above and beyond but there was one in particular that made the trip truly memorable her name was Ashli (li not ley which made it easier to remember)
My son is really into Arctic foxes right now so because we didn't see any I thought maybe we had missed some I approached this young lady as we were leaving asked if she knew where we could find one sadly she said that they didn't have any on display however they had different breeds foxes... My son seemed bummed and then she said "what about pelts? It's better then the display you get to actually touch it! We have Arctic fox pelts!" He lit up and she rush off to get them she couldn't have been gone for more then a minute And was slightly out of breath she had run to get them because she saw how excited he was and knew we were on our way out. Not only did she bring the Arctic fox but she also brought one pelt showing his summer coat (not pure white like the winter one) AND a red fox pelt to show him how different the coats felt!
I was truly moved by the amount of energy she put in to educating the kids about the animals and to see that she stopped what she was doing and went out of her way to make a teachable moment in something that my child had a big interest in it was special. When he got anxiety because all the kids rushed up to see the pelts and hid... She made sure to walk over to him where he was at and give him his own time with the pelts.
Thank you academy employees for really making the science animals and little wild minds come to life! This was probably the best time we have ever had here!
Sincerely,
Ellen Max and Ella
Friendly staff, clean facilities and interactive stations for young children.
We popped in after another museum and it was something we could fit into two hours before they closed.
Decent dinosaur area, small children dig sight and green screen area.
Three floors to view.
Museum of Illusions Philadelphia
| Address | 401 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 608-8521 |
Our family recently visited the Museum of Illusions Philadelphia, and we had an absolute blast! From the moment we walked in, the exhibits were fun, interactive, and had all of us questioning what our eyes were seeing. It was the perfect mix of entertainment, creativity, and learning.
What impressed me most was how much fun both the adults and the kids had. We brought our children, and every room sparked curiosity, laughter, and plenty of “How is that even possible?” moments. The staff was friendly, helpful, and eager to explain the science and illusions behind many of the exhibits.
The photo opportunities alone make the visit worthwhile. We left with some incredible pictures and memories that we’ll be talking about for a long time. It is one of those places where you can truly let your imagination run wild and experience something completely different from the typical museum visit.
The only reason I am not giving it more than five stars is because I wish it were bigger. We were having such a great time that it felt like we reached the end too quickly. The experience was so enjoyable that we wanted even more exhibits to explore.
Overall, if you’re looking for a unique family outing, date night, or something fun to do with friends, I highly recommend the Museum of Illusions Philadelphia. It is engaging, memorable, family friendly, and packed with moments that will leave you amazed. We will definitely be back again.
An interesting visit to this place. My daughter enjoyed. It's a bit pricey and difficult to get tickets during weekends.
It is an interactive edutainment attraction located at 401 Market Street in Old City, Philadelphia, offering over 60 mind-bending exhibits that challenge perception through optical illusions, holograms, and immersive rooms. Opened in March 2022, it’s part of a global franchise that began in Croatia and now spans more than 35 cities, including New York, Chicago, and Toronto.
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday–Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Adults (13–59): $28
Children (5–12): $22.40
Seniors/Military (65+): $25.76
Children under 5: Free (no ticket needed)
Tickets are timed and sold online; advance booking is strongly recommended to avoid sold-out times.
Features unique Philly-themed installations like an eyes-following Ben Franklin mural, an upside-down diner with Rocky and The Philadelphia Story posters, and the Infinity Room with endless reflections.
Designed for all ages, with hands-on puzzles, photo ops, and educational insights into how the brain interprets visual information.
You typically can spend about 1 hour, though time varies based on engagement with brain teasers.
Bring a charged phone for photos.
No food or drinks are sold inside—eat beforehand.
Located near Independence National Historical Park and SEPTA’s 5th Street/Independence Hall stop—easy to access during a day trip.
Consider pairing with the Visit Philly Overnight Package for hotel perks.
It was an amazing experience! Anyone that comes here will enjoy it cuz we did! My girlfriends son and I finished the hard puzzle that took us an hour and a half to figure out! It was money well spent!
This was so much fun, spent over an hour in here with my 9 year old. He did the entire disc tower move from one peg to another and took a long time and Ciera helped him. Ciera was patient and kind and even my son said she helped just enough without giving it away or being critical - we really enjoyed her presence around the museum. All the other staff were great too!
Great but small, a bit pricey for the number of illusions. However some of them were really good, for me the spinning tunnel room was the most fun, but lots of great photo opportunities and simple mind bending illusions. Great time but only spent an hour or so here before we had seen it all a few times.
Penn Museum
| Address | 3260 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 898-4000 |
The various displays provide a history of human cultures worldwide over nearly 12,000 years. Thoroughly enjoyed the visit.
The cafe has a limited but adequate selection of sandwiches and bagged items like potatoe chips. I has a tuna fish sandwich which surprisingly had no mayonnaise but still tasted good. The cafe closes at 3 PM.
The Penn Museum has been on our to do list for a while and finally we managed to make the time to visit.
The museum boasts 3 floors of ancient artefacts from across the globe, from ancient Egypt, Greece, Chinese, Africa, Rome, Middle East and America. What makes Penn stand out is that there is something for everyone’s interest.
The artefacts are beautiful presented and the descriptions are easy to understand.
I had the absolute pleasure of meeting a lovely young lady named Ivy in the Egyptology section. I loved talking to Ivy and I think we covered so many topics in the space of about 45 minutes! Well done Penn for having amazingly friendly, approachable and educated staff.
Of note at this time are the exhibits on the peoples of the Americas, Asian and Buddhist artefacts, although not new, the Etruscan displays.
I also have to mention the gift shop. It has to be one of the most beautiful gift shops I’ve seen. Tastefully displayed with a huge range of gifts or souvenirs. I couldn’t resist buying some chocolate!
The grounds were stunning with the ornamental Cherry trees in bloom.
If you are confused about the entrance to the museum then lookout for the pic of them in my review. These 2 lovely ladies have been showing people where the entrance to the Penn Museum is and apparently they have been doing this for years! Absolute gems!
Penn Museum in Philadelphia is a relaxed, quietly impressive museum that focuses on archaeology and world cultures rather than flashy, crowded exhibits. Set on the University of Pennsylvania campus, it has a historic, academic feel with beautiful architecture, courtyards, and high-ceilinged galleries. Inside, you’ll find well-curated artifacts from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, with standout pieces that really capture how people lived, traded, and worshiped across time. The layout is easy to navigate and calm, making it ideal for wandering at your own pace without feeling rushed. Plan on spending about two to three hours to properly enjoy the galleries and read the displays. There’s also a small cafe and gift shop, rounding out a low-key but deeply rewarding museum experience.
What a lovely and informative museum! It's an archeological museum with areas for Middle Eastern, Native American, Greek, Roman and Asian history. The exhibits are displayed beautifully and there's plenty of room to walk around. I really appreciated the fact that a Native American historian curated that section. They do have tours that you can take at an additional price. There's a parking garage on the same block that cost us $28 for the 5-ish hours we were there. The museum costs $23 which I feel was fair for the size and type of museum it is. There's a museum Cafe but be aware that it closes at 3:00. You can buy tickets online if you think it might be a busy time but you don't need to.
Just found a blog post I wrote in 10/14/2009 and adding here with the pictures I took to remember in the future.
Last summer we visit Penn Museum with my family. I am very interesting in Egypt History especially Paraoh's time. I found gorgeous jeweleries that showing over there and want to share some of them with you.
There is art everytime, everywhere in the world. Everybody put their life style, cultures to their art. When you see everything at the same time , you understand one more time we are only a small part of this system.
The Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
| Address | 19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 563-3737 |
This is a MUST if you are at all interested in medical oddities. This has been on my bucket list for years and was ecstatic to finally get to experience it! Photos/videos are not allowed in the main galleries but in other areas, you can capture a few things. Very interesting exhibits of all types related to the human body. Was well worth it, and got the t-shirt!
This museum was very interesting. The displays were one of a kind. There were different body parts skulls, skeletons, tumors and different medical conditions. The medical library is very nice. The gift shop is small and cute. If you have an appreciation for medicine, this is for you.
Don’t miss this very interesting and educational medical museum. See the soap lady then take your time learning about our bodies and diseases. No photography allowed to maintain the dignity of human bodies and parts displayed. The herb garden informative too and photography allowed there.
Probably one of the coolest places I have ever been. It's hard to explain all of the amazing things there are to see and learn about. I would put this at the top of must visit places during a trip to Philly.
I saw a special on TV when I was little about this museum. It has been on my bucket list for years. Although, I was hoping to see blown up images of the diseases, and didn't it was very interesting to see the effects of disease on the body in tissue and wax specimens. It also tells the history and advancement of medicine in the US with so many similarities between Legionaires disease at the US 200th birthday and politics now still discussing COVID at the 250th birthday.
Has parking, clean bathrooms, neat art samples leading to entrance of gift shop.
Barnes Foundation
| Address | 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 278-7000 |
This place really blew my mind. It’s overwhelmingly beautiful with so much to look at you’ll get a headache if you don’t take a break at the cafe. I’ve been to some of the best museums in the Western World and there is nothing like it. Take your time. Think about the collector’s vision. See how the artists develop. And then you can argue about whether this fits Barnes vision while admiring the gorgeous architecture of the building.
You will be asked to put any large bags in a free locker. Plan accordingly.
I never herd of this museum. Stumbled upon it on my way to the Philadelphia museum of art. And I was shocked by how amazing this museum is. They have a billion dollars worth of art and have it laid out in a series of small and intimate rooms. Just so very unique. If you are a museum goer please do not miss this museum. Modigliani, Renoir, Matisse, Cezanne, and 7 Van Goghs!
So happy I stumbled on this museum. I think they need to rename it to the Barnes Museum. It will get more recognition .
Beautiful, minimalist architecture... The Garden restaurant was a wonderful culinary experience. All the staff were friendly and extremely helpful. I bought a lot of gifts from the shop. The art exhibition was quite memorable. There was live music in the evening as well. Definitely recommend for a solo, date, wedding venue....
One of the most beautiful and interesting museum I have ever visited. It housed world’s largest french impressionism paintings from Renoir, Monet, Manet to Degas, Matisse, Van Gough and Picasso. The architecture is simple but impressive and the way they arranged the paintings and other arts are interesting, you should get a guide to tell the story behind, though…worth it.
I haven't seen the collection since the old location and it was even better. It was the most beautiful day in Philadelphia history I think, and the restaurant and museum was perfect. I got to show my son why I became an artist, the Barns.
Museum of the American Revolution
| Address | 101 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 253-6731 |
5 out of 5! This is a well done museum, and worth your time in "museum dense" Philadelphia.
-3 hours to go through, reading most of the large placards and watching most of the videos
-Worth the $27 adult admission
-MUST SEE- Washington's tent! 12-minute video and the tent itself
-Well done scenes with mannequins and horse. See photos
-Inclusive almost to a fault. They cover views of women, the slave population, and indigenous people consistently.
-Handicap accessible
-Well done gift shop
-Conveniently located around Old Town Philadelphia
-I walked from my hotel, but my guess is that parking is tight in the area as a whole
This is an amazing place full of history with our country's beginnings starting with the Revolutionary War.. about 30 years worth. We had a guided tour on a very busy day, but so interesting. The presentations are so very well done and the displays are incredible -- some touchable, some behind glass, but so real telling our story. Go here!
I am a bit of a history buff so I was more than excited to be able to go and spend some time there. The displays were as fantastic as expected! I really appreciated the theaters and the interactive displays that allowed you to smell something!
My major fatigue and complaint with the displays and narrative comes from the commentary on every display that sought to ask "how can I make this historic moment about a minority" the anxiety of answering this question has tainted the narrative of the exhibit and given fatigue to those who know better. Not all history needs to be told, nor are we a character in the past.
This whole exhibit was a living embodiment of the old parody "Comet hits earth. Women and minorities hit hardest."
My visit cost me $30 for one person and of course the gift shop knick-knacks ended up costing me another $160!
All in all I do not regret my visit and it was great to refresh my memory of the sacrifices of the Great Men who came before me. I imagine the curator believed that 2023 would last forever. It's time that we stop apologizing for the revolution at a museum designed to honor it. Thanks!
This museum is definitely worth a visit if you're in Philadelphia and interested in American history. Conveniently located within walking distance of Independence Hall, this museum helps provide a bigger picture of the story of the American Revolution. There are a number of exhibits inside, so plan to allow for a couple of hours to get the most out of your visit.
Very nice museum! Great display and they tell the story of the events of the American Revolution really well. Plenty of short films and interactive exhibits. Highly recommend spend an hour or more here.
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
| Address | 1020 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 733-0390 |
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is a very unique and creative place, and I can see why many people find it interesting. The mosaic work is detailed, colorful, and definitely different from a typical museum or attraction.
That said, for me personally, it was a bit underwhelming. The photos online looked more impressive than the actual experience, and the space felt smaller than I expected. We walked through it fairly quickly and didn’t feel there was a lot to explore beyond taking a few pictures.
I’m glad I saw it once, but I probably would not consider it a must-see attraction in Philadelphia. It may be more enjoyable for people who are especially interested in mosaic art, folk art, or unusual urban art spaces.
It's a magical world of an artist with mosaics of ordinary objects interspersed with artistic pieces with lots of symbolism. Although you can spend a long time looking at the different pieces, I'd recommend an hour. You need to buy the time slot in advance and the timeslot we wanted was sold out. We ended up going a half hour later. If you are visiting from elsewhere I'd buy tickets day of. It's like walking in someone's daydream. It was $15 for admission, and they got a scavenger hunt you can play. The art is everywhere on the stairs, walls and inbetween. I liked how they had some chairs and different things to look at. It opens at 11 and I think closes at 6pm.
Such a beautiful spot, right in the middle of the city..!! Staff are very friendly and helpful. I had to reschedule my ticket and was able to do so without any hassle. I did visit during a weekday, so the place wasn't too crowded and I was able to get some really good photos. I guess it might be more tricky during weekends.
Definitely worth a visit..!
Went to Philadelphia's Magic Gardens on a weekday in the summer. It was during the FIFA World Cup games so there were a lot of tourists that day. Great place for families and pictures. Beautiful eclectic folk art mosaic art garden. I spent about 40 minutes there. There is an indoor gallery and a gift shop with handmade stuff. Good destination if you are doing a South St. jawnt along with the thrift stores and good lunch spots nearby. I did not take a tour just a self-guided walk. The outside garden has narrow pathways and stairs, no good for wheelchairs. Staff was nice.
This was such a fun side quest experience. I definitely recommend checking it out. I suggest you get tickets in advance so you can secure a time slot. I got the first time slot (11am) on a Monday and they were busy when I got there. Stairs are STEEP so be careful and they have a scavenger hunt if you're into that type of addition to your adventure.
Rodin Museum
| Address | 2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 763-8100 |
Love the museum. Perfect gallery and I love the sketchbooks! Such a cool feature to be able to draw inspiration at the museum and sketch it in the moment. I drew a lil something in the Bal Zaç room before the garden bat party. The party was amazing and not too crowded! Rodin makes a lot more sense after a cup of prosecco! Plenty of seating if you want to sit and take in the art. I recommend watching a couple of YouTube videos while viewing the art. I loved learning about how Rodin would intentionally leave his sculptures slightly unfinished. Very clean bathrooms by the way? The garden bar event is amazing and perfectly curated. A MUST SEE for visiting Philly on a Friday. Thank you for an amazing time.
A very pleasant surprise at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia. The setting itself is beautiful, both inside and in the surrounding gardens, which add real value to the visit.
Despite its relatively small size and limited number of works, the museum remains highly interesting and well curated. In about an hour, you can comfortably explore the collection and enjoy a focused, high-quality artistic experience. It is probably the second museum with the largest number of Rodin works and casts outside of Paris.
Ideally combined with a visit to the nearby Barnes Foundation, just a short walk away — together, they make for an excellent three-hour art-focused morning that is absolutely worth the detour.
Very small museum easy to do in between other activities and well worth the visit. This is supposed to be the largest collection of Rodin outside of Paris and the pieces are spectacular. There are a couple of sculptures in the garden as well as tables and a lovely fountain and the inside is full of beauty.
Small museum but has the largest collection of Rodin’s sculptures outside France. If you visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art, tick includes the Rodin Museum. A ticket for two days and two museums.
I honestly couldn't believe the Rodin Museum was right here in Philadelphia. It was such a privilege to finally see masterpieces I only knew from books with my own eyes.
Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps
| Address | 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:45 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 763-8100 |
The Philadelphia Museum of Art completely exceeded my expectations. Every gallery is beautifully curated, with an incredible collection that lets you experience centuries of art in one place.
Whether you love history, classical masterpieces, or modern art, this museum is absolutely worth visiting. I could have spent the entire day exploring.
A truly unforgettable experience—I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Philadelphia. 🎨✨
Visiting the Rocky Steps was such a fun and iconic experience. Running up the stairs and recreating the famous movie scene made the visit really special. The view from the top is amazing, with a beautiful panorama of Philadelphia. It is also completely free, which is a great bonus for visitors. Many people were taking photos and enjoying the atmosphere, but there was still plenty of space. The Rocky statue at the bottom is a must for a picture as well. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting the city
Worth a stop as one of the most iconic statues relating to film. It was a cool visit! There is parole close for a fee and very few free spots.
Pretty cool - visiting the iconic "Rocky Steps" was fun for the family - however given my age, I resisted the temptation to re-enact the 'running up the stairs'. Much to my wife's relief.
The view from the top is pretty good offering an expansive panorama of Philadelphia. Lots of tourists and photos - but there was still plenty of space. Well recommended to anyone visiting the city
The Rocky Steps in Philadelphia are an iconic spot and a fun place to visit, especially if you’re a fan of the Rocky movies. Climbing the steps and reaching the top gives a nice sense of achievement, and the view of the city from there is quite enjoyable. It’s always lively with people recreating the famous run, which adds to the energy of the place. A great quick stop with a classic vibe.
Please Touch Museum
| Address | 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Phone | (215) 581-3181 |
Wish I would have taken more pics, but this place was great, even when it was so busy! I was chasing my oldest and youngest around. Don't judge by my pics haha. 7+ year old loved it and 2 year old loved it as well. You enter on upper floor, and can go "downstairs" to see more exhibits on either side. Facing inside from entry, stroller/wheelchair ramp accessible to downstairs is by treehouse on right, and stairs/elevator are by cars on left.
From flowing waterways and cars/buses themes, to Alice in Wonderland and grocery/kitchen play areas, it really does have something for all kids to enjoy. There are some quieter maker station and craft rooms downstairs as well. And as pics show, a giant carousel.
We were there for 3 hours and could have been there more! Highly recommend. We showed up during a Holiday weekend right at opening, and many other people did as well. Opening during a weekday would be better to arrive with possibly less kids. But even when it was so busy, we had a good time there.
We had a wonderful time at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia! There were enough hands-on activities and interactive exhibits to keep our kids happily engaged for 4–5 hours without getting bored.
Some of our favorite attractions included the beautiful indoor carousel, which was a big hit, and the River Adventure area where kids could play with water, boats, toys, and fun contraptions for a long time. The Roadside Attractions exhibit was another favorite, featuring model buses, trams, cars, trains, and other vehicles that fascinated our little one.
The Rocket Room was packed with fun space-themed activities that encouraged imagination and exploration. We also loved the Daniel Tiger themed play area, which was perfect for younger kids and very thoughtfully designed.
The only downside was the café, which had limited seating and a fairly small selection of food. The good news is that you’re allowed to bring your own food, which I’d definitely recommend. They also have a lovely outdoor garden seating area that’s a great place to enjoy a packed lunch.
Parking at the museum costs $18, but we found plenty of street parking nearby, which is a great way to save a little money if you’re lucky enough to find a spot.
Overall, it’s an excellent destination for families with young children, and we would definitely recommend it for a fun and educational day out.
The Please Touch Museum is an absolute gem for families. Housed in the stunning Memorial Hall—built in 1876 for the first U.S. World’s Fair (the Centennial Exposition)—the setting alone is breathtaking. Inside, the museum delivers nonstop hands-on fun and learning, from the kid-sized grocery store to the always-popular Rubber Ducky Wave Zone. My kids can’t get enough of the Alice in Wonderland maze and exhibit, and riding the beautifully ornate carousel is always a highlight. The traveling exhibits have been fantastic as well, with Dino Train being a standout. This is a must-visit Philadelphia destination for families with young children. Membership is worth it.
Amazing place for kids! So much to do and see it was incredible! Went as a class trip and had a good time and is sensory friendly for special needs children. The place is huge you almost can’t do everything in one visit since there’s so much to do it’s crazy! 10/10 recommend and make sure you have plenty of time to explore since it’s such a big place.
A great place to tired yoyr kid(s) out. Keep in mind keeping up with them can be just as tiring, but overall an amazing experience with lots of sensory stimulation. 2 floors full of completely different worlds for you and your kid(s) to enjoy. Would definitely go again.
African American Museum in Philadelphia
| Address | 701 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 574-0380 |
The AAMP was beautiful and informative. The standing exhibit took us on a walk through freedom in images and words. I could get the sound to play on the kiosk, but it was unnecessary.
From the time you walk in, you're treated to a visual feast of stunning books, clothes, and merchandise. There's even a cozy chair to sit and read. There are ramps and elevators everywhere and the music is fully accessible for the physically challenged. The staff is so friendly and warm too. Everyone from the receptionist, to the security team, to an employee we chatted with on the elevator was so sweet and helpful. We got to experience the Ruth E. Carter costume exhibit which is A MUST SEE! But don't skip the exhibit in the auditorium on the lower level on sailing to freedom. You are in for a treat!
I have really enjoyed the African American museum. While attending, I had the opportunity to check out their youth program. Students performed character skits and played for the guests. The youth band was amazing. I love what this organization is doing for their community. I visited here all the way from Kansas City.
We enoyed an excellent Philly First event of music and history that AAMP hosted. The event celebrated Philly for having the first abolitionist society in America.The Philly 1st sculpture also highlights Philly's William Still and is on display in the museum's front window. AAMP's staff were friendly and helpful. The museum admission was reasonable and they offer a senior discount. We stayed to tour the museum's amazing exhibit of costumes designed by Ruth Carter. The displays include costumes from Roots, Black Panther, Do the Right Thing and much more. There is also an excellent multimedia exhibit tracing a hundred years of African Americans in Philadelphia. Another highlight is the Bells of Freedom sculpture by the museum entrance.
Took a day trip from NYC to Philly to see the Ruth E. Carter exhibition. It was stunning! The staff was welcoming and knowledgeable about the exhibition,including security. They also had an art activity to celebrate MLK, Jr. Day. I will definitely return.
A small but beautiful museum which despite space restrictions does an excellent job of covering Black history in the US. Undoubted highlight though was the special of costumes, sketches and information from the work of Ruth E Carter covering Black Panther, Wakanda Forever, Selma, Malcolm X, Do The Right Thing and many others. Incredible work from an incredible talent.
Eastern State Penitentiary
| Address | 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 236-3300 |
Buy tickets online for $2 discount, college discount available. Street parking is available, plus paid lots. No dedicated eastern state parking lot.
As a true crime junkie, 100% recommend the self guided tour. The audio is interesting, engaging, and well done (the narrators are great and add to the ambiance!). There are always staff nearby to answer your questions and they are knowledgeable! I did not get to hear every audio file, but I wish I did :(. The prison itself is eerie and fascinating.
On a weekday afternoon, it was not busy and quiet. So my friends and I had time to fully immerse ourselves in the experience.
Real people suffered here so it is important to keep in mind while inside. With the audio tour and observing your surroundings, you truly understand the terrors the prisoners experienced. Plus the detriments of solidarity confinement. I left with additional knowledge, empathy, and understanding after the tour.
Excellent experience. Tons of information and things to see. The workers randomly spread out makes it easy to get answers. There are air conditioned rooms to explore on the hotter days. It is quite a bit of walking if you see everything. It is cheaper to buy the tickets online.
Great Experience!
We purchased tickets online and did the tour with the provided playback unit and earset. Some interesting facts come out of with Ben Franklin involved, why it came into being. A sobering view of seeing a cell and built in it, a cell from Guantanamo Bay, like Edgar Allen Poe could've written of it. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, clothes for the outside temperature as well. Have to the take the Halloween tour!
We finally went inside to take a tour today and it did not disappoint. Highly recommend for a day date. A great place for photography some really good restaurants nearby as well.
Very interesting. If you love architecture then you need to come here! It was not cared for for a few decades, was "cleaned up" of plants, trash, etc but otherwise left alone! Broken walls and toilets, beds and chairs left in place. Beautiful, interesting decay. Everyone gets a headset and as you walk around there are numbers posted, put the number into the little player thing you have and actor Steve Buscemi will tell you about what youre looking at. I would definitely go again. My 6 year old has told multiple people that she loves going to the penitentiary. Lol. There is a parking lot next door and I think it was like $16. Negatives were that the bathrooms would barely flush and we're head to move around in... they are the nicer porta potty trailers. I understand that they dont have plumbing or a spot for bathrooms but you had to walk up steep steps and then it barely flushed. Also some displays were left leaning which doesnt seem appropriate for a place i paid to get in as a museum. Some stastics are skewed and not fully explained to make it sound like America is a big, evil prison camp. Its also repeatedly implied that the term "justice" and imprisonment as a whole is only for reformation and not punishment. Which is not true and has never been true in human history. And is anti death penalty. Put although irritating I chose to ignore those parts and to focus on the large amount of fascinating history and stunning architecture. My husband and I sat in bed looking up all kinds of prison topics that night.
Independence Seaport Museum
| Address | 211 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (215) 413-8655 |
The seaport Museum is beautiful and clean. The Candlelight Concert was a real treat be sure to attend!
Comfortable seating
Great views especially from the balcony
Excellent ticket pricing
Wonderful ensemble
Fantastic performance
Thank you for the beautiful night!
The show was excellent, the performers were so talented, however a lot of the experience is centered around the intimate candlelight vibe and that was ruined by people walking in and out throughout the show, despite the show runners saying once doors are closed no exit or entry. It’s only an hour long, there was no need for people to get up and those who came late should have been denied entry as it clearly stated when you purchased your tickets. If the people running the show actually enforced their own rules it would have been 5 stars.
A Wonderful Family Experience at Independence Seaport Museum – July 13, 2025
We had a fantastic time visiting the Independence Seaport Museum on July 13th, 2025! It’s a wonderful place for the whole family, with something for everyone to enjoy. The interactive exhibits for kids were a big hit — our little ones were fully engaged and had so much fun learning about maritime history through hands-on activities.
The museum does a great job of making history come alive, and the staff were friendly and informative. The setting by the water adds to the charm, and exploring the historic ships was a memorable experience for all of us.
Whether you’re a local or just visiting Philadelphia, this is definitely a must-visit spot for families. Educational, entertaining, and very well-maintained — we highly recommend it!
I just saw them in Philly tonight and I must say that it was way better than I thought. It really moved me,I smiled, almost cried, laughed and had agreat time. I do a lot of different shows and this is one of my best in awhile. Don't miss out on a great experience like I almost did. Great show guys and Erica.
I really enjoyed myself. As a plus size woman I always get a little nervous if I will fit comfortably throughout a submarine. I definitely did. I had plenty of room and felt very comfortable. Our tour guide was great. We went in July so it was hot. Oh yeah it's not air conditioned. They have fans going in the sub it was totally doable. Everything else had air conditioning.
Tips for Visiting Philadelphia Museums
To make the most of your cultural excursion, it helps to plan ahead. Philadelphia’s museums are popular, and while they are generally accessible, a little insider knowledge can save you time and money. Understanding the logistics of ticketing, timing, and transportation will allow you to focus on the art and history rather than the hassle.
1). Check for “Pay What You Wish” Days
The Philadelphia Museum of Art offers pay-what-you-wish admission on the first Sunday of the month and every Friday night. The Barnes Foundation also offers free access on the first Sunday, though registration is usually required. Plan your trip around these dates if you are on a budget.
2). Utilize the Philly PHLASH Bus
During the peak tourist season, the PHLASH downtown loop is the easiest way to hop between major attractions. It stops directly at many of the museums on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in Old City, saving your feet from long walks between distant sites.
3). Book Timed Tickets in Advance
Popular spots like the Barnes Foundation and the Museum of the American Revolution often have timed entry slots. Booking online before you arrive ensures you won’t be stuck waiting for the next available window, especially on weekends.
4). Don’t Skip the Museum Cafes
Unlike standard cafeteria fare, many Philadelphia museum restaurants are culinary destinations in their own right. The Stir Restaurant at the Philadelphia Museum of Art offers a refined dining experience with a view, perfect for a mid-visit break without leaving the building.
5). Look for Combination Passes
If you plan to visit three or more attractions, consider purchasing a Philadelphia CityPASS or a similar multi-attraction pass. These bundles often include the Franklin Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences, offering significant savings compared to buying individual tickets at the door.
Philadelphia’s museum density is a testament to its role as a custodian of American culture and global art. Each institution tells a different story, whether through the brushstrokes of Impressionist painters, the fossilized bones of prehistoric creatures, or the preserved artifacts of the nation’s founding.
By selecting the right museums for your interests, you can curate a visit that feels personal and profound. Ultimately, the best museum in Philadelphia is the one that sparks your curiosity.
Take your time wandering the galleries, read the placards, and allow yourself to be transported. In a city with this much history and creativity, the hardest part is simply deciding where to begin.
