best museums in Philadelphia

Best Museums in Philadelphia

By Dom Bewley

Museums are some of the best things about visiting a new place or country. Not only can they give you an insight into the history of the area, but they can also surprise you with unexpected delights. Philadelphia is no different, with a wide breadth of museums covering a multitude of exciting subjects, from the American Revolution to dinosaurs.

So, if you're visiting Philadelphia, you'll want to know which are the best museums in the city! But doing your own research can be dull and time-consuming; we get it. That's why we've put together this guide to the best museums in Philadelphia. No research necessary. Now, sit back, and read about our top recommendations you should absolutely add to your itinerary!

Including:

  • Museum of the American Revolution
  • Franklin Institute Science Museum
  • Academy of Natural Science
  • African American Museum
  • Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
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Image courtesy of EQRoy/Shutterstock

Museum of the American Revolution

Philadelphia was one of the cities at the heart of the American Revolution that sent those pesky red coats sailing across the Atlantic with their tails firmly between their legs. So it's no surprise you'll find a museum dedicated to the War of Independence in the city!

Explore all the political, social, and complicated history of the era, thanks to an unrivaled collection of Revolutionary artifacts. You'll find authentic rifles and pistols, documents and personal items, military outfits, and items that tell the personal stories of those involved.

Starting from the 1760s, you'll follow the collection in chronological form from the earliest rumblings of the Revolution through to the final victory, and learn how events shaped the America we know and love today. See George Washington's war tent, stand beneath a faithful recreation of Boston's Liberty Tree, and much more. Easily one of the best museums in Philadelphia, and one you absolutely must visit!

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Franklin Institute Science Museum

If the crackle of electricity gets you giddy, then you likely know the name Benjamin Franklin. Widely regarded as the first person to harness lightning and electricity, he was one of the most lauded scientists of his era. So, of course, there's a museum named after him. And what a museum it is.

The Franklin Institute is brimming with scientific oddities, wonders, and everything else that will satisfy young and old minds alike. Ever wanted to journey through a two-story heart like Dennis Quaid? Want to sit atop a 350-ton steam locomotive? Wondered what it feels like to become part of an electrical circuit? You can do all that and much more within this brilliant museum!

You can even explore the life and times of the man himself, thanks to a brilliant collection of memorabilia and artifacts from Franklin's time on Earth. So, if you're curious about the world of science in the past, present, and future, go check it out.

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Image courtesy of Fotos593/Shutterstock

Academy of Natural Science

Now, let's switch gears from the fantastical world of science to the magical world of the past. Explore millions of years of history, and the many giant species that once walked the Earth, at the Academy of Natural Science.

Step into Dinosaur Hall and see skeletons of more than 30 species, including Avaceratops, Chasmosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, and more! Take a walk through the Butterflies exhibit and see dozens of beautiful species fluttering right around your head. Then, suit up and put on your goggles at the Big Dig, a little paleontologist's dream world where they can dig around for hidden behemoths and brush off their bones.

If you're bringing the little ones on vacation to Philadelphia, they'll love it.

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African American Museum

Let's swap ancient history for something more modern. If you're interested in learning about the history and culture of African Americans throughout the history of the United States, then head to the African American Museum and immerse yourself in some fascinating exhibits!

You'll have plenty of content to chew on, including in-depth explorations of the Civil Rights movement, arts, politics, family life, and many other topics. You'll also learn about the African Diaspora, the African Americans of Philadelphia, and issues important to the African American community today.

You'll find clothing from influential black artists and spokespeople, from Oprah Winfrey's iconic red suit to the late, great Nichelle Nichols' Lieutenant Uhura's Star Trek uniform. You'll also find artifacts from the dark period of segregation in the early to mid-20th century, including posters, protest banners, and leaflets. And, on a brighter note, you'll also explore the world of black music and how it changed the course of the music industry. Costumes like James Brown's iconic black jumpsuit are accompanied by instruments, records, and other memorabilia.

Easily one of the best museums in Philadelphia; put it on your itinerary right now!

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Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial

For the military fans out there, the thought of exploring the US's most decorated warship might send shivers down your spine. Well, prepare your spines with veritable glee because you can visit the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial and do just that.

The USS New Jersey served during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and even through the 1980s, so it's been around the block a bit. If you'd like to know more, take a self-guided tour around the vessel and explore what life was like onboard the ship, thanks to complete access to crew quarters, the mess hall, and other areas shared by generations of sailors. Then, head to the command center, where life-or-death decisions were determined, and explore the captain's quarters. You can even enter the massive gun turrets and see the kind of gear the gunners had to deal with!

On top of all that, you'll find plenty of history adorning the walls, including sailor's artifacts, uniforms, eating and living utensils, and much, much more. An eye-opening look into the life of a sailor and this well-decorated vessel, it's a worthwhile trip for any history buff with even a passing interest in the US military.

And that's our list of the best museums in Philadelphia! Looking for more Philly fun on your vacation? Check out all the city's best bits with Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see as much of the city as you like at your own pace.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Benjamin Franklin's grave covered in pennies, one of the best outdoor activities in Philadelphia
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Historical Things to do in Philadelphia

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. This phrase, uttered by Winston Churchill in the years following the Second World War, is as true today as it was back then. America is a nation with a short yet rich history, and Philadelphia was at the center of it some three hundred years ago. It's no wonder, then, that Philadelphia is full of historical things to do and see! So, if you're in town and feeling historical, we've put together a guide to the best historical things to do in Philadelphia. These are our top picks. Including: Eastern State Penitentiary Museum of the American Revolution National Liberty Museum Christ Church Burial Ground National Constitution Center and more! Live like a criminal at Eastern State Penitentiary If you've always wondered what it feels like to 'do time', you needn't break the law to find out. After all, there's a certain sense of finality to getting locked up. Instead, head to Eastern State Penitentiary, an old prison where some of the most famous criminals in the U.S. once lived. It played a big part in modernizing the judicial system in the country, with many states now banning capital punishment. It even had running water and central heating before the White House. An astonishing fact and great news for the likes of Al Capone. Yes, the late not-so-great mobster spent 8 months in this infamous prison, and you can even visit his cell! But he's just one of the many famous names you may spot as you wander the prison. Of course, your self-guided tour will let you fill in all the blanks - the who's, the what's, and the where's - and let you go at your own pace. There's even an art installation about the prison, if you need a little distraction after all that incarceration business. If you're looking for historical things to do in Philadelphia, Eastern State Penitentiary is full of it. Feel patriotic at the Museum of the American Revolution Philly played a massive part in the American Revolution, with many of the key players living there back in the 18th century. So it's hardly surprising that a museum dedicated to the revolution and the War of Independence can be found in the city. That museum is the Museum of the American Revolution. And if you're looking for historical things to do in Philadelphia, it doesn't get much better than that. You'll explore this rich and complicated era and its connections to our world today. Thanks to a massive collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art, you'll not get a more in-depth look at the time period than right here. Go check out the massive collection for yourself and get immersed in that revolutionary spirit! Learn about liberty at the National Liberty Museum Speaking of the War of Independence, liberty is something America has strived for ever since. It's also a big deal in Philadelphia, where one of the city's most iconic sights is called the Liberty Bell. Liberty is clearly something Philadelphia celebrates, which is why you'll find the National Liberty Museum within the city's limits. Paying tribute to liberty across the globe, you'll find exhibits dedicated to heroes that fought against tyranny. Whether it's a faithful recreation of the secret floor where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis, or another of the jail cell Nelson Mandela spent nearly 30 years for taking a stand against racial apartheid, you'll be moved by the countless offerings in the museum. And because it's Philadelphia, of course you'll find a copy of the Liberty Bell and information all about the Revolutionary War too. Pay your respects at Christ Church Burial Ground Given Philadelphia's importance to the war efforts against the British, you might guess that many important faces from the war lived their lives in the city. It's also where many of them were laid to rest. So why not go pay your respects at Christ Church Burial Ground? This self-guided tour will take you around all the famous remaining gravestones that still stand in the graveyard. Listen and you'll learn more about the brave men and women buried beneath your feet. In fact, it's the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin, one of the most famous faces of the war, and one of the names on the Declaration of Independence. if you have any pennies handy, toss one onto his grave. It's a Philly tradition. But he's just one of the many names you'll see as you walk the yard. So keep an eye out and see who you spot. You wanted historical? It doesn't get much more historical than a graveyard. Get constitutional at the National Constitution Center After the war was won and the British were done, there was a matter of an entire country to run. Where do you begin with such a mammoth endeavor? Well, rules help, so they should come first. And that's what they did. They wrote down a load of rules which became the U.S. Constitution back in 1787. And guess where they wrote said document? That's right, Philly, baby! Don't believe us? Head down to the National Constitution Center and be proven wrong. Inside, you'll learn everything you need to know about this key moment in American history. Thanks to hundreds of interactive exhibits, artifacts, and straight-up facts, you'll learn all about the process leading up to the document's release, how it's shaped America in the 300 years since, and how it's been amended as time's gone on. And that's not all; you'll see the OG document in all its glory, as well as the original Emancipation Proclamation that Lincoln signed. Constitutional stuff! You'll even get to vote for your all-time favorite president, and take the presidential oath of office (maybe a little practice for a future career?) Do the walk of freedom on a Revolution and Founding Fathers Tour And where better to end this historical jaunt through Philly than on a literal jaunt? Follow the history of the Founding Fathers and the roads the Revolution once walked on this Revolution and Founding Fathers Tour. Learn about Philadelphia's many famous landmarks like the Liberty Bell, and enter the likes of Independence Hall. With your knowledgeable guide in tow, you're sure to learn a lot more than we could ever share. So go check it out if your feet are in a walking mood. And those were our picks of the best historical things to do in Philadelphia! Looking for some modern marvels to complement your so-far historical vacation? See all of Philly's best bits with Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see the city at your own pace.
Dom Bewley
lions at Philadelphia zoo
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Outdoor Activities in Philadelphia

Isn't being outside fun? The calming call of birdsong, the sun washing over you, and the feeling of wind blasting you in the face. Nothing quite beats it. So, if you're vacationing in Philadelphia, make the most of the sunshine at the best outdoor activities in the city. But what are they? We know doing your own research is boring, so we did it for you. You are very welcome. Here are our top tips for some great outdoor fun in Philly! Including: Philadelphia Ghost Tour Philadelphia Zoo Dark Philly Adult Night Tour Revolution and Founding Fathers Tour Christ Church Burial Ground Serious spookums on the Philadelphia Ghost Tour Let's kick your guide to the best outdoor activities in Philadelphia with some spooky shenanigans. Do you believe in ghosts? Do you think the dead walk this Earth, shuffling through dark streets and in the corners of video clips? Even if you don't, you may change your mind after this ghoulish ghost tour of Philadelphia's streets. Spirits, haunted houses, eerie graveyards, and mysterious gardens are covered on this candlelit ghost tour of Philadelphia. Each guide is a masterful storyteller, weaving terrible tales at each and every stop. You'll learn all about the darkest secrets hidden in the shadows of America's most historic and most haunted city. If you're lucky, you may even see places where real ghost sightings and hauntings have taken place! And best of all, if you are a parent, the trip is kid-friendly too. So, no reason to leave them at home or fear they'll be scarred for life. Just what you want as a parent. If you're made of stern-enough stuff, this ghastly tour is easily one of the best outdoor activities in Philadelphia! Walk and talk with the animals at Philadelphia Zoo Animals, right? Everybody loves an animal, from the cute and tiny to the large and ferocious. We love them so much we even let some sleep in our beds, so it's no surprise we love to visit the less-domesticated sort at the zoo. And, if you're in Philly, why not check out the outdoor glory of the Philadelphia Zoo? Get up close and personal with lions, gorillas, tortoises, snakes, and tons more at this state-of-the-art animal wonderland. Spread across 42 acres of space, you'll have the chance to meet over 1,300 species of rare and exotic creatures! With all that space, you can expect the residents of Philadelphia Zoo have plenty of space to stretch their legs. Which is good for them, of course, but it's also good for you. Nothing is quite as sad as a tiny zoo with mistreated animals. Little ones will love the KidZooU, despite the name, where they'll be able to pet friendlier animals and learn all about the animal kingdom as a whole. Bigger kids will appreciate the Carnivore Kingdom, which is full of the bitey critters. A top day out for all and sundry. Explore your darker side on this Dark Philly Adult Night Tour We're back with more spooky endeavors now, though you'll want to leave the children at home for this one. Because while ghosts, haunted buildings, and spooky cemeteries can be wholesome, this evening tour of Philly's seedy underbelly is far from it. Featuring vampires, pirates, sex, torture, and, yes, even ghosts (but the terrifying kind) are all part and parcel of this chilling stroll through the city's unseen history. Your trepidacious steps will take you past Independence Hall, the Library of Congress, and over twenty other sites, where unspeakable things have supposedly taken place. Well, unspoken of until now, at least. Whipping posts, gallows, the red light district, public slave auctions, you'll see all the sites of these unthinkable events. The red light district?! What would the children think?! Thankfully, aiding you on your descent into the underworld is a brave yet knowledgeable history expert who will expertly recant the city's darkest events. Together, you will peel back the layers of the city's rotten core and expose them to the world! Or, you'll simply never forget your time at one of the best outdoor activities in Philadelphia. It's up to you. Feel revolutionary on this Revolution and Founding Fathers Tour Stepping away from the ghoulish once again, let's instead focus on something more patriotic. Philadelphia was one of the key cities in the fight against the English interlopers, and on this tour, you'll have the chance to walk the Revolutionary Road, and get a deeper understanding of the Founding Fathers and what they faced. From the famous Liberty Bell to Independence Hall, you'll cover the most impactful sites of the Revolution. You'll also visit many locations linked to the Founding Fathers, including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, and many more. You'll also see the house of the unknown George Washington. Not sure if you've heard of him, but he had a small hand in the War of Independence. And the whole time, your learned guide will be on hand to sprinkle secrets and lesser-known facts into your ears. You'll never look at a one-dollar bill quite the same again. See where many famous faces lay at Christ Church Burial Ground Speaking of Revolutionary legends, what about that Declaration of Independence? Such a simple sheet of paper holds such significance that Nicholas Cage is continuously keeping it out of the bad guys' hands. But what of the hands that signed it? Where are they now? Well, all of them are dead, but some of them are buried at Philly's own Christ Church burial ground. So why not go visit them, and pay your respects? Look close enough, and you'll find the burial sites of four declaration signers, including Benjamin Franklin (and his wife), Francis Hopkinson, and George Ross, as well as many other famous faces from America's earliest days as a sovereign nation. Unfortunately, natural weather erosion means that thousands of those buried there are lost to time. But they're right beneath your feet if that's comforting at all. And, while you're there, throw a penny onto Benjamin Franklin's grave for good luck. It's a tradition here in Philly. Don't think; just throw. And that was our guide to the best outdoor activities in Philadelphia! In the market for some inside fun in Philadelphia? Check out all the city's best bits with Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see as much of the city as you like at your own pace.
Dom Bewley
What to do on Memorial Day Weekend in Philadelphia
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What to do on Memorial Day Weekend in Philadelphia

Over 60% of Americans have either served themselves, or have family who have served in the armed forces. That is an astronomical figure. It's no wonder, then, that Memorial Day is such a big deal here. A day when we all remember those who gave their lives for our country, Memorial Day gives ordinary folk like you and me a chance to show our gratitude to them. And if you're in Philadelphia, you might wonder what to do on Memorial Day weekend? In this guide, we'll cover all the best events and experiences, as well as other fun things to get up to in the days before and after Memorial Day. Including: Philadelphia's History with Memorial Day Philadelphia's Memorial Day Parade The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall Special exhibits at the Museum of the American Revolution and more! So, if you were wondering what to do on Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia, now you know! If you're staying in town for a few days and want to fill out your itinerary with fun, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Philly's best bits at one low price. So grab a Philadelphia pass and save while you sightsee this Labor Day weekend!
Dom Bewley

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