A wholly original and beautiful little spot with an incredible story behind it. Really cool to see…read morehow one man's vision endured against long odds and now has left a great space for other artists to share their work too. The gift shop also has great, unique stuff. Worth making a little trip here and strolling the neighborhood to see the vendors and Isaiah's other work nearby. Pro tip: Get your ticket in the gift shop and don't worry about timed entry!

We love quirky places like this. There are a number of these "weird" art installations in our home…read morestate of Wisconsin so we knew we had to visit this when in Philadelphia. We bought timed ticks online a couple of weeks in advance - with our reciprocal museum membership we got free admission. The history of this place and the artist who created it is fascinating. There is so much to see in each area and around each corner. It's easy to miss stuff. Don't forget to walk around the block to see the exteriors of nearby buildings. They have all been given the "mosaic" treatment! We were here a bit under one hour. Definitely worth a stop!

Haven't been to a Dave and Buster's in yearssss. As with many things, we were looking for a place…read morethat would have some fun stuff for our little to enjoy and eat, while also having a place to watch the FIFA match with food and drinks for us. We figured most places would be crowded since it was the Haiti vs. Brazil match which was happening in the city that night - the city was buzzing! My boyfriend suggested D & B and I was game. I made a reservation just in case - glad I did as many people ended up coming in. Now a will say there a couple things that has us making the face of the swaggy p meme: the first escalator going up working but the next one so we took the elevator the steps the rest of the way up to the restaurant; we would've the elevator, but the person passed out/laying on the ground threw our little one off a bit (hope that person is okay!)!; and when taking the elevator down when we eventually left later that night, we weren't sure if it was working since it didn't light up and didn't seem like it was moving at a point - it was fine though. Outside of those things, we had a pretty good time! Lol Food was typically bar food and good for us, though we weren't fans of the Cheesesteak egg rolls. Drinks were made well, and our little one said she enjoyed her food too. Of course, we had to head over to the games after eating and we had a blast! We initially had issues with the card at certain games, but it eventually was fine and we were able to play at every game we wanted. Because of our little one, I think we played and tried out almost every game in there. Overall, we had a good time and would consider coming back.

Something is just not right with this place. When you walk in on the side that faces Columbus Blvd…read more The entry way is just way too sketchy, like they just figured "Hey, no one is really gonna come this way." There's a broken escalator, an elevator that you're not sure either works or goes to the top, and railings that feel like someone left goo on them 12 years ago. To get to the play area, you're led through dimly-lit corridors, and half filled table areas. When you get to the games, there are a bunch that don't work and you find more not working only after you redeem credits to play. And then you have to wrestle with yourself to say, "Should I find someone and tell them about it or maybe it's just not worth it." The place is just ripe with the smell of failure and it looks like they're riding things out before either selling or closing up shop. Oh, and the men's bathroom was a steam bath with water surrounding some of the toilets. Well... that was fun!

Amazing artwork you can visit for free. It's in the Curtis Building and is a stunning mosaic of…read moreTiffany glass. The shading and lighting are stunning.

It's a Maxfield Parrish mural made of Tiffany glass, commissioned by the Curtis Publishing Co for…read moreits then-new building. It's an impressive piece of public art and is over 100 years old. It's worth stopping to admire it if you are in the area. The staff understands why you're here; as we peeked through the windows one evening, security waved us in to get a closer look. Years ago, when I worked nearby, I'd stop in for a moment of calm on my lunch hour. It's a soothing, romantic image and truly an historic art treasure in the city.

Honestly, I had no idea this place existed until I saw it advertised and decided to check it out…read more I'm glad I did because it ended up being one of the more unique museums I've visited in Philadelphia. It's a relatively small and intimate space. The first floor has a gift shop and an area for workshops and activities, while the galleries are spread throughout the building. When I visited, the first-floor exhibition featured quilts, while the upstairs gallery focused more on themes of American culture. Both were fantastic. The quilt exhibition was probably a traveling show, and I absolutely loved it. I know several quilting enthusiasts, so I have at least some appreciation for how much time, patience, and technical skill goes into creating these pieces. Some of them felt less like blankets and more like full-scale tapestries. The level of detail, color work, and craftsmanship was incredible. The upstairs exhibition had a much stronger political and social commentary element, which I personally enjoyed. Art doesn't have to exist solely to be beautiful or entertaining. It can challenge ideas, express opinions, document experiences, and start conversations. I appreciated that the museum embraced that side of art rather than shying away from it. One of the coolest parts was the workshop area downstairs. There was a small market set up and plenty of people actively crafting and creating things. For a moment I wanted to join in, but the space was packed. Then I watched what everyone was making and quickly realized these people were good. Very good. At that point I remembered I was in a fabric museum and workshop and that my own sewing abilities are... let's politely call them limited. The only thing that felt a little awkward was how often the museum reminded visitors about the recommended donation. I completely understand why. Free museums need support, and I have no issue contributing. It just came up enough times that I started feeling a little self-conscious about it. I was already planning to donate on my way out, but repeated reminders always make me feel slightly uncomfortable even when I understand the reason behind them. Overall, this was a wonderful surprise. Thought-provoking exhibitions, beautiful craftsmanship, active creative spaces, and a welcoming atmosphere. If you're interested in textiles, contemporary art, or just want to discover a museum that's a little different from the usual Philadelphia lineup, it's definitely worth a visit.

Popped in to thaw my dawgs and was greeted by a lovely giftshop. Lots of gorgeous prints and…read morejewlerly made by local artists and my favorite-- free postcards!! I was hoping to see the workshop, but the day I went only the 1st floor exhibits and the 8th floors were open to the public. I recently got back into sewing, so this was a great opportunity to explore new ways fabric has been used for expression.

We had never visited a place like this and it was so interesting. The audio tour does a great job…read moreof walking through how it was built, how the prisoners lived and why it's no longer in use. Its very powerful and there are a lot of places to explore on your own.

We saw this was one of the top rated attractions in the Philly area so we visited on a Monday…read moremorning (it's closed on Tuesdays). With our reciprocal museum membership we got free admission. We opted for the self guided tour with their audio headsets. The guide is very informative and if you listened to all of the recording it is 4 hours long! We did the main tour and listed to a few extras. We were there a bit over one hour. Overall it was very interesting and we learned alot about not only this prison but life in this first of a kind place. The place is pretty creepy. It is great that a group has stepped up to save this important piece of history!

The Franklin Institute has finally been checked off our list! We'd wanted to get here for a while,…read morebut 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.

The science center named for a founding father famous for several notable scientific experiments…read morelives up to his legacy. There is so much to see in one day that one could spend the whole day there. We managed to arrive just in time for a show in the planetarium, which was beautiful with plenty of relaxing seats. This is just outside of the LEGO exhibit where visitors can explore building various things. Down the middle of the institute is a giant pendulum swinging and knocking over some pegs over the course of 24 hours. Other exhibits include space, engineering, body mechanics, etc. Plenty of things to observe and read about, but also many interactive exhibits making it fun for kids (of all ages). All of us enjoyed the giant human heart that you can walk through to explore the various ventricles and atria. Most memorable for me was watching Child #2, who sits still for nothing, be absolutely entranced by the live demonstration of a dissection of a cow's eyeball. He thought it was the coolest, and the guy giving the demo was very patient with all the kids who came up to ask questions afterwards. For anyone who likes Science, this is an absolutely fantastic place to come explore!

They have birds, and as well, crabs. We came here on a date. Also, there are shells. There are many…read morethings to look at at this establishment. Tapeworms on exhibit!

Seriously underrated science museum with a treasure trove of artifacts! If you can this area for a…read morevisit or an event, I'd strongly recommend it. The staff was kind and knowledgeable. No pictures are allowed upstairs, but there's an array of souvenir items in the gift shop if you'd like to commemorate your time. Looking forward to returning (and maybe with a sketchbook!) since there are so many items to look at.

This place is just amazing! They've been able to physically and socially transform their…read moresurrounding neighborhood. The neighborhood has a long history of artist activism where artist Arthur Hall created the Black Humanitarian Center for people to read, dance, sing and make music. 20 years later, artist Lily Yeh continued the legacy by physically transforming the neighborhood. All of the buildings along the corridor have been painted like one long continuous mural showing unity among all of the businesses ND property owners. There is a beautiful mosaic that shows how special the community is. And, their programming and commitment to the community is unmatched. you can learn more at www.villagearts.org

Small, easy, short touristy trip. Another great free thing to do in the city when you have friends…read moreor family from out of town. I live in Nolibs, so this is an easy walk from my house. Parking is plentiful nearby, too!

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site - Philadelphia, PA…read more Boomsauce Score: BS +++ (Amazing location! now that's boomsauce!) Even mid-renovation, this place hits different. Stepping into Poe's former home is like walking through the pages of Gothic literature. The art installations and that surreal raven sculpture outside? Straight out of a dream--or a fevered poem. It's eerie, poetic, and deeply moving. Though the house is currently closed for a utilities improvement project, you can still feel the weight of history pressing through the walls. Poe lived here during one of his most prolific periods, penning classics like The Black Cat and The Tell-Tale Heart. The cellar even resembles the one described in The Black Cat, adding a deliciously creepy layer to the visit. If you're in Philly, this is a must-visit. It's not just a museum--it's a tribute to the tortured brilliance of one of America's greatest literary minds. And when renovations wrap, it'll be even more hauntingly beautiful. --- Boomsauce Scale | Rating | Meaning |---------|----------------------------------| | B | basura (trash) | | BS | basic (come on! Try harder) | | BS + | better (Yo! That's better) | | BS ++ | best (alright! Alright! Alrightttt!) | | BS +++ | Amazing location! now that's boomsauce! |

Good photo spot me and my boyfriend had a great time only thing is wish it stayed on 24 hrs because…read moresome days if I go it's not on

An Instagram worthy quick place to check out if you're in the Passyunk, Termini's Bakery,…read morePats/Genos area. A neon sign art installation on the side of a building, located down a deteriorated alleyway. Go after dark for the full effect, and get your camera ready to snap away! Park nearby on Passyunk, Reed or 9th streets and then walk down Percy Street. You only really need 5 or 10 minutes here, so swing by next time you're in the area!