I had no idea how special this experience was until I finally took the tour, and wow it completely…read morechanged the way I see the city. Id noticed the murals before just passing by, but seeing them as part of a curated journey gives everything so much more meaning. The guide helped point out details I never would've caught on my own, and it added a whole new layer of appreciation. The artwork is powerful, full of emotion, and spread across the city in a way that makes the whole place feel like an open-air gallery. It celebrates the personality of the neighborhoods and captures stories that stay with you long after you're done. What really stood out to me was how much heart is behind each piece. You can feel the intention, the humor, the honesty, and the love woven into every message along the route. It turns a familiar ride into something unexpectedly uplifting. I left feeling inspired and genuinely connected to the city in a new way. Highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see a different, more meaningful side of Philly.

I love this. They had an initiative in the early 2000s to have graffiti art just work on art…read moreprojects as part of their community service. I believe this project is part of that circle was to have about 2OOO murals up by the mid-late OOs. By the time that happened they were way more than enough it's always nice to see free art as welll.

WHAT A BLAST. We came here for my birthday kind of ironically because online we saw reels saying it…read morewas the "weirdest museum ever," and thought it would be kind of funny/maybe even creepy. Little did we know it was actually FASCINATING; it was so fun to admire every last piece in the museum. The tram guide was great, the pre-recorded audio is helpful and interesting, and the collection is so varied and extensive that you can't help but love it. The pipe organs - fabulous. The walkable "toy box" collection was great after the tram. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone - it was soooo fun.

What a fun thing to do! We didn't know what to expect and want to say we all really enjoyed the…read moreexperience! Admission was reasonable and enjoyed the self-guided part while waiting for the next tram departure time. There was everything you could imagine - except one thing! A TELEX MACHINE (which I used to operate). When I asked the staff if they had one none of them even knew what I was talking about (early 20's)! We took the tram tour and really enjoyed it. The tram moved at a nice pace so you could really take in everything. So much to see - everywhere. It was a really fun way to spend a few hours on a rainy day! But I urge you to visit rain or shine!

Came here for a 52 Firsts event during Spring Fest and it ended up being such a fun day. There was…read morea lot going on without feeling overwhelming. Live energy, little activity tables, and a small plant sale that was honestly very tempting. One of the coolest things I learned is that they have what's believed to be the oldest ginkgo tree in both North and South America. That alone made the visit feel a little special. I spent some time walking the trails and made my way around the water too. It's really pretty back there. Lots of flowers in bloom, open space, and quieter areas if you want a break from the crowd. I definitely liked the more shaded, tree-heavy sections the most. Some of the booths were set up fully in the sun and it got a bit intense after a while, so having those cooler, shaded areas made a big difference. Staff were very helpful and the trails are clearly marked, which made it easy to just wander without worrying about getting lost. Only downside is the location can be a little tricky to get to, especially if you're not driving. But once you're there, it's absolutely worth it. Overall just a really enjoyable, laid-back outdoor spot with a lot to explore. I'd come back, especially for another event.

Seems like a really lovely and serene acres of gardens to wander thru. Sqirrrls flowers plants…read morepathways birds benches to sit Large fallen trees to sit and it's along the water but the view was blocked by trees. I saw a pond with Lilly pads in it too. There's supposed to be free fishing from 5-7pm and it's thru the back circular parking lot. The trees are labeled w gold dog tag info. Wear bug spray cuz I had sandals and my feet felt sting and maybe bit up

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.

I took my children to the Franklin Institute and overall felt the price of the ticket was worth it…read more However, as a teacher, I was dismayed that the newer exhibits (Wonderous Space and Body Odessey) were very screen-heavy with an emphasis on watching videos and clicking. The few hands-on experiences were very popular (the Giant Heart, the Asteroid) and for good reason. I'm sure the exhibits were expensive, but I would love to see a return to more tactile learning for a child-centered museum. The older exhibits like Sir Isaac's Loft, Sports Zone, and Amazing Machines were great for young kids. There were so many engaging opportunities for hands-on exploration. The Science Live Shows were wonderful (we saw Liquid Air and Combustion) and both presenters were very funny and engaging. We spent about 2.5 hours there and could have stayed longer!

When trying to find something to do with my niece who was visiting me last weekend, this came to…read moremy. Because she just finished up a STEM camp for kids back home and her just liking to see/do new things, decided to take her here. Glad I did because she had a blast! We didn't get a chance to see the new Universal Theme park/studios exhibit, but she loved everything else - walking through the heart, the space exhibit where she looked up at the stars and tried to figure out how she would jump in another planet's atmosphere, etc. Great time and look forward to coming back in the future!

Just reading a bit of another review on the side here - yes, I can imagine this would not be a very…read morepleasant place to visit in the winter. Summer visit was a bit warm for that matter. Only a handful of rooms are climate-controlled. Aside from that, though, WOW. I did not know that this gem of a place was nested right here so close for all the time I've spent in this area. Super grateful that some new friends at church were interested in checking it out, b/c while I was aware of this place, it wasn't to the extent that I had made plans to go on my own, nor was I aware of anyone who would want to go with me. I checked out a museum pass from the library, and we headed over after service one Sunday. There's so much rich history in that place, so much education about not just the penitentiary itself but about the prison system in general, and it was just a really illuminating experience walking through the cell blocks, looking into some of the cells, and getting some understanding of what the original intent was, as well as how that evolved over time. I was really impressed by the thoroughness of all the self-guided tour materials, and by all the work that had been done to keep the place in the condition like a preserved ruin. I agree w/ their take, that it doesn't need to be updated, is good the way it is aside from controlling for safety. There's so much to see there, and while I don't foresee going back anytime super soon, I know that if I do, there would still be more to see and learn. There were a handful of really impactful exhibits speaking to prison reform that I really appreciated. Not sure I'm that much of a Halloween person, but that experience sounds potentially fun too.

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!

Worth the stop as it's always free admission. Admittedly I did not do my research and was unaware…read morehow small the space is. It's two rooms with rotating exhibitions. No permanent gallery. The current exhibition on Shaker furniture was interesting, but I can see how it's not for everyone. I appreciate what they're doing at the ICA, I just wish there was a bigger permanent collection on display. Shoutout to Juno the welcoming cat.

The Institute of Contemporary Art Philadelphia - ICA is a…read morelaunchpad for contemporary art and ideas. ICA is on site at the Univeristy of Pennsylvania. We stopped by on our visit to the University of Pennsylvania to specifically see the Joanna Piotrowska: unseeing eyes, restless bodies We didn't think we would spend as much time as we did here, and I loved both of the exhibits. There are two gallery spaces, the first one held "Where I Learned to Look: Art from the Yard", with the curator and several artist being from Texas. I'm not sure I loved it because there was a Texas connection and also Baltimore screen art, but I really enjoyed art from a yard perspective. Fun contemporary art and a Koons piece. The second story held the second exhibit: Joanna Piotrowska: unseeing eyes, restless bodies. She's a Ukrainian artist, and I really thought it was going to be something different but it was a really cool exhibit. I have never seen carpet and space used this way before and her art evoked both fear and whimsy and awe. I love this museum and the fact that it's really quaint - obviously the experience you're going to have here depends on what exhibits are showing, but I had a great time here overall. It's completely free so if you're ever by the University of Pennsylvania, I highly recommend you stop by.

The center city tour was great! Sandi was great!! We've been center city locals for five years and…read morewe wanted to learn about the murals around us. We hit a bunch of murals in 1.5 hours, and some of them I'd never seen! 10/10 tour service. 10/10 selection of tours. Reasonable cost for the tour. We'll be doing more!

Among other things, Philadelphia is a city of public art. I could not help but spot sculptures and…read morestatues here and there, but it was this particular mural - six stories tall - that really drove it home. There have been plans for an office/mixed use tower in the parking lot that faces this mural but for now, we have the opportunity to take it in entirely. Wow, there's some detail here and a story. If you're passing near, I suggest you stop and check this one out near 150 North Broad Street. [Review 18311 overall - 603 in Pennsylvania - 1833 of 2022.]

Support your local libraries! I have come to this library for so many different things! I've done…read morecooking class, tea demonstrations, sewing classes, death planning workshops, interviews in the private rooms. Hell I went to one of the best musicals I've seen in Philly here! It's really a catch 22. I really appreciate the diversity of events they hold and it's a bummer it's an underfunded field. GO TO THE LIBRARY!

Gorgeous library with plenty of books and plenty of history. Staff is kind and helpful. Bathrooms…read moreare clean.