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    Penn Museum

    4.4 (135 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Mike C.

    If you are like me and love Egyptian artifacts you will love it here. This museum has one million artifacts in its collection per our tour guide; they are currently displaying one percent of them and are only adding to their contemporary Native American art collection. I love the Philadelphia Art Musuem however after my first and only visit to the Penn Musuem last Saturday I must say I love this museum even more as there is a much higher percentage chance of not getting lost in this museum and it was not overflowing with people with their art and artifacts being spaced out generously. Very picturesque part of town as well. Enjoy your visit, I cannot wait to return and will upload some of my favorite photos on next visit. As always people SYOY!!!

    Alexis B.

    The Penn Museum is a museum of archaeology and anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, and my friend and I visited it for the first time this past weekend when were in Philly for a short visit. The museum definitely has some dated signs but overall is a really impressive museum with three floors of gallery space featuring artifacts from the ancient Mediterranean World, Egypt, the Near East, Mesopotamia, East Asia, the Americas, and Africa. We saw some really stunning, interesting, and beautiful artifacts. The building is also beautiful, especially the Rotunda, which was completed in 1915. This museum is easily accessible via public transport from Center City, and it's worth a visit if you're interested in archaeology or anthropology. It's an impressive museum!

    Ancient Food & Flavor exhibit in the basement
    Kevin B.

    This is a very interesting museum. It's located on Penn's campus and while it's small, it has a very nice variety of collections. We particularly enjoyed the Greek World section and the collection of ancient coins were fascinating. They're undergoing a renovation so some areas like the Asian section are limited, but it's still a very nice museum overall. Give yourself 2-3 hours to explore the whole museum and don't miss the Ancient Food and Flavor exhibit in the basement as it's definitely a highlight!

    Artifact from Penn Museum
    Kristin M.

    Full of ancient culture. I'm so glad we visited. The museum was beautiful. I highly recommend visiting if you're into history!

    Liz D.

    Came back and it's all so shiny! The garage is all cleaned up and well labeled, though still very low clearance. I was able to leave through a side entrance and be just across the street from the well labeled entry, but it was locked by the afternoon so I had to walk the long way round to get back to the car. Otherwise, the museum is mostly all open and very impressive. This is not a museum for kids and I'd recommend choosing 3-4 areas to really absorb everything into in a session and come back another day for the rest. They have lots of different free tours and I was there right on time for the Middle East one. The guide was obviously very knowledgeable about the era but would have liked more story telling than always asking us what we were seeing. The current What We Wear exhibit is almost over but worth some time to check out. The Marion Anderson dress alone is worth the history and showcase it has. The different eras and continents are well chosen and I really enjoyed the descriptions of the different costumes and uses. Every other section is just bursting with artifacts and mostly ancient historical context. An excellent way to compare and contrast civilization through the centuries and how we know what we know about eachother. One caution- the cafe closes at 1 on Saturdays! I chose to check out the 1pm artifact exploration mini lesson hoping to get lunch after and was disappointed and had to settle for vending machine food. It looked like it was well stocked with options though. Definitely would plan a return again and again not just for the new exhibits and events but also to absorb deeper into all the different eras and parts of the world. The museum itself is a fascinating mesh of architecture styles and eras as it built around itself and worth a story on its own.

    Entrance
    Jean T.

    We booked online, while on the train. This is a gorgeous space. Unfortunately, the artifacts hall is only open on the weekend. I was NOT happy, because I like mummies. But there was one in the Egyptian exhibit, so... The Etruscan, Greek, and Roman exhibits are carefully curated and VERY interesting. They have a coin collection that surpasses any other that I have seen. The commentary on the exhibits are thorough and scholarly. I learned several things that I hadn't known, such as the fact that embalmers/mummifiers started slacking, in some cases breaking the neck to remove the brain, and in others, not even removing the brain at all! Shocking. They also had some examples of mummified animals. I knew that cats were frequently mummified. I didn't know they were commercially bred and then killed :( There was also a mummified ibis, now extinct in Egypt. Thousands were mummified. Also Apis bulls and alligators. The "Stories We Wear" exhibit was small, but interesting.

    Hunter S.

    Well organized, expansive museum that's not as overwhelming as a place like the MET or AMNH (which I do adore). Sections on Israel, Rome, Greece, Etruria, the Middle East, and more. Their Egyptian and Asian section is spectacular, and is housed in a beautiful rotunda. They also have wonderful Native American/First Nation people/Central American peoples exhibits with easy to use, fun interactive kiosks so you can learn more about the artists or artifacts that interest you. They also have a well done small African section. I spent about three hours here, including a leisurely lunch at the cafe, which includes basic sandwiches, snacks, and drinks--and isn't as expensive as other museum cafes--assuming because it's a campus museum. You could spend more time if you read every single thing, but I focused more on specific things that interested me. I did this along with the mutter museum. It's about a mile walk between the two. Mutter takes about 1-1 1/2 hours. I finished up around 2 after starting at 10 AM.

    Leena S.

    Penn Museum is situated in the heart of the University and the Penn Medical campus. The museum is going through various renovations, so certain sections were closed off. It took us under two hours to cover the whole museum. The museum has a vast collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt, the Romans, Asian exhibits and more modern exhibits from other parts of the world. I've always been fascinated by mummies and the history of ancient Egypt, so I really enjoyed this portion of the exhibits. They offer tours, but we self guided our way through the museum. Penn employees can enter free with their Penn ID.

    Retna S.

    When you visit the museum, please take advantage of the guided tour which is offered for free. Today there's one for Asian collection. It didn't cover each artifacts but very informative.

    Ancient Food & Flavor exhibit

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    2 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Beautiful building filled with so much culture and history. Would totally recommend to all history lovers!

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    8 months ago

    Had some nice exhibits, a lot under construction. Not handicap friendly, nice campus.

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    3 years ago

    The Penn Museum is located near the University of Pennsylvania. The museum offers so much. I recommend coming here.

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    Ask the Community - Penn Museum

    Where is parking and food? Makes a difference in conserving my feet for the museum.

    Hi, Mary! Thanks for asking. Garage 7 is located right next to the Penn Museum. You can learn more about that garage and other nearby parking at this link: https://www.penn.museum/visit/plan-your-visit/parking… Read more

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    Review Highlights - Penn Museum

    If you decide to spend the night here, don't sleep in the main room with the Sphinx if you can avoid it.

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    The Franklin Institute   - Brain exhibit

    The Franklin Institute

    3.9(787 reviews)
    1.1 miLogan Square, Art Museum District, Penn Center

    I'm from NYC. Many months ago I had planned on visiting Spruce Street Harbor Park on Memorial Day…read moreSaturday. I bought a non refundable round trip ticket on Greyhound. And then a week before my trip, I found out that it would be 55 degrees and raining on Memorial Day Saturday. I wasn't going to flush $60 down the toilet. I thought about indoor activities that I could do in Philadelphia. And then I remembered that one of the episodes of Abbott Elementary took place at the Franklin Institute. I decided to check it out. Overall, I was impressed. The museum is divided into sections based on a specific theme. My favorite section was the space exploration section. There were many exhibits about the universe and advances in space exploration technology. Even if you're not into science those exhibits will pique your interest. Another section of the museum is about human anatomy. Since I get disgusted easily I passed. There was also a section of the museum about mechanical engineering. That wasn't really interesting. My favorite part of the museum is a giant steam engine at the basement. It is so freaking huge. It's bigger than an Amtrak locomotive. In addition to exhibits, the museum has various 20 minute science demonstrations. I watched a demonstration in which a very funny female scientist used a bunch of chemicals to create fire. There's also a liquid air show and an electricity show (I didn't have time to watch those. I will return to the Franklin Institute the next time I visit Philadelphia). In addition, there's a show about dissecting animals (I don't recommend that). $29 is a bit steep, but that's to be expected at a major museum in a big city,

    I think this place is a great place for kids, but I think most of the exhibits are geared towards…read morekids who can read. I thought my child would be able to partake in the exhibits either way, but she was not a reading age yet. So many of the exhibits were above her head. The best thing about the institute were the live classes and demonstrations. The live dissection of a cow eye was amazing. They also had a combustion show (think cool fire colors) and that was excellent. I did one of the planetarium shows and it was a little bit dry, even for an adult. Personally if the child can't read yet, I would say you may not get much out of it, but still a great place.

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    The Franklin Institute
    The Franklin Institute   - Small world

    Small world

    The Franklin Institute   - The art of LEGO

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    The art of LEGO

    Academy of Natural Sciences

    Academy of Natural Sciences

    4.1(159 reviews)
    1.2 miLogan Square, Penn Center, Art Museum District

    This destination is perfect for a weekend family getaway, especially if you have young children…read more It's recommended to arrive early to make the most of your visit. Personally, I truly enjoyed my time here, and my toddler did too. We had a fantastic learning experience, and the staff was incredibly kind and helpful. I highly recommend this place. Also, if you have an EBT card, the entry fee is only $3 per person.

    It's honestly hard for me to rate any museum under 5 stars, let's be real. I came for one of their…read moremonthly Dinos After Dark events and loved it. Even though it's a "pay what you want" event, there were still a lot of kids around. I kind of thought it might be more of an adults-only vibe, but it makes sense -- the whole place is built with kids in mind. There's a giant T. rex fossil in the main atrium that's super impressive, but the museum floor plan is a bit confusing. There are tons of kids' play areas and fewer traditional exhibits. A lot of the taxidermy looks almost too realistic, which is a little unnerving but also kind of cool. Still a really fun time overall. The top floor has an interactive animal area and another kids' play section. The second floor has a rubber dig pit for kids, and I accidentally wandered into it and immediately realized how hard it is to navigate when you're not actually there with a child. Oops. Staff was great. Super informative and enthusiastic, even showing off different types of roaches and explaining them in detail. You can tell they really love what they do. I learned a lot and had a genuinely good time. I'll definitely be back.

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    Academy of Natural Sciences - Dinosaurs

    Dinosaurs

    Academy of Natural Sciences
    Academy of Natural Sciences

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    Philadelphia Art Museum - Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Philadelphia Art Museum

    4.6(957 reviews)
    1.3 miArt Museum District, Fairmount

    I feel confident is saying this is the most beautiful building in Philadelphia by leaps and bounds…read moreabove the rest. The care taken to the architecture and design is just superb. Maybe I'm biased, but this is truly one of the most gorgeous museums in the world. It's also huge and sprawling, so one day of exploring isn't nearly enough to see it all. There's something for everyone, from modern day contemporary photography to centuries old paintings and ceramics. There's also plenty of workshops for kids that can help them engage their creative side. The museum also has pay-what-you-wish admission every first Sunday of the month, so I highly recommend checking it out if you haven't already. A staple in Philly, and for good reason!

    I love a good museum and this one did not disappoint. No matter what type, medium, or genre of art…read morestrikes your fancy, I am certain that they have it here for you to appreciate and enjoy. One of my silliest and favorite parts of visiting museums is the little shops that often harbor inside of them. This museum had not one, but two of said shops boasting everything from merch related to the art on display, books about art, pieces from local makers, and way beyond. One thing that really excited my group was the photo booth located in one of the shops. For the fair price of $8, it takes three shots in your choice of black and white or color, provides a print, and emails you your photos. Much like many other mediums of art, I find photo booths to be such a simple joy that brings people together. We had such a meaningful day at the museum and I look forward to coming back on our next trip to the area.

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    Philadelphia Art Museum - Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Philadelphia Art Museum - Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Philadelphia Art Museum - Philadelphia Museum of Art

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    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Edgar Allan Poe House

    Edgar Allan Poe House

    4.3(97 reviews)
    2.4 miSpring Garden

    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! |

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    Edgar Allan Poe House
    Edgar Allan Poe House
    Edgar Allan Poe House

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    The Mütter Museum - Statue in Medicinal Garden

    The Mütter Museum

    4.2(872 reviews)
    0.8 miRittenhouse Square, Penn Center

    They do a fantastic job of taking the uncomfortable and hard to look at and making it fun and…read moreeducational. I've always loved the medical field, being in healthcare is such a rewarding experience but being able to see what tools and techniques were used when things first started to reading stories about various ailments throughout history is such a fascinating way to spend the day! They do a great job respecting those who are on exhibit for us to learn about varying conditions. The first time I came here was actually on a highschool field trip and years later it was like a whole new experience.

    Philadelphia was the first hub of modern medicine in the US. It's incredible to just take a few…read moreminutes to really appreciate the magnitude of this. The staff was really nice as we arrived a few minutes after our allotted time on our purchased tickets. I struggled with the tightness of the space. Many specimens required me to squat which may not be possible for other guests. There is so much to see but it's in such a tight space, specifically the first floor. Many of the glass cases were also warped which was not easy on the eyes. The museum has great potential if everything was spaced out more. Given that the space is tight, one felt rushed to read everything because there were other guests shoulder to shoulder trying to experience the space. If you were ever into Ripley's Believe It or Not, check the Mutter Museum out, plenty of unique cases! I felt queasy at times seeing real specimens floating in jars. The pharmaceutical marketing room was intriguing, I love seeing ads from the past!

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    The Mütter Museum
    The Mütter Museum - January 29, 2026

    January 29, 2026

    The Mütter Museum

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    The Fabric Workshop and Museum - Yinka Shonibare MBE, in collaboration with FWM. Space Walk, 2002. Photo credit: Aaron Igler.

    The Fabric Workshop and Museum

    4.2(38 reviews)
    1.7 miMarket East
    $

    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.

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    The Fabric Workshop and Museum - Visitors explore sketches and journals from Moki Cherry's life, featured in "The Living Temple: The World of Moki Cherry"

    Visitors explore sketches and journals from Moki Cherry's life, featured in "The Living Temple: The World of Moki Cherry"

    The Fabric Workshop and Museum - Ulfirst floor

    Ulfirst floor

    The Fabric Workshop and Museum - Risa Puno, in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia. Group Hug, 2024. Photo credit: Carlos Avendaño.

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    Risa Puno, in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia. Group Hug, 2024. Photo credit: Carlos Avendaño.

    Penn Museum - museums - Updated June 2026

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