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.

An ad for this museum came up in my Instagram feed and I'm glad it did. I put it on my list when I…read morewas visiting Philly recently. This is more like a house than a museum and the walls are filled with art from top names in the art world. I had a very nice but rushed visit cause I was trying to visit the Philly art museum before it closed as well. Next time I'll take more time. Cezanne, Manet and Picasso. The staff was nice to deal with too.

Beautiful museum- the tickets are pricey but it's a great experience. We loved their collection of…read moreMatisse and Renoir paintings. There's also a great temporary exhibit running through August of 2026 called Freedom Dreams on the main level that's very moving.

Such a beautiful spot, right in the middle of the city..!! Staff are very friendly and helpful. I…read morehad 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..!

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!

Wonderful museum. I've been to the Rodin Museum in Paris, France years ago and this is just as…read moregood! If you're a fan of Rodin's work, it's a must do!!!

This was one of the greatest surprises I've had in the city…read more We came on a day where it was paid as you wish. A very tall kindhearted gentleman greeted us at the front door so splendidly. He was so welcoming. I was so glad because I had so many questions !! I really walked into this place knowing of only The Thinker. I was so happy to find out that there was a guided tour today! Her name was Patricia and she really had such a passion and extensive knowledge for Rodin! We looked at all the pieces on the inside, first which was pretty wise because we were introduced two characters, we were going to see in one of the largest pieces outside! One of the largest pieces inside is called the kiss. You can't miss it. It's white a couple is embracing.. The guy took us outside and showed us where that couple is also featured in the big door. But this time they're not kissing -they're having a different experience together. It really goes through all the struggles one may have in life, the ups and downs. Twisting bodies. It was delightful to learn!! And Rodin also had ups and downs. We also had a chance to hang out and sketch a little afterwards! I bought some postcards ! What a wonderful collection I now own. There was a pride and groom, getting their picture taken in the garden, outside. It really is a beautiful space. It's nice to explore all the grounds. It's easy to do. I'm very thankful for all the wonderful staff that took care of us so well. Thank you for making such a delightful trip to see Rodin's wonderful art. I would definitely come back !!!

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.

After having it on my list for a while, I finally took a tour of the Masonic Temple with my husband…read moreand some friends yesterday. It was worth waiting for. Right across from the Philadelphia City Hall, the Masonic Temple serves as the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. It's a huge building and - wow - is it maximalist! Our tour was a little over an hour, and I recommend booking ahead (a group walked in just in front of us and hoped to buy tickets for the tour about to start, only to learn that it was sold out). Our tour guide was knowledgable (but told us when she didn't know the answer to a question because the Masons are secretive and keep a lot of facts about what occurs in the Lodge to themselves). The architecture is really stunning and there's so much to see: incredible plasterwork, grand staircases, murals, and more! Photography without flash is allowed throughout the tour, and I took about a million photographs. The Temple has a fascinating history, and the architecture and decor made my jaw drop a few times. Definitely worth visiting if you live in or are visiting Philadelphia.

Been two times and loved it both times. It's wild. Great tour guides. Took my early 20s kids and my…read more85 year old mom and we all had a blast.

I visit museums without pre-conceived notions, reading reviews generally after the fact. PAFA --…read moreas it's known -- is a good one. Founded in 1805 the academy is the first school and museum of fine arts in the United States. The historic landmark building is closed for renovations with three stories of exhibits now housed in their Hamilton Building (which is NOT named for Alexander!) Several things impacted me: the galleries are wide open, light and airy. A pleasure to walk through. A number of items from the Atwater Kent collection -- formerly the Philadelphia History Museum -- are on display. The diverse collection ranges from baseball, department stores (Wanamakers, anyone?), civil rights ... the list goes on. There is student and alumni art for sale and casts of Greek and Roman antiquity located in an active student workspace. As with most museums, exhibits change. The gift store with its friendly proprietor, is as good as any I've been to. A beautifully curated collection, and after Thanksgiving, I believe everything is discounted 30% for the holidays.

Great local arts (and oldest fine art)…read more Enjoy their occasional events. V inclusive and alternative. Friendly and clean

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!

It's like an I-Spy book came to life! This collection is massive but I really appreciate how well…read moreorganized and categorized it is. It makes it easier for the eye to take in. The tram car goes at a super slow speed so you have time to take everything in. The tour is guided by a pre-recorded audio track but sometimes the driver will provide information as well. The museum also has a small walkable area to explore. There's also popcorn, candy, and drinks to purchase. Some of the items are truly impressive and there's definitely plenty for everyone to point out and find and enjoy. Highly recommend this fun attraction.

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!

I was enthralled with Woodmere before setting foot inside. The museum is housed on six acres in a…read more19th century stone mansion, surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful statuary. Before going home I sat on the verandah, imagining what it must have been like to live there. The museum is dedicated to the art of Philadelphia. I was captivated by local artists I never before heard of. One of my favorites is Edith Neff. (See the swimming pool painting I posted.) The photography exhibit with works by Harvey Finkle, captured the humanity of political and social justice movements. It resonated with me. And then there's the children's gallery. The current exhibit, "Walk in the Rainforest" was created by young artists, and runs through October 27th. The museum is relatively small. Take in the architecture and the beautiful chandeliers, which I guess are original to the house. Docent-led tours are available and the museum hosts "Friday Night Jazz," with tickets available on line.

What a great little museum nestled in the neighborhood!…read more Love this area and it's a nice establishment to come explore! We got here on a nice sunny day and there was plenty of parking on site. Inside, there's some twist and turns and cool exhibits in each direction. It's a small museum that you can definitely spend a few hours in. We got here when one of the visiting artists was giving a presentation - so cool! His works were on display in the main gallery and it was great to hear his story and also chat about his work. Definitely worth the hike out of the city for a little art and culture within the woods! Enjoy!