Best Museums in Philadelphia

Founded in 1976, this museum is devoted to preserving and sharing American Jewish history. An abundance of artifacts chart the more than 360 years of Jewish culture in the States, from domestic and work lives, culture, immigration, sports, and more. Photos and interactive exhibits present an encompassing experience addressing politics, religion, Jewish institutions, and individual profiles of people who distinguished themselves and their heritage. The museum (a Smithsonian affiliate) moved to an expansive new building in late 2010, directly across from the Liberty Bell and welcomes tourists and locals alike to come in and experience American history from a different vantage point.

The Penn Museum as it is often called, is designed to tell stories and explore concepts that come from historical excavations around the world and what they find. It combines the study of objects made by people with the study of of humanity, and where we all fit in. There are over 30 galleries to explore. One of the most amazing pieces on display here is a 3,000-year-old, 15-ton sphinx. Exhibits range from Egyptian mummies to Greek coins, from musical instruments from Africa to Native American totem poles. There are hands-on exhibits that appeal to the kids, a museum shop just for kids, and a summer camp as well. The caf— overlooking the courtyard garden is a great place for lunch or a quick snack. Closed Mondays and major holidays.

Though it's officially called The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Mutter Museum, it's best known by its nicknames, the Mutter Museum or just the Museum of Medical Oddities. Whatever you choose to call it, this is not an attraction for the faint-of-stomach. Unborn fetuses in jars, petrified body parts, conjoined twins and, as part of an exhibition, Albert Einstein's brain, are just a few of the artifacts that chronicle the fascinating and sometimes gruesome story of medicine through the ages. One thing is for sure, however, you won't see anything like it anywhere else! Those interested in science and medicine will be especially fascinated. You certainly won't forget this place once you've visited!

Built on the grounds of a historic black community, and just a few blocks from the Liberty Bell, this is the country's first museum devoted to African-American history and culture, with more than 400,000 items on display. Exhibits cover the arts, education, the Civil Rights Movement, family life, medicine, politics, sports, and technology as these issues relate to African-American culture. Frequent lectures, workshops, performances, and seminars take place at the museum as well. Children may be interested in the section dedicated to how stars of the Negro leagues compared to white players of the time. Singers, artists and prominent city African Americans are featured.

This museum, located in between the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is known mostly as a sculpture museum. It is solely devoted to the works of Auguste Rodin and the largest collection of his works outside of Paris. It including bronzes, plaster studies, drawings, and prints. There are 124 sculptures, including bronze casts of "The Burghers of Calais," "Eternal Springtime," "The Gates of Hell," and Rodin's seminal work, "The Thinker." The museum is small, but powerful, and tours run regularly. Being small, it doesn't get lots of crowds, making it a great place to slow down and enjoy the works.

No "Do Not Touch" signs —" a dream come true in a kid's museum setting! Designed to promote the arts, sciences, and humanities, exhibits here promise educational entertainment for the young and the young-at-heart. There is an incredible collection of toys and a 3D interactive playground based upon popular children's books. Art exhibits feature work from children in the Philadelphia area. On the bottom floor is a pretend grocery store where kids can "shop" and "pay", and a maze to explore. There are ample opportunities for role-playing and dress-up, as well as to try out all kinds of machines and tools and grown-up devices!

This internationally-renowned museum dates back to 1812 and serves as a public forum for environmental research and education. Numerous interactive exhibits are particularly fun for children, and include live animals, birds and insects. Greeting visitors when they enter are huge dinosaur skeletons, which are showstopping in their reconstructed size. Throughout the rest of the four floors of the building are exhibits and displays and interactive opportunities for kids to discover and learn about animals. Many are featured at times as part of live demonstrations so that children can see and hear and often touch the creatures that are being talked about.

You know the story of the American Revolution - or do you? This brand new museum explores topics related to the American war in ways kids of all ages can understand and feel a part of. Through things they can touch and activities they can participate in, as well as plenty to read and see, this museum gives kids more than just a recounting of the war. It asks them what decisions they'd make, shows them what life was like then, brings their textbook learning into real life and puts a better dimension on it. Should someone in your crowd have interest in this subject or be studying it in school, the museum is a wonderful way to further their appreciation of it. It's not too long, leads you through in a way that makes sense and is quite moving as well.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art offers a stellar collection from artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Pissarro, Picasso, and Rodin. Surrealist art is well represented by Dali, De Chirico, Max Ernst, and Magritte, with pre-modernist work from the likes of Canaletto and Guardi. Numerous theme rooms display international art and artifacts, including Thomas Eakins's "Collection in the Country" furniture. A on-site restaurant and a cafe offer hungry guests sustenance and the gift shop is a great place to pick up a souvenir to remember your visit. Sunday is pay what you wish day. Check their website for featured guest artists and displays.

A visit to the National Constitution Center starts with a powerful multi-media theater presentation that describes the main points of our country's most important document. In addition to being entertaining, it is educational and a wonderful start to your visit. After the presentation, visitors are free to roam about the building exploring the hows and whys of the Constitution. As a family-oriented museum, the set-up is not heavy on reading plaques and boards. Instead, many of the exhibits are interactive, as guests may vote for their favorite president, or even take the presidential oath of office. Though it's possible to purchase walk-in tickets, you may also purchase timed tickets in advance, which is recommended.