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Philadelphia Museums & exhibitions

Our most recommended Philadelphia Museums & exhibitions

Philadelphia: Museum of Illusions Timed Entrance Ticket

1. Philadelphia: Museum of Illusions Timed Entrance Ticket

Experience the impossible with an entry ticket to the Museum of Illusions Philadelphia. Immerse yourself in a world where your eyes will be in a constant battle with your brain. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, this brain-boggling museum is a one-of-a-kind destination for optical illusions.  Challenge yourself in more than 60 visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms designed to tease the senses and trick the mind. Defy gravity, grow and shrink, walk on the ceiling, experience infinite space, and much more. Spend some time in the Smart Playroom with games that will stimulate and challenge your mind. Enjoy some friendly competition with friends and family while simultaneously improving your cognition, problem-solving skills, and memory.  Have fun while learning the mechanics behind each and every illusion you experience. And don't forget your camera or smartphone when you visit as there are eye-fooling photo-ops around every corner.

Philadelphia: Eastern State Penitentiary Admission

2. Philadelphia: Eastern State Penitentiary Admission

Discover the historic building of the Eastern State Penitentiary which stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Learn about how when Eastern State opened more than 180 years ago, it changed the world of prisons and was copied throughout the world. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world's first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners. Discover how the building itself was an architectural wonder; it had running water and central heat before the White House. Marvel at the vaulted, sky-lit cells which once held many of America's most notorious criminals, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and Al Capone. As you explore the building, listen to 'The Voices of Eastern State' audio tour which is included in your admission price. Narrated by actor Steve Buscemi (known for Boardwalk Empire, Fargo, Armageddon, and Ghost World), this rich, stereo soundscape mixes dozens of voices. Hear the stories of 3 former wardens and 25 guards and inmates which create an atmospheric tour as you stroll through Eastern State's cellblocks and yards. When you arrive, receive an MP3 player and headset that will guide you through the penitentiary complex and explain the prison's history. This audio guide contains a main audio route, plus additional stops for subjects like escapes, riots, sports, sexuality, and more. You are free to tour at your own pace and to listen to (or skip) stops based on your interests. Also discover interactive experiences, history exhibits, and a critically acclaimed series of artist installations.

Philadelphia: History, Highlights & Revolution Walking Tour

3. Philadelphia: History, Highlights & Revolution Walking Tour

Immerse yourself in the vibrant and varied past of Philadelphia, one of the US' most historically significant cities, on this walking tour. Learn more about America's former capital and how it helped to shape the United States of America. Take a guided stroll through Independence National Park, along the cobblestone streets of Old City, past buildings, statues, and monuments, and through the history you think you know. Be amazed by Philadelphia’s remarkable past as your local guide separates the fact from the fiction. Get the chance to give back with a donation to a local non-profit included in the cost of your tour. You will also visit the Museum of the American Revolution and enjoy a live demonstration about George Washington’s war tent and the important role it played during the Revolution.

Philadelphia: Museum of the American Revolution Entry

4. Philadelphia: Museum of the American Revolution Entry

Discover the dramatic story of the American Revolution at one of Philadelphia’s lead attractions. Step into the Museum of the American Revolution, then watch an introductory movie before making your own way through the exhibitions. Marvel at the museum’s vast collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art that bring history back to life. Learn about this fascinating period of time as you explore immersive galleries, engage in powerful theater experiences, and take part in interactive features. Located just steps from the famous Independence Hall, the museum serves as a portal to the region’s Revolutionary history, which sparks interest, provides context, and encourages exploration. Printed museum guides are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin and Japanese, to elevate your learning experience.

Philadelphia Private Driving Tour - Half or Full-Day

5. Philadelphia Private Driving Tour - Half or Full-Day

Explore the city of Philadelphia on a private driving tour, customized to suit your preferences, and available as either a half-day or full-day option. The former capital of the Pennsylvania Colony, Philadelphia is intimately connected to the history of Amercia. You will see all the highlights, including Elfreth’s Alley and the Liberty Bell. Go to Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was first debated. Pass Christ Church to see the birthplace of the American Episcopal Church, and Penn's Landing, where William Penn docked in 1682. Drive down the Avenue of the Arts and see Love Park (JFK Plaza), dominated by Robert Indiana's “Love” sculpture. Continue the arts theme at the Rodin Museum or Philadelphia Museum of Art, complete with Rocky’s statue and the steps used in the blockbuster movie. See where Al Capone was incarcerated at the Eastern State Penitentiary, admire the boat houses on the Schuylkill River, and visit Memorial Hall in Centennial Park. You’ll almost certainly get out to Belmont Plateau for a great view before coming back through Rittenhouse Square. There will be time to get out and take pictures or enjoy a short walk, perhaps down Elfreth’s Alley, or to the gazebo next to the boat houses on the Schuylkill. It’s your tour and your choice, but your guide will give some great suggestions. Take detours into Society Hill and out to the 9th Street Italian Market, home of the great Philly Cheese Steak. The full-day tour can be customized to include nearby neighborhoods or the beautifully situated Laurel Hill Cemetery and Historic Rittenhouse Town. Suggestions will also be given for lunch, whether you fancy a snack or full-blown meal.

Philadelphia: Independence Seaport Museum and USS Olympia

6. Philadelphia: Independence Seaport Museum and USS Olympia

Dive into "River Alive!", a new exhibit that describes the wildlife, science, and wonder of the Delaware River, where 5% of Americans get their drinking water. Raise the sails and discover the history of the U.S. Navy aboard the National Historic Landmark Ship Cruiser USS Olympia. Discover Philadelphia’s connection to the founding of the United States Navy. The Patriots & Pirates exhibition features curated objects never, or rarely, seen by the public, highlighting the little-told story of America’s conflict with pirates. Uncover the past with one of the largest maritime art and artifact collections in North America. With so much to explore, Independence Seaport Museum is the premier, family-friendly destination on the Penn's Landing waterfront.

Philadelphia: South Philly Art Walking Tour

7. Philadelphia: South Philly Art Walking Tour

Explore the incredible public art in South Philadelphia on this group walking tour. Head into the heart of the Queen Village and the Bella Vista neighborhood to uncover beautiful and surprising murals and mind-bending mosaics. Meet your guide and begin your art finding adventure. Listen as your guide explains the history of each piece and how it blends together into a magical tapestry that drapes across the entire city. Appreciate the relationship between the art, artists, and the neighborhoods that they call home. Enjoy how accessible art is throughout a major city like Philadelphia. After exploring the street art and a gallery or two, your tour will conclude at the incredible Magic Gardens. Take your time wandering through the indoor mosaic displays and the outdoor labyrinth at the Philadelphia Magic Gardens. Impact the community in the tour as part of your ticket price includes a donation to a local organization which supports artists in the city.

Philadelphia: Penn Museum Admission Ticket

8. Philadelphia: Penn Museum Admission Ticket

Connect with the cultures of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Mediterranean with a visit to the Penn Museum. Learn about history from the very first cities of the Middle East to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt and from early Mexico to the lives of Native American communities today. Open to all, the Penn Museum is home to remarkable objects and powerful stories that emerge from its excavations and research across the world. Experience the richness of the ancient past, gain an understanding of humanity, and find your own place in the arc of human history.

Philadelphia: Revolutionary Founders & Patriots Walking Tour

9. Philadelphia: Revolutionary Founders & Patriots Walking Tour

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the brave, dramatic, and sometimes messy founding of the United States on this history-packed walking tour of historic Philadelphia. You’ll meet your professional guide at The President’s House — a humble building that served as the first White House. From there, you’ll wind through seven other iconic sites, delving into a new, captivating story at each one. Plant your feet where the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time. Get a glimpse into the scandalous private lives of icons like Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin. Stand between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson as they argue over a national bank and the placement of the capital. Peer behind the curtain and pick up a few stories your history teacher left out. Book a tour today.

Philadelphia: National Liberty Museum Entrance Ticket

10. Philadelphia: National Liberty Museum Entrance Ticket

Discover the stories of heroes who have contributed to the preservation of liberty around the world with this entry ticket to the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia. Explore everything from art exhibitions to replicas of famous symbols of freedom throughout the museum. Your visit begins in the renovated Welcome to Liberty gallery, which greets you with a mural-size display of real-life heroes. Here you can also admire an exact replica of the Liberty Bell. Next, the Flame Gallery features the 21ft Flame of Liberty by renowned glass artist, Dale Chihuly. It provides a 360° experience of inspirational words, images, sounds, and voices using a glass flame. Look inside replicas of Nelson Mandela’s jail cell or Anne Frank's Secret Annex. Enjoy the Museum’s unique collection of glass and other contemporary art, including life-size Jellybean Children.

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What people are saying about Philadelphia

We really loved this tour--we are Philly natives but our guide presented so much art and historical sociological info that we felt like we were seeing this part of the city first time. Definitely recommended for anyone interested in this city's cultural history.

This was the perfect tour of Philly. Our tour guide was great, we loved the small group and it was all done in a nice Mercedes van. Great way to see the city in a day. We would highly recommend this tour.

We were visiting from Miami for the football game and thought it be nice to go. Glad we did because we enjoyed the entire Museum. We were like big kids.

It was great! Went with my four grandchildren and we all had a fantastic time. Highly recommend!!

Guide was informed and answered all my questions about this historic city!