A mini-guide to some of the varied museums located in Philadelphia, including art and science museums, and the exhibits they include.
Philadelphia, a city known more for the Liberty Bell, than for its deep cultural roots, is a city brimming with museums that offer something for everyone.
"Museum Row", the section along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in downtown Philadelphia, is home to some of the world's finest museums. First and foremost is the Philadelphia Museum of Art. While famous for its depiction in the movie "Rocky", there is more to this museum than running up the awe-inspiring steps. The Philadelphia Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in the United States and is home to an assortment of art collections which include Asian pieces dating back to 3 B.C., an Oriental carpet collection, Renaissance masterpieces and American collections, featuring the premiere collection of Philadelphia artist Thomas Eakins. In addition to its vast collection of artwork, the Philadelphia Art Museum offers premium exhibitions, such as the works of Van Gogh, Goya and Georgia O'Keefe. The museum also runs special activities, including their "Wednesday night" series, which includes activities ranging from films to dances. Adjacent to the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the Rodin Museum, which is home to the largest collection of Rodin sculptures and memorabilia outside of Paris and features the bronze cast of "The Thinker".
If science is more your cup of tea, then a visit to the Franklin Institute is a must. Without a doubt, the Franklin Institute Science Museum is a delight for the entire family. With exhibits and activities too numerous to list, suffice it to say that spending the whole day touring this museum will leave you wanting more. To name just a few of the activities, you can walk through a human heart or brain, take a ride on a steam engine train, or make your hair stand on end in the Electricity Exhibit. From biology to geology, this museum features something for the scientist in all of us.
For the younger children who are curious and inquisitive, visit the Please Touch Museum. This is a "hands-on" museum for children aged two to seven, who will get an excellent education while having fun and playing. They can visit Alice in Wonderland or "Science Park" where they can experience and take part in a variety of scientific experiments.
Not part of "Museum Row" and lesser known but equally impressive is the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, which is the oldest art museum in the country. This museum is renowned for its collection of American art. It is also home to the first and oldest art school in the country boasting a distinct list of alumni, including artist Thomas Eakins and architect Louis I. Kahn.
A few of the more unconventional museums in the Philadelphia area are:
The Mummers Museum, a museum dedicated to the Philadelphia tradition of "mummery", which is the customary New Year's parade featuring music, feathers and sequined costumes, which has been held for over 100 years. The museum offers a look at the history, the music and the costumes.
The Pretzel Museum. Philadelphia is home to the "soft pretzel" and this museum offers a history, guided tour and instruction on pretzel making. You'll even get to eat your handicraft!
The Mario Lanza Museum. As its name implies, this museum is dedicated to the Philadelphia native and "tenor extraordinaire", Mario Lanza. This museum is also committed to providing scholarships for budding musicians.
For a taste of ethnic heritage, Philadelphia offers these fine museums: African-American Historical and Cultural Museum; Polish American Cultural Center; National Museum of American-Jewish History; and the Swedish Museum.
Philadelphia has always been known for its diversity and its superior assortment of museums only proves this point.
