A wholly original and beautiful little spot with an incredible story behind it. Really cool to see…read morehow one man's vision endured against long odds and now has left a great space for other artists to share their work too. The gift shop also has great, unique stuff. Worth making a little trip here and strolling the neighborhood to see the vendors and Isaiah's other work nearby. Pro tip: Get your ticket in the gift shop and don't worry about timed entry!

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!

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.

Amazing artwork you can visit for free. It's in the Curtis Building and is a stunning mosaic of…read moreTiffany glass. The shading and lighting are stunning.

It's a Maxfield Parrish mural made of Tiffany glass, commissioned by the Curtis Publishing Co for…read moreits then-new building. It's an impressive piece of public art and is over 100 years old. It's worth stopping to admire it if you are in the area. The staff understands why you're here; as we peeked through the windows one evening, security waved us in to get a closer look. Years ago, when I worked nearby, I'd stop in for a moment of calm on my lunch hour. It's a soothing, romantic image and truly an historic art treasure in the city.

WHAT A BLAST. We came here for my birthday kind of ironically because online we saw reels saying it…read morewas the "weirdest museum ever," and thought it would be kind of funny/maybe even creepy. Little did we know it was actually FASCINATING; it was so fun to admire every last piece in the museum. The tram guide was great, the pre-recorded audio is helpful and interesting, and the collection is so varied and extensive that you can't help but love it. The pipe organs - fabulous. The walkable "toy box" collection was great after the tram. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone - it was soooo fun.

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!

The Franklin Institute is one of those Philadelphia institutions we appreciate more each time our…read morekids get a little older. We went yesterday with three kids under four on a day when it absolutely poured, and it was the perfect place to spend 3.5 hours letting them explore, learn, and burn off some energy. The building itself is beautiful, but one of my favorite things about the museum is how spacious it feels: even within the exhibits, there is enough room to move around without feeling crowded or overbuilt. We somehow found street parking directly in front for about $10 for the entire visit, which felt like a small victory on a rainy Saturday. At this age, our kids are finally starting to appreciate what makes the Franklin Institute so much fun: the Giant Heart, the Benjamin Franklin statue, the space galleries, the planetarium, the enormous locomotive, and especially the science of sports exhibits, which are always a highlight. We even passed a large LEGO area on the way out that could easily have kept them occupied longer. Admission does feel expensive, particularly with a young family, and based on our experience, I think 3 or 4 is about the youngest age when children really start getting enough out of the exhibits to justify the cost; for locals who come a few times, a membership probably makes a lot of sense. Between the hands-on science, the wonderful sense of space, and its location along the Parkway toward City Hall, this remains an easy recommendation for Philadelphia families and a terrific stop for anyone visiting the city.

I wanna say that the staff is very helpful and very welcoming…read more I really enjoyed my short time here. This is one of the many wonderful Treasures of Philadelphia

The center city tour was great! Sandi was great!! We've been center city locals for five years and…read morewe wanted to learn about the murals around us. We hit a bunch of murals in 1.5 hours, and some of them I'd never seen! 10/10 tour service. 10/10 selection of tours. Reasonable cost for the tour. We'll be doing more!

Among other things, Philadelphia is a city of public art. I could not help but spot sculptures and…read morestatues here and there, but it was this particular mural - six stories tall - that really drove it home. There have been plans for an office/mixed use tower in the parking lot that faces this mural but for now, we have the opportunity to take it in entirely. Wow, there's some detail here and a story. If you're passing near, I suggest you stop and check this one out near 150 North Broad Street. [Review 18311 overall - 603 in Pennsylvania - 1833 of 2022.]

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.

The PAFA collection in the renovated 1800s building is amazing!! We really enjoyed the extensive…read moregalleries

Board Game Art Park is paved space along Broad Street between Arch St and JFK Blvd, ornamented with…read morea permanent public art installation called "Your Move," by artists Daniel Martinez, Renee Petropoulis and Roger White. Fun public art space, not too far from Love Park around the corner, as well as of course, City Hall, PA Convention Center, Jefferson Station, PAFA, and a million other c-city attractions. Art is a smattering of way-oversized scattered board games pieces, from various popular kid games. The space is used as a pass-through or open air hangout area. Some kids there with skateboards. Not sure if it's allowed but saw no signs nor police. Fun and quirky art that may or may not be a comment on local government?

Fun place to skate! Great for pictures and videos. If you're ever in the area definitely stop by…read morefor a visit!

The Rocky statue is iconic in Philly! It is from the Rocky movie series. The first ever movie was…read moreset in Philadelphia. Rocky runs up the Art Museum steps while training. The top of the steps is the perfect place for the statue! If you come to Philly, run up the steps and pump your fists in the air at the top just like Rocky did for a uniquely Philly experience!

The original Rocky Statue is back where it started at the top of the steps as of September 2026. I…read moresay this because it's been relocated and swapped out numerous times over the years since the original movie was made. I guess it's always good to have a backup sculpture when you need it. Yes, there are 3 of them. The 2nd statue was purchased by Sylvester Stallone. He loaned it to the city when the original one was on display in the museum. The 3rd statue is being displayed in Terminal A-West at the airport. If you missed seeing it in it's original location, then you can always see it on your way out of town. Although, it's not as fun as running up the steps to see it. There was some random guy managing the line and trying to charge people to take pictures with the original statue. Ignore him. The visit to to the steps and the statue are free. Despite all of this, it was very entertaining just watching everyone recreating that famous movie scene. It truly is something that shouldn't be missed. You're going to be in that area anyway. So, why not just take it all in and enjoy it?

Support your local libraries! I have come to this library for so many different things! I've done…read morecooking class, tea demonstrations, sewing classes, death planning workshops, interviews in the private rooms. Hell I went to one of the best musicals I've seen in Philly here! It's really a catch 22. I really appreciate the diversity of events they hold and it's a bummer it's an underfunded field. GO TO THE LIBRARY!

Gorgeous library with plenty of books and plenty of history. Staff is kind and helpful. Bathrooms…read moreare clean.