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    Penn Museum

    4.4 (135 reviews)
    Closed • 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Penn Museum Photos

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    Mike C.

    If you are like me and love Egyptian artifacts you will love it here. This museum has one million artifacts in its collection per our tour guide; they are currently displaying one percent of them and are only adding to their contemporary Native American art collection. I love the Philadelphia Art Musuem however after my first and only visit to the Penn Musuem last Saturday I must say I love this museum even more as there is a much higher percentage chance of not getting lost in this museum and it was not overflowing with people with their art and artifacts being spaced out generously. Very picturesque part of town as well. Enjoy your visit, I cannot wait to return and will upload some of my favorite photos on next visit. As always people SYOY!!!

    Alexis B.

    The Penn Museum is a museum of archaeology and anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, and my friend and I visited it for the first time this past weekend when were in Philly for a short visit. The museum definitely has some dated signs but overall is a really impressive museum with three floors of gallery space featuring artifacts from the ancient Mediterranean World, Egypt, the Near East, Mesopotamia, East Asia, the Americas, and Africa. We saw some really stunning, interesting, and beautiful artifacts. The building is also beautiful, especially the Rotunda, which was completed in 1915. This museum is easily accessible via public transport from Center City, and it's worth a visit if you're interested in archaeology or anthropology. It's an impressive museum!

    Ancient Food & Flavor exhibit in the basement
    Kevin B.

    This is a very interesting museum. It's located on Penn's campus and while it's small, it has a very nice variety of collections. We particularly enjoyed the Greek World section and the collection of ancient coins were fascinating. They're undergoing a renovation so some areas like the Asian section are limited, but it's still a very nice museum overall. Give yourself 2-3 hours to explore the whole museum and don't miss the Ancient Food and Flavor exhibit in the basement as it's definitely a highlight!

    Liz D.

    Came back and it's all so shiny! The garage is all cleaned up and well labeled, though still very low clearance. I was able to leave through a side entrance and be just across the street from the well labeled entry, but it was locked by the afternoon so I had to walk the long way round to get back to the car. Otherwise, the museum is mostly all open and very impressive. This is not a museum for kids and I'd recommend choosing 3-4 areas to really absorb everything into in a session and come back another day for the rest. They have lots of different free tours and I was there right on time for the Middle East one. The guide was obviously very knowledgeable about the era but would have liked more story telling than always asking us what we were seeing. The current What We Wear exhibit is almost over but worth some time to check out. The Marion Anderson dress alone is worth the history and showcase it has. The different eras and continents are well chosen and I really enjoyed the descriptions of the different costumes and uses. Every other section is just bursting with artifacts and mostly ancient historical context. An excellent way to compare and contrast civilization through the centuries and how we know what we know about eachother. One caution- the cafe closes at 1 on Saturdays! I chose to check out the 1pm artifact exploration mini lesson hoping to get lunch after and was disappointed and had to settle for vending machine food. It looked like it was well stocked with options though. Definitely would plan a return again and again not just for the new exhibits and events but also to absorb deeper into all the different eras and parts of the world. The museum itself is a fascinating mesh of architecture styles and eras as it built around itself and worth a story on its own.

    Artifact from Penn Museum
    Kristin M.

    Full of ancient culture. I'm so glad we visited. The museum was beautiful. I highly recommend visiting if you're into history!

    Entrance
    Jean T.

    We booked online, while on the train. This is a gorgeous space. Unfortunately, the artifacts hall is only open on the weekend. I was NOT happy, because I like mummies. But there was one in the Egyptian exhibit, so... The Etruscan, Greek, and Roman exhibits are carefully curated and VERY interesting. They have a coin collection that surpasses any other that I have seen. The commentary on the exhibits are thorough and scholarly. I learned several things that I hadn't known, such as the fact that embalmers/mummifiers started slacking, in some cases breaking the neck to remove the brain, and in others, not even removing the brain at all! Shocking. They also had some examples of mummified animals. I knew that cats were frequently mummified. I didn't know they were commercially bred and then killed :( There was also a mummified ibis, now extinct in Egypt. Thousands were mummified. Also Apis bulls and alligators. The "Stories We Wear" exhibit was small, but interesting.

    Hunter S.

    Well organized, expansive museum that's not as overwhelming as a place like the MET or AMNH (which I do adore). Sections on Israel, Rome, Greece, Etruria, the Middle East, and more. Their Egyptian and Asian section is spectacular, and is housed in a beautiful rotunda. They also have wonderful Native American/First Nation people/Central American peoples exhibits with easy to use, fun interactive kiosks so you can learn more about the artists or artifacts that interest you. They also have a well done small African section. I spent about three hours here, including a leisurely lunch at the cafe, which includes basic sandwiches, snacks, and drinks--and isn't as expensive as other museum cafes--assuming because it's a campus museum. You could spend more time if you read every single thing, but I focused more on specific things that interested me. I did this along with the mutter museum. It's about a mile walk between the two. Mutter takes about 1-1 1/2 hours. I finished up around 2 after starting at 10 AM.

    Leena S.

    Penn Museum is situated in the heart of the University and the Penn Medical campus. The museum is going through various renovations, so certain sections were closed off. It took us under two hours to cover the whole museum. The museum has a vast collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt, the Romans, Asian exhibits and more modern exhibits from other parts of the world. I've always been fascinated by mummies and the history of ancient Egypt, so I really enjoyed this portion of the exhibits. They offer tours, but we self guided our way through the museum. Penn employees can enter free with their Penn ID.

    Retna S.

    When you visit the museum, please take advantage of the guided tour which is offered for free. Today there's one for Asian collection. It didn't cover each artifacts but very informative.

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    6 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Beautiful building filled with so much culture and history. Would totally recommend to all history lovers!

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    1 year ago

    Had some nice exhibits, a lot under construction. Not handicap friendly, nice campus.

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    4 years ago

    The Penn Museum is located near the University of Pennsylvania. The museum offers so much. I recommend coming here.

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    Ask the Community - Penn Museum

    Where is parking and food? Makes a difference in conserving my feet for the museum.

    Hi, Mary! Thanks for asking. Garage 7 is located right next to the Penn Museum. You can learn more about that garage and other nearby parking at this link: https://www.penn.museum/visit/plan-your-visit/parking… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Penn Museum

    “If you decide to spend the night here, don't sleep in the main room with the Sphinx if you can avoid it.”

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

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    Academy of Natural Sciences

    Academy of Natural Sciences

    4.1(165 reviews)
    1.2 mi•Logan Square, Penn Center, Art Museum District

    My husband and I went to this on the last day before it closed and it is incredibly heartbreaking…read morethat Philadelphia cannot continue to support a big part of history. There were so many people and long lines trying to enjoy the last bit of this museum. I heard folks say they used to have overnight school sleepovers here when they were younger & how much it meant to them. This was definitely a medium sized museum, I wish I had time to check everything out but it was SO busy. You can tell people really care. Please save the academy!!!!

    We came here as a family after hearing that the museum would be closing at the end of the month. It…read moreis incredibly sad to see it close, especially since I had always hoped to bring my children back for a sleepover with the dinosaurs once they were old enough. Unfortunately, between decisions surrounding the museum's management and reductions in government funding, that is an experience we will no longer have the opportunity to enjoy. That being said, the museum was definitely showing its age and would have benefited from a significant renovation if it were to remain open. Many of the carpets, exhibits, and displays felt outdated, and the animal exhibits on the top floor seemed somewhat disconnected from the rest of the museum and more like an attempt to make use of the available space. Despite those shortcomings, there is a lot of history here, and it is genuinely sad to see the museum close. I'm glad we had the opportunity to bring our children one last time and experience it together as a family.

    Photos
    Academy of Natural Sciences - Kids digging for fossils

    Kids digging for fossils

    Academy of Natural Sciences - OMG!  Its eating my kid!

    OMG! Its eating my kid!

    Academy of Natural Sciences - Providing the "roar!"

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    Providing the "roar!"

    Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    4.6(962 reviews)
    1.3 mi•Art Museum District, Fairmount

    The Philadelphia Museum of Art has one of my favorite balances in the city: it feels grand,…read morecosmopolitan, and genuinely important, yet somehow never intimidating. My art knowledge is limited, but the museum has a way of making curiosity feel like enough, whether I'm wandering through the galleries, people watching, browsing the excellent store, grabbing something at the café, or bringing our daughter to the terrific kids' areas. The building and its setting at the end of the Parkway are spectacular, and the staff consistently bring a warmth and approachability that feels distinctly Philadelphian. I also enjoy simply passing it on a run or walk and seeing it presiding over this beautiful part of the city. Friday evenings may be my favorite way to experience it. The happy hours are a fantastic deal, parking is deeply discounted, and there is something wonderfully civilized about having a glass of rosé or two in a world-class museum while a cool, diverse crowd settles in for the evening. We brought our daughter with us, and she felt completely welcome, which says a lot about what the museum gets right: sophistication without stiffness, culture without exclusion. One of Philadelphia's great institutions, and one I feel lucky to have nearby. Très bien!

    Nice museum to see a bunch of paintings and history. The prices are $30 for an adult, $28 for a…read moresenior (65+ years old), $14 for a student with valid ID, and $0 for those 18 years old and younger. The fountain out front was turned off. Inside is a ton of American history. Also, Japanese art, European art, and well pretty much art all around the world. Oh, and I love all of the Japanese samurai stuff. It's so cool seeing the armor warriors wore way back in the day when going into battle. Claude Monet, Picasso, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, amongst plenty of other famous artists have paintings here. We probably spent 90 minutes to 2 hours in here. That was enough for us. A fun way to start your morning.

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    Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia Museum of Art

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    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    Edgar Allan Poe House

    Edgar Allan Poe House

    4.3(96 reviews)
    2.4 mi•Spring Garden

    Small, easy, short touristy trip. Another great free thing to do in the city when you have friends…read moreor family from out of town. I live in Nolibs, so this is an easy walk from my house. Parking is plentiful nearby, too!

    Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site - Philadelphia, PA…read more Boomsauce Score: BS +++ (Amazing location! now that's boomsauce!) Even mid-renovation, this place hits different. Stepping into Poe's former home is like walking through the pages of Gothic literature. The art installations and that surreal raven sculpture outside? Straight out of a dream--or a fevered poem. It's eerie, poetic, and deeply moving. Though the house is currently closed for a utilities improvement project, you can still feel the weight of history pressing through the walls. Poe lived here during one of his most prolific periods, penning classics like The Black Cat and The Tell-Tale Heart. The cellar even resembles the one described in The Black Cat, adding a deliciously creepy layer to the visit. If you're in Philly, this is a must-visit. It's not just a museum--it's a tribute to the tortured brilliance of one of America's greatest literary minds. And when renovations wrap, it'll be even more hauntingly beautiful. --- Boomsauce Scale | Rating | Meaning |---------|----------------------------------| | B | basura (trash) | | BS | basic (come on! Try harder) | | BS + | better (Yo! That's better) | | BS ++ | best (alright! Alright! Alrightttt!) | | BS +++ | Amazing location! now that's boomsauce! |

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    Edgar Allan Poe House
    Edgar Allan Poe House
    Edgar Allan Poe House

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    The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia

    The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia

    4.3(47 reviews)
    1.5 mi•Market East, Penn Center, Avenue of the Arts North
    Large group friendly
    Available by appointment

    What a fabulous tour and place. The only reason why I knew about this temple was because of the…read moremovie national treasure. when I was looking up things to do in Philadelphia, this populated. From the outside, it looks like a church a small church but on the inside, it is immaculate, ginormous and just all in all beautiful. You do have to do a tour that's the only way to see the facility which we did. We got there around 10:30 and then we just booked a tour for the 11 o'clock. They gave the history, they talked about the architectural, their charity work, and the facilities also used for weddings, photo shoots, etc... but so fun we really enjoyed it. This is probably one of our favorite highlights of our Philadelphia trip.

    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.

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    The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia
    The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia
    The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia

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    The Barnes Foundation - Small rooms and large crowds.

    The Barnes Foundation

    4.0(503 reviews)
    1.3 mi•Art Museum District, Logan Square, Fairmount, Spring Garden

    The Barnes Foundation is one of my favorite complements to the larger Philadelphia Museum of Art…read morebecause it feels so manageable without sacrificing any sense of significance. The collection is extraordinary, and the story of Albert Barnes and the eventual move to the Parkway makes it one of Philadelphia's more interesting cultural stories. What I love most, though, is the building itself: the warm limestone, water, courtyards, and low-slung modernism somehow remind me of contemporary Mexican architecture, almost something you might encounter in Cabo. Its location beside the Rodin Museum also makes it a perfect stopping point between the Art Museum and City Hall. My wife and I have brought our young daughter here, enjoyed the art, and then stopped for coffee at the café and sat outside afterward. We both commented on how transportive that outdoor area feels, with the water, architecture, and landscaping briefly making it seem as though you are somewhere else entirely. Cool people, good vibes, beautiful surroundings, and a collection important enough to reward serious attention without taking an entire day to absorb. The Barnes is one of those Philadelphia institutions that works equally well as a destination, a family outing, or simply a beautiful place to spend a few hours.

    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.

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    The Barnes Foundation
    The Barnes Foundation
    The Barnes Foundation

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    The Fabric Workshop and Museum - Yinka Shonibare MBE, in collaboration with FWM. Space Walk, 2002. Photo credit: Aaron Igler.

    The Fabric Workshop and Museum

    4.2(39 reviews)
    1.7 mi•Market East
    •$

    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.

    Such an amazing exhibition to visit! Big fan of textiles, especially quilts! The staff at the front…read morewas very friendly and the art was lovely to see.

    Photos
    The Fabric Workshop and Museum - Visitors explore sketches and journals from Moki Cherry's life, featured in "The Living Temple: The World of Moki Cherry"

    Visitors explore sketches and journals from Moki Cherry's life, featured in "The Living Temple: The World of Moki Cherry"

    The Fabric Workshop and Museum - Ulfirst floor

    Ulfirst floor

    The Fabric Workshop and Museum - Risa Puno, in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia. Group Hug, 2024. Photo credit: Carlos Avendaño.

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    Risa Puno, in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia. Group Hug, 2024. Photo credit: Carlos Avendaño.

    Penn Museum - museums - Updated October 2026

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