The New Jersey State Museum was a pleasant surprise. First of all, I had no idea we had a State…read moreMuseum. I only happen to find out, because I had tickets to an event in the State Museum Auditorium. The museum is free and on weekends parking is easy in the free adjacent lot. There is also a Planetarium, which has a $10 admission. The museum is housed on three floors with exhibits illustrating some of New Jersey's history. There is a section with artwork, some Native American history, a natural history area with dinosaurs, history of Trenton, and much more.

This place is a gem. We didn't know about the free parking but the staff did inform us so we will…read moreuse that next time. They had a great exhibit for the 150 year anniversary of the USA, interesting to compare to 250 years. Staff was friendly. Easy to walk, gift shop had great items and affordable. Tables out front to eat at. The upstairs archives collection is so cool. The museum goes on and on. Love how some exhibits are annual and then they have some rotating ones. It's free to go. They just charge for the planetarium or you can do a member membership, which actually is pretty reasonable because you get reciprocal access to other museums in other states.

Mom and I loved our self guided tour of this fascinating art tile factory. You get to see the tiles…read moremade the way the founder did. The building is so cool and you can buy hand crafted pottery. Loved it!

A "working museum," Moravian Pottery & Tile Works was founded and built by Henry Chapman Mercer in…read morethe early twentieth century, and the facility still produces handmade tiles using techniques that Mercer developed, and reproductions are crafted using his original molds and locally sourced clay. You can show up and just shop in their store (lots of tiles to choose from) or you can take a tour. The tour starts with a video (a pretty old one!) that explains the history and the architecture of the tile works and the process used by the tileworks to make its tile (pretty much the same as 100 year ago). Then you can wander through the self-guided tour path and see a demonstration of some tiles being pressed and talk to the staff about the tiles and process. It's definitely one of the many places worth visiting in Doylestown. It makes a great day or weekend trip combined with some of Doylestown's other attractions (like Mercer's home Fonthill, which is just next door, and the museum he founded in town). The tiles are beautiful, and it was great to learn and see how they're made!

Time travel back to the early 1700's Colonial times! Elfreths Alley is a must see for all those…read moreHistory lovers out there. Beautiful street/alley filled with history. Walking down this alley you will appreciate the brick houses, red and blue doors and windows and cobblestone street. Very calm vibe and you can enjoy listening to birds chirping. Lovely flower boxes through out making this alley a colorful experience. Two of the houses are converted into a museum worth stopping by. I hear that Elfreths Alley celebrates the holiday season with a Christmas theme event Deck the Alley. Homes are decorated and they even have Colonial carolers. Would love to see on my next visit.

Elfreth's Alley is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the…read moreU.S. - This area has been around since 1703, and most of the houses are privately-owned residences! It was fun walking through the alley, as it's open all day, everyday, - they do have a museum and guided tours that one could take advantage of, which is open on the weekends. Just be respectful of the residents! +one of the oldest residential streets +museum and guided tours available +located in Old City

I've been here twice now, and both visits were a great time…read more The first was during a 52 Firsts event, where they even had cake, Ben Franklin walking around, and other historical mascots. The second was during the Philadelphia 250 Red, White, & Blue To-Do celebration. Both events had a fun atmosphere and gave me an excuse to spend more time exploring the museum. The museum does a great job showcasing the history of firefighting in Philadelphia. The first floor is home to beautifully restored antique fire engines that are impressive to see up close. Upstairs, there's a gorgeous stained glass window that really caught my eye, along with more exhibits about the city's firefighting history. One thing I thought was especially fun was that visitors can dress up in firefighter gear for photos. It's a small touch, but it makes the museum feel interactive instead of just a place where you're reading signs on the wall. The people working here are what really make the experience. Everyone I talked to was incredibly friendly and genuinely passionate about the museum. They were happy to share stories, answer questions, and explain the history behind the exhibits. You can tell they truly love what they do, and that enthusiasm makes the whole place feel welcoming. Overall, it's a small museum with a lot of heart. If you're exploring Old City or have any interest in Philadelphia history, it's definitely worth stopping by. I had a great time both visits and would happily come back again.

My late grandfather was a Fire Chief in Maine so anytime I can learn more about our brave men and…read morewomen, I do it. I strongly recommend you take an hour and visit an important space.

The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia offers a deeply meaningful…read moreand important experience, thoughtfully preserving the stories of Jewish life, history, perseverance, and the consequences of antisemitism. It is a serious and sometimes difficult place to visit, but an essential one for understanding and acknowledging history and carrying its lessons forward.

Saw the museum from afar while exploring Philadelphia and stopped in to explore, and we were very…read moreimpressed by the exhibits. Very comprehensive look at the American Jewish story through the years - as a couple who met at a Jewish summer camp we were particularly captivated by the camp exhibit! Admission is donate as you wish, so if you have any interest in the subject area, definitely take some time to check out a very well curated museum!

I enjoyed my experience here. I brought my family to the Belmont Mansion and had no idea what to…read moreexpect. For starters, we were dropped off on the premises and weren't too sure exactly where to go. But I saw a flyer with the hours of operation on a door and walked into what looked like a dining room with artifacts on the wall. Need to Know before you go: -Bring Cash or a Card (They aren't accepting digital payments) -They will charge your card in the office, which is upstairs -The Musuem has three parts with a tour guide available to answer any questions you have -A packet of information is yours to keep and read at your leisure

Hidden diamond. This beautiful mansion and it's rich history have wonderful staff to match its…read morepowerful story. Staff led me through this former site of the Underground Railroad and gave life to history through stories and exhibits. On the day I visited, there were live actors set up around the mansion reenacting the tales of kings and queens of Africa and the awful events of slave auctions. This place left a deep impression on me that I will remember for many years to come.

I was only in the grounds of this historic home but am looking forward to going back to see the…read moremansion. It's located on Germantown Ave in Germantown. I parked on the street, not sure if parking is available on site. The mansion is impressive. A revolutionary war battle was fought on the premises. The household also had enslaved people. This fact was ignored until recently when descendants if the enslaved and the community fought to include all the history. The grounds were open to the public. A visitor center and bathrooms was added fairly recently.

Cliveden is a great place to learn about American history during slavery from the wonderful staff…read moreyou will encounter while there. I had a lovely time seeing the museum (no charge) and the house (for a fee). I would suggest a tour, because there is a great deal of information to absorb, and you learn more details and fascinating facts from your tour guide. You should explore their website for additional facts and information about its significance in American history. I only planned to drop in but was swept away once inside. The next time I go, I'll be sure to give myself enough time to take it all in. The grounds are also open to the public to explore or simply relax, surrounded by beautifully massive trees in the midst of the city. Once on the property, you feel like you suddenly entered into a magical place.

If you're a history or literature buff, this is truly a hidden gem in New Jersey. I can't believe…read moreI'm the first person to review this place in four years! My 9-year-old son and I came here on a Saturday afternoon in November. They are only open for two hours, from 11-12 and 2-3. I called ahead and scheduled a tour for 2 o'clock. There is only street parking available, but we were able to park directly outside and pay at the meter. The tour starts in the house next door where you watch a ten minute video on Walt Whitman's life, then you go next door to his house where they have painstakingly recreated most of the rooms based on old photographs. The tour includes his upstairs bedroom where he passed away, and finishes in the backyard. Our tourguide was very friendly and knowledgeable and humored my son's millions of questions, many of which were somewhat off topic ("do you think Walt Whitman could do a cartwheel?!" *does cartwheel in the backyard*). The best part is that the tour is completely free, though donations are of course accepted. After the tour we drove to the Harleigh Cemetery to see his gravesite, which is only a mile or two from his house.

Whitman's house is so full of history; visiting it was a great experience. There is a short film…read morethat sets the stage. Beyond that, the guide had interesting things to reveal in every room. I was especially intrigued by the bedroom, but I won't give the surprise away.