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!

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 Many of the carpets, exhibits, and displays felt outdated, and the animal exhibits on the top floor seemed somewhat disconnected from the rest of the museum and more like an attempt to make use of the available space.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.

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

When trying to find something to do with my niece who was visiting me last weekend, this came to…read moremy. Because she just finished up a STEM camp for kids back home and her just liking to see/do new things, decided to take her here. Glad I did because she had a blast! We didn't get a chance to see the new Universal Theme park/studios exhibit, but she loved everything else - walking through the heart, the space exhibit where she looked up at the stars and tried to figure out how she would jump in another planet's atmosphere, etc. Great time and look forward to coming back in the future!

I really like this place. It's huge a lot of things to do. The grocery store set up is really…read moregreat. There's just so many different kinds of events and I like how they have one area that changes so you can keep it kind of fresh the Alice in Wonderland maze highly recommended. Pro tip parking has never been a problem on the street. You don't have to park in the lot but they have one if you want to use it.

This was my second time visiting the Please Touch Museum, and we had another great experience! This…read moretime, we got to check out the limited time Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood exhibit, which was such a fun addition. One thing I really love about this museum is how spacious it is. With interactive exhibits and activities spread across two floors, you can literally spend an entire day here exploring and playing. There is so much for kids to see and do that you don't feel rushed. They also have an indoor merry-go-round for an additional fee, which is a fun extra. There's a food station where you can purchase food and drinks, although the eating area is fairly small. If you need more seating, you can head over to the merry-go-round area, which has additional tables and seating. Overall, Please Touch Museum is a great place for families, especially if you're looking for somewhere where kids can stay entertained for hours. I'd definitely visit again!

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! |

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!

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.

Everything. Great collection, hung the way the donor wanted. It's wonderful. Going back.read more

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.

We came for the Halloween nights . I glad that we paid extra…read morefor the advance pass. First there is a long line to have your tickets checked. Next is another line to go through security check point. Then you finally get in another long line to start the tour. We were able to skip that last line. It is divided into 5 different sections. The first area they explain all the rules.. What sets this attraction apart from others. You can opt in and allow the performers to touch you. They give you a free glow necklace to identify that you allow them to touch you. It definitely adds to the experience. I got put in a cage while threatened with carnage. Lots of shock moments. Definitely worth the price.

An Incredible Halloween Experience in One of the Coolest Historic Locations!…read more We visited Eastern State Penitentiary for its Halloween Horror Nights event, and we had an absolute BLAST! This place is already fascinating because of its history and the atmosphere of the old penitentiary, but experiencing it during a Halloween event takes things to a whole new level. The setting alone makes this such a cool place to visit. There's something about exploring a historic prison after dark that creates the perfect atmosphere for a haunted attraction. Add in the Halloween decorations, incredible actors, and immersive experiences, and you have the recipe for a fantastic night! The event featured five well-themed haunted mazes, and we were thoroughly impressed. The haunt actors were incredible, bringing so much energy and commitment to their performances. We also loved the Touch Pass option, which lets guests opt for a more intense, hands-on experience. It's a great addition for those who want to take things up a notch and get even more immersed in the scares! There were tons of great photo opportunities throughout the grounds, so you'll definitely want to take your time exploring and grabbing some pictures. We appreciated the variety of food trucks available, too, which made it easy to grab something to eat while enjoying the event. The absolute highlight for us, though, was the Speakeasy experience inside Al Capone's cell! We paid a little extra for this experience, and we HIGHLY recommend doing the same if you visit. The singers and actors were phenomenal! One of my personal favourites was an amazingly talented woman who sang opera beautifully. Her voice was absolutely incredible, and it was such an unexpected highlight of the evening. I also loved the woman who performed a lovely rendition of Barracuda. Both performances really stood out and made the experience feel like so much more than just another Halloween attraction. You even get a complimentary drink included with the Speakeasy experience, and the beer was excellent! Between the live entertainment, the historical setting, and the overall atmosphere, it was absolutely worth paying the extra money. Overall, we had an amazing time at Eastern State Penitentiary's Halloween event. The combination of the historic location, fantastic haunted mazes, talented actors, Touch Pass option, photo opportunities, food trucks, and unique Speakeasy experience made for a memorable night. If you're visiting Philadelphia during Halloween season, we highly recommend checking this out! And seriously, don't skip the Speakeasy at Al Capone's cell. That experience alone was a major highlight for us! For more food, travel, brewery, hockey, haunted attraction, and destination reviews, check out our YouTube channel A&M Roam and follow along with Angela and Mike as we travel, eat, drink, explore spooky attractions, catch games, and goof around!

In the heart of Abington, and about a hundred yards away from the Roslyn train station, you can…read morefind Briar Bush, a hidden nature preserve tucked away on Edge Hill road. With scenic walking trails, an outdoor classroom, day camps and a small indoor animal habitat, Briar Bush is a great spot for small children, couples on a date, or anyone looking for a brief respite from the urgency of the modern world. With free admission for locals and a small fee for out-of-towners, the preserve is accessible to all patrons provided that they are able to walk down some wooded trails that circle through the admittedly short walking routes. The centerpiece of the trails is a picturesque, secluded pond with benches for sitting and an interactive sign with information on the local fauna and flora. The indoor animal habitat has a small gift shop, pamphlets on upcoming events and information on other parks in the area, and several interesting animals such as a blind possum named Odin, a bearded lizard named Karl, and several other unique turtles and reptiles. All of Briar Bush can be walked through in an hour or so, but the low admission, interactive nature events and scenic walking trails will have you wanting to return again soon.

Staff are very informative when it comes to presentations but the facility is not very well…read moremaintained in some places because multiple trees have poison ivy on them. I know what poison ivy looks like, and when it's in hairy vine form, it can choke a tree and kill it. There was a wildlife sanctuary in the neighborhood that I grew up in as a child, and many of the trees almost died because they were being choked by poison ivy. Hairy vine, no friend of mine. But, on a more positive note, they have some animals that you can pet (when they are being presented by a lecturer), including rabbits, rats, and snakes, plus a turtle. In fact, now, as I am typing this, I remember coming here as a kid with school and Cub Scouts and my family as well, and I remember Boo the Rat (R.I.P!) and I remember a turtle who came to Briar Bush after being fed dog food by its owner. Eww. Bottom line, presentation is everything. One thing that I personally don't mind but that wildlife and some other visitors are probably irritated by is the fact that SEPTA's Warminster Line runs behind Briar Bush with a train going by every so often.

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.