Top 10 Museums in City Center East, Pennsylvania (PA)

December 17, 2021 Karren Gelb

One of the most historic cities in America, Philadelphia is an ideal place to spend a weekend - preferably a long one. Be sure to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed. Both are part of Independence National Historic Park. Philadelphia also boasts some outstanding art museums, including the Rodin Museum. The Franklin Institute Science Museum is one of many area attractions honoring the life and work of Benjamin Franklin, the city's most famous ambassador. After digesting all of that history, be sure you save room for a classic Philly cheese steak sandwich.
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1. Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church

Philadelphia, PA 19106 +1 215-925-0616 http://www.motherbethel.org/mus.php
Excellent
88%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 16 reviews

Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church

The site of this church, the mother church of the African Methodist Episcopal order, is the oldest tract of land continuously owned by blacks in the U.S. Theres a small museum to A.M.E. founder Richard Allen below the church.

Reviewed By Herstory_62 - Philadelphia, United States

Along with nearby Independence Hall & other historic places of worship in the area, such as Christ Church & the Arch Street Meeting, don't miss the opportunity to visit or worship at this monumental church, the mother church of the AME, the first African-American denomination. Founded in 1787, the congregation worships in a building which sits on the nation's oldest parcel of land owned by African-Americans. The stained glass windows (with Masonic symbols) are magnificent & the crypt museum is a treasure trove of artifacts & significant history.

2. Independence Seaport Museum

211 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3199 +1 215-413-8655 http://www.phillyseaport.org
Excellent
47%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
10%
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4.5 based on 305 reviews

Independence Seaport Museum

Philadelphia's maritime museum features interactive exhibits, historic ships (Spanish American war-era cruiser Olympia and WWII-era submarine Becuna) and changing exhibition galleries. Seasonal river tours of the Delaware River and kayaks / rowboat rentals available. Extended evening hours Thursday - Saturday Memorial Day - Labor Day.

Reviewed By A306PHjenniferm - Hughesville, United States

My boys and I really enjoyed this museum. There are a lot of interactive exhibits. Very well done and clean. The ship tours are nice. The submarine is tight in spots. But would definitely recommend a stop at this museum while in Philadelphia.

3. National Museum of American Jewish History

101 S Independence Mall E, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2517 +1 215-923-3811 [email protected] http://www.nmajh.org/
Excellent
73%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 1,113 reviews

National Museum of American Jewish History

Visit the National Museum of American Jewish History, right on Independence Mall. Explore our collection of interactive exhibitions highlighting the journey of American immigrants and their stories that have helped shape America into the country we know and love. Reserve your tickets now!

Reviewed By flo220 - New York City, United States

A part of the Smithsonian (so all but special exhibits are free) this very interesting and informative museum covers life of Jews in the United State. It has a nice mix of exhibits with historical information (including immigration facts and figures), artifacts, interactive exhibits and film/tv clips. Informative and enjoyable. Worth a trip to Philadelphia for.

4. Fireman's Hall

149 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2097 +1 215-923-1438 http://www.firemanshall.org
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
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4.5 based on 144 reviews

Fireman's Hall

Stop by this small (and free!) museum on your walking tour of Philadelphia. Staffed by actual firemen, Firemans Hall exhibits artifacts, such as leather buckets and fire marks, once and sometimes still used to fight city fires.

5. National Liberty Museum

321 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2707 +1 215-925-2800 [email protected] http://www.libertymuseum.org/
Excellent
66%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 268 reviews

National Liberty Museum

Located in the heart of historic Philadelphia, the National Liberty Museum is dedicated to preserving America's heritage of freedom by encouraging people to find their own place in the story of liberty. Visitors to the Museum enjoy an inspiring and entertaining experience, as they interact with incredible stories of heroes and a collection of contemporary art. Come see an exact replica of the Liberty Bell that still rings, life size children made of jellybeans, and our famous "Flame of Liberty" by Dale Chihuly made just for the National Liberty Museum. Also, be sure to check out our gift shop full of Philadelphia souvenirs, unique handmade jewelry, and fashion accessories.

Reviewed By Mcartsy - Forest Hills, United States

My wife and I visited the museum in early March 2018. We spent over an hour at this wonderful museum. It had 3 floors to explore. We found it very engrossing and very interesting exploring the entire museum. A little gem in the historic district. Entry fee was very fair for families.

6. National Constitution Center

525 Arch St Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1595 +1 215-409-6600 [email protected] http://constitutioncenter.org
Excellent
59%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
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Terrible
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4.5 based on 1,594 reviews

National Constitution Center

The National Constitution Center is the first and only nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to the U.S. Constitution and its legacy of freedom. Located two blocks from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Historic Philadelphia, the Center illuminates constitutional ideals and inspires active citizenship as a state-of-the-art museum, a civic education hub and America's Town Hall.

Reviewed By flo220 - New York City, United States

A museum devoted to the US constitution -- how it was established, signed and ratified; all of the amendments to it and how it has been applied throughout US history. A combination of timeline and commentary, historical artifacts, films and interactive exhibits really drives home what a powerful and flexible document it is. Don't miss the introductory performance (which is really a monologue by an actor rather than a film) which is very powerful; the signers hall filled with statues of the signers and the various authentic documents. There is also an exhibit on (and other references to) Alexander Hamilton. A great place to visit especially for this interested in history.

7. Historical Society of Pennsylvania

1300 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107-5699 +1 215-732-6200
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
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4.5 based on 22 reviews

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

8. USS Becuna

Penn's Landing at Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA +1 215-922-1898 http://www.phillyseaport.org/visit
Excellent
55%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
5%
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4.5 based on 42 reviews

USS Becuna

9. Science History Institute

315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2702 +1 215-925-2222 [email protected] https://www.sciencehistory.org/
Excellent
52%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
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4.5 based on 81 reviews

Science History Institute

The Science History Institute collects and shares the stories of innovators and of discoveries that shape our lives. We preserve and interpret the history of chemistry, chemical engineering, and the life sciences. Headquartered in Philadelphia, with offices in California and Europe, the Institute houses an archive and a library for historians and researchers, a fellowship program for visiting scholars from around the globe, a community of researchers who examine historical and contemporary issues, an acclaimed museum that is free and open to the public, and a state-of-the-art conference center.

Reviewed By larryderm - Philadelphia, United States

An excellent museum that tells in a succinct and beautiful fashion the development of science and chemistry so that the non-scientist will understand the progress that has been made through chemistry.

10. Polish American Cultural Center Museum

308 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3808 +1 215-922-1700 [email protected] http://www.polishamericancenter.org/
Excellent
50%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 20 reviews

Polish American Cultural Center Museum

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