Philadelphia

The Fabric Workshop and Museum

This museum is free (with a suggested donation of $5), and is a great place to check out modern contemporary art. Art of various mediums is displayed in this museum- sculptures, paintings, video, ceramics, and more. You can also take a tour of the studios. The Fabric Workshop and Museum offers occasional family programming and teen events as well.

Rosenbach Museum & Library

Perfect for lovers of literature and art alike, the Rosenbach houses a variety of collections, including rare books, as well as special exhibits and unique events. Check their calendar for themed hands-on tours like Women Poets, Charles Dickens, or Herman Melville. The Rosenbach is only open Thursday-Sunday and requires timed tour tickets, so be sure to book in advance.

Fireman's Hall Museum

Located in historic Old City, this free museum features exhibits on the history of firefighting in Philadelphia. You'll see all kinds of old fire vehicles as well as other equipment, and you can even try on a uniform!

National Liberty Museum

The exhibits at this museum are dedicated to liberty, freedom, and the heroes of our nation. Kids will love ringing the replica Liberty Bell and seeing the jellybean children sculpture- made entirely out of jellybeans.

 
The Benjamin Franklin Museum features many interactive exhibits that kids will love. Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for Visit Philadlephia

Benjamin Franklin Museum

Just around the corner from NLM is the Benjamin Franklin Museum. Here, you can learn about Ben Franklin's life and legacy. Each room in the museum focuses on one of Benjamin Franklin's traits.

Visitors will find visitors find many of the world's rarest and most famous race cars at the Simeone Foundation Autmotive Museum. Photo by Cait Sumner

Simeone Foundation Autmotive Museum

Check out all kinds of automobiles at this car museum. This museum feautres 70-85 cars at all times. During special exhibits the number of vehicles on display can be closer to 100.

Edgar Allan Poe House

Visit Edgar Allan Poe's Philadelphia home for a free tour. As of the time of this update, the house was closed for a utilities improvement project. It is slated to reopen in winter of 2024. Check the website for more details.

The Colored Girls Museum

This home turned museum is dedicated to exhibits displaying the stories and art of black females. The museum is housed in a 140-year-old three-story Victorian Twin home in the historic Germantown area of Philadelphia.

The Wagner Free Institute of Science

This museum has been around since the mid-nineteenth century providing free science education to Philadelphians.
Note: the Wagner’s landmark building is NOT air conditioned. In summer months, the Exhibit Hall may be closed to the public during periods of extreme heat. Closures for weather will be posted on their website.

Kornberg School of Dentistry's Weaver Historical Dental Museum at Temple University

See a recreated nineteenth-century Victorian dental office, as well as displays of dental tools, and more.

Mummers Museum

Learn how to "strut" and check out some Mummers costumes up close and personal at this South Philly museum.

Science History Institute

If you have a budding scientist, this is a great museum! The Science History Museum explores the history behind science and technology.

Shoe Museum

Yes, that's right, there's even a shoe museum in Philly! Admission is free and the museum is open for self-guided tours Monday-Friday.
Note: The museum exhibits are not available Saturday and Sunday.

Museum for Art in Wood

This art museum exhibits contemporary art made from wood. Admission is free and the museum hosts a monthly family friendly crafting event.

Suburbs

James A. Michener Art Museum — Doylestown

This art museum features permanent installations, special exhibits, classes, summer camps, and family programming. The museum is named after the Doylestown-native Pulitzer-Prize winning writer who first dreamed of a regional art museum in the early 1960s.

American Helicopter Museum — West Chester

There are tons of aircrafts on display at this museum. This one is perfect for the aviation loving kid in your family!

The Stoogeum — Ambler

This museum contains close to 100,000 pieces of Three Stooges memorabilia. You'll also find interactive displays and an 85-seat theatre for film screeings and special presentations.

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle — Doylestown

The Mercer Museum is home to Henry Mercer's extensive collection of objects from the pre-industrial age. This six-story building is jam-packed with interesting objects. Head a little ways down the road and take a one-hour tour of Mercer's modern 1900s castle. 
Note: Much of the museum as well as the castle are not air conditioned in summer months.

Wharton Esherick Museum — Malvern

This museum houses more than 300 of Wharton Esherick's sculptures, furniture, utensils, and more primarily made out of wood.

VAMPA Vampire & Paranormal Museum — Doylestown

This unique museum showcases a rare assortment of vampire art, artifacts, and objects of the paranormal dating back to the 1700s.
Note: The museum is only open on weekends.

Photo of National Liberty Museum courtesy of the author