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Free Things to Do in Philadelphia: Free Museums

Free Things to Do in Philadelphia: Free Museums

Philadelphia’s a fun place, but the city can get pricey. You might think there aren’t many free things to do in Philadelphia, but we searched long and hard to find them. Check out these free museums we found!

These Philadelphia museums are always free!

The Science History Institute gives you a look back at the history of science. This museum covers two very interesting subjects that come together to help people learn more.

Independence Hall is the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed so many years ago. You can visit for free!

The Liberty Bell is located in the Independence Hall National Historic area and is also completely free. Since the destination is so popular, you must book tickets in advance.

The Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site is a free area in Philadelphia. You can take self-guided tours for free. The area is small so you might miss it if you’re not looking for it!

The Institute of Contemporary Art offers free admission all the time. You can enjoy changing exhibits and other options at the museum.

The Mario Lanza Institute Museum looks at the history of Lanza who was born in Philadelphia. The museum has varying hours, but it is always free.

The Polish American Cultural Center is a free museum you can visit any time of the year. It features different exhibits by Polish artists and information on Polish art in the United States.

The Woodmere Art Museum has various artwork you can enjoy from around the museum. It features contemporary and traditional art from many different artists.

The Brandywine River Museum of Art is located just outside Philadelphia. Admission is always free.

The Fireman’s Hall Museum is one of the coolest free things to do in Philadelphia with kids. The museum features information about firefighters and the history of firefighting in Philadelphia!

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Here are even more free museums in Philadelphia.

Carpenter’s Hall is an interesting exhibit you can visit in Philadelphia. It’s always free and gives you a deeper look at art around the gallery.

The Rodin Museum is a free museum in Philadelphia. It offers you a chance to learn more about their history in the city and how it had an impact on Philadelphia as you know it.

The Fabric Workshop and Museum is completely free. Here, you can learn about fabric creation, fashion and the design industry. The museum also offers free classes and events for you to enjoy.

The Mummers Museum is one of our favorite free things to do in Philadelphia. Adults and kids will both have fun trying on Mummers costumes and learning more about these world-famous paraders!

Temple University’s Shoe Museum is one of the most unique free things to do in Philadelphia with kids. You can check out over 900 pairs of shoes that all have something interesting about them. From large shoes to small shoes and everything in between, Temple’s shoe museum is a collection of art.

The Ryerss Museum is on the former grounds of this prominent Philadelphia family’s estate. The museum highlights the history of Philly and how Ryerss had a huge influence on the city.

The SEPTA Transit Museum is located in the Market Street station. It’s a free museum you can visit even if you’re not riding the rails!

The Wagner Free Institute of Science is free as its name implies. The museum offers different options for people to enjoy learning about science and other things related to science.

You can get free admission on Wednesdays to these museums.

The Franklin Institute is a museum dedicated to the history of Philadelphia and science related to Benjamin Franklin. The museum is free on the third Wednesday of each month. It’s one of our favorite free things to do in Philadelphia with kids because of the hands-on exhibits.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art features different types of art ranging from traditional to contemporary. You can visit on Wednesdays and pay whatever you like. You might recognize the front of the building as the iconic Rocky Steps. The steps are always free!

The National Museum of American Jewish History recently reopened in a brand new building. If it’s Wednesday and you’re looking for free things to do in Philadelphia, this museum is a great find.

Need free things to do in Philadelphia with kids on weekends? Museums!

The Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial is a house in Philadelphia that once housed the Polish freedom writer. A frequent guest at the house? Thomas Jefferson! The museum is free on the weekends.

The Barnes Foundation is free on the first Sunday of each month. While not technically a museum, you can still enjoy a gallery of impressionist and early modern art. The gallery also offers free events throughout the year.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts opens up their galleries for free on Sundays. The experience is relatively affordable every other day and is always free for students and alumni.

Got a teen? They can get free things to do in Philadelphia!

If you’ve got older kids and are looking for free things to do in Philadelphia with kids, the STAMP Pass is a great option! Teens can get free access to museums in Philadelphia, the zoo and tons of other things. The STAMP Pass is exclusively for teens 14-19 and you can get into these places for free. The best part? The pass is totally free, you just have to sign up for it!

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