Philadelphia's Must-See Museums

As the home of the Liberty Bell, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the first U.S. Mint, Philadelphia has no shortage of historic museums. However, Philly is far more than just colonial-era history. Whether you’re interested in fine arts, natural history, medicine, or science — there is a museum for everyone.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Drexel students do not have to go far to find a fun, free museum experience. Founded in 1812 and affiliated with Drexel in 2011, the Academy of Natural Sciences is the oldest natural history museum in the Western Hemisphere. With this affiliation, Drexel students can visit the museum for free and participate in co-ops and research experiences, while Drexel faculty and museum researchers collaborate to enhance the museum’s exhibitions and programming. In fact, the Biodiversity, Earth & Environmental Science department (BEES) was created thanks to  affiliation with the museum. Inside, visitors can find towering T-Rexes in Dinosaur Hall, displays of ancient sea creatures, and detailed dioramas of taxidermized land animals. Current exhibitions include "The Ecology of Fashion," running until August 31, 2025. It is the first-ever co-created exhibition with the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and explores the surprising uses of natural materials in modern-day clothing.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

Ever since the 1976 film Rocky, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has been most well known in pop culture as the location of the famous steps that Sylvester Stallone’s character runs up. However, the museum is acclaimed for its unparalleled collection of art from around the world, spread over 200 galleries. After snapping a picture with the Rocky statue and entering the museum via those famous stairs, visitors are treated to the magnificence of Great Stair Hall. The marble steps are converted into stage seating every Friday night: admission is free on Fridays from 5–8:30 p.m. to browse the collections and enjoy live music. The works of several famous artists are permanently on display, such as Claude Monet’s impressionist landscapes and Marcel Duchamp’s infamous modern piece, “Fountain.” The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s current exhibition is titled “Boom: Art & Design in the 1940s,” which displays drawings, prints, paintings, and sculptures from global artists during the World War II era.

Elfreth’s Alley

In Philadelphia’s historic Old City, only the foundation remains of President’s House, the third presidential mansion, which was used from 1790 to 1800. However, one nondescript alleyway has remained intact since the 18th century thanks to preservation efforts over the last hundred years: Elfreth’s Alley. The entire alley is 400 feet long with 32 private households that can be purchased and lived in by everyday Philadelphians, but with its narrow cobblestone street, colorful shutters, and aged brick, visitors will truly feel like they have stepped back in time. The Elfreth’s Alley Association was founded in 1934 with the mission of preserving the alley and keeping the stories of its inhabitants alive. The alley also contains its own museum, the Elfreth’s Alley Museum, built out of a colonial-era home with displays of a colonial kitchen and bedroom. While the museum is open seasonally from April to November, visitors can walk through the alley year-round and truly immerse themselves in the colonial landscape.

The Mütter Museum

Beyond just colonial history, Philadelphia also has a rich medical history. In 1836, Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter founded the Mütter Museum as a way to further medical education to a wider audience. The museum is affiliated with the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, the oldest private medical society in the country. The College was also responsible for a number of accomplished Black fellows who made advancements in American medicine, such as DeHaven Hinkson (1891–1975), the first Black physician to join the staff of Philadelphia General Hospital; Nathan Francis Mossell (1856–1946); and Henry McKee Minton (1870–1946). While the museum is not for the faint of heart (or stomach), it does contain an incredibly detailed record of diseases across the entire human body, the history of vaccines and medical treatments, and new exhibits on COVID-19 in conversation with past pandemics.

While the weather is hot, Philadelphia offers a variety of engaging and educational indoor fun, no matter what you may be interested in. Learn something new about art, medicine, history, or fossils in the City of Brotherly Love!