Theo tin Visit Philly
February 22, 2019
Affordable & Free Attractions in Philadelphia
Great Philly Experiences Of All Sorts For Visitors On A Budget
Some of the best things do in the Philadelphia region are free, or close to it. The city’s many low-cost or no-cost attractions include historic Independence Hall, student recitals at the esteemed Curtis Institute of Music, monthly Sunday mornings at the Barnes Foundation and a $5 dinner-and-a-show series at FringeArts.
* Indicate venues where PA ACCESS Card holders pay $2 per person admission for up to three people.
Historic Sites:
American Philosophical Society Museum – On 5th Street next to the east wing of Independence Hall, Philosophical Hall (1789), built by the American Philosophical Society, served as the nation’s first “think tank”—the first U.S. museum and scientific society. From mid-April to December, visitors can see exhibitions featuring treasures from the Society’s collections of more than 13 million manuscripts and other historical objects. $2 donation requested. 104 S. 5th Street, (215) 440-3440, amphilsoc.org/museum
Benjamin Franklin Museum – Next to the site of the Founding Father’s home, this museum celebrates Franklin’s legacy with artifacts, computer animations and interactive displays that explore the inventor-statesman-philosopher’s life and character. Day-of tickets are available at the door and cost $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 4 to 16. Admission is free for children 3 and under. 317 Chestnut Street, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde
*Betsy Ross House – At the pint-sized Colonial home of Betsy Ross, the upholsterer credited with sewing the first American flag at the request of General George Washington, visitors meet Ross herself as she works in her shop. Summer days begin in the house’s courtyard with a free colonial flag-raising at 10 a.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children, plus $2 for the optional audio tour. 239 Arch Street, (215) 629-4026, betsyrosshouse.org
Edgar Allan Poe National Historical Site – At the Philadelphia home where the legendary author wrote short stories such as The Black Cat, visitors explore Poe’s fascinating life and modern-day impacts. Tours are self-guided or led by a park ranger from Friday through Sunday. Free. 532 N. 7th Street, (215) 597-8780, nps.gov/edal
Elfreth’s Alley – The oldest continuously occupied residential street in the U.S. is a quaint cobblestone alley in the Historic District. The Museum House opens Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons spring through fall and for events and private tours during the winter. Admission for a guided tour of the museum and alley is $8 for adults and $2 for children ages 5 to 12. Children under 5 are free. Family rates are available and vary depending on size of family. Between Front & 2nd Streets and Arch & Race Streets, (215) 574-0560, elfrethsalley.org
Independence National Historical Park (INHP) – The birthplace of our nation includes the Liberty Bell Center, The President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation and Independence Hall, the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Timed tickets for Independence Hall are available at the Independence Visitor Center on the day of the tour for free or reserved in advance online for a $1.50 reservation fee per ticket. No tickets are required in January and February. All other attractions are free, and no tickets are required. INHP attractions, between 3rd & 7th Streets and Market & Chestnut Streets, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde; Visitor Center, 599 Market Street, (800) 537-7676, phlvisitorcenter.com
Johnson House National Historic Site – This Germantown home served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Today, the house displays various slavery-era artifacts and hosts lectures, art shows and other special programs. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for children 12 and under. Open for walk-in tours year-round 1-4 p.m. on Saturday; February-June and September-November, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; and by appointment Monday through Wednesday. Group tours available by request. 6306 Germantown Avenue, (215) 438-1768, johnsonhouse.org
*National Museum of American Jewish History – The ground-level Only In America® Gallery/Hall of Fame celebrates the lives and achievements of 20 Jewish-Americans. The space displays some big-name artifacts, including Albert Einstein’s pipe and Irving Berlin’s piano. Free. 101 S. Independence Mall East, (215) 923-3811, nmajh.org
Once Upon A Nation – Memorial Day through Labor Day, history buffs of all ages enjoy storytelling benches at 13 locations around the Historic District. Children can obtain a story flag at any bench, collect a star from each storyteller and exchange the flag complete with 13 stars for a certificate for a free ride on Franklin Square’s carousel. Free. (215) 629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org
Pennsylvania Hospital – The nation’s first chartered hospital was founded in 1751. Today, visitors can explore its surgical amphitheater used from 1804 through 1868. Guided and self-guided tours are available with a suggested $5 donation; visitors can call to schedule a guided tour. 8th & Spruce Streets, (215) 829-5434, uphs.upenn.edu/paharc
Valley Forge National Historical Park – The site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of General George Washington and the Continental Army offers a glimpse into the Revolutionary War with historic structures such as Washington’s Headquarters and commemorative monuments such as the National Memorial Arch. Visitors can explore the park by car, by bike or on foot guided by the park’s cell phone tour, obtained by calling (484) 396-1018. Free. 1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, (610) 783-1000, nps.gov/vafo
Museums & Attractions:
Comcast Center – One of the country’s tallest LEED-certified buildings features The Comcast Experience, a lobby video projection that blends art and technology to depict realistic nature imagery, urban landscapes and much more on one of the largest four-millimeter LED screens in the world. Free. 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, corporate.comcast.com
Mummers Museum – South Philly’s Art Deco outpost celebrates a centuries-old Philadelphia parade whose roots go back to Swedish settlers who brought the Colonies the Christmas custom of dressing in costume and performing pantomimes. Officially, the annual event began on New Year’s Day 1901 in South Philadelphia and has grown into 10,000-person, all-day tradition. The museum features a collection of Mummer memorabilia. Free. Donations accepted. 1100 S. 2nd Street, (215) 336-3050, mummersmuseum.com
National Liberty Museum – Imaginative and interactive exhibits, including an expansive collection of glass art and displays that feature heroes from all walks of life, aim to inspire visitors to think about liberty as an ongoing human quest. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for students ages 13-21, $4 for children ages 5-12 and free for children under 5; family rates also available. 321 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-2800, libertymuseum.org
*Please Touch Museum® – Philadelphia’s children’s museum offers families discounted admission the first Wednesday of every month. From 4-7 p.m., admission to this little kid heaven costs $2 per person and includes access to all permanent and feature exhibits, the city’s only year-round children’s theater, an art studio, interactive activities featuring water tables, climb-in vehicles, a kiddie-sized hospital, bakery and more. 4231 Avenue of the Republic, (215) 581-3181, pleasetouchmuseum.org
Science History Institute – A Civil War-era bank building houses this museum and its permanent and rotating exhibitions showcasing hundreds of 18th– to 20th-century artifacts that tell the stories of the successes, astonishing failures and strange surprises behind the scientific discoveries that changed the world. Free. 315 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-2222, sciencehistory.org
United States Mint – Self-guided tours of this moneyed site include the opportunity to watch coin production from 40 feet above the factory floor and the nation’s first coining press. Audio and video stations explain coinage history. Free. 5th & Arch Streets, (215) 408-0112, usmint.gov
Art & Gardens:
Barnes Foundation – The home of one of the world’s most important collections of impressionist, post-impressionist and early modern paintings offers early-birds free admission and programming on the first Sunday of every month. Any day, college students with school identification and youth ages 13-18 can access the Barnes for $5; ages 12 and under enter free. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 278-7000, barnesfoundation.org
City Hall Observation Deck – Those brave enough to journey to the top of the world’s tallest masonry building enjoy bird’s-eye views of Philadelphia just below the William Penn statue. City Hall’s tower hosts four-person visits weekdays, every 15 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., and select Saturdays. The cost is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for students and children, and free for children under 3. City Hall Visitor Center, Broad & Market Streets, E. Market Street Portal, Room 121, (267) 514-4757, phlvisitorcenter.com
The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) – This art museum is devoted to stimulating experimentation among contemporary artists and sharing their processes with the public. FWM has a well-known artist-in-residence program, offers education and apprenticeships and is open seven days a week. Free. 1214 Arch Street, (215) 561-8888, fabricworkshopandmuseum.org
The Moravian Pottery & Tile Works – This working history museum in Bucks County welcomes visitors to watch the production of decorative tiles using methods employed by Henry Mercer’s crew beginning in 1898. A video and self-guided tour cost $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children ages 7 to 17. 130 E. Swamp Road, Doylestown, (215) 348-6098, buckscounty.org/mptw
Museum Without Walls™: AUDIO – The Association for Public Art offers an engaging way to experience more than 70 outdoor sculptures along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in Fairmount Park and Center City. Art enthusiasts and recreational passersby use the program’s free mobile app, streaming audio or audio downloads to listen to short, unique stories about sculpture on their cell phones. Free. (215) 399-9000, associationforpublicart.org
*Philadelphia Museum of Art – Every Wednesday night beginning at 5 p.m. and on the first Sunday of every month, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway’s crown jewel offers pay-what-you-wish access to the entire main building, showcasing works by Marcel Duchamp, Salvador Dalí and others. Many special events are free with museum admission, and the museum offers free cell phone tours that add perspective to the collections. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.org
Rodin Museum – The largest collection of works by Auguste Rodin outside of Paris features treasures such as The Gates of Hell and a bronze cast of The Thinker. The museum’s surrounding gardens are also a great place to find artistic inspiration. Guests pay what they wish to explore. 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 763-8100, rodinmuseum.org
*Shofuso – West Fairmount Park’s Japanese house and garden reflect the history of Japanese culture in Philadelphia. Shofuso is open to the public April through October from Wednesday through Sunday and November to early December on Saturday and Sunday. Admission (tour included) is $12 for adults; $8 for seniors, children ages 5 to 17 and college students with student I.D.; and free for children under age 5. Lansdowne & Horticultural Drives, (215) 878-5097, japanphilly.org/shofuso
Performing Arts:
Arden Theatre Company – This modern Historic District theater makes theater accessible to diverse audiences by opening final dress rehearsals to the public. Attendees pay what they can to see the full cast, full costumes and full scenery at this sneak preview on the main stage the Wednesday night before the show opens, when proceeds benefit a Philadelphia non-profit. For regular performances, students with I.D. can pay $10 cash for available seats 30 minutes before the show begins. 40 N. 2nd Street, (215) 922-1122, ardentheatre.org
Curtis Institute of Music – Music lovers have the opportunity to take in over 100 solo and chamber performances most Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and many weekends during the school year, thanks to this highly selective conservatory’s exceedingly gifted students and their free Student Recital Series. Free. 1726 Locust Street, (215) 893-7902, curtis.edu
FringeArts – Scratch Night, hosted and curated by a different artist each month, is a fast-paced sampling of contemporary theater, dance and performance works in-progress. Tickets sell out fast. Free. Suggested donation of $5. 140 N. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 413-1318, fringearts.com
Helium Comedy Club – This Rittenhouse club stages local and international comedians and gives students with I.D. who book reservations in advance a $5 discount. Birthday-month celebrants who contact the box office receive four free tickets for a Wednesday or Thursday. (Special events excluded.) 2031 Sansom Street, (215) 496-9001, heliumcomedy.com
InterAct Theatre Company – Penny-pinching culture vultures pay what they wish for a performance of thought-provoking shows at the last dress rehearsal before the beginning of each run. The company’s Inter/HALF Tix deal offers a limited number of same-day tickets at half price, at the box office. Student and industry tickets cost $15. The Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street, (215) 568-8079, interacttheatre.org
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts – The Free at the Kimmel series showcases all manner of genres intermittently throughout the year. Free building and theater tours, offered daily at 1 p.m., give visitors a behind-the-scenes look. 300 S. Broad Street, (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org
Macy’s – Amid the classic department store experience is an unexpected one: Live performances on a spectacular pipe organ. An organist performs 45-minute concerts twice daily (except Sundays) on the 1904 organ, originally purchased by merchant magnate John Wanamaker and enlarged by his store’s own pipe organ shop to include nearly 28,500 pipes. Free.
13th & Market Streets, (215) 241-9000, visitmacysusa.com
Funsavers – The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance offers one-stop shopping for cultural savings. Every Thursday, e-subscribers receive half-price ticket offers for dozens of shows and events in the Philadelphia region, including theater, music and dance performances, museum exhibitions and more. (215) 399-3521, phillyfunguide.com
VISIT PHILADELPHIA® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.
On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.
