How could we pass up on a trip to Philly when the great city was only 90 minutes away from our Long Beach Island, Jersey shore, summer rental. My daughter and I, on our annual beach week, did the calculations and it was so worth the drive to see what we could see.
We opted for the Franklin Institute and Science Museum on Ben Franklin Parkway and North 20th Street, exactly 90 minutes from door to parking garage. The Franklin Institute was so chosen as it explains somewhat difficult scientific theories to guests as if they were in kindergarten, the same level as our brains while on beach vacations. We wanted to learn in a fun, un-stressful way, much like how we wanted our summer vacation. Easy-peasy.
The Giant Heart (Photo Courtesy of The Franklin Institute)
Housed in a majestic stone building, the Franklin Institute Science Museum’s origins date back to 1874 when the idea to start such a cultural center was considered. It’s immense. And this morning, not too crowded. Why? The yellow school busses carrying summer campers hadn’t arrived yet, but come 11 a.m., they’d start piling in, like tiny little storms in bright tee-shirts: neon orange, royal blue, hot yellow. You can’t miss them. So, our advice is to get to the museum when it opens at 9:30 a.m., visit the popular or new exhibits first before the little hurricanes make their appearance. On this day, the exhibits included activities that illustrated how the brain works, and how the heart works, both wonderfully explained with colorful displays, and lots of experiments to try, and screens and buttons to press.
Then, as the little storm clouds start to gather about you, go off to the quiet corners. And, yes, there are some. Like the stunning National Geographic photo exhibit featuring some very up-close photos of nature at its best; jaw-dropping once in a lifetime kind of shots, like the museum worker dusting off one of the collection’s sheep, or the monkey holding a large leaf as an umbrella. The lights are dim, and comfortably cool which provides a pleasant environment with which to wander the halls and consider these amazing photos.
Start at the top, the fourth floor and head down. That way, you will be heading down as the kids head to the upper floors via stairs or elevator. Since it was near noon, and the kids had pretty much taken over the place, my daughter and I, with our wrist tickets still in place, left the museum to visit a few notable and walkable Philly icons, like the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. These are free sites and something to see. Lunch was a tasty burger and lobster salad at a large, enclosed food court on the way back and with outdoor covered seating, we had a break from the sun and heat. One more stop before heading back to the museum, and that was the resting place of one of our most notable historical figures: Benjamin Franklin, alongside his wife, Deborah. The cost to enter the cemetery was $3.00, but we got to see the marble grave marker with the Lincoln pennies laying on the surface. We paid our respects through the wrought iron gate.
Virtual Reality (Photo Courtesy of The Franklin Institute)
For more information and to plan your visit, go to the website for The Franklin Institute.
Top Photo Courtesy of Colin M. Lenton Photography; Photo Courtesy of The Franklin Institute
GENERAL MUSEUM HOURS
9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
SPECIAL EXHIBIT HOURS
A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature
9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
*Additional Fee **Last admission at 6 p.m.
SUMMER HOURS
On most evenings July 5 through September 2, 2017, the museum and A Mirror Maze will have extended hours, remaining open through 7 p.m.
**Last Mirror Maze admission at 6 p.m.
Exceptions to Summer Hours
Dates where the museum and A Mirror Maze will close at 5 p.m. are:
July: 12, 15, 19, 22
August: 5, 6, 11, 12, 16, 19, 22
CLOSINGS
The Franklin Institute will be closed on the following days:
November 24: Thanksgiving
December 24: The museum will close at 3 p.m.
December 25: Christmas Day
January 1: New Year’s Day
