The Best Museums in Philadelphia

Millions of visitors pass through Philadelphia every year. Philadelphia is a gem packed with fine restaurants, historic sites, and exceptional museums. If you are coming to Philadelphia, you will need to plan a few days to explore the area's greatest museums. Brandywine River Museum

Brandywine River Museum is located a short distance from the city. The art and garden museum is situated in a 19^th century gristmill. Artists featured in the museum include Howard Pyle, Andrew Wyeth, Jasper Cropsey, and Peter Hurd among others. In the summer, a lavish outdoor wildflower garden draws a crowd.

Admission rates are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and children under 12. Audio tours are an additional $3 per person. The museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Franklin Court

Franklin Court is dedicated to the life and works of Benjamin Franklin. The museum area is free to the public and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.

The museum features displays relating to Benjamin Franklin's life and his inventions including bifocal glasses. His discovery of electricity is also an important exhibition that should not be missed. Franklin Institute Science Museum

Located on North 20^th Street, the Franklin Institute Science Museum is a favorite of both children and adults. Special exhibits run year round. In 2007, King Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of Pharaohs is the key attraction. Tickets for this attraction run upwards of $30.00 and should be purchased in advance.

The museum features an IMAX theater, Train Factory, Space Command, Sports Challenge, Air Show, Kid's exhibits, Sir Isaac's Loft, and Ben Franklin exhibits. Prices depend on the attractions you wish to see.

· Basic Admission is $14 for adults and $11 for children and seniors.

· IMAX admission is $9 for everyone.

· Admission to both is $19 for adults and $16 for seniors and children.

The museum is open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm most days. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday finds the museum offering extended hours and visitors can stay until 9 pm. Independence National Historical Park

If you want to see the Liberty Bell, you will need to head to Independence National Historical Park. Admittance into the park is free, but you will need to pass a rigid security screening. While you are there, it is worthwhile to arrange a free tour of Independence Hall too.

The Liberty Bell Center and Independence National Historical Park are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Late day visitors must clear the security screening before 4:45 pm in order to be allowed entrance. Independence Seaport Museum

The Independence Seaport Museum features a history of the Delaware River's maritime. WWII submarines, 19^th century cruisers, and many other exhibitions await intrigued tourists.

Admission is free on Sunday from 10 am to noon. Otherwise, the museum charges $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children over three. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art is located on the University of Pennsylvania campus at South 36^th Street. The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from noon to 8 pm and on weekends from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission is $6 per adult and $3 for children over twelve and seniors. Children under the age of twelve are admitted free.

Contemporary artists including Carlos Garaicoa, Nicole Cherubini, and Luca Bovoli are on display within the museum. Special exhibits are held throughout the year. The late Andy Warhol held a monumental exhibit here in the 1960's that launched the museum into the limelight. Philadelphia Athletics Museum

Sports fans will want to visit the Philadelphia Athletics Museum. Though the team no longer exists, the museum features many relics left over from this hometown team. From time to time, former players stop by to greet fans.

The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. It is a short drive from downtown Philadelphia. National Liberty Museum

Philadelphia's National Liberty Museum is dedicated to proudly showing off America's founders and cultures. This interactive museum contains works of art, tributes to some of America's fallen, and educational films detailing the country's founding fathers.

Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $5 for children over the age of five. The museum is open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. Philadelphia Insectarium

The Philadelphia Insectarium is going to creep some people out while it fascinates others. Opened in 1992, Steve Kanya of Steve's Wildlife and Pest Control discovered how people were fascinated with his aquarium's latest creepy crawler. His insectarium was born.

The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is $6. Children under the age of two are free. During the museum tour' children are offered the experience to hold and touch several insects ranging from tarantulas to praying mantis. Philadelphia Museum of Art

Founded in 1876, this is one of American's oldest art museums. In the 1920s, the museum moved into its new home, a replica of three Greek temples. Today, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the area's highlights.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art features American Art, Antique Costumes, Antique Weaponry, Asian Art, European Art, Dutch Ceramics, and Modern Art. Special exhibitions are also held throughout the year.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. Admission charges are $12 for adults and $9 for children and seniors. Sunday is the museum's "Make a Donation" day in which visitors pay what they desire. Woodmere Art Museum

Located at Germantown Avenue, Woodmere Art Museum offers nine galleries filled with more than 2.000 paintings, sculptures, photographs, and more. Fabulous pieces by Edward Redfield, Daniel Garber, N.C. Wyeth, Arthur Carles, Bill Scott, Thomas Pollock Anshutz, and Violet Oakley are all on display.

Woodmere Art Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and on Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. There is no admission charge.