J A N U A RY – J U N E 2 0 1 7
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museums
Selected Special Exhibitions Advance tickets can be purchased online. Thru Jurassic World: The Exhibition, scenes inspired Apr 23 by the blockbuster film. Thru Robot Revolution, 40 cutting-edge robots Apr 2 demonstrate how robots contribute to our lives.
Independence National Historical Park Chestnut St. between 5th & 6th Sts., Philadelphia, 215-965-2305. City concierge staff: 800-537-7676. Visitor Center: open daily 8:30-6, extended summer and holiday hours. For info on park buildings, hours and interpretive programs with park rangers, view or download app online at www.nps.gov/inde or visit www.phlvisitorcenter.com. The Park is home to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and another dozen sites of historic importance, such as Carpenters’ Hall, Old City Hall, Congress Hall and Franklin Court. The monthly Historic Philadelphia Gazette, available at Visitor Centers and online at www.phlvisitorcenter.com (under National Park), describes walking tours, plays and other daily events in the historical area. Learn about Ben Franklin’s life as a private citizen and stateman at Franklin Court (Market & Chestnut Sts. between 3rd & 4th Sts.). Horse drawn carriage rides. Ongoing Independence Hall Tours. Obtain free, timed tickets at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th & Market Sts. Tickets are given out beginning at 8:30am. Allow about 30 min. to go through security at 5th & Chestnut Sts. Tickets may be reserved up to one year in advance at 877-444-6777 (10am-10pm) or at http:// recreation.gov for $1.50 per ticket. No tickets are required in Jan. and Feb. Tickets are not required for the Liberty Bell. NPS Independence Mobile App, for iOS and Android devices, includes a park map, sites, tours, and recurring program info. Junior Ranger for iPhone & iPad, download “NPS Independence” in the App Store, complete the activities to become a Junior Ranger. Cell Phone Tour, follow the “key” graphic in Independence Park and ring up historical stories at 15 different stops. 267-519-4295.
Independence Seaport Museum 211 S. Columbus Blvd at Walnut St., Philadelphia, 215-4138655. Daily 10am-5pm. Closed Mon. Jan. 9-Mar. Extended summer hours. Adults $16, children/students/srs. $12, under 2 free. Maritime history comes to life with interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and tours of Cruiser Olympia from the Spanish-American War and Submarine Becuna from World War II. Winter outdoor skating on the waterfront at Blue Cross River Rink at Penn’s Landing. Access to the RiverLink Ferry to New Jersey State Aquarium. Birthday parties; group tours; school and scout programs; parents night out; overnights; summer camps. Ongoing Swan Boat Paddleboats, Rowboats, Kayaks for rent spring-fall. Sat Seafarin’ Saturday, nautical activities for the whole family. 11-1. Free with admission.
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania A must-see for train enthusiasts of any age, the beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch countryside of Lancaster County is home
to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg Railroad (across the street) and National Toy Train Museum just down the road. For assistance in planning a trip, visit www.discoverlancaster.com. Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Rt. 741, Strasburg, 717-687-8628. Tues.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 12-5. April-Oct.: Open daily. Adults $10, srs. $9, ages 3-11 $8, under 3 free. Housing one of the most significant collections of historic railroad artifacts in the world, the museum displays over 100 locomotives and cars from the mid-19th and 20th centuries. Strasburg Railroad 301 Gap Rd., Ronks, PA, 866-725-9666. Enjoy a 45-min. ride aboard an historic steam train to Paradise, PA, in your choice of five different railroad cars. Seasonal special events include train rides with Santa, the Easter Bunny, military reenactors or Thomas the Tank Engine. Station includes historic trains and rail cars, bookstore, trackside restaurant, dining car, kids play area and gift shop. National Toy Train Museum 300 Paradise Lane, Paradise Twp., 717-687-8976. June-Aug.: Daily 10-5. Call or visit website link for spring and fall hours. Jan.-Mar.: Closed. Adults $7, srs. $6, ages 6-12 $4, under 6 free, family $22. A collection of hundreds of toy trains and accessories from mid-1800s to present are displayed in a modern museum built like an historic train station.
National Constitution Center Independence Mall E, 525 Arch St., Philadelphia, 215-4096600. Tickets 215-409-6700. Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5, Sun. 12-5. Adults $14.50, srs./students/ages 13-18 $13, ages 4-12 $8, under 4 free. Established as an independent, nonpartisan, non-profit organization by Congress, this is the first museum dedicated to telling the story and illuminating the ideals of the U.S. Constitution through interactive and multimedia exhibits. Self-guided audio tour and interactive audio tour for grades 5-8 available. Freedom Rising, a 17-minute live multimedia show, traces the history of “We the People.” Notable speakers; town halls; debates; scout days; home school week; summer and school break camps. Podcasts and recordings of town halls and discussions of significant issues related to the Constitution can be accessed online under “Debate.” www.constitutioncenter.org Selected Exhibitions Thru Constituting Liberty: From the Declaration to Dec ‘17 the Bill of Rights.
National Museum of American Jewish History 101 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, 215-923-3811. Tues.-Fri. 10-5, Sat. & Sun. 10-5:30, open some holiday Mondays. Memorial Day-Labor Day, open Wed. until 8pm, pay-what-you-wish after 5pm. Adults $12, srs. and ages 1321 $11, 12 and under free. Museum traces the history of Jewish life in America from 1654 to present through stateof-the-art interactive media, historical objects, photographs, films and hands-on walk-through period environments. Underlying their story is the central theme of America’s promise of freedom, democracy and opportunity for immigrants. Docent tours and talks daily; cafe; gift shop on-site or online. www.nmajh.org Thru Bill Graham & the Rock & Roll Revolution, Jan 16 explores the 60s, 70s & 80s through the lens of rock & roll.