Do you want to visit Philadelphia museums for FREE or cheap? You’ve come to right place!
Philadelphia has so many amazing museums! The city is known for its art museums, historic sites, and science museums. And we have our favorites.
Many museums in Philadelphia are FREE to visit. However, others require paid admission, which can add up, especially for a family. But the good news is that some paid museums still offer FREE admission on select days throughout the year.
If you’re looking for something cheap to do in the city, the guide below shares the many ways you can visit Philadelphia museums for FREE or discounted admission. Keep reading to learn more!
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Museums in Philadelphia With FREE Admission
You can visit several museums in Philadelphia for FREE all year round. Some require advanced reservations. And some ask for a donation if you are able. However, you can always visit these FREE museums anytime, which is great if you’re looking for something to do in Philadelphia on a budget!
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is located in the heart of Old City Philadelphia, along with several other museums on this list. Entry to the museum is FREE, but you can also make a donation.
- Location: 101 South Independence Mall East Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Hours: Friday through Monday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (and Thursdays in the summer)
- Admission: FREE with advanced reservations
The Fireman’s Hall Museum
Did you know Benjamin Franklin founded the first volunteer fire company? Well, now you do! And you can learn more about the history of firefighting in Philadelphia (and fire safety) at the Fireman’s Hall Museum in Old City. Add to this your day in Old City Philadelphia with kids! They’ll love the old fire engines.
- Location: 147 N 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Admission: FREE
Carpenter’s Hall
This beautiful historic building in Old City was home to the First Continental Congress in 1774 and the First and Second Banks of the United States. It’s one of the places we recommend when exploring the Old City neighborhood.
The building has been closed since April 2022 for a $3 million preservation project, but it is reopening its doors on July 3rd, 2023 – just in time to celebrate our independence!
- Location: 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106
- Hours: Tuesday thru Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed Tuesdays in January & February)
- Admission: FREE
The US Mint
We loved visiting the US Mint! The tour is self-guided and shares a little history, some beautiful art, and the process of making money. It’s one of the museums we think you visit when visiting the historic area of Philadelphia.
- Location: 151 N. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (with Saturdays Memorial Day – Labor Day). Closed on federal holidays.
- Admission: FREE
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell
You can’t visit Philadelphia without stopping by the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell is always FREE to visit. Independence Hall is FREE to visit in January and February (except holidays and weekends) and between 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the summer. Admission costs $1, March – December, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Location: Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th Streets
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (until 7:00 PM mid-June through Labor Day)
- Admission: $1, March – December, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. FREE the other times. The Liberty Bell is always FREE.
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
Famous poet Edgar Allan Poe is mainly associated with Baltimore. However, he lived in Philadelphia for six years, writing for Graham’s Magazine and creating some of his most famous stories. Poe’s house is located about a mile from Independence Hall.
- Location: 532 N. 7th Street, Philadelphia 19123
- Hours: Friday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Admission: FREE.
Science History Institute Museum & Library
The Science History Institute Museum & Library showcases over 500 years of science as you learn about the material world. Not just in our natural environment but also science in the home and factories, and in television and books! It’s another fun and FREE museum located in the heart of Old City Philadelphia.
- Location: 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Admission: FREE.
Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania
The Penn Museum isn’t the only fun museum at the University of Pennsylvania. Visitors can also enjoy the Institute of Contemporary Art, a FREE museum with revolving art exhibitions. Every visit is different!
- Location: 118 S. 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Admission: FREE.
Rodin Museum
The Rodin Museum is one of the many museums along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It is one of the largest collections of sculptor Auguste Rodin’s works outside Paris! The Philadelphia Museum of Art operates it and follows the ‘pay-as-you-wish’ admission model anytime it is open.
- Location: 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
- Hours: Friday – Monday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Admission: Pay-as-You-Wish (suggested donation of $12 for adults).
Philadelphia Museums With Select FREE and Reduced Admission Days
Many art museums in Philadelphia offer FREE or ‘pay-as-you-wish’ admission on select days of the month. Other museums have FREE admission during festivals and special dates throughout the year.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art always offers FREE admission for youth 18 and under. However, everyone can visit one of our favorite Philadelphia museums for FREE on the first Sunday of the month and every Friday night after 5:00 PM.
- Location: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
- Hours: Thursday- Monday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (and until 8:45 PM Friday nights)
- Admission: $25 for adults (FREE for 18 & under), or Pay-as-You-Wish the 1st Sunday of each month and every Friday after 5:00 PM.
The Barnes Foundation
The Barnes Foundation is another fantastic art museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Usually, it costs $25 for adults, $5 for kids 13-18, and FREE for kids under 12. However, the first Sunday of every month is FREE for everyone (registration required).
- Location: 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
- Hours: Thursday- Monday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Admission: $25 for adults and $5 for kids 13-18 (FREE for 12 & under), or FREE 1st Sunday of each month (registration required).
The Woodmere Art Museum
The Woodmere Art Museum is unique because it’s the only art museum in Philadelphia that only features Philadelphia artists!
This small museum is in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia and is a perfect addition to a visit to the Morris Arboretum. Admission is usually $10 for adults and FREE for kids throughout the week. However, the museum offers FREE admission to everyone on Sundays.
- Location: 9201 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
- Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (until 6:00 PM on Saturdays)
- Admission: $10 for adults (FREE for kids), or FREE every Sunday of each month
Benjamin Franklin Museum
The Benjamin Franklin Museum, located in the heart of Old City, is run by the National Park Service. Because of that, it follows the FREE Entrance Days the NPS offers.
In 2023 those dates are:
- January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- April 22: First day of National Park Week
- August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- September 23: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
Another way to visit this museum for FREE is by using the Every Kid Outdoors Pass, which provides fourth graders and up to three adults FREE admission.
- Location: Entrance to the courtyard is from Market or Chestnut Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets.
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for kids 4-16, or FREE on National Park FREE Entrance Days
Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park is one of the nation’s top children’s museums. During regular visiting hours, admission is $19 for everyone 12 months and older.
However, on the first Wednesday of every month from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, admission is reduced to $2 per person.
And even better, during the summer months (June, July, and August), the last Sunday of the month is FREE.
You have to make advanced reservations and there is a limited number of tickets available.
- Location: 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131
- Hours: Wednesday – Monday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Sundays start at 11:00 AM and the first Wednesday of every month they are open until 7:00 PM)
- Admission: $19 for everyone 12 months and up, or $2 on First Wednesdays, and FREE on select Sundays in summer
Welcome America FREE Museums
If there is a specific museum you have your heart set on visiting in Philadelphia, but they don’t typically offer FREE admission (even on select days), they might be participating in the Welcome America FREE Museum Days.
Every day from mid-June leading up to Independence Day, at least one Philadelphia museum offers FREE admission. The list is long (which is awesome) and changes every year. You can learn more about Welcome America and all of the events going on in the city here.
Special Programs Offering FREE or Discounted Admission to Philadelphia Museum
Blue Star Museums
Every year, from Armed Forces Day through Veterans Day, over 2000 museums, zoos, and gardens offer active-duty military personnel and their families FREE admission.
There are a few museums in Philadelphia that participate in the Blue Star Museums, including the Penn Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Constitution Center.
ACCESS Philly
Art-Reach is a non-profit organization that realizes everyone should be able to visit museums, gardens, and other cultural institutions regardless of income.
Thankfully, they started ACCESS Philly, which allows PA residents with ACCESS cards the ability to visit more than 50 locations throughout the Philadelphia area for only $2 per person (up to 4 people).
The list of participating locations is long, but they include some of our favorite outdoor spaces like Grounds for Sculpture, Longwood Gardens, and the Morris Arboretum and Gardens.
It also consists of some of the best museums in Philadelphia, like the Museum of the American Revolution, the Please Touch Museum, and the Independence Seaport Museum.
Use Your Library Card to Visit Philadelphia Museums For FREE
Did you know your library carries passes to many local museums, gardens, and zoos? It’s one of the best-kept secrets that I love to tell everyone!
Checking out a museum pass isn’t too complicated, but there are things to know before you head to your library.
Sing Up For a Library Card
Before you check out a museum pass, you’ll need a library card for your county. If you don’t already have one, what are you waiting for? Libraries offer so much more than books. You can check out movies, video games, and random stuff like bakeware or tools.
Check Your Library’s Website
I know the Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Delaware County libraries share their catalog online. You can search “museum pass” to see what passes are available for lending and where to pick them up. I would check the website within a few hours of visiting the library because the passes are limited.
Know the Rules
A museum pass is like checking out a book, except with a few conditions. (The following are Bucks County Library’s terms, make sure to check with your library, as they may differ).
Other Ways You Can Visit Philadelphia Museums For FREE
If you live outside of Philadelphia and have a museum membership at one of your hometown museums, you can visit some of the big Philadelphia museums for FREE.
Programs like the ASTC Travel Passport Program and the Association of Children’s Museums offer FREE or discounted admission to museums across the country (outside of a specific mileage from your “home” museum.
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