Philadelphia is filled with famous destinations known around the world. But beyond those celebrated institutions are a slew of museums, galleries, parks, and historical and cultural attractions even many lifelong Philadelphians might not be as familiar with.
In other words, if you thought you’d seen everything there is to see in Philly, think again.
Look past the Philadelphia Museum of Art to boutique galleries concentrating in media like clay (The Clay Studio), wood (Museum for Art in Wood) and fabric (Fabric Workshop and Museum). Go beyond the Bell to historical museums like the Antique Ice Tool Museum and Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery, family-friendly collections at The Stoogeum and American Helicopter Museum, and halls of intellectual exploration like The Rosenbach and Wagner Free Institute of Science.
And hidden Philadelphia is more than just museums. It’s historic homes and gardens with names like Grumblethorpe, Cliveden, Wyck and Chanticleer. Its incredible parks from Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve to Cira Green to Ringing Rocks. It’s about fun spaces to learn about vampires, trains and potato chips — at VAMPA, SEPTA Transit Museum and Herr’s Snack Factory Tour, respectively.
An important note: Many of these museums and attractions are open seasonally or just a few days (or hours!) per week. Always check online or call ahead before visiting.
Here are over 40 of Philly’s best under-the-radar and off-the-beaten-track sites to avoid the crowds and see something new.
Note: The attractions in this article are listed in alphabetical order by section.
