Points of Interest and Entertainment
Museums
Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
(215) 763-8100
http://www.philamuseum.org
The Philadelphia Museum of Art welcomes nearly a million visitors each year, encouraging them to embark upon a walk through time that extends across two millennia and six continents.
Accessible Programs help people with disabilities enjoy their visit to the Museum and find inspiring connections between the visual arts and their lives. Visitors may explore the Museum on their own, on regularly scheduled tours with a Museum Guide, or may request a personalized tour.
Accessibility. The Museum has a designated barrier-free entrance and accessible parking available. There are also wheelchairs available at each entrance, elevators on every floor, accessible restrooms, drinking fountains, and public telephones, and assistive listening devices as well as Braille and large-print maps of the Museum.
Accessible Tours. Several tours are offered that take into consideration the characteristics of a wide variety of disabilities. These tours are led by specially trained Guides. For more information, please contact Accessible Programs by phone at (215) 684-7602 or TTY (215) 684-7600, or by fax at (215) 684-7395.
Rodin Museum
Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 22nd Street
(215) 568-6026
www.rodinmuseum.org
The Rodin Museum was the gift to Philadelphia of movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum (American, 1872-1926). It is the largest collection of Rodin's works outside Paris, including bronze castings, plaster studies, drawings, prints, letters, and books.
Accessibility. Parking and barrier-free access available. Listening enhancement system, touch tours, Braille and large-print materials available upon advance request by calling (215) 684-7602. TTY for Deaf and hearing impaired callers, (215) 684-7600.
Franklin Institute Science Museum
222 North 20th Street
(215) 448-1200
http://www2.fi.edu
Access and Accommodations for Visitors with Disabilities:
Assistive Listening Devices (ALD). Assistive Listening Devices amplify and clarify sound by cutting down or eliminating ambient noise. Anyone with or without a hearing aid may use the device in all of the museum's theaters (Tuttleman IMAX, Fels Planetarium, Stearns Auditorium and Musser Demonstration Theater).
Parking. Designated parking in The Franklin Institute garage for vehicles bearing handicapped parking sticker or license plates are on a first-come first-served basis. Van accessible parking for vehicles over 6'5'' with handicapped parking stickers or license plates can be arranged by calling the garage office at (215)-448-1391 voice or (215)-448-1226 Voice/TTY, Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
Wheelchair Accessible Entrances and Seating. Accessible entrances to The Franklin Institute are located at the 20th Street business entrance via ramp from the parking garage into the Bartol Atrium. Entrance for the Tuttleman IMAX Theater is via the IMAX exit.
Sign Language Interpreters. Sign Language Interpreters are available for museum workshops and theaters that are not captioned. Request for a sign language interpreter must be received 3 weeks prior to the reserved date at (215)-448-1226 voice/TTY; subject to the availability Visitors requesting ASL must reserve their visit three weeks prior to date of visit at (215)-448-1254.
Closed Captioning. Rear-Window Closed Captioning System-Plexiglass reflector panels are available at the Fels Planetarium. Captions appear on the reflector at almost any angle the patron desires.
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
(215) 299-1000
http://www.ansp.org
The Academy of Natural Sciences, the oldest natural history the Americas, features fun, informative family exhibitions inspired by the Academy's rich history of exploration and environmental research.
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
3260 South Street
(215) 898-4000
http://www.museum.upenn.edu/index.php
Founded in 1887, Penn Museum has conducted more than 400 archaeological and anthropological expeditions around the world. Three gallery floors feature materials from Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Bible Lands, Mesoamerica, Asia and the ancient Mediterranean World, as well as artifacts from native peoples of the Americas, Africa and Polynesia.
African American Museum of Philadelphia
701 Arch Street
(215) 574-0380
http://www.aampmuseum.org/home/
In its four galleries, the African American Museum of Philadelphia tells the story of African Americans in its complexity: family life, the Civil Rights movement, arts and entertainment, sports, medicine, architecture, politics, religion, law and technology.
Barrier-free access
National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut Street
(215) 925-2800 or (888) 542-7678, ext. 129
http://www.libertymuseum.org/
The National Liberty Museum invites visitors to celebrate the diversity of the American experience and reminds us that we each have the "Power of One" to make a difference. A highlight is the centerpiece of the museum, a 21-foot "Flame of Liberty" by the world's most renowned glass artist, Dale Chihuly.
Fully accessible to people in wheelchairs.
Elfreths Alley Museum
126 Elfreth's Alley
(215) 574-0560
http://www.elfrethsalley.org/
Located in the heart of Old City Philadelphia, Elfreth's Alley is a block-long street that opened in 1702. The 32 buildings along Elfreth's Alley were built between the 1720s and 1830s, and today they reveal the fascinating stories of everyday life, the spaces that America's founders knew.
Atwater Kent Museum
15 South 7th Street
http://www.philadelphiahistory.org/
The Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia is the gateway to city history. Founded 70 years ago as the history museum of the City of Philadelphia, students, families, metropolitan residents, national and international visitors discover the city and gain insight into contemporary urban life through exhibitions and programs. Reopen: spring 2010.
The Franklin Mint
151 North Independence Mall East
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_tours/?action=philadelphia
Special Needs: The United States Mint provides access for people with disabilities. Please indicate any special needs upon arrival or in advance by calling (215) 408-0110.
National Museum of Jewish History
Independence Mall East
55 North 5th Street
(215) 923-3811
http://www.nmajh.org/
Offering programs and experiences that preserve, explore and celebrate the history of Jews in America, connecting Jews more closely to their heritage and inspiring people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire.
Fireman's Hall Museum
Philadelphia Fire Dept. Historical Corp.
147 N. 2nd St.
(215) 923-1438
http://www.firemanshall.org/
A fun place to learn the history of firefighting and fire safety tips. Located just behind Elfreth's Alley, Fireman's Hall Museum occupies a restored 1902 fire house filled with apparatus, traditional and interactive exhibits.
Historical Sites
Independence Hall
Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets
(215) 597-8974
Built between 1732 and 1756 as the State House of the Province of Pennsylvania, Independence Hall was the meeting place for the Second Continental Congress. It was here that George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1775 and the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. In the Assembly Room the design of the American flag was agreed upon in 1777, the Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781, and the U. S. Constitution was drafted in 1787. The building has undergone extensive restoration work in recent years. New Independence National Historical Park Cell Phone Audio Tour! Call 267-519-4295.
Liberty Bell
Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets
215-597-8974
As the official bell of the Pennsylvania State House, the bell rang many times for public announcements, but its most famous ringing occurred on July 8, 1776 when it rang to announce the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. By 1846 a thin crack began to affect the sound of the bell. The bell was repaired in 1846 and rang for a George Washington birthday celebration, but the bell cracked again and has not been rung since.
Congress Hall
6th and Chestnut Streets
(215) 965-2305
http://www.nps.gov/inde/congress-hall.htm
The nation's fledgling legislature occupied the former County Court House, a two-story brick Georgian structure that characterized Congress' roles. The House of Representatives on the first floor (Lower House) looks as it did for John Adams' inauguration in 1797-spare and unadorned, with desks for 106 representatives from 16 states. On the second floor, the recently restored U.S. Senate (Upper House) is more elaborate, with deep green walls and fabric.
Museum of the American Philosophical Society
104 S. 5th Street
(215) 599-4283
http://www.amphilsoc.org
Located behind the east wing of Independence Hall is Philosophical Hall, a brick building erected in the late 1780s that was our nation's first museum, national library and academy of science. Inside, changing exhibitions highlight the intersections of science, history and art. Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Lewis and Clark journals are among the important documents, scientific specimens, patent models, portraits, maps, rare books and manuscripts that comprise this remarkable collection.
Carpenters' Hall
320 Chestnut Street (between Third and Fourth Streets)
(215) 925-0167
http://www.ushistory.org/carpentershall/
Carpenters' Hall was built in 1770 by the Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia, a guild founded in 1724 to help its members develop architectural skills and to aid their families in times of need. The delegates to the First Continental Congress met here in September, 1774 to air their grievances against King George III. During the Revolutionary War the Hall served as a hospital and an arsenal for American forces.
First Bank of the United States
Walnut street between 3rd and 4th streets
This building was completed in 1797 and was an early example of neoclassical architecture. The idea of banking was thought up by Alexander Hamilton in 1791 in order to regulate a national monetary system in the U.S.
Arch Street Meeting House
320 Arch Street
www.archstreetfriends.org
This active Quaker meetinghouse was built in 1804 on land granted to William Penn. The meetinghouse features dioramas, a slide show on Penn, displays of Quaker artifacts and a special exhibit, "Philadelphia Quakers-Politics and Government." Free/Donation.
Christ Church and Burial Ground
Fifth & Arch St., 2nd St. above Market St.
(215) 922-1695
www.christchurchphila.org
Georgian architectural treasure attended by the founding fathers, it is one of America's most historic churches. Built between 1727 and 1754 in the reign of George II, the church welcomed many of our founding fathers including Benjamin Franklin, Francis Hopkinson, Robert Morris and George Washington. The Church's burial ground is the resting place of many famous individuals including Benjamin Franklin, Commodore William Bainbridge and five signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site
532 North Seventh St.
(215) 597-8780
Exhibits about Poe's life, including an audio-visual presentation, as well as a tour of the house. Poe resided in the house from 1838-1844 and it was here that he wrote many of his most famous works including: "Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "The Cask of Amontillado."
Betsy Ross House
239 Arch St.
(215) 686-1252
www.betsyrosshouse.org
This historic house commemorates the life and accomplishments of Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia patriot believed to have made our first American flag. An excellent example of Colonial ""middling""-class architecture, the Betsy Ross House brings to life the working and living conditions of an 18th-century artisan.
Franklin Square
6th and Race Streets
(215) 629-4026
Franklin Square, one of the five public squares that William Penn laid out in his original plan for the city, has undergone a dramatic renovation. The park now boasts several all new, family-friendly attractions, including a miniature golf course, a classic carousel, storytelling benches, a picnic area and more. Also, this park enjoys a great view of Isamu Noguchi's 60-ton stainless steel "lightening bolt" sculpture.
Washington Square
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution
210 W Washington Square
(215) 592-7787
http://www.washingtonsquarepark.org/
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
118 North Broad Street
(215) 972-7600
http://www.pafa.org/
Presenting special exhibitions, an outstanding permanent collection, and work by some of the region's most talented contemporary artists. Visit our galleries in the Historic Landmark Building, designed by Frank Furness and George W. Hewitt, and the new Samuel M. V. Hamilton Building. Scholars have deemed PAFA's one of the world's three best collections of American art for its depth, breadth, and quality.
Accessibility. An accessible entrance to the Museum is located at Cherry and Burns Street. Sign-language interpreters are available for all programs with prior arrangements. Listening enhancement systems are available upon request. For information, call (215) 972-2069 (VOICE); (215) 972-6198 (TDD).
Fabric Workshop and Museum
1214 Arch Street
(215) 561-8888
http://www.fabricworkshop.org/
The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) is the only non-profit arts organization in the United States devoted to creating new work in new materials and new media in collaboration with emerging, nationally, and internationally recognized artists.
The LOVE Statue/JFK Plaza (Love Park)
16th and JFK Boulevard
Built in the 1960s at the eastern end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and diagonally across from City Hall, is was is now know as Love Park, because of Robert Indiana's internationally known "LOVE" sculpture.
Entertainment / Music
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Access: Beyond the Score
Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center
260 South Broad Street
Thursday June 03, 2010
Charles Dutoit - Conductor, Gerard McBurney - Host
Dutoit Conducts Strauss
Friday June 4, 2010, Saturday June 5, 2010 & Sunday June 6, 2010 (2:00 PM)
Charles Dutoit - Conductor, Arabella Steinbacher - Violin, Arto Noras - Cello, Choong-Jin Chang - Viola
Program: STRAUSS - Don Juan, MOZART - Violin Concerto No. 5, STRAUSS - Don Quixote
Theater
St. Stephen's Theater
10th & Ludlow Streets
http://www.lanterntheater.org
(215) 829-0395
The Wilma Theater
265 South Broad Street
(215) 546-7824
http://www.wilmatheater.org
Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut Street (at 9th)
(215) 574-3550
May 18 - July 18, 2010
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
3680 Walnut Street
(215) 898-6701
http://www.pennpresents.org
Sports - Baseball
Philadelphia Phillies
2009 National League Champion
2008 World Series Champion
Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5, against San Diego Padres
www.phillies.mlb.com
