Free Museums in Philadelphia

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You’re spending a long weekend in Philadelphia. You have a budget. The plan: first, visit Independence National Historical Park. Next, visit the city’s obligatory museums. Ouch. Those museum ticket prices quickly add up. You decide you have to choose between The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Mutter Museum, The Magic Gardens, or The Barnes Foundation. You’re left with extra time but not extra money. Why not check out one of the Free Museums in Philadelphia?

Narrowing Down the List

Weekend Hours
As part-time travelers, with 9-5 weekday jobs, we make the most of our vacation time. Utilizing holidays and weekends is essential. Assuming others do the same, I am only including Free Museums in Philadelphia that are open on weekends. There are museums, like The Wagner Free Museum, that are only open on weekdays.

The National Park
Many attractions at Independence National Historical Park, including The Liberty Bell, Carpenters’ Hall, and the Second Bank Portrait Gallery, are free. You can spend an entire weekend visiting museums and sites within the National Park System. Don’t miss the free Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. The Free Museums in Philadelphia on this list are not part of the National Park System.

Read about our visit to The Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Donations vs. Pay What You Wish
The museums on this list are free, but many hope you’ll like the museum enough to donate. Some post a “suggested” donation. Some have a money box/QR. I always donate at least a few dollars to the free museums. If you can’t afford a donation, no one will pressure or shame you. I found that staff are enthusiastic just because you chose to learn at their museum. I did not feature museums that are “Pay What You Wish.” Certain museums are “Pay What You Wish” every day. Other museums like The Barnes Foundation have special “Pay What You Wish” days. Free museums usually require no tickets. You can stroll in and walk around. Donate if you want, but no pressure. “Pay What You Wish” museums require a ticket up front. I feel more pressure to pay the ticket price even when they say you can pay any amount you desire. I’m unable to say, “I wish to pay $0.” I usually pay less than the full ticket price, then feel guilty.

The Free Museums

Fabric Workshop and Museum
*Free Museum with a donation box
Location-Center City

A must for fans of Project Runway or those who enjoy whimsical contemporary art. The museum has rotating exhibits, so you never know what you are going to see. It features inventive fashion and textiles. The building’s interior is understated, making the fabric the star. If you are not a fan of quirk, you may want to skip this free museum in Philadelphia. I found it fun and bursting with imagination.

If you don’t have time to visit the full museum, at least pop into their cool gift shop.

Eats-The Fabric Workshop and Museum is a short walk to or from Reading Terminal Market. The breakfast and lunch options are endless. If this is your only chance to try a cheesesteak during your Philadelphia trip, Uncle Gus’ in the market is a decent choice.

Fireman’s Hall Museum
*Free Museum with a donation box
Location-Old City

Fireman’s Hall Museum is a short walk from the city’s famous Elfreth’s Alley. Benjamin Franklin was key in establishing Philadelphia’s first volunteer fire department. The museum teaches visitors about the history of firefighting from bucket brigades to the present day. Highlights include the second floor’s stained glass window and the first floor’s collection of historic fire engines.

I learned a lot at this museum. I was especially fascinated by the organization of bucket brigades and why specific fire laws were established. It is plaque-reading heavy. There are plenty of artifacts on display if you want to look, but not read. There is a small section for kids.

The building was constructed in the 1800s. It’s a bit worse for wear and has a distinctive old museum smell. Fireman’s Hall Museum was larger than I expected. It’s brimming with interesting fire related facts and items. It took about two hours to see and read everything. It’s worth a visit even if you only step inside to see the vintage fire engines.

Drinks-If you are a fan of the show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia or a dive bar enthusiast, stop at the nearby Paddy’s Pub for a quick pint (warning- smoking is still allowed at this bar).

Museum for Art in Wood
*Free Museum with a donation box
Location-Old City

One of my favorite art museums in Philadelphia. Per the name, the Museum of Art in Wood is an art museum dedicated to wood art. The museum has a rotating exhibit area and permanent exhibit areas. The wood sculptures and art are captivating. Even the outside of the building is a work of art. Some pieces are whimsical while others, like the spoon display, are more practical. Depending on your interest in wood art, this museum can take about two hours to explore.

When people ask me what they should do in Philadelphia beyond The Liberty Bell/National Park, The Museum of Art in Wood is on my suggestion list. Like the Fabric Workshop and Museum, this museum has an excellent gift shop.

Eats-A perfect morning in Philadelphia for me is breakfast at Cafe Ole followed by a visit to The Museum of Art in Wood. Cafe Ole is right next door to the museum and serves up wonderful coffee drinks and delicious breakfast entrees.

Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
*Categorizes itself as a free museum but operates more like a “Pay What You Wish,” Donations are requested at the time of free ticket acquisition but they also have donation boxes.
Location-Old City

I contemplated leaving this museum off the list. Not because it’s not an incredible museum, but because although it advertises that it is a free museum, it operates more like a “Pay What You Wish” museum. To enter the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, you must reserve a ticket. You can get tickets online or in person. The tickets are free, but there is a suggested donation when you reserve. We refrained from donating when reserving our free tickets and used a donation box before leaving the museum.
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is a sprawling, multi-level museum. Each exhibit touches on events during a specific time period in Jewish history. The information is focused on experience. It gives visitors a more personal, deeper understanding. You can tell a lot of attention and time was put into designing every exhibit.

Hour-long docent tours are offered twice a day. Although learning takes place during your self-tour of the museum, our docent provided an extra layer of detail. Our tour group included young children. Due to the children present, the docent asked the group if it was okay to omit some of the intense details during
her Holocaust talk. I would prioritize taking a docent tour. It is an outstanding tour and ideal if you are short on time or aren’t keen on reading museum plaques.

We set aside half of a day to visit this museum. There were some sections we never saw and others we rushed through. Leave yourself plenty of time to visit.

Eats-Before starting your day at the Weitzman Museum, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast pastry at nearby La Colombe Coffee.

Science History Institute
*Completely Free Museum
Location-Old City

This museum focuses on the history of forensic, medical, industrial, and other sciences. There are two floors of permanent exhibits. There is also an area for a rotating special exhibit. The displays are carefully curated. The museum is housed in a beautiful, modern, bright building.

Stopping in is worth the effort to see the building and floor layout. The Science History Institute has something for everyone, from Victorian medical practices to science pop culture.

The museum offers twice-daily themed talks/tours on a variety of topics.
On the day I visited, they featured a “Forensics Highlights Tour.” As a true crime podcast fangirl, I was ecstatic. I even learned about a few true crime cases I didn’t know about. For children, the Science History Institute has kid-friendly worksheets and scavenger hunts. The digital table is a great, interactive learning tool.
I’m not sure what I was expecting from the Science History Institute, but the museum was more fun than I anticipated. You could easily spend an hour or two learning about the history of science. If you are exploring Old City, even a quick stop at the Science History Institute is a valuable endeavor.

Eats-There is no shortage of places to eat around the Science History Institute. I suggest visiting the museum at the end of the day and enjoying a fancy cocktail/mocktail and dinner at Sassafras, Royal Boucherie, Amada, or Buddakan.

Arch Street Meeting House
*Free Museum with a requested donation desk
Location-Old City

Located in the heart of Independence National Historical Park, people assume that the Arch Street Meeting House is part of the National Park. The Free Quaker Meeting House is an Independence National Historical Park site, but the Arch Street Meeting House is an independent museum. The visit experience includes the historic Quaker meeting room and information about the Quaker religion and
people.

If you like architecture, the historic meeting house is worth the stop.
The main exhibit area features famous Quakers. Quaker women played a pivotal role in the suffragist and abolitionist movements. I left The Arch Street Meeting House with a greater understanding of the Quaker people and religion. Staff walking the floor will happily answer questions and provide more detail.
A highlight was the motion-activated famous Quakers. When you sit next to them on the bench, they tell you their stories.

The National Park’s Free Quaker Meeting House is not always open, but if it is, I recommend pairing the two Quaker sites and learning the difference between the Quakers and the Free Quakers. If you are a history and subculture nerd like me, next do some research on the Shakers.
This Free Museum in Philadelphia takes an hour or less.

Eats-Tu Rinconcito is a casual Mexican Cafe around the corner and a few blocks down 3rd Street from The Arch Street Meeting House. Enjoy an Iced Matcha-Horchata and Chilaquiles for brunch or tasty tacos and burritos for lunch/dinner.

Institute of Contemporary Art
*Completely Free Museum
Location-University City

The Institute of Contemporary Art is located on the University of Penn’s Campus. The exhibits constantly rotate and feature specific artists or art forms. The architecture is modern and open.

During the warmer months, there is a nice outdoor veranda. A visit takes about an hour, depending on your interest in the featured artist or art form. 

If you are visiting the University of Penn Campus, killing time between medical appointments, or spending time at The Penn Museum, this Free Museum in Philadelphia is a worthy side quest. If you are visiting Philadelphia on a time crunch and weren’t planning on spending time in University City, I wouldn’t go out of your way to visit this art museum. 

Honorable Mentions

Rodin Museum Garden
*Completely Free Sculpture Garden
Location-Parkway Museum District

Though the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia is “Pay What You Wish,” some of Rodin’s most remarkable art is located in the museum’s outdoor garden. The garden is free to visit. No donation needed. Wander the garden to admire the sculptures.

Gaze across the pool and appreciate the architecture. The garden is especially picturesque in spring. 

Coffee- On 21st Street between The Barnes Foundation and Rodin Museum, you will find the La Petite Tasse coffee truck. Purchase your caffeinated beverage of choice and pastry. Then walk to the Rodin Museum garden.

Have a seat at one of the garden tables, sip your coffee, and absorb the creativity.

If you want to learn more about the individual sculpture, check out my Voicemap Audio Tour Art and Controversy in Philadelphia

The Free Library of Philadelphia
*Completely Free exhibits
Location-Parkway Museum District

The Philadelphia Free Library houses a rotating special exhibit. Step into the library and stroll the rooms to immerse yourself in the stunning historic architecture. If you stumble upon a specific elevator (or ask staff for the location), you can ride to the Library’s third floor and enter The Rare Book Department.  The Rare Book Department is a must for lovers of literature and old books. It’s an honorable mention since it is closed on Sundays. I strongly suggest taking the daily 11 am tour, especially if you want to learn about the rare books in their collection. If you can’t make the tour, still walk around the rotating special exhibit and enjoy inhaling the delightful old book smell. 

Conclusion

There is more to do in Philadelphia beyond The Liberty Bell, Rocky, and cheesesteaks. Things that won’t break your budget. Whether you like art, science, or history, there is a Free Museum in Philadelphia for you.

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