Museums

This includes children's museums, science museums and other educational museums, for art museums see Arts and Crafts.

Children's Museums - MAP of all the museums

Community Children’s Museum - 77 East Blackwell St. Dover, NJ 07801 - 973.366.9069
This kids museum if for ages 6 months to 10 years old. The have a toddler section, Van Gogh's bedroom, a space shuttle, portrait studio, electricity exhibit,a theatre area, and more. They are open Thur - Sat 10AM - 5PM and Sun 12-5PM. The cost is only $5 for 6 months and older and $4 for seniors.

Explore and More - 20 East High Street Gettysburg, PA 17325 - 717.337.9151
This is a part museum - part play house with an art room and an outdoor playing area. They have a construction zone, a nature area, an exploration room and more. Their times change seasonally so check out their hours page. The cost is $6 for ages 2-14, $4 for adults and under 2 is free.

Garden State Discovery Museum - 2040 Springdale Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 - 856.424.1233 (about an hour from Norristown)
They have classes for toddlers and preschoolers,and experiments. They are open 9:30AM-5:30PM everyday. THe cost is $9.95 for adults and kids over 12 months. Seniors are $8.95, all classes are free with museum entrance unless otherwise noted.

Hands on House - 721 Landis Valley Road Lancaster, PA 17601 - 717.569.KIDS
Designed for ages 2-10 years old. They have a grocery store, a make believe section, an E-I-E-I knkow section, an art place, and more. Their hours change depending on the time of the year so check out their hours page. The cost is $6 for everyone, but they have special group rates.

Imagination Quest Museum - 5 Bridgeton Pike Mantua, NJ - 856.464.2334 ( 1 hour south of Norristown)
The museum is designed for kids age 2 to 10 years old. They hav ea pirate ship,a rock climbing wall and aWestern town’s mercantile. The museum has 15  hands-on exhibits plus a children’s theater and  art center. They are open Wed-Sun 10AM - 6PM. The cost is $7.95 for children (over 12 months) and adults and $6.95 for seniors.

Jersey Shore Children’s Museum - 6725 Black Horse Pike Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234 - 609.645.7741
The museum is for kids 1- 10 years old and the exhibits are workplace themed. They are open Mon - Sat 10AM - 5 PM and Sun 12-5PM.

Imagine That - 4 Vreeland Rd. Florham Park, NJ - 973.966.8000
This hands on discovery museum has a real firetruck, a real airplane, a computer room, dance studio, science room, television studio, space ship, music room, arts and crafts, dentist office, grocery store, kitchen, story time, maze, and more. The cost is $8.95 for a child and $5.95 for an adult. Kids under 1 are free.

NJ Children's Museum - 599 Valley Health Plaza Paramus, NJ - 201.262.5151
They have a play kichen, play nursery, animal senses section , international money section, post office, a fantasy castle, a fish room, ballet studio and so much more. They are open everyday 10AM-6PM except weekends in the summer. Admission is $10 for everyone except children under 12 months.

Port Discovery - 35 Market Place Baltimore, MD 21202 - 410.727.8120 (2 hours from Norristown)
This great hands on fun discovery museum has a 3 floor climbing apparatus, that connects to cool exhibits like a dinner, mummies, a reading room, a building zone, an art room, and so much more. This is worth thr trip. The museum is open 10AM-5PM Mon - Sat and 12-5PM on Sunday. The cost is $10.75 for everyone except kids under 2 are free.

Please Touch Museum – 210 N. 21st St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 - 215.963.0667
They have new exhibit themes every couple of months. They also have a water play area, a preschool sized grocery store, a water section, art section, book reading section, Where the Wild things are section, a building section, a toddler farm, a theatre area, and more. They are open 9AM-4:30PM everyday. The cost is $10.95 for children and adults. The membership is reasonable especially if you live in the area. If you buy the $170 membership to the Please Touch Museum, you can get into the Hands On House in Lancaster, Port Discovery in Baltimore, and the Garden State Discovery Museum in NJ.

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Science Museums - Map of all the museums

Davinci Center - 3145 Hamilton Bypass Allentown, PA 18103 - 484.664.1002
They have great hands on exhibits that teach and challenge kids through problem solving. The have exhibits like What hurts, What's alive, What on Earth and many more. Hours are different for school year and summer so check them out here at their hours page. The cost is $8.95 for adults, $6.95 for seniors and kids, and toddlers 3 and under are free.

Franklin Institute – 222 N. 20th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 - 215.448.1200
They have great exhibits like the big heart, space command, the train factory and so much more. They also have traveling exhibits that change so there is always something new. The also have an IMAX theatre. They are open 9:30AM - 5Pm everyday. The cost is $13.75 for an adult and $11 for a kid for just the museum, $18.75 and $16 for both museum and IMAX, and $9 just for the IMAX.

Lancaster Science Factory - 454 New Holland Ave. Lancaster, PA 17602 - 717.509.6363
This brand new attraction is a hands-on, interactive technology and science center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offering dozens of exciting exhibits relating to the physical sciences, engineering, technology and mathematics. The Lancaster Science Factory opened this January and offers fun for the whole family with over 40 interactive exhibits and experiments. They are open Tues-Sat 10AM-5PM and Sun 12-5PM. They are closed on Mondays during the school year. The cost is $5 for Children 12 and under and $7 for adults.

North Museum of Natural History and Science - 400 College Ave. Lancaster, PA 17603 - 717.291.3941
They have a live animal room, great exhibits and a Planetarium as well as weekly special activities. The cost is Adult - $7.00, Student (3-17 yrs.) - $6.00, Senior (65 ) - $6.00 and Child (2 and under) - Free.

Philadelphia Insectarium - 8046 Frankford Ave Philadelphia, PA 19136 - 215.335.9500
This all bug museum has exhibits like cockroach kitchen, a working beehive, live specimens and much more. The museum is open 10AM-4PM Mon-Sat.

Planetarium at Reading Public Museum - 500 Museum Road, Reading, PA 19611 - 610.898.1565
The star shows at the planetarium are at1,2,3 & 4 on Sunday and cost $6 for adults 18-60, $4 for everyone else, kids under 4 are free.

The Academy of Natural Sciences - 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103 - 215.299.1000
The academy has scientists who study evolution, biodiversity and ecology, providing information critical to understanding the natural world. They have a collection of 17 million biological specimens and a celebrated natural history library. They also have great educational programs on the weekends. They are open Mon - Fri 10AM-4:30PM and sat, Sun & Holidays 10AM- 5PM. The cost is $10 for adults and children over 12, $8 for all else. Under 3 is free.

Wagner Free Institute of Science - 1700 West Montgomery Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19121 - 215.763.6529
This museum of the past hold natural history objects such as mounted birds and mammals, fossils, rocks and minerals, insects, shells, dinosaur bones, and the first American saber-toothed tiger.The have a mineral collection and more. They are open Tues - Fri 9AM- 4PM and special weekend programs. A donation of $8 is suggested, all educational programs are free but guided tours cost more.

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Educational Museums - MAP of all the museums

African American Museum in Philadelphia – 701 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 - 215.574.0380
The museum tells the story of African Americans through many different venues. The have educational resources to go along with the museum for grades 6-12. The museum is open 10AM-5PM Tues-Sat and 12-5PM Sun. The cost is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors, children, physically challenged individuals.

American Helicopter Museum - 1220 American Blvd. West Chester, PA 19380 - 877.WHIRLEY.1
They collect, restore and display historic aircrafts and and the origin and development of the helicopter. The have different events and are a hands on museum. They are open Wed-Sat 10AM-5PM, and Sun 12-5PM. The cost is $6 for adults, $5 for Seniors, children and students with ID are $4.00, and children under 2 are free.

Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles - 85 S. Walnut St. Boyertown, PA 19512 - 610.367.2090
The history of Pennsylvania'stransportation heritage is here where you learn about all types of wheeled vehicles.

Constitution Center - 525 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 - 866.917.1787
This interactive facility has everything about the constitution and the events leading up to it. They are open 9:30AM-5PM Mon-Fri, 9:30AM-6PM Sat, and 12-5PM Sun. The cost is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $8 for children 4-12, and children under 4 are free.

Delaware Museum of Natural History - 4840 Kennett Pike Wilmington, DE 19807 - 302.658.9111
The have artifcats and exhibits on dinosaurs, under the sea life, and animals and birds from around the world. The have lots of kids educational programs. They are open Mon-Sat 9:30AM-4:30PM and Sun 12-4:30PM. The cost is $6 for adults, $5 for children 3-17, $4 for seniors, and kids under 3 free.

Independence Hall - Between 5th and 6th Streets Philadelphia, PA
It is open daily 9AM-5PM, but you need a timed ticket to walk around the hall. Check out their tickets page for information on what price and when. Check out this PDF file of information about all the places you might want to see at the independence mall., it's a great resource.

Independence Seaport Museum - 211 S Columbus Blvd & Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 - 215.413.8623
There are hands on exhibits where kids can explore all the scientific properties that go into boat building and there are models and parts of boats from the past. They are open everyday 10AM-5PM. The cost is $9 for adults, $6 for children 3 -12, $8 for seniors and students with ID.

Lights of Liberty Show - 1.877.GO.2.1776
Lets you experience the American Revolution through a state of the art light and sound show. The show is only offered on certain dates so see their schedule page. Tickets cost $19.50 for adults, $16.50 for students with ID and seniors, and kids 12 and under are $13.00.

Mercer Museum - 84 South Pine Street Doylestown, PA 18901- 215-345-0210
These castles of Mercer and Fonthill have a variety of tours, exhibits and activities for all ages. Mercer is open Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Tues 10AM-9PM, and Sun 12-5PM. Fonthill is open the same hours excpet that it closes at 5PM on Tuesday. The cost of admission for both is $12, if you just want to see one it's $8 for an adult, $7 for seniors, and $4 for youth 5-17, kids under 5 are free.

Mutter Museum - 19 S. 22 St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 - 215.563.3737
This museum has medical past and teaching about what it means to be human. The museum is open Mon-Sun 10AM-5Pm. THe cost is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and children 6-17, and free for children under 6.

National Liberty Museum - 321 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA - 215.925.2800
This museum celebrates the heritage of freedom through art, film, and artifacts. They have a changing craft corner every weekend so you can take home a free keepsake. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors,$5 for students, and $2 for kids. CLosed Mondays except in the summer and they're open 10AM-5PM daily. New! Free Admission on Sundays.

Penn Museum - 3260 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 - 215.898.4000
The museum is dedicated to anthropology and archaeology. They have their own kids page on the website, they have birthday parties, summer camps and lots of kids events. They are open Tues-Sat 10AM-4:30PM and Sun 1-5PM fall through Spring. The cost is $8 for adults, $5 for students with ID, Seniors and children (6-17), children under 6 are free.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania - 300 Gap Rd. Strasburg, PA 17579 - 717.687.8628
Everything you ever wanted to know about trains. From April to Oct they are open Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM and Sun 12-5PM, and from Nov to April they are open Tues-Sat 9AM-5PM and Sun 12-5PM.

Reading Public Museum - 500 Museum Road, Reading, PA 19611 - 610.371.5850
They have discoveries in art, science, and ancient civilizations. They have many resources to use for kids. They are open Tues., Wed., Thurs. and Sat. 11AM-5PM, Fri. 11AM-8PM and Sun. 12-5PM . The cost is $7 for ages 18-60, $5 for all else excpet children under 4 are free. They also have an amazing planetarium.

Rosenbach Museum & Library - 2008-2010 Delancey Place Philadelphia, PA 19103 - 215.732.1600
This museum has exhibits based on the many collections in the Rosenbach library. The have some programs for kids. They are open Tues, Thur, Fri 10AM-5PM, Wed 10AM-8PM, Sat & Sun 10AM-5PM. The cost is $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and kids under 5 are free. Admission is free for everyone on Tuesday.

Taller Puertorriqueno – 2721 N. 5th St. Philadelphia, PA 19133 - 215.423.6320
The museum has exhibits, workshops, and events to help promote cultural understanding of Puerto Rican and Latin culture. They have events and programs for kids.

Wilbur Chocolate Museum - 48 N. Broad St Lititz, PA 17543 - 1-888-294-5287
You can actually watch real chocolate being made. They are open 10AM-5PM Mon - Sat.

Winterthur -Route 52 5105 Kennet Pike Wilmington, DE 19735 - 800.448.3883
This old estate has antiques and paintings to see. They have a touch it room and a variety of family activities. But the biggest attraction for kids will be the Enchanted Woods fairytale garden. They are open 10AM-5PM Tues-Sun. The cost varies with different tours and ages, please click here to see their tickets page.

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