Things to do in Philadelphia: The Franklin Institute
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Philadelphia... where should I start? A city steeped in history, yet vibrant with modern culture, a perfect blend of past and present. But let me zero in on a gem within this bustling city—The Franklin Institute. Our little adventure took place over President's Day weekend, a perfect time for a mini family vacation. The Franklin Institute was our first port of call, a choice inspired by my own childhood memories. Growing up in South Jersey, this place was my playground of discovery, and revisiting it as a parent? Pure magic.
The Franklin Institute is an interactive science museum filled with fun things for kids to engage in while learning
Getting There
Our adventure began with a classic family road trip scene: snacks packed, playlist ready, and excitement in the air. Living in North Jersey, the drive to Philly was about an hour and a half—just enough time for anticipation to build but not so long that the question "Are we there yet?" became a chorus. Our destination? The Franklin Institute, the first pit stop of our President’s Day weekend getaway.
Be ready for lines if you need to buy a ticket or purchased a Philadelphia City Pass. You can go straight up to the self-service kiosks if you bought tickets online ahead of time.
Getting In
Here’s a tip for anyone planning to hit multiple attractions in Philadelphia: the Philadelphia city pass is your best friend. If you've got the pass, you're going to need to swap it for an actual ticket at the Institute. Sounds easy, right? Well, let me tell you, the line for this can stretch longer than you'd hope. We learned that the hard way. So, maybe try to beat the crowd or brace yourself for a bit of a wait. However, the city pass was worth it for us as we planned to go to two other attractions that were included in the pass.
If you’re driving in, fear not. Parking at The Franklin Institute is a breeze, thanks to the parking garage right underneath. It’s like they knew we had bigger things to ponder than where to leave the car.
Our Journey through the Museum
The “Electricity” exhibit
Our Franklin Institute saga kicked off at the "Electricity" exhibit. Imagine this: holding hands with your family to complete a circuit and light up a bulb. It's the little things, isn’t it? Eli, our pint-sized bundle of energy, was over the moon. His excitement was infectious, lighting up more than just the bulb.
Looking at all the different brains of different species!
From there, we meandered into the realms of the mind at the "Brain" exhibit. Comparing the brains of different species was fascinating, but the showstopper was the brain dissection demo. Yep, you read that right. It’s not every day you see the insides of a brain, and it was, in a word, unforgettable.
The “Giant Heart” where you can walk through different parts of the heart to learn what it does
The infamous "Giant Heart" was next, a Franklin Institute icon. Walking through a gigantic human heart, hearing its thumps, and exploring its chambers was surreal. It’s one of those experiences that’s educational but also just really cool.
The “Franklin Airshow”
The "Franklin Airshow" was a hit, especially with Eli. Crafting paper airplanes, exploring an actual airplane, and virtually designing our own aircraft were just the beginning. Eli was particularly taken with the virtual plane-building game, looping back for "just one more go" five times.
Super cool and fun live science show!
We wrapped our visit with the live science show, a fascinating dive into the world of combustion. The engaging presenter made complex concepts accessible and exciting. Science, when done right, has that power.
Schedule for the day is on display near the entrance.
Besides the science show, there are multitude of events and shows that are available for visitors throughout the day. We definitely recommend that you experience at least one as they are so much fun and educational. Kids love it!
As the museum's closing time drew near, we dashed to the "SportZone." Running against a virtual sprinter, choosing between water and electrolytes for a marathon runner, and learning the physics of a baseball swing—this was the cherry on top of a science-packed day.
Bottom Line
Three hours flew by in what felt like minutes. The Franklin Institute managed to weave education and entertainment into an experience that was both enriching and utterly enjoyable. For families seeking an adventure that tickles the brain as much as it warms the heart, this place is a treasure.
Our Philadelphia journey began with a bang at The Franklin Institute, setting a high bar for the rest of our weekend. If you're ever in Philly, wondering where to ignite your curiosity or simply looking for a day well spent, you know where to head. Stay tuned for more tales from our President’s Day weekend adventure.