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PLEASE NOTE:
Hours, prices, exhibit and event information are subject to change.
Please call ahead or use the convenient website links to get the latest information prior to your visit.

philadelphia convention & visitors bureau
Visitors Center: 16th St. &John F. Kennedy Blvd. Open daily 9am-5pm; Memorial Day through Labor Day 9am-6pm. Independence NationalHistorical Park Visitors Center: 3rd and Chestnut Sts. For free visitors information, calendar of events and hotel packages, call 800-537-7676 or visit www.gophila.com. Pay-one-price CityPass provides admission to six Philadelphia area attractions with no waiting in main entrance ticket lines.
See phillyfunguide.com for a comprehensive entertainment calendar for the Philadelphia region coordinated by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.
Refer to visitpa.com, the official tourism website for Pennsylvania, for information about the entire state.

Academy of Natural Sciences
Logan Circle at 19th St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, 215-299-1000. Advanced discount tickets: 215-299-1027. Mon.-Fri. 10-4:30, Sat.-Sun.-holidays 10-5. Ages 13 & up $10, srs., ages 3-12, college students with I.D. $8, under 3 free. Additional $2 entry fee for butterfly exhibit.
   Founded in 1812, this is the oldest science research institution in the Western hemisphere and home to the first dinosaur skeleton ever displayed (in 1868, found in Haddonfield, NJ, in 1858). Dinosaur Hall, African, Asian and North American Halls, live butterflies exhibit, live animals center, and changing natural science exhibits highlight the ongoing research of Academy scientists. "Outside-In" is an exploration area for young children open weekends and holidays. Library open Mon.-Fri. 1-5. Scavenger Hunt activity sheets available at Entrance Desk. Overnight safaris and Late-Nights for families, scouts and groups ages 7-14.
Sat &
Sun
     Weekend crafts, activities, presentations & demonstrations.
Ongoing
     Butterflies!, tropical garden filled with butterflies from around the globe. Additional $2 fee to enter.
Jul 19-20
     Gregor Mendel Birthday Celebration, live animal shows, arts and crafts.
Aug 16-17
     Bug Fest, live insects, arts and crafts.
Selected Exhibitions
Thru
Sept 28
     Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics, tells the story of Mendel's life and research. www.fieldmuseum.org/mendel
Opens
Fall
     The First Dinosaur Skeleton, marks the 150th anniversary of the scientific description of Hadrosaurus foulkii, the world's first most completely known dinosaur and first dinosaur skeleton ever mounted (1868).

Crayola Factory
Two Rivers Landing, 30 Centre Square, Easton, PA, 610-515-8000. Sept.-May: Tues.-Sat. 9:30-5pm, Sun. noon-5pm. Jun-Aug.: Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5, Sun. 12-5. Adults $9.98, srs. $9.45, children 3 &older $9.98, group discounts. Learn how crayons are made, participate in hands-on activities. Scout programs, birthday parties, family workshops, homeschool programs, teacher workshops available. Admission includes entrance to National Canal Museum on 3rd floor.
Hugh Moore Park, located on the Lehigh River nearby, illustrates America's canal and industrial revolution eras with canal boat rides (May-Sept.), locks, 19th century industrial ruins and the Locktender's House Museum.

The Franklin Institute Science Museum
Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 20th St.,Philadelphia, 215-448-1200, 800-285-0684. Mandell Center: Sun.-Thurs. 9:30-5, Fri.-Sat. 9:30-9. Science Center closes daily at 5pm. Adults $14.25, srs. $13.25, children $11.50. The museum that pioneered hands-on exhibits consists of the Science Center, Mandell Futures Center, IMAX Theater (215-448-1111 hotline) and Fels Planetarium. Traveling Science Show for groups; camp-ins; summer Discovery Camp.
Daily
     Interactive shows &demonstrations daily.
May-
Sept
     Science Park, cooperative venture with the Please Touch Museum. Free with admission to either museum. 30 interactive science-related exhibits and activities in outdoor park. 9: 30-4, weather permitting.
Wed
    Community Nights, free museum-wide events centered around a different theme, free admission and IMAX usually the third Wed. of every month. Call to confirm dates.
Thurs
     Thursday Nights in the Observatory, see different planets and stars 2nd Thurs. of every month. May-Sept. 7:30-11pm; Oct.-Dec. 6-9:30.
Open
     The Franklin Air Show, permanent exhibit -simulates environment of an actual air show.
     The Giant Heart: A Healthy Interactive Experience, renovated "giant heart" exhibit.
     Sir Isaac's Loft: Where Art &Physics Collide, permanent exhibit that blends art & science.
     FranklinHe's Electric! &Wonderland of Science.
     The Curiosity Show, reenacts some of Benjamin Franklin's most famous and exciting experiments. Check program guide upon arrival.
Exhibitions
New
     Amazing Machine, new permanent, highly interactive exhibit allows visitors to explore the inner workings of everyday machines.
Thru
Nov 2
     Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship, features more than 200 artifacts recovered from the ocean floor in 1984.

Independence National Historical Park
Chestnut St. between 5th &6th Sts., Philadelphia, 800-537-7676. Visitor Center: open daily 8:30-6. For info on park buildings, hours and programs, call the Visitor Center, 215-965-2305. The Park is home to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and another dozen sites of historic importance, such as Carpenters' Hall, Old City Hall, Congress Hall and Franklin Court. The Town Crier, colonial newspaper available from characters dressed in period costume and at the Visitor Centers, describes walking tours, plays and other daily events throughout the historical area. Learn about Ben Franklin and printing at Franklin Court. Horse drawn carriage rides.
Apr-
Oct
Lights of Liberty, 60 min. sound & light walking tour leads visitors through the events of the Revolution. Adult and children's tape -available. www.lightsofliberty.org or 877-GO-2-1776.
Thru
Dec 27
Breakfast withBen, enjoy breakfast with one of the founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, every Saturday morning. $20-25. 800-537-7676.

Independence Seaport Museum
Columbus Blvd at Walnut St., Philadelphia, 215-925-5439. 24-hr. program hotline: 215-413-8621. Daily 10am-5pm. Adults $10, ages 3-12 $7, srs. $8, under 3 free. Admission free on Sundays 10-noon. Maritime history comes to life with interactive exhibits, computer games and hands-on activities. Tours of Cruiser Olympia from the Spanish-American War and Submarine Becuna from World War II. Winter outdoor skating on the waterfront at Blue Cross River Rink at Penn's Landing. Access to the RiverLink Ferry to New Jersey State Aquarium.
Ongoing
     What Floats Your Boat? interactive exhibit explores boats and boat building.
     Women &the Sea, exhibit focuses on the unusual roles women have played in maritime history.
Sat
     PECOFamily Saturday at the Seaport, interactive, educational activities for families once a month on Sat. (usually 1st Sat.) 12-5pm.
1st Sat
     Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Cruiser Olympia from 1892. Must be 12 or older, climbing steep steps is involved. Reservation suggested, 215-413-8655.

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
A must-see for train enthusiasts of any age, the beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch countryside of Lancaster County is home to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg Railroad (across the street) and National Toy Train Museum just down the road.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Rt. 741, Strasburg, 717-687-8628. Nov.-April: Tues.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 12-5. April-Oct.: Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 12-5. Adults $8, srs. $7, ages 6-17 $6, under 6 free. Housing one of the most significant collections of historic railroad artifacts in the world, the museum displays over 100 locomotives and cars from the mid-19th and 20th centuries.

Strasburg Railroad
One Historic Dr. (off Rt. 896), Strasburg, 717-687-7522. Enjoy a 45-min. ride aboard an historic coal-burning steam train to Paradise, PA, in your choice of five different railroad cars. Seasonal special events include train rides with Santa, the Easter Bunny, military reenactors or Thomas the Tank Engine. Station includes historic trains and rail cars, bookstore, trackside restaurant, dining car and gift shop.

National Toy Train Museum
300 Paradise Lane, Paradise Twp., 717-687-8976. Jan.-Mar.:Closed. April: Weekends 10-5. May 1-Oct. 31: Daily 10-5 Nov.-Dec.: Weekends 10-5. Extended hours during holidays. Families $12, adults $5, srs. $4, ages 6-12 $2.50, under 6 free. A collection of hundreds of toy trains and accessories from mid-1800s to present are displayed in a modern museum built like a historic train station.

National Constitution Center
111 S. Independence Mall E, Philadelphia, 215-409-6600, 866-917-1787. Mon.-Fri. 9:30-5, Sat. &Sun. 9:30-6. Timed tickets are purchased for entry. Adults $12, srs. $11, 12 & under $8, under 4 free. Established as an independent, nonpartisan, non-profit organization by Congress, this is the first museum dedicated to honoring and explaining the U.S. Constitution through interactive and multimedia exhibits, photographs, film, sculpture, text, and artifacts.

Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th St. &Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, 215-763-8100. Daily events recording: 215-684-7500. Tues.-Sun. 10-5, Fri. 'til 8:45. Closed Mon. and major holidays. Adults $14, srs. $12, ages 13-18 & students $10, 12 & under free. Pay what you wish on Sun. Strollers are not permitted in special exhibitions on weekends or when galleries are crowded.
   Founded in 1876, the museum presents a full range of fine and applied arts from Asia, Europe and the U.S. spanning over 2,000 years with masterpieces in every medium.
Sun
     Something for Every Sunday family program includes gallery explorations, games, art workshops or storytelling for ages 3-teens and family. Tickets are first come, first served at the Visitor Services Desks. Programs with studio session are $3, parents free. For -schedule, call 215-684-7580 or visit website.
July 27
     Calder Re_Wired!
Aug 10
     Celebrate India!
Fri
     After Five, museum stays open late every Fri. for gallery visits, food, drink and music, dance and jazz performances in the Great Stair Hall.
Ongoing
     Self-Guided Family Tours available at West Information Desk. Activity sheets explore a new theme in art each month. American Art Kids Tour audio guide, written for children ages 6-10, is available to rent for $5 at Visitor Services Desk in the East and West entrances.
Selected Special Exhibitions
Jun 27-
Sept 1
     Rhythms of India: TheArt of Nandalal Bose (1882-1966), Indian modernism.
Thru
Spring
     Hello! Fashion: Kansai Yamamoto, 1971-1973, one of the founding fathers of Japanese contemporary fashion.
Thru
Aug 24
     Curious &Commonplace: European Popular Prints of the 1800s.
Jul 12-
Nov 2
     Calder Jewelry, jewelry of artist Alexander Calder (1898-1976).
Jul 19-
Oct 26
     American Folk Painting from the Collection.
Dec 6-
Fall '09
     The Art of Japanese Craft: 1875 to the Present.
Feb 26-
May 17
     Cezanne &Beyond, explores the role of Paul Cezanne in the history of modernism.

Philadelphia Zoo
34th St. &Girard Ave. (exit 36 I-76), Philadelphia, 215-243-1100. Mar.-Nov.: Daily 10-5. Dec.-Feb.: Daily 9:30-4. April-Nov.: Adults $17.95, ages 2-11 $14.95. Dec.-Feb.: Adults & children $12.95.
Opened in 1874, this is America's first zoo and home to nearly 1,600 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. Treehouse indoor play center; petting zoo; lorikeet feeding and free-flight bird show in season. The Education Dept. offers children's workshops, keeper programs for families, homeschool workshops, summer camps, daytime or overnight group programs, Zoo on Wheels outreach. For workshop information, call 215-243-5254.
Apr-
Oct
Birds of Australia, feed colorful lorikeets inside outdoor aviary. Camel, draft horse &pony rides; swan boat rides.

Please Touch Museum
21st &Race St., Philadelphia, 215-963-0667. Daily 9-4:30. July 1-Labor Day: 9-5. Adults and children 1 & over $10.95. Pay-as-you-wish donations Sun. 9-11am. The first museum in the country dedicated to providing -cultural and educational hands-on experience for children ages 1-7. Special perfor-mances most weekends and special activities daily. Small lounge with vending machines. Strollers are not permitted on gallery floor.
Jul 2,
Aug 6
     Target First Wednesdays, admission is $2 for guests over the age of 1 from 5-7pm on the first Wednesday of the month.
Sept 1
     Museum closes at its location on 21st St. Play Patrol, a mobile museum will appear at local community events.
Oct 18
     Grand Opening of the Please Touch Museum at Memorial Hall inFairmount Park, a National Historic Landmark built in 1876 as part of the country's Centennial Exhibition.

United States Mint
5th &Arch Sts., Philadelphia, 215-408-0114. Tours: Mon.-Fri. 9-3. Store: Mon.-Fri. 9-4, 800-USA-MINT. Free, self-guided tours are offered on a first-come, first served basis pending availability. Line up at visitor entrance on 5th St. between Arch and Race Sts. Adults will be asked to provide government-issued photo identification and many items are prohibited including strollers. For accommodations for special needs, 215-408-0110.

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
33rd &Spruce Sts., 215-898-4000. Tues.-Sat. 10am-4: 30pm, Sun. 1-5pm. Closed Mon., holidays and Sundays Memorial Day through Labor Day. Guided gallery tours offered most Sat. &Sun. 1:30pm. Adults $8, students/srs. $5, 6 & under free. Founded in 1887, the Museum has sent more than 400 archaeological and anthropological expeditions to all the inhabited continents of the world. Exhibits include 12-ton sphinx and architectural remains from the ancient Egyptian palace of Merenptah, mummies and other fascinating arti-facts from Asia, the Near East, Greece, Africa and the Americas. Weekend family events, children's workshops and summer day camp.
Thru
May 3
Surviving: The Body of Evidence, interactive exhibition explores the process of evolution and its impact on humans. For more info, visit www.survivingexhibit.org

York County
York CountyConvention &Visitors Bureau, 155 W. Market St., York, 888-858-YORK. As the "Factory Tour Capital of the World," York County capitalizes on its manufacturing tradition. From Harley-Davidson to Herr Foods, Hope Acres Dairy Farm to the MartinGuitar Company, many factories open their doors to visitors so they can learn about the production and assembly process. Age restrictions may apply on factory floors. Consult factorytours.org for details.
Nov
Made in America Tours, annual open house.