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Academy of Natural Sciences
Logan Circle at 19th St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, 215-299-1000. Mon.-Fri. 10-4:30, Sat.-Sun.-holidays 10-5. Ages 13 & up $12, srs., ages 3-12, college students with I.D. $10, 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. Family workshops for ages 7 and up; summer camps and workshops; birthday parties; scout badges; overnight safaris and Late-Nights for families, scouts and groups ages 7-14 are offered.
Sat & Sun
      Crafts, activities, presentations and demonstrations, weekends.
Ongoing
      Butterflies!, tropical garden filled with butter­flies from around the globe. Additional $2 fee to enter.
Selected Special Events
Feb 18- 19
      Paleopalooza, fossil hunt, paleontology lectures, more. 10-5.
Apr 21
      Earth Day Festival, meet the museum's environmental scientists, check out their tools of the trade. 10-5.

Crayola Factory
Two Rivers Landing, 30 Centre Square, Easton, PA, 866-875-5623. Sept. 6-Dec. 30: Tues.-Fri. 9:30-3pm, Sat. & Sun. 9:30-5. Jan. 14-May 29: Tues.-Fri. 9:30-3, Sat. 9:30-5, Sun. 12-5. Memorial Day-Labor Day: Mon.-Sun. 9:30-5. Adults and children $9.75, srs. $9.25, military $8.75, 2 and under free, 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. Science museum exhibits open daily 9:30-5. Special limited engagement exhibitions are open extended hours Thurs.-Sat. until 8pm and Sun. until 7pm. Advance tickets available online or call 877-TFI-TIXS. Adults $15.50, srs. $14.50, children $12.
   Founded in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, the Franklin Institute is the pioneer of hands-on exhibits. The museum consists of the Science Center, Mandell Futures Center, IMAX Theater (215-448-1254 hotline) and Fels Planetarium. Traveling Science Show for groups; camp-ins; summer Discovery Camp.
Daily May-Sept
     Interactive shows and demonstrations daily. Science Park, 30 interactive science-related exhibits and activities in outdoor park. Free with admission. 9:30-4, weather permitting.
Wed
      Target Community Night, fun, educational events 5-8pm on the third Wed. of the month. Free admission and shows. Call to confirm.
Thurs
      Night Skies in the Observatory, see different planets and stars 2nd Thurs. of every month. Aug.-May 6-9pm, June-July 7-10pm.
Ongoing
      The Franklin Air Show, permanent exhibit ­simulates environment of an actual air show.
      The Giant Heart: A Healthy Interactive Experience, walk through a giant heart.
      Electricity, the exhibit most closely identified with the Franklin Institute features interactive devices and glowing graphics, sustainable dance floor, cell phone disco wall and sparking tesla coil.
      The Curiosity Show, reenacts some of Benjamin Franklin's most famous and exciting experiments. Check program guide upon arrival.
      Amazing Machine, highly interactive exhibit allows visitors to explore the inner workings of everyday machines.
Selected Special Exhibitions
Advance tickets can be purchased online.
Dec 10-Apr 15
      Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs, an up-close look at rarely seen gigantic dinosaur skeletons and fossils from around the globe.
May-Sep
      Dead Sea Scrolls: Life & Faith in Biblical Times, the most comprehensive collection of ancient artifacts from Israel.

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, or visit website. 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 Historic Philadelphia Gazette, available at Visitor Centers and online, describes walking tours, plays and other daily events in 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. Visit website or call 877-GO-2-1776.
Ongoing
      Breakfast with Ben, enjoy breakfast with one of the founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, every Saturday morning. 9-10:30am. 800- 537-7676 or online.
     Independence Hall Tours. Obtain free, timed tickets at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th & Market Sts. Tickets are given out beginning at 8:30am. Allow about 30 min. to go through security at 5th & Chestnut Sts. Tickets may be reserved up to one year in advance at 877-444-6777 (10am-10pm) or online for $1.50 per ticket.

Independence Seaport Museum
Columbus Blvd at Walnut St., Philadelphia, 215-413-8655. Daily 10am-5pm. Adults $12, ages 3-12 $7, srs. $10, under 3 free. Pay-what-you-wish Sundays 10-noon. Maritime history comes to life with interactive exhibits, computer games, hands-on activities, and 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. Birthday parties; overnight programs.
1st Sat Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Cruiser Olympia from 1892 and Submarine Becuna, 12-4. Hands-on activities for children aboard Olympia. Must be 12 or older and able to climb steep stairs. Reservations suggested, 215-413-8655.
3rd Sat Seafarin' Saturdays, hands-on family activity or craft in the Museum galleries. 1-3pm.

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. For assistance in planning a trip, visit website.
• Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Rt. 741, Strasburg, 717-687-8628. Nov.-Mar.: Tues.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 12-5. April-Oct.: Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 12-5. Adults $10, srs. $9, ages 3-11 $8, under 3 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: Fri.-Mon. Nov.-Dec.: Weekends 10-5. Extended hours during holidays. Families $15, adults $6, srs. $5, ages 6-12 $3, 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, 215-409-6700, 866-917-1787. Mon.-Fri. 9:30-5, Sat. 9:30-6, Sun. 12-5. Timed tickets are purchased for entry. Adults $12, srs. $11, ages 4-12 $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. Self-guided audio tour and interactive audio tour for 5th-8th graders are available. Scout days; summer and school break camps; group sleepovers. The Constitution NewsWire online provides daily news about current issues related to the Constitution.
Selected Special Exhibitions
Feb 17-Sep 3
      From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life & Music of Bruce Springsteen, created by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum.
Selected Special Events
Mar 3, May 6
     Boy Scout Days.
Mar 10, May 12
     Girl Scout Days.

Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th St. & Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, 215-763-8100. Tues.-Sun. 10-5, Fri. ’til 8:45. Closed Mon. and major holidays. Adults $16, srs. $14, ages 13-18 & students $12, 12 & under free. Pay what you wish on first 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. For schedule, call
215-684-7580 or visit website.
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.
     Stroller Tours, call for dates, 215-684-7580.
Selected Exhibitions
Feb 1-May 6
      Van Gogh Up Close.
Jun 20-Sep 3
      Gauguin, Cezanne, Matisse: Visions of Arcadia.
Thru summer
      Isamu Noguchi at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, debut installation in Sculpture Garden.

Philadelphia Zoo
34th St. & Girard Ave. (exit 36 I-76), Philadelphia, 215- 243-1100. Mar.-Nov.: Daily 9:30-5. Dec.-Feb.: Daily 9:30-4. April-Nov.: Adults $18, ages 2-11 $15. 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; carousel; 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; carousel; train; Zooballoon.

Please Touch Museum
Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, 215-581-3181. Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 11-5. Adults and children 1 & over $15.
     The first museum in the country dedicated to providing cultural and educational hands-on experience for children ages 1-7 tripled its gallery space when it moved in 2008 to Memorial Hall, a National Historic Landmark built in 1876 as part of the country’s Centennial Exhibition. Six totally interactive exhibit zones include Roadside Attractions, Flight Fantasy, City Capers, Wonderland, River Adventures and Centennial Exploration. The 1924 Dentzel Carousel is housed in a new glass and steel Carousel House. Hands-on activities and special events are scheduled daily. Cafe; theater.
1st Wed
      Target First Wednesdays, admission is $2 for guests over the age of 1 from 5-7pm on the first Wednesday of the month.
Ongoing 
      Grown-Up Tours, self-guided tours of historic Memorial Hall are available seven days a week for $10 per person. Guided group tours can be scheduled 9:30-3 Tues.-Fri. for $15 per person.

Sesame Place®
100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne, PA 19047, 215-752-7070, 1-866-GO-4-ELMO. The nation’s only theme park based on Sesame Street is designed for families with children ages 2-13. Water rides and activities, live shows, Vapor Trail roller coaster, Rock Around the Block Parade.

Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
Above Kelly Drive near the intersection of 33rd and Oxford in East Fairmount Park, 215-765-4325. April-Oct.: Playground open Tues.-Sun. 10-4pm, until 7pm on weekends from last weekend in June to last weekend in Aug. Playhouse open year round Tues.-Sun. 10-4. Free.
   Six acre playground for children 10 and under includes a giant wooden slide and 50 pieces of accessible play equipment. The 24,000 sq. ft. Playhouse gives children 5 and under a chance to "drive" a train, "cook" in the kitchen and ride tricycles. Storytimes and special activities are offered frequently.

United States Mint
5th & Arch Sts., Philadelphia, 800-USA-MINT. Tours: Mon.-Fri. 9-4:30. Memorial Day-Labor Day Mon.-Sat. 9-4:30. 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 special needs accommodations, 215-408-0110.

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
33rd & Spruce Sts., 215-898-4000. Tues. & Thurs.-Sun. 10am-5pm, Wed. 10-8pm. Closed Mon., holidays and Sundays Memorial Day through Labor Day. Guided gallery tours offered most Sat. & Sun. at 1:30pm. Adults $10, srs. $7, ages 6-17 $6, 5 & 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 artifacts from Asia, the Near East, Greece, Africa and the Americas. Family activities include art and artifact workshops, summer day camps for ages 7-13 and museum sleepovers.
2nd Sun
      Family Second Sunday Workshops, Oct.-April. Drop in anytime 1-4pm for craft, touchable artifacts and gallery activities.
Selected Special Exhibitions
Open
      Human Evolution: The First 200 Million Years, highly interactive exhibition explores physical anthropology and its relationship to evolutionary science.
May 5-Jan '13
      MAYA 2012: Lords of Time, confronts the current fascination with the year 2012, comparing predictions of a world-transforming apocalpyse with their supposed origins in the ancient Maya civilization.
Selected Special Events
Feb 4
      Chinese New Year, music and dance, food, arts, crafts, children's activities, Chinese Lion Dance grand finale. 1-4pm.
Mar 24
      Hello India, day-long celebration of India's art and culture. 1-4pm.
Jun 18- Aug 10
      Anthropologists in the Making, summer camp for ages 7-13.

York County
York County Convention & 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 Martin Guitar 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 website for details.
Jun 20-23
     Made in America Tours, annual open house.

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