On the Map: Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute Brings Science to Kids of All Ages
On the Map is a feature at LGBTSr highlighting travel, exploration and destinations.
By Mark McNease
We made another two-night trip to Philly, one of our favorite getaways. This time we had a mission: to get out senior SEPTA passes that allow residents of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware to travel free on any SEPTA trains, or public transportation throughout the city. We will now be able to take a train from a station not too far from our house and head in for day trips. But this time we wanted to spend two nights at our favorite hotel: the historic Morris House Hotel. This was our fourth stay there, and we love it a little more each time.
Our second day there we walked to the Franklin Institute Science Museum, and it proved to be a fascinating several hours. The Institute is one of the oldest and most popular science museums in the United States. Named after Benjamin Franklin (no surprise there). The museum features interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and a giant heart that you can walk through. (Note: this simple exhibit has been there for over 50 years – Frank recalls walking through it as a child!)
The museum has three floors of exhibits that cover various topics in science and technology. Some of the highlights include The Train Factory, where you can see a real steam locomotive and learn how it works; The Sports Zone, where you can test your skills in different sports and measure your performance; The Electricity Show, where you can witness the power of lightning and static electricity; and The Brain Bar, where you can explore the mysteries of the human mind.
The museum also has a special section for younger visitors called KidScience. Here, kids can enjoy hands-on activities, such as building structures, playing with water, and creating art.
One of the most iconic attractions of the museum is the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial (see photo). This is a 20-foot-tall statue of Franklin that stands in a rotunda decorated with murals and inscriptions. The memorial is open to the public for free and hosts a multimedia show every hour that tells the story of Franklin’s life and achievements.
Cost and times: The Franklin Institute Science Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The admission fee is $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and military, and $21 for children ages 3 to 11. It’s also free for members. You can also purchase tickets online for the planetarium, the IMAX theater, and special exhibits for an additional cost. The museum is located at 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. You can reach the museum by car, bus, subway, or bike. For more information, visit the museum’s website at www.fi.edu.
On the Map copyright MadeMark Publishing.
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