Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Franklin Institute Science Museum
MUSEUM
( 215-448-1200;
www.fi.edu
; 222 N 20th St; adult/child $16.50/12.50; 9:30am-5pm; )
This is where hands-on science displays were pioneered; a highlight is the Ben Franklin
exhibit.
Academy of Natural Sciences Museum
MUSEUM
( 215-299-1000;
www.ansp.org
;
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy; adult/child $15/13;
10am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, to 5pm Sat & Sun)
The museum features a terrific dinosaur exhibition
where you can dig for fossils on weekends.
Eastern State Penitentiary
MUSEUM
(
www.easternstate.org
;
2027 Fairmount Ave; adult/child $14/10; 10am-5pm)
Take an audio or
guided tour of this decomissioned medieval fortress-like prison where Al Capone once
did time.
Fairmount Park
The snaking Schuylkill River bisects this 9200-acre green space that's bigger than New
York's Central Park and, in fact, the largest city park in the country. Scattered all
throughout the park are some notable monuments, including one, at the far east end, of
Joan of Arc
()
. From the earliest days of spring every corner is thrumming with activity
− ball games, runners, picnickers, you name it. Runners will love the tree-lined, riverside
trails, which range from 2 miles to 10 miles in length. Park trails are also great for cyc-
mount Ave; full/half-day $18/30)
for rentals and information.
Boathouse Row
HOUSE
(
www.boathouserow.org
; 1 Boathouse Row; early American houses adult/child $5/2)
On the east
bank, Boathouse Row has Victorian-era rowing-club buildings that lend a lovely old-
fashioned flavor to this stretch. Across the park are a number of
early American houses
that are open to the public.
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
GARDEN
