Philadelphia is a vibrant city full of culture and art, with plenty of options to explore the Philadelphia Museum of Art, PAFA, the Barnes Foundation, and more. There are several centers and organizations that offer free or discounted arts workshops and events for adults and seniors in Philadelphia, PA. From painting to movement and dance, take a look at the extensive offer at one of these nearby locations. Created by Mural Arts Philadelphia with the support of Councilmember Bobby Henon, the Tacony LAB Community Arts Center brings together the neighborhood and the arts to create a unique center for learning, creativity, and community engagement in Lower Northeast Philadelphia.
The LAB offers art classes for adults and young people, as well as presents arts-focused events for free. The Liberty Bell Center is a must-see for visitors to Philadelphia. No tickets are required and access is allowed at 9 a.m. every day on a first-come, first-served basis. A walk through the museum provides background and history surrounding the famous bell, and visitors can get an up-close look at the famous icon with a beautiful backdrop of Independence Hall across the street. Philadelphia was once the capital of the United States.
Go to the President's House, home of the country's first White House between 1790 and 1800, to see the exhibition “Liberty and Slavery in the Creation of a New Nation”. Carpenters' Hall was the site of the First Continental Congress in 1774, a temporary field hospital during the Revolutionary War, and much more. Go back to the past with a tour of this building. Philadelphia is also home to Fireman's Hall Museum, which is a unique museum of advice on firefighting and fire safety, located just steps away from Elfreth's Alley. The Museum of the American Philosophical Society is the oldest scientific society in the United States, founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin for the purpose of “promoting useful knowledge”.
Visitors can view its collection of manuscripts, rare books, photographs, and more. The United States Mint offers a free self-guided tour that includes a view of its minting operations from 40 feet above the factory floor. Reservations are not required for this 45-minute tour, available to the public Monday through Friday. Founded by Richard Allen in 1792, this site is also home to one of America's oldest continuously owned properties by African Americans. On its lower level is a small museum where you can find Richard Allen's tomb and 19th century artifacts. The archives contain original copies of The Christian Recorder, a newspaper that began publication before the Civil War. Bike or hike in Fairmount Park on more than 270 miles of recreational trails.
The expansive park system provides endless outdoor opportunities to escape into nature. It connects to greenways along banks and Schuylkill waterfront which has a 2,000-foot long walking, running or biking trail that hangs over Schuylkill River. Bartram's Garden is America's first botanical garden spanning more than 45 acres along Schuylkill River. This off-the-beaten-path gem includes trails, historic buildings, educational programs, and a wharf. The Kimmel Cultural Campus is expanding its Free at the Kimmel programming with its Free Plaza series which includes Family Fundays, Lunchtime Unplugged, Happy Hour Sessions and Nightlife at Kimmel. Performances will showcase Philadelphia artists while Family Fundays are designed to engage families through fun artistic presentations and interactive activities. Lunchtime Unplugged is perfect opportunity to prepare lunch and picnic in Plaza while Happy Hour Sessions provide live entertainment during Happy Hour sessions followed by free concert and nightlife party at Kimmel. The Kimmel Performing Arts Center is an iconic facility with vaulted glass roof located right in heart of downtown Philadelphia.
The renowned Curtis Institute of Music offers free admission to its series of recitals for students where you can enjoy concerts by some of world's most talented young musicians in historic and inspiring environment. La Salle University Art Museum showcases works from Renaissance to present providing opportunities for public to experience important works of art in intimate setting while Brandywine River Art Museum presents Wyeth and American art plus special exhibitions ranging from 19th century art to contemporary art. Follow Rocky Balboa's footsteps for run down Rocky Steps steps to Philadelphia Museum of Art followed by picture with Rocky Statue once you've calmed down. You can also stand in same church where founding fathers worshiped in heart of Old City of Philadelphia. Philadelphia Art Alliance (PAA) is Philadelphia's center for contemporary craft and design while Wharton Esherick Paoli Museum showcases sculptor who worked mainly on wood easily extending its unique forms to furniture fixtures interiors and buildings creating sculptural environments. Reading Public Museum is comprehensive art and science museum planetarium plus 25-acre arboretum while Stenton is one of oldest best-preserved credible historic homes in Philadelphia. WheatonArts has been an artistic cultural crossroads in heart of South Jersey for four decades while LAB is vital part of burgeoning art community Lower Northeast partnering with other organizations such as SENE Tacony CDC Tacony branch Philadelphia Free Library Philadelphia Open Studio Tours CFEVA Mayfair BID bringing arts to life inspiring visitors through academic study creative play discovering spirit imagination found in everyone. Your membership gift will help strengthen PAFA's special collections exhibitions expand programming promote greater outreach art education Philadelphia community.
