Philadelphia Contemporary Art Museums

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 at 12:26 pm

Philadelphia Contemporary Art Museums

Philadelphia is a must for any lover of U.S. history. Home of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Philadelphia offers much for the frugal traveler.

Liberty Bell And Independence Hall

While in Philadelphia, frugal travelers must visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell, a symbol of both religious freedom and the abolishment of slavery, is housed in a separate glass chamber with Independence Hall seen in the background. In the same building there is a video presentation and smaller exhibits.

Tours of Independence Hall are conducted on a first come, first serve basis (go early to avoid crowds). The highlight is the Assembly Room where the Declaration of Independence was adopted, the American Flag was agreed upon, and the U.S. Constitution was drafted. Many furnishings, including the rising sun chair George Washington used, are original.

Entrance to both the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall is free.

The First Bank Of The United States

As a fan of the financial world, another highlight of Philadelphia for me was the First Bank Of The United States. Built in 1797, the nation's oldest bank not only hosts a history of the varied currency in the U.S. but also is believed to be haunted by Alexander Hamilton's ghost.

Entrance is free.

The Rodin Museum and Philadelphia Museum Of Art

The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia hosts the largest collection of Rodin outside of Paris. Highlights include the massive Gates Of Hell in bronze. Pieces are both within the building and throughout the grounds.

Entrance is free but a donation of $3 per person is suggested. The "free" tours are allocated first to those giving donations.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art not only is one of the largest art museums in the U.S. but also featured the steps made famous by Rocky.

Admission is usually $14 for adults but on Sundays, it is pay what you wish. Running up the steps and raising your hands in Rocky-like victory? Free.

Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, shows more than adequate love for the frugal traveler. Other sites include the homes of Edgar Allen Poe and Betsy Ross.

For more frugal travel tips on Philadelphia or other cities, visit http://www.freephotooftheday.com

What should I do in Philadelphia?

I'm going to Philly this weekend and staying with a friend who lives there. I expect that she'll have me covered on which bars to hit. So I need 2 different types of recommendations - special weight given to Philly natives!

1) What are some of the best places to get an authentic Cheesesteak? (A loaded question, I know!)
2) What should I do on Saturday while she's at work? I'm thinking the Mutter Museum perhaps. Maybe a museum of contemporary arts, if I can find one. Hopefully something along those lines. I like music, art, architecture, and I don't like sports or shopping (unless it's someplace that has really kitschy t-shirts.)

Pats' Steaks has just been rated Number 1 by an AOL poll. Both Geno's and Pats are right across from one another. I think Genos uses sliced cheese and has more of a "preppy" feel to it while you get "cheese wiz" on Pats and a great variety of the locals. READ THE SIGNS POSTED BEFORE ORDERING. The workers become upset if you can't order correctly. Hey, it's Philly.

I think overall the Philly museum is the one to go to. It has a good standard collection and although entrance is not free the hourly tours are. You go to a different area of the museum every hour and you can have things explained to you one on one or a small group. This museum has an excellent though pricey restaurant and a really great cafateria. I always go to the cafateria.

There are a LOT of museums in Philly. The Rodan, (near Philly museum) Norman Rockwell, (prints and collectibles), Natural History, Franklyn Institute Science. I think the Natural History has the King Tut exhibit. You can TRY to get tickets if you walk in that day (call first) as sometimes they do have them available for a certain time period of the day although they probably will not say if they do or for the time if they have this option. You just have to make a try first thing in the morning.

You can also visit Old City and areas of the city where origianl architecture has been restored. This is also done in Society Hill. I believe there are tours in Old City.

There is a ton of stuff but I kept specific to your scope, especially since it is a short stay.

Philadelphia Museum of Art: Masterpieces