Philadelphia museums will be visited for free during Wawa Welcome America – NBC10 Philadelphia

If you’re looking to explore and delve into history, science, art, or just the unusual, but aren’t looking to shell out the cash to do so, this is the list you need.

We’ve compiled a list of museums and attractions in Philadelphia that you can explore for free during the Wawa Welcome America festivities. from June 19 to July 4, 2022. You may have never been there for some of them.

June 19 (Juneteenth): African American Museum in Philadelphia

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can head to AAMP to learn about and celebrate African-American culture and history on June 19. You can register in advance here.

African American Museum of Philadelphia: 701 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

For day two of the 16-day festival, you can explore the historic town of Rittenhouse with free entry. Individuals are encouraged to explore the centuries-old town and learn about the history of the paper industry.

Rittenhouse Town: 6034 Wissahickon Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144

June 21: Philadelphia Museum of Illusions, Wagner Free Institute of Science

You can discover the “edutainment” of the Museum of Illusions for free, with its various breathtaking illusions and holograms to discover.

Philly Live’s Aunyea Lachelle is a little giddy at the new Museum of Illusions in Philadelphia. You will have to see it to believe your eyes.

You can also explore the Wagner Free Institute of Science for free. The National Historic Landmark Natural History Museum and Educational Facility allows visitors to use scavenger hunts to discover exhibits or explore on their own.

Philadelphia Museum of Illusions: 401 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

Wagner Free Institute of Science: 1700 W. Montgomery Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19121

June 22: Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center

Experience the Eastern State Penitentiary with a free night tour on June 22. Special free admission includes the “Voices of the Eastern State” audio tour, exhibits like Al Capone’s Cell, and artist installations.

You can also immerse yourself in Japanese culture at the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center in West Fairmount Park with their Pay What You Wish Day. You can visit the house, the beautiful Japanese garden scenery, and even feed the koi fish. Check their website to pick up your tickets.

Eastern State Penitentiary: 2027 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130

Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center: S. Horticultural Dr. & Lansdowne Dr., Philadelphia, PA 19131

June 23: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

You can visit PAFA to see the history of American art through its collections and exhibits.

For car enthusiasts, you can see one of the largest collections of racing sports cars in the world for free at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum.

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts: 118-128 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102

Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum: 6825-31 Norwitch Dr., Philadelphia, PA 19153

June 24: Masonic Temple, Library & Museum, Rodin Museum

You can explore the art, frescoes, stained glass, murals and sculptures of the Masonic Temple, Library and Museum for free.

June 24 is also Pay What You Want day at the Rodin Museum. The museum has one of the most important collections of works by the sculptor Auguste Rodin. Can’t come on the 24th? The Rodin Museum is organizing a second Pay Wish You Wish day on July 1st.

Masonic Temple, Library and Museum: 1 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19107

Rodin Museum: 2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, PA 19130

June 25: Paul Robeson House & Museum, Arch Street Meeting House, Johnson House History Site

Paul Robeson House and Museum offers tours of the “Paul Robeson: Up Close and Personal” exhibit which consists of paintings, books, record albums, photos and artifacts relating to Robeson that you can view free.

Both a museum and an active Quaker place of worship, the Arch Street Meeting House offers the opportunity to learn about the stories of the building, people and grounds of Arch Street.

Johnson House Historic Site is hosting a Pay What You Want Day. Visitors can learn about the people who worked for the freedom of others, as well as appreciate the courageous decisions made by those who were enslaved to embark on a journey to freedom.

Paul Robeson House and Museum: 4951 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19139

Arch Street Meeting House: 320 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

Johnson House Historic Site: 6306 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144

June 26: Neon Museum in Philadelphia

The 26th is Pay What You Wish Day at the Neon Museum in Philadelphia. You can explore the museum’s collection of over 150 neon artworks and various signage.

Neon Museum of Philadelphia: 1800 N. American St., Philadelphia, PA 19122

June 27: Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion

The Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion are hosting a Pay What You Wish Day. There are two floors of museum exhibits to explore, unique interactive experiences, and the 7,000 square foot Tropical Butterfly Pavilion.

Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion: 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153

June 28: Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia

You can visit the Mütter Museum at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia for free and dive into America’s finest museum of medical history. Your special free admission ticket gives you access to their special exhibits – the invisible and the spit spreads death and the garden of medicinal plants.

Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia: 19 S. 22nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19103

June 29: National Constitution Center (Courtesy of Wawa)

Free admission to the National Constitution Center is courtesy of the festival’s title sponsor, Wawa. You are invited to the interactive Independence Day show, exploring the history of the Declaration of Independence and how the definition of “We the People” has expanded.

National Constitution Center: 525 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

June 30: Wyck Historic House, Garden, & Farm, American Swedish Historical Museum, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Tinicum

There are three different locations to explore on 30. Wyck’s Historic Home, Garden and Farm offer free entry to experience the centuries-old site which provides educational, cultural and nutritional resources.

The American Swedish Historical Museum encourages you to explore cultural identity through the history of Swedes and Scandinavians in America for free.

Part of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Tinicum offers free admission. You can observe hundreds of species of birds, mammals, plants, trees and insects.

Wyck Historic House, Garden, Farm: 6026 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144

Swedish American Historical Museum: 1900 Pattison Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19145

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge: 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153

July 1: The Powel House, Faith & Liberty Discovery Center, Penn Museum

PhilaLandmarks, in partnership with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, presents Orchestra in the Garden, a free concert at The Powel House on Friday, July 1 at 3 p.m.

Faith & Liberty Discovery Center tells the story of how our country was born and how our leaders turned to faith throughout history, and you can learn about it for free.

You can catch a spotlight tour, self-guided explorations like scavenger hunts and I-SPY games at the Penn Museum, all for free.

The Powel House: 244 S 3rd St. #3811, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Faith & Liberty Discovery Center: 101 N. Independence Mall E, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Penn Museum: 3260 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19104

July 2: Stenton, National Liberty Museum

Built in 1730, Stenton is one of the earliest well-preserved houses in Philadelphia’s history. You can consult it for free.

With pre-registration, you can see recently opened exhibits and exciting educational opportunities at the National Liberty Museum in Old Town.

Stenton: 4601 N. 18th St., Philadelphia, PA 19140

National Liberty Museum: 321 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

July 3: Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Barnes Foundation

It’s the day of the Pay What You Wish family festival on July 3 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. You can attend shows, demonstrations and local artists.

Individuals can enjoy free access to the Barnes collection and special exhibit, as well as music, performances and arts activities at the Barnes Foundation. Access includes the Albert Barnes Art Collection and the exhibition Isaac Julien: Statues Never Die.

Philadelphia Museum of Art: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, PA 19130

The Barnes Foundation: 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, PA 19130

July 4: Christ Church & Burial Ground, National Weitzman Museum of American Jewish History

Along with the many 4th of July celebrations, you can also get free entry to two venues. Christ Church hosted the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary era and is one of Philadelphia’s most visited historic sites.

The National Weitzman Museum of American Jewish History is the only museum in the United States specifically dedicated to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience.

Christ Church & Burial Ground: 340 N. 5th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

Weitzman Museum of American Jewish History: 101 S. Independence Mall E, Philadelphia, PA 19106