French sculptor August Rodin is the centerpiece of this Philadelphia treasure in his name, the Rodin Museum. The museum features Rodin's many sculptures, large and small, in galleries and in the lush museum gardens along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
Best and worst time to go the Rodin Museum
The best time to go to the museum is on a weekday. The museum is located in a very busy area where many local events take place each weekend.
The worst time to go to the museum is during the Welcome America week of 4th of July activities. The Rodin Museum is located along one of the main spots for concerts and fireworks unrelated to the museum.
Must see/do at the Rodin Museum
Rodin's bronze Gates of Hell can only be seen in Philadelphia and are required viewing, if you are an art lover. The original Gates of Hell are in his museum in Paris, France.
The garden at the museum is another must. The art and the beauty of the gardens are the second biggest attraction at the museum.
Admission to the Rodin Museum
Admission is "pay what you wish." There are guidelines for donating admission, but people on a budget may attend the museum for free.
Parking and public transportation to the Rodin Museum
Limited metered parking is available on 20th and 21st Streets. Parking is also available in the Philadelphia Museum of Art garage a couple blocks away.
Food at the Rodin Museum
The museum is small and does not have a café. The Rodin Museum has neighborhood food suggestions listed on their website.
Insider tip for visitors to the Rodin Museum
For travelers who love art but are on a budget, this is the best tip around. The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) is a block from the Rodin Museum. PMA charges "what you wish admission" on the first Sunday of every month. If one can't afford to donate at all, plan to go to the Rodin Museum and PMA on the first Sunday of the month for free.
Author's bio: Stasia DeMarco is a native Philadelphian. She has been a freelance journalist and digital media specialist for 20 years.
While Philadelphia is known as the home of Benjamin Franklin, the Liberty Bell, the cheesesteak and the Declaration of Independence, don't forget it's also the birthplace of our federal constitution. Thankfully, the National Constitution Center, which shares the same park as Independence Hall where the document was written, is a world-class museum which celebrates the tumultuous creation and legacy of our founding legal system.
Parking and Public Transportation at the National Constitution Center
Parking in an underground garage is located beneath the museum; to access, enter off of Race Street. Parking isn't cheap, however (between $8 and $16 for the day), so you may want to consider public transportation. The fastest and easiest way to get to the National Constitution Center from Center City is the Market-Frankford subway line, which has a stop one block from the museum. SEPTA bus routes 38, 44, and 48 also service the area.
Admission to the National Constitution Center
General admission includes regular and special exhibitions, like the interactive Signer's Hall and the theatrical presentation Freedom Rising. Prices range from $8 for children 4-12 to $14.50 for adults. Museum members and active military personnel can visit for free. The National Constitution Center also has several reduced cost and free admission days throughout the year, like Memorial Day and National Constitution Day.
Must See/Do at the National Constitution Center
After seeing the 17-minute Freedom Rising performance, make sure to check out the interactive, multimedia The Story of We The People exhibit, which includes a rare early copy of the Emancipation Proclamation. One of the most popular attractions at the National Constitution Center is its Signers' Room, which houses 42 life-size bronze statues of the delegates of the Constitutional Convention. The museum also has several impressive rotating exhibits as well, like one on Kennedy family photography and the history of gay rights in the U.S.
Other Places to Visit Near the National Constitution Center
Two of America's most iconic symbols, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, are within two blocks of the National Constitution Center and tickets are free (walk-up only; to secure tickets in advance, you'll have to pay a nominal $1.50). The relatively new National Museum of American Jewish History is also close by, where you can see Irving Berlin's piano and Albert Einstein's pipe.
Insider tip for visitors to the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center has a wealth of historical artifacts, spanning from an original chair used by a delegate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 to Sandra Day O'Connor's Supreme Court robes. Given its subject matter, the museum also plays host to many political types year-round, from presidential hopefuls to political activists. Each year, the National Constitution Center awards its Liberty Medal to people who "have strived to secure the blessings of liberty the world over." Past recipients include Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, and Malala Yousafzai.
Author's bio: Jeff Birou is an education administrator by day, travel and freelance writer by night. You can find him at his blog, Lance+Jeff, or on Twitter at @Jetsetter_Jeff.