The Salvation Army is a multifaceted organization serving the community in the name of Jesus. This particular branch offers church services on Sundays and other activities throughout the week including an exercise program for seniors, a men's fraternity get-together, a ladies group and a dinner night. AA hosts meetings here as well.
Philadelphia's Please Touch Museum inspires kids to learn and discover through playing. The museum features countless exhibits for all ages to enjoy, including some that grown adults may even remember from their childhood trips to Please Touch Museum. Kids and parents can enjoy hands-on fun on two levels of exciting attractions to explore, with special programs and events also featured throughout the year.
Best and Worst Time to Go to Please Touch Museum
Rainy days tend to draw more guests to the Please Touch Museum, so plan to visit on a sunny or fair day if you are looking for smaller crowds. Visits later in the day, particularly during the afternoon, are usually less crowded due to school trips having already wrapped up their visits. Mondays are another safe bet as groups are not taken that first day of the week.
Must-See and Do at Please Touch Museum
Kids will love to play in the water at the museum's River Adventures exhibit, complete with sailboat races and animals nestled in the nooks of the gigantic winding water table. The Space Station allows families to create and launch foam rockets high into the sky of the space room, aiming for the Ring Tower or other parts of the room. Don't miss the ShopRite Supermarket downstairs in the museum--a must-do for kids who love play food, shopping, and role play.
Admission to Please Touch Museum
Children over the age of 1 and adults will need to pay for admission to the museum. Museum members gain free admission for as many times each year as they would like to visit, and the cost of a family membership is quite reasonable if you live in the area. Discounts are offered for members of the military and AAA members, as well as from 4 - 7 p.m. for all guests on the first Wednesday of the month.
Parking and Public Transportation to Please Touch Museum
Depending on how busy the museum is when you visit, the paid lot can be quite full with finding a parking spot taking a little patience. Members of the museum park in the lot for free, but free parking is available for non-members all along the street outside of the museum. Public transportation options also provide convenient access to the Please Touch Museum, specifically SEPTA buses, Philly PHLASH, Amtrak, and NJ Transit.
Food at Please Touch Museum
Families can enjoy a bite to eat at the museum's Please Taste Cafe, featuring pizzas, salads, sandwiches, beverages, and more. Expect to pay typical prices for this kind of establishment, but gain a 10% discount if you are a member. The room with the Carousel also has tables spaced out if you choose to bring your own snacks or lunch to save some money.
Insider Tip for Visitors to Please Touch Museum
Visit the Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel as a reward toward the end of your visit so that you can make it through all the exhibits. Child riders will need a ticket but one parent can accompany the child for free.
Author's bio: Kathryn M. D'Imperio is a freelance writer and marketing specialist in Pennsylvania. She enjoys taking her toddler daughter to various attractions in and around Philadelphia.
Founded in 2002, and based in Manayunk, the Starfinder Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing leadership, love of learning, commitment, responsibility and character in kids from under served communities.
Offering participation in soccer activities, educational programs and enrichment services led by athletes, local professionals and people who are interested in serving as mentors for area children; Starfinder participants are taught the game, discipline, teamwork, respect and critical thinking through a variety of programs.
Starfinder has renovated a 30,000 square foot indoor facility and also organizes after school and summer programs at schools and recreation facilities.
The rewards of participating in the Starfinder program extend well beyond the soccer pitch, with the program's seniors graduating from highschool at a rate of 98% (versus the 46% of their peers, cited by the PA school system) and pursuing post-secondary education at a rate of 85%.