The Philadelphia Museum of Art: come for the tourists imitating Sylvester Stallone, stay for the world-class art collection. The Philadelphia Museum of Art has been immortalized by Rocky--you can even pose with a nearby Rocky statue--but the museum earns its reputation as an world-class cultural destination. Home to over 25,000 pieces of art spanning time and form, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of America's largest art museums.
How to get to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Museum, perched on a hill overlooking Center City Philadelphia, can be accessed via I-676 which cuts across Philadelphia. If you're coming from downtown, you can catch various tour buses or the PHLASH trolley up to the museum. By foot, Benjamin Franklin Parkway provides a direct walk from City Hall to the museum--you can't miss it.
Best and worst time to go to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Best and worst depends on your intention: if you're looking to save some money, attend Wednesdays 5:00 p.m. to close, or the first Sunday of every month, when admission is pay-what-you-will. Of course, this makes the place a bit crowded, if accessible. If you're looking for a more peaceful experience, you should consider the first and last few hours of operating hours, particularly on weekdays.
Admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Adults are $20, seniors 65 and older are $18 and students and youth (13-18) are $14. Children 12 and under are free. The museum also offers memberships. As stated above, if you're on a budget, take advantage of the pay-what-you-wish options offered at different times of the month. Note that admission to the main museum also gets you same-day admission to the nearby Rodin Museum and the Perelman Building, home to additional exhibits.
Must see/do at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The ceremonial Japanese teahouse is a fan favorite. Marcel Duchamp's Nude Descending a Staircase is arguably the most recognizable piece on display, though the museum also hosts a commendable collection of pieces by Degas, Monet and others. The medieval armor collection is also an impressive surprise.
Other places to visit near the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is on one end of the city's dense collection of museums and educational institutes. For the dinosaur or butterfly lover in your life, head to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. For interactive and educational science-related experiences, check out the Franklin Institute.
Insider tips for visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Check out the Art After 5 offerings every Friday night, where you can enjoy a cocktail, hors d'ouevres and live entertainment while you pursue the galleries.
About the author: Jeff Birou is an education administrator by day, travel and freelance writer by night. Check him out on Twitter at @lanceandjeff or his blog Lance+Jeff.
Some visitors to the Statue of Liberty arrive in search of the first thing their ancestors laid eyes on upon landing in the New World. Others come to fulfill a fascination with an image so recognizable, she has achieved something like celebrity status. Whatever the purpose, Lady Liberty will not disappoint. As one of America's most iconic images, a pilgrimage to this symbol of liberty and peace is a must.
Parking and public transportation to the Statue of Liberty
Statue Cruises is the official ferry service provider. Ferries depart from Battery Park, which is easily accessible by public transportation or taxi. Parking is limited so driving isn't recommended. Tickets to depart from Liberty State Park in New Jersey are also available, where paid parking spaces are plentiful.
Best and worst time to go to the Statue of Liberty
Winter weekdays, barring major holidays, draw the fewest number of tourists. Prepare for long lines at the ferry terminal during summer months; wait times can stretch to over an hour. If you're set on visiting during the summer, try to book tickets for as early in the morning as possible.
Admission to the Statue of Liberty
Three options are offered: Reserve Only, Pedestal, or Crown. Crown access typically sells out up to three months in advance. Same-day pedestal access may be available at the ticket office in Battery Park, but online advance reservations are highly recommended. Adult admission begins at $18, and all ticket options include ferry service to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and audio tours of both places.
Must see/do at the Statue of Liberty
The climb to the Statue's crown involves a narrow, winding staircase with a grand total of 354 steps. This may not be suitable for every visitor. The pedestal, however, should not be missed. Pedestal access includes entrance to the Liberty Island museum, where visitors can view the Statue's original torch, and peruse exhibits that explain her conception, engineering, and delicate transport from France to America. The pedestal's observation deck offers gorgeous views of New York's harbor and skyline, and unique vantage points of the Statue's imposing 151-foot height.
Other places to visit near the Statue of Liberty
Battery Park's waterfront promenade is a scenic place to relax. For those who wish to continue on the trail of history, head to the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, which is now home to the National Museum of the American Indian. The famous Charging Bull of Wall Street is also a short walk away.
Insider tip for visitors to the Statue of Liberty
Plan well ahead for this one. Buy online tickets as far in advance as possible, print your tickets before arriving at the ferry terminal, and get there at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time to allow for the airport style security screening. The Statue's busiest days come with a dose of chaos, so be infinitely patient and ask the nice folks manning the lines for help if you're unsure of anything.
Author's bio: Michele DeBella is a freelance writer based in New York City, where her ancestors saw the Statue of Liberty as they began their new lives in the New World.
Part of a 150-acre preserve, Lyman Woods Interpretive Center offers a two-for-one deal: a learning center and a beautiful nature area to explore. With so many acres, you will want to take a guided tour and reap the benefits of someone who knows the area. The Lyman Woods Interpretive Center, an economically friendly building with a green roof, houses changing exhibits for visitors. While walking the grounds, take notice of the butterfly and the rain gardens.
Detailed information about this and other Downers Grove parks is available on the Park District's interactive website.
The Great Brook Farm State Park is a public park. It offers many recreation activities including fishing, hiking, canoeing, biking, skiing and horseback riding. The park is also home to a fully operational dairy farm that's open for tours between May and October. The park offers ski and canoe rentals during the winter and summer respectively. A trail map is available to download on the website.
Minute Man National Historical Park preserves and interprets significant sites, landscapes and structures where the American Revolution began on April 19, 1775. The park is currently a global symbol of humanity's universal struggle for liberty.
The 1,038-acre park includes the Minute Man statue, the North Bridge (site of "the shot heard round the world") and sections of the Battle Road. Also preserved at the Minute Man National Historical Park is The Wayside, where 19th-century authors kept the spirit of the Revolution alive by contributing to the creation of a uniquely American literature. The five-mile Battle Road Trail allows opportunities for walking, bicycles or wheelchairs and following remnants of the historic road. Individuals may also visit historic houses, farming fields, wetlands and forests along the way.
