<p>Mutter museum, Franklin institute (which currently has an exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls), the Franklin Court complex (over by the mint, you pass Ben Franklin’s grave on the way ) and we love the Camden Aquarium. The ferry ride is cool, you don’t even set foot in Camden proper and the aquarium is awesome. But it can be crowded. </p>
<p>If you want to see a revolutionary park, go to Valley Forge. Closer, and less July crowded than Gettysburg. And you can go shopping at King of Prussia :)</p>
<p>Visited my D in Philadelphia this spring. Wanted to go to the Rodin Museum, but it’s closed until July. Went up the street to the Philadelphia Art Museum and saw the Van Gogh exhibit. If you’re interested in art–go see the Barnes Foundation. The collection is vast and there are some wonderful Impressionist paintings. It’s in a new building–relocated (after lots of litigation) to the city. I believe that it opened within the last few months.</p>
<p>Hey, Southjerseychessmom, I did the architecture tour a couple of weeks ago and there were a couple of people from South Jersey on it! Did we do it together?</p>
<p>Lot’s of great suggestions already. I’d just add to check this site for deals the week before you come - [Home</a> page | Phillyfunguide.com](<a href=“Phillyfunguide – Home”>Phillyfunguide – Home)</p>
<p>If you happen to love Bruce Springsteen, there is an exhibit at the Constitution Center of his life and times…we loved it</p>
<p>The number-one must-see of the season is the Barnes. If you want to do that, however, go online and get the tickets now. They will only admit so many people at a time, and convenient times fill up. And if your appetite for Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art knows no limits, there is a big (ticketed) show at the Philadelphia Museum of Art about the Arcadian visions of Cezanne, Matisse, and Gaugin that is full of greatest-hits paintings from around the world.</p>
<p>Another nice thing to do – and it costs a lot less – is take a walk along the Schuylkill, starting in the gardens behind the Art Museum. </p>
<p>Philadelphia has a ton of murals all over the city, and I think there is a Mural Arts tour that shows you some of the favorites and talks about the process, which is interesting.</p>
<p>Research the latest hot little BYOB restaurants on Yelp. Summer is a great time to try them, since the pressure on reservations eases. </p>
<p>Other than that, I second alot of the advice you have gotten: Franklin Institute, Mutter, Independence Hall, Reading Terminal, Italian Market (now significantly Mexican and Vietnamese, too).</p>