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Please Touch Museum

4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131 · Philadelphia, PA

Why you should go…

Inside Memorial Hall, a soaring Beaux-Arts landmark built for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, this children's museum is built entirely around play. Kids captain a river adventure, shop a pint-size supermarket, tumble down the rabbit hole into a Wonderland maze, and ride a lovingly restored 1908 Dentzel carousel. Exhibits are aimed at ages seven and under, making it the city's go-to outing for families with toddlers and preschoolers. The dramatic dome and Fairmount Park setting are a bonus for grown-ups.

  • #kids
  • #children's museum
  • #carousel
  • #fairmount park
  • #hands-on

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Please Touch Museum, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Philadelphia Zoo

    $25–$50

    America's first zoo, where the Zoo360 trail system lets big cats and primates travel right over your head.

    0.9 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Philadelphia Museum of Art

    $25–$50

    Run the Rocky Steps, then wander one of America's greatest art collections behind that famous neoclassical facade.

    1.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Foodie Favorite

    Pennsylvania Wine Country

    Free

    A statewide guide to Pennsylvania's wine trails, tasting rooms and vineyard events.

    2.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Eastern State Penitentiary

    Under $25

    Wander the eerie, crumbling cellblocks of the world's first true penitentiary, Al Capone's surprisingly posh cell included.

    2.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    Penn Museum

    Under $25

    A 13-ton granite Sphinx of Ramses II greets you at this world-renowned archaeology museum on Penn's campus.

    2.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    Barnes Foundation

    $25–$50

    Renoirs and Matisses hung floor-to-ceiling exactly as Dr. Barnes arranged them, an art experience unlike any other.

    2.3 mi awayMore like this