16 Museum Secrets in Greater Philadelphia

Ever imagine snorkeling with tiger sharks and stingrays? Maybe you’d be more comfortable feeding hippos or training and tong-feeding sea turtles? Perhaps hanging out with a pack of penguins is more your speed? Adventure Aquarium invites you to get wet and interact with its creatures during exclusive experiences at the Camden, New Jersey, attraction. Encounters start at $29.99 to hang with mammals, reptiles, birds and an animal expert, and go up to $190 per person for a wetsuit meet and greet with sharks.

Adults only for this curator-led tour that includes rarely seen parts of the nation’s most decorated battleship, along with mature content. (Think sailor art and stories of a Playboy Bunny onboard). Then enjoy a beer or a glass of wine on the main deck, and soak up the view of the sunset over Philadelphia. Tours are offered monthly for ages 18-plus at $35 per person. There are plenty of other tours to choose from — and even ship sleepovers that can be booked with groups.

Though Andrew Wyeth is the star of this artistic family, his son Jamie and father N.C. are notable artists, too. Visitors to the lovely Brandywine Museum of Art can enjoy their paintings, drawings and illustrations, but they can also visit the nearby studio of Andrew Wyeth, where he worked from 1940 up until 2008. (Note that hours are limited — normally Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.) Book ahead to visit the studio, and take in the country views that inspired this prolific artist. Guests can also tour N.C. Wyeth’s studio and the historic family farmhouse.

Philadelphia was home to the first library in the country, and its current iteration offers so much more than loaner books:

There’s a lot more to Longwood Gardens than, you know, 1,000-plus acres of woodlands, flower gardens, greenhouses, and rare and exotic flora. Explore the inner workings of the largest fountain garden in the U.S. on a 60-minute behind-the-scenes Under the Fountain tour that includes a spin through the underground tunnels that make the show possible.

In the leafy northwestern periphery of the city, Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a well-known and beloved green space. Yet, with all its perfectly manicured gardens, it’s easy to miss the only remaining freestanding Victorian fernery in North America. Built in 1899, The Dorrance H. Hamilton Fernery is a repository of ferns with a koi pond and a Buddha reinforcing the chill vibe. If you’re inspired by the tranquility, set out on the attraction’s Great Trees Tour (which includes majestic redwoods), and check the calendar for yoga in the treetops in season.

Yes, the Mütter Museum is a repository of antique medical tools, models and specimens. But wait — there’s more:

Penn’s anthropology museum holds one of the most important African collections in the country, along with impressive relics from many more diverse cultures and civilizations. What many don’t know is that the museum offers tours led by Philadelphians who grew up in the countries featured in the exhibits. Tour the Middle East Galleries, the Africa Galleries, or the Mexico and Central America Galleries with these Global Guide docents who bring the collections to life, sharing their own unique experiences and perspectives of the culture.

With so many galleries in this storied institution, it’s easy to overlook some treasures. The collection goes well beyond the expected paintings and sculpture to encompass armor, reconstructions of temples and ballrooms, and edgy contemporary design. Some things you might have missed:

No need to pay for a safari when the Giraffe Encounter at America’s first zoo lets you get up close and personal with these gentle giants. For a small fee, you can feed browse (that’s vegetation) to your extra-tall new friends. The fee is $6 per person in addition to zoo entry, with a discounted rate for members.

The region’s popular children’s museum just happens to be located in a building from Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial World’s Fair. The City of Philadelphia’s historic Centennial Fairgrounds model is on view in the museum’s lower level, along with a new state-of-the-art exhibit that taps into the wonders of invention and innovation that fueled the historic fair.

This small collection and library, located in two 19th-century townhouses on Delancey Street near Rittenhouse Square, is itself a hidden treasure — an intimate museum full of rare books. Tucked behind the museum is a private 1,600-square-foot garden filled with colorful flowers and native plants that were selected to connect with the literature in their collection. After closing in the 1990s, the gardens have recently reopened. Guests can use their digital guides to learn more about the space or just meander in the unexpected tranquility.

Alfa, Ferrari, Bugatti, oh my! The automotive museum holds one of the country’s premier classic and historic car collections, displaying notable and storied race cars (no clunkers here!) in its massive hangar in Southwest Philly. Most are in running order, and staff members take a few out once or twice a month for a public demonstration in the museum’s large back lot. Demo Days happen on select Saturdays and are included with museum admission.

Tucked into Philly’s quaint Chestnut Hill neighborhood, the Woodmere is a jewel-box museum showcasing the work of Philadelphia artists. Housed in a 19th-century mansion, the museum is surrounded by an impressive sculpture garden. Admission is free on Sundays — and there’s more: