Five Wonderfully Weird Things to Do at the Ministry of Awe

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Published on March 12, 2026 by Sabrina Carter

Overview

In a neighborhood known for its artsy destinations, the Ministry of Awe (MoA) is by far the most ambitious and bizarre — and that’s a good thing.

Set inside a historic, grand 19th-century bank designed by famed architect Frank Furness, this fully immersive art experience doubles as a museum, a theatrical performance, a haunted house, an adult playground and a giant story where you — the main character — are an account holder at the MoA.

Large-scale murals, life-size sculptures of fantastical creatures and tons of blink-and-you-miss-it handcrafted art pieces unfold across six floors and countless rooms — all designed to leave you awestruck.

Much of the art is overlaid with interactive technology, cool lighting and ambient soundscapes to fully immerse you in this magical world. A cast of kooky characters — white collar criminals, high priests and priestesses, and other ministers and ministrixes of awe — help you make the most of your experience.

Keep an eye out for hidden hallways and doors, ringing phones (pick them up — someone on the other end might share some helpful information for you), and opportunities to add a message, a doodle or your voice to the living, breathing, ever-changing work of art.

Meg Saligman, the acclaimed Philly muralist and mind behind the MoA, worked with over 100 local artists to bring this project to life. The Ministry of Awe opens Saturday, March 14, 2026. Tickets are required.

Part of the joy of the Ministry of Awe is in the discovery. Read on for a peek inside the strange, spectacular — and at times scandalous — world of the Ministry of Awe.

Five Wonderfully Weird Things to Do at the Ministry of Awe

1. Take care of business in the lobby of the Ministry of Awe

Naturally, the lobby — with its grand architecture, floor-to-ceiling paintings and what-was-that moments (looking at you giant floating eyeball) — is the gateway to the weird and wacky world of the Ministry of Awe.

Stand under a giant disembodied nose and be sniffed by bank personnel. Send a note to your future self via time machine, and take care of official bank business at the front desk, filling out deposit slips and chatting up the employees.

2. Lie, cheat and steal your way to glory in the Office of Forgery

Clearly, not your typical bank, fraud and forgery are not only legal but encouraged. Test your skills of deception under the expert tutelage of a professional white-collar criminal — employed, yes, by the bank.

Practice your signature — and those of others — then run it through a high-tech scanner to be analyzed and interpreted.

3. Write your story in the stars of “The Heavens”

Ascend to the heavens and take your rightful place among the gods, goddesses and storytellers of the great beyond.

Celestial bodies mingle with angels, women and kids decked out in some futuristic headgear in an ethereal overhead mural by Saligman.

Look up and leave an offering — a story, a gesture, a word — and watch the skies light up with projections, constellations and more as your reward.

4. Have a jewelry box dance party in the Office of Estate Holdings

Ever wondered how Alice felt in Wonderland?

Shrink down to the size of a diamond ring and find out from the inside of a vintage jewelry box, complete with its centerpiece teeny, tiny ballerina.

Get wild and crazy alongside the toy dancer (brought to life by a professional from BalletX) as she breaks the confines of her rigid world, free to dance, move and express herself however she pleases — if only for a little while.

5. Attend your own wake in the Department of Final Affairs

Things are getting curiouser and curiouser: Blur the lines between the worlds of the living and the dead in the Department of Final Affairs, and get a front row seat to the most popular wake of the season: yours!

Sign your birth certificate, receive your death certificate and celebrate a life worth living — then go out and continue living it.

FAQ

Do I need tickets?

Yep, timed tickets are required and available on the official website. Discounts are available for kids, seniors and military. Little ones under the age of 3 are free. Capacity is limited, so your best bet is to purchase your tickets in advance.

What’s the story on the gift shop?

Located in the lobby of the building, the gift shop offers a variety of merch created by the very same artists responsible for the Ministry.

One of the only times your money is any good at this bank, the shop is definitely worth a visit and features everything from hats, mugs and totes to prints and postcards featuring gorgeous artwork.

Is the MoA accessible?

The MoA is expansive, retrofitting all six stories of the historic bank with things to do and see.

A visit will entail a lot of walking and stairs (tip: wear comfy shoes!), but elevators are available, and most levels of the building are accessible and ADA-compliant, except for the fifth floor and basement.

Is the MoA family-friendly?

The MoA is open to all ages. Do keep in mind that little ones might find some rooms to be a little dark and spooky, and the themes might be more difficult for younger audiences to grasp. A limited number of the artworks depict nudity.

How long does it take to experience the MoA?

On average, a visitor can spend between 90 minutes and 2 hours. Guests are encouraged to experience the bank at their own pace, and exploring the entire experience can take as little or as long as you would like.