The 13 best museums in Philadelphia, from art galleries to medical museums

Freedom and justice for all. It’s not just a sentiment — it’s a mission that runs through the veins of this city, where you can walk in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers at Independence Hall. But there’s so much more to the city’s history than just the American Revolution. There are world-class art collections at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes; Science comes alive at the Franklin Institute and Science History Museum; rare books delight at The Rosenbach in Rittenhouse; and the macabre world of medicine mystified at The Mutters. Philly is also home to the largest sphinx in the western hemisphere (at the Penn Museum). Whether you’re an art lover, a history buff, or a sociologist, there’s an institution waiting for you. Read on for the best museums in Philadelphia.

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This gallery has been updated with new information since the original publication date.