Please Touch Museum
Philadelphia's deservedly popular interactive children's museum, aimed at children ages eight and younger, instills a sense of wonder and fun from the get-go with a towering entrance hall that has a 40-foot-tall sculpture of the Statue of Liberty's torch as its centerpiece. The museum occupies a majestic beaux arts–style building constructed for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, one of just two public buildings still standing from the event. It fills 65,000 square feet with more than 15 themed exhibits, including areas designed for toddlers, where kids can learn through hands-on play. Some popular areas are Food and Family, a mock supermarket; River Adventures, a water area; Wonderland, themed to Alice's adventures; a Makerspace and a Creative Arts Studio for inventing and creating; and a Rocket Room for space adventures. Another highlight is a circa-1908 Dentzel Carousel ride with 52 colorful animals. The 2025 season finale of the TV show Abbott Elementary, about the school's field trip, was filmed at the beloved museum. From fall 2025 through fall 2026, Please Touch will present a special exhibition, Discovering Democracy, as part of the nation's 250th birthday celebrations. All visitors require advance reservations. Allow about three hours for a visit; weekdays are less crowded. The museum has a café, and there's some free parking in the park.
