Top Regional Attractions

Philadelphia

Academy of Natural Sciences 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; 215-299-1000. www.ansp.org. Includes Dinosaur Hall, Egyptian mummies, interactive, live animals, educational exhibits for children & more. Geckos: Tails to Toepads - Educational exhibit featuring live geckos & interactive displays. Closes 9/7. $10; $8 seniors, students, military, children 3-12; free for children under 3. Mon.-Fri. 10 am-4:30 pm; Sat.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm.

American Philosophical Society Museum 104 S. 5th St.; 215-440-3400. www.apsmuseum.org. Dialogues With Darwin - First-edition volumes, vibrant illustrations from Darwin's South American travels & the handwritten title page of 'On the Origin of Species'. Closes 10/17/10. Donations accepted. 10 am-4 pm Fri.-Sun.

American Swedish Historical Museum 1900 Pattison Ave.; 215-389-1776. www.americanswedish.org. Featuring exhibits dedicated to Swedish American history, Swedish arts & culture. Anders Zorn - 12 figurative copperplate etchings. Closes summer, 2009. Colony to Community: The Story of New Sweden - Rare objects & historic images of the early Swedish settlement. Closes 12/4. $6; $5 seniors & students; free for children under 12. Tue.-Fri. 10 am-4 pm, Sat.-Sun. noon-4 pm.

Atwater Kent Museum 15 S. Seventh St.; 215-685-4830. www.philadelphiahistory.org. Museum closed for renovation until 3/1/10. For info on continuing programs, see website.

Bartram's Garden 54th St.; 215-729-5281. www.bartramsgarden.org. America's oldest living botanical garden & the pre-revolutionary home of naturalist, botanist & explorer John Bartram. Botanical Illustration Meet-Up - Opportunity to draw from nature & share ideas with other artists. $5. 7/11 10 am-1 pm. Volunteer Day - Help beautify the garden & enrich the historic landscape. 7/11 9 am-noon. Grounds: Daily 10 am-5 pm. Tours: noon-4 pm.

Betsy Ross House 239 Arch St.; 215-686-1252. www.betsyrosshouse.org. Playball! - Examines the history of baseball in the City of Brotherly love. Closes 10/31. $3; $2 seniors, military & children under 13. Daily 10 am-5 pm.

*FREE* Christ Church 20 N. American St.; 215-922-1695, ext. 30. www.christchurchphila.org. Georgian architectural treasure attended by founding fathers; heritage is well documented by an extensive collection of artifacts as well as archival & library materials. Rector's Forum - A forum on varied topics of discussion is held each Sunday in the Neighborhood House. Donations accepted. Mon.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. 1-5 pm.

Christ Church Burial Ground 5th & Arch Sts.; 215-922-1695, ext. 30. www.christchurchphila.org. Final resting place of Benjamin Franklin & 4 other signers of the Declaration of Independence. Guided tours on the hr., last tour at 3 pm. $2; $1 students; $10 groups up to 25. Mon-Sat. 10 am-4 pm; Sun. noon-4 pm.

Eastern State Penitentiary 22nd St. & Fairmount Ave.; 215-236-3300. www.easternstate.org. The vaulted, sky-lit cells of this prison once held many of America's most notorious criminals, including bank robber Willie Sutton & Al Capone. Bastille Day Festival - 15th annual event featuring live music, children's activities, exhibit tents, staging of the storming of the Bastille & more. 7/11 2-6 pm. $12; $10 seniors; $8 students & children 7-12. Children under 7 cannot be admitted to the site. Daily 10 am-5 pm.

*FREE* Edgar Allan Poe National Historical Site Spring Garden St.; 215-597-8780. www.nps.gov/edal. Home of the noted author from 1843-44. Wed.-Sun. 9 am-5 pm. 9 am-5 pm Wed.-Sun.

Elfreth's Alley 2nd St.; 215-574-0560. www.elfrethsalley.org. $2; $1 children 6-18. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. noon-5 pm.

*FREE* Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia 100 N. 6th St.; 866-574-3727. www.philadelphiafed.org. Money in Motion - History of banking, money & Federal Reserve; interactive displays on currency circulation, counterfeit detection, country's monetary policy & currency collection with rare bills. Mon.-Fri. 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Closed bank holidays. Open weekends thru 8/30.

Fort Mifflin Fort Mifflin Rd.; 215-685-4167. www.fortmifflin.com. American War of Independence - Features articles from the American War of Independence. Closes 12/1. $6; $5 seniors; $3 veterans & children 6-12; free for children 5 & under. Wed.-Sun. 10 am-4 pm.

The Franklin Institute 222 N. 20th St.; 215-448-1200. www.fi.edu. Exhibits include Amazing Machine!, The Franklin Air Show, Giant Heart, Sir Isaac's Loft, Space Command, Sports Challenge, The Train Factory & more. Rittenhouse Astronomical Society Meeting - 2nd Wed. 7:30 pm. Race: Are We So Different? - Biological, cultural, historical & contemporary points of view about race & racism in the U.S. Closes 9/7. Galileo: The Medici & the Age of Astronomy - Exhibit on how Galileo & contemporaries impacted science & the world. Includes a number of instruments used by the astronomer. Closes 9/7. $20.75; $19.75 seniors; $14 children. STAR TREK: The Exhibition - Featuring sets, props & costumes from the Star Trek television series & feature films. Closes 9/20. $12-$23.75; $11-$22.75 seniors; $9.50-$15.50 children 4-11. Sci-Pass: $14.25; $13.25 seniors, students & military; $11.50 children. IMAX & other permanent exhibits open daily 9:30 am-5 pm.

Franklin Square 6th & Race Sts.; 215-629-4026. www.onceuponanation.org. Philly Mini Golf - Features a miniature version of Philadelphia & some of the city's most beloved sites. $8; $6 children. Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel. $3; $2 children 3-12; free for children under 2. Daily 10 am-9 pm.

Independence Hall Chestnut St.; 215-597-8974. www.nps.gov/inde/independence-hall-1.htm. Guided Tour - Explore this historic example of Georgian architecture. Daily 9 am-5 pm.

Independence Living History Center 115 S. Third St.; 215-629-4026. www.onceuponanation.org. 1776: The Movie-Musical - Interactive movie-going experience complete with sing-a-longs & props. Ends 9/4. $15; $12 students, seniors & military; $10 children 12 & under. Colonial Kids' Quest - Search for clues to solve the mystery of a missing copy of the Declaration of Independence. Sat. thru 9/5. $16. Turmoil & Treason: The Path to Independence - Guided tour where you'll encounter 18th-century townspeople with strong feelings on both sides of the Declaration debate. Sat. thru 9/5. $20; $18 seniors, students & military; $15 children 12 & under. Once Upon a Nation: Independence After Hours - 3-course meal at historic City Tavern, evening tour of Independence Hall & Lights of Liberty Show. Tue.-Sat. 5:30 pm thru 10/24. $70; $64 seniors, military & students; $50 children 12 & under ($10 extra for optional Lights of Liberty show). Tippler's Tour - Guide shares stories of tavern life in Colonial Philadelphia. Sample drinks at colonial & modern day taverns in Old City. Thu. 5:30 pm thru 10/29. $35; $30 seniors, military & students. $15; $12 students, seniors & military; $10 children 12 & under.

Independence National Historical Park 6th & Markets Sts.; 215-965-2305. www.nps.gov/inde. Once Upon a Nation: Storytelling Benches - 13 one-of-a-kind storytelling benches scattered all over the historic district. Closes 9/7. Most sites free. Daily 8:30 am-5 pm.

Independence Seaport Museum 211 S. Columbus Blvd. & Walnut St.; 215-413-8655. www.phillyseaport.org. Ongoing exhibits include What Floats Your Boat?, Coming to America, & more. Skin & Bones: Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor - Uses & significance of tattoos in American sailors' lives & how the art has spread through society. Closes 1/3. $12; $10 seniors; $7 children/students/military; free for children under 2. Daily 10 am-5 pm.

Independence Visitor Center N. 6th St. & Market St.; 800-537-7676. www.independencevisitorcenter.com. Mural Arts Program Public Trolley Tours - Guided tour to experience some of the area artwork. Closes 11/1. Open daily 8:30 am-6 pm.

*FREE* Laurel Hill Cemetery: The Underground Museum 3822 Ridge Ave.; 215-228-8200. www.theundergroundmuseum.org. Outdoor sculptural garden, horticultural gem & unique historical landmark featuring over 75 acres of art & history. Mon.-Fri. 8 am-4:30 pm; Sat.-Sun. 9:30 am-5 pm.

Laurel Hill Mansion East Fairmount Park; 215-235-1776. www.fairmountpark.org/LaurelHill.asp. Georgian-style mansion built in 1767 by Rebecca Rawle. $5; $3 seniors; $2 children 6-12. Open 10 am-4 pm weekends.

*FREE* Liberty Bell Center 501 Market St.; 215-965-2305. www.nps.gov/inde. Home of the Liberty Bell & exhibits on its origins & role as symbol of freedom. Daily 9 am-5 pm.

Lights of Liberty Show 6th & Chestnut Sts.; 215-629-4026. www.historicphiladelphia.org. Outdoor, nighttime sound & light spectacular with surround sound & images projected on historic buildings telling the story of struggle for independence. Thu.-Sat. beginning at dusk. $19.50; $16.50 seniors & students; $13 children 12 & under. Ben Franklin's Ghost appears as a dramatic, life-size holographic image who answers questions about his life in this interactive exhibit. Exhibit free. Sun.-Mon. 10 am-7 pm; Tue.-Sat. 10 am-11 pm.

Masonic Temple One North Broad St.; 215-988-1900. www.pagrandlodge.org. Built in 1873, this National Historic Landmark is a magnificent example of architecture, art & history. Tours: Tue.-Fri. 11 am, 2 & 3 pm; Sat. 10 am & 11 am. Masonic Temple Library - Esteemed collection for the study of American History & Freemasonry, featuring over 75,000 volumes & 30,000 documents, prints, photos & manuscripts. $8, with individual & group discounts available. Tue.-Fri. 10 am-5 pm; Sat. 10 am-noon.

Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania 100 E. Northwestern Ave.; 215-247-5777. www.morrisarboretum.org. Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble - Fusion of jazz, African, Brazilian, rhythm & blues & hip-hop music. $30. 7/16 7-8:30 pm. The Summer Palace - Newly created, original sculpture by Patrick Dougherty, now on display in the Madeleine K. Butcher Sculpture Garden. On display for approx. one year, or as long as it lasts in the natural elements. Andrea Baldeck: The Texture of Trees - Photo exhibit shows how trees provide vital richness & texture in our lives. Closes 9/30. Garden Railway: Great American Lighthouses - Extensive model train layout w/a lighthouse theme. Closes 10/13. Out on a Limb: A Tree Adventure - New, outdoor exhibit featuring breathtaking, bird's eye views of the forest. Ongoing. $14; $12 seniors; $7 students & youth 3-17; free for children under 3. Daily 10 am-4 pm.

The Mutter Museum 19 S. 22nd St.; 215-563-3737. www.collphyphil.org. Over 200 wet & dry specimens, lantern slides, x-rays & more. $12; $8 seniors, students, children 6-17; free for children under 6. Open daily 10 am-5 pm; until 9 pm Fri.

National Constitution Center 525 Arch St.; 215-409-6600. www.constitutioncenter.org. 1787 copy on display plus more than 100 interactive exhibits, Signer's Hall, The Story of We the People (Multimedia presentation featuring live actor, film & video projection, family-oriented exhibits) & more. Bastille Day - The NCC will offer various programming exploring the American & French Revolutions. Included in admission. 7/11-7/14 11 am-3 pm. Napoleon - Over 300 items from Napoleon's life & times, including fine art, documents & furniture. Closes 9/7. $17.50; $16.50 seniors; $13.50 children 4-12; free for active military & children under 4. Regular admission: $12; $11 seniors; $8 children 4-12; free for children under 4 & military (audio tour $3). Mon.-Fri. 9:30 am-5 pm; Sat. 9:30 am-6 pm; Sun. noon-5 pm.

National Liberty Museum 321 Chestnut St.; 215-925-2800. www.libertymuseum.org. Featured exhibits include Coming to America; Award-winning Dale Chihuly glass sculptures; From Conflict to Harmony; Heroes From Around the World; Exceptional People. Sergey Bunkov - Israeli artist Sergey Bunkov's figurative works explore the dynamic tensions of opposites. Closes 7/10. Densaburo Oku - Glass artist from Japan. Opening 7/16 6 pm. Closes 8/16. $7; $6 seniors; $5 students; $2 children 5-7; free for children under 5 & for all on Sun. Self guided tours only. Tue.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm.

*FREE* National Museum of American Jewish History 55 N. 5th St.; 215-923-3811. www.nmajh.org. Shaping Space, Making Meaning - New exhibit offers an inside look at the museum's upcoming 2010 exhibition. Features design sketches, computer-generated images, video & text. Ongoing. Mon.-Thu. 10 am-5 pm; Fri. 10 am-3 pm; Sun. noon-5 pm.

The Philadelphia Zoo 3400 W. Girard Ave.; 215-243-1100. www.philadelphiazoo.org. Ongoing exhibits & attractions include the popular PECO Primate Reserve, Rare Animal Conservation Center, Bank of America Big Cat Falls, Children's Zoo & more. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Positive children's hip-hop with a grown up sound. 7/14-7/16 11-11:45 am. GEICO Gecko Exhibit - See giant geckos in a naturalistic environment & check out interactive displays. Closes 8/30. Festival of Flight - Features colorful parrots, Maccaws & other birds in a free-flight show. Closes 9/7. $18; $15 children 2-11; free for children under 2. Daily 9:30 am-5 pm.

*FREE* Polish American Cultural Center & Museum 308 Walnut St.; 215-922-1700. www.polishamericancenter.org. Features exhibits on Polish history & culture, including Great Men & Women of Poland, History: A Tradition of Service & Polish Folk Art. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm.

Ryerss Museum & Library 7370 Central Ave.; 215-685-0544. Asian art & artifacts as well as generations of family heirlooms & paintings. Donations accepted. Fri.-Sun. 10 am-4 pm.

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology 3260 South St.; 215-898-4000. www.museum.upenn.edu. 3 gallery floors with art & artifacts from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia, the Americas, Africa, Polynesia & the ancient Mediterranean world. Summer Wonders 2009 - Wed. 10:30-11:30 am. Weekly, free themed programs for visitors. Ends 8/12. Fulfilling a Prophecy: The Past & Present of the Lenape in PA - Featuring never-before displayed objects & photographs from the private collections of Lenape people in PA. Closes 9/13. Painted Metaphors: Pottery & Politics of the Ancient Maya - Over 150 items from the realm of the ancient Mayans. Figurines, jades, instruments, pots & more. Closes Fall, 2009. Suggested donation: $10; $7 seniors; $6 students & children 6-17; free for children under 6. Tue.-Sat. 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun. 1-5 pm.

Wagner Free Institute of Science 1700 W. Montgomery Ave.; 215-763-6529. www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org. Founded 1855. Houses Wagner's natural history collection of skeletons, mounted animals, fossils. Donation suggested: $8. Tue.-Fri. 9 am-4 pm.

Woodford Mansion 33rd & Dauphin St., East Fairmount Park; 215-229-6115. www.woodfordmansion.org. Elegant 18th century summer house furnished with an exquisite collection of period antiques. Tours $5; $3 seniors. Tue.-Sun. 10 am-4 pm. Closed major holidays.

*FREE* Woodlands Cemetery at The Woodlands 4000 Woodland Ave.; 215-386-2181. www.woodlandsphila.org. National Historic Landmark District featuring the William Hamilton mansion & carriage house of 1789 & the continuously active Woodlands Cemetery founded on the remains of Hamilton's estate in 1840. $3-$5. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

Pennsylvania suburbs

American Helicopter Museum & Learning Center 1220 American Blvd., West Chester; 610-436-9600. www.helicoptermuseum.org. Features over 35 civilian & military helicopters, autogiros & convertaplanes. $7; $6 seniors; $5 students; free under 2. Wed.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. noon-5 pm.

*FREE* Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site Route 1, Chadds Ford; 610-459-3342. www.ushistory.org/brandywine. 52 acres of woodlands, meadows, Washington's headquarters, artifacts, weapons, uniforms. Summer History Camp - Seven 1-week experiences teach soldier life, leadership & coloinial life in Chadds Ford. Reservations required. Ends 8/14. House tours: $5; $3.50 seniors; $2.50 children 6-17; free for children under 6. Tue.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm, Sun. noon-5 pm.

Chadds Ford Historical Society 1736 Creek Rd., Chadds Ford; 610-388-7376. www.chaddsfordhistory.org. Moo to You - Exhibit of items within the dairy industry donated from local farmers & members of the Chadds Ford Historical Society. Closes 9/6. Tours of the John Chads' House - Guided historic house tour. Beehive oven baking most weekends. Closes 9/6. Barns-Brinton House & Tavern - Demonstrations include hearth cooking & period dressed guides. Closes 9/6. $5; $3 children 12-17; free for children 12 & under.

Chester County Historical Society 225 N. High St., West Chester; 610-692-4800. www.cchs-pa.org. Layers: Unfolding the Stories of Chester County Quilts #2 - Historical quilts tell of people from the County's past. Closes 10/1. Abraham Lincoln in Chester County - Lincoln stopped in Chester County on the way to his Inauguration in 1861. Closes 11/28. What is Open Space? - Exhibit on how Chester County has been influenced & shaped by the concept of open space. Closes 12/31. $5; $4 seniors & students; $2.50 children; free for children under 6. Wed.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm.

Elmwood Park Zoo 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown; 610-277-3825. www.elmwoodparkzoo.org. The Norristown Zoological Society operates the Zoo, an educational adventure in a fun, clean & family-oriented environment. $10.75; $7.75 seniors & children 2-11; free for children under 2. Daily 10 am-5 pm.

*FREE* Glencairn Museum 1001 Cathedral Rd., Bryn Athyn; 267-502-2993. www.glencairnmuseum.org. Saturday Highlights Tour - Tour exhibits & collections focusing on religion & its history. Sat. 11 am-1 pm. Painting With Light - Exhibition on the artists & craftspeople who created Bryn Athyn Cathedral & Glencairn's stained glass. Closes 7/25. $7; $6 seniors; $4 students; free for children 5 & under. Sat. 11 am-2:30 pm. Mon.-Fri. by appt. only.

The Historic Grange Estate 143 Myrtle Ave., Havertown; 610-446-4958. www.thegrangeestate.org. Original Penn land grant settled by Welshman Henry Lewis in 1682. Mansion established in 1700 & updated until its present 1850 conception in the English Gothic Revival style. Visited by Washington & other notables of the day. Grounds: dawn to dusk. Mansion: Sat. & Sun. 1-4 pm.

*FREE* Hopewell Furnace 2 Mark Bird Ln., Elverson; 610-582-8773. www.nps.gov/hofu. $4; free for children under 16. Wed.-Sun. 9 am-5 pm. Grounds open daily.

Longwood Gardens Rte. 1, Kennett Square; 610-388-1000. www.longwoodgardens.org. Milkshake - Educational, funny, upbeat songs that kids can dance to. 7/10 7 pm. Blue Highway. $25. 7/11 7:30 pm. David Rogers: The Flower Force - Large sculptures of beehives, butterflies, flowers & similar, created with natural materials. Closes 9/6. The Buds & the Bees: Pollination & the Secret Lives of Plants - Explores the sights, sounds & science of pollination. Closes 1/10. $16; $14 seniors (ages 62 & over); $6 students (5-22); free for children 4 & under. Mon.-Wed. & Sun. 9 am-6 pm; Thu.-Sat. 9 am-10 pm.

The Mercer Museum 84 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-345-0210. www.mercermuseum.org. Everyday Rhythms - Exhibit on instruments & their histories. Includes interactive displays. Closes 8/31. $9; $8 seniors; $4 children 5-17; free for children under 5. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm; Tue. till 9 pm; Sun. noon-5 pm.

Morgan Log House 850 Weikel Rd., Towamencin; 215-368-2480. www.morganloghouse.org. Listed on National Registry of Historic Places. Antique furniture, metals, household implements, decorative arts, gardens. $3; $2 seniors & children 6-17; free for children under 6.

Pearl S. Buck House 520 Dublin Rd., Perkasie; 215-249-0100. www.psbi.org. Welcome House Picnic: Vietnam/Nepal - Educational event promoting birth country cultural awareness for adopted children & their families. $5; $3 children. 7/12 1-3 pm. American Red Cross Blood Drive - All donors will receive a coupon for a tour of the Pearl S. Buck House. Call for appointment: 215-361-0143. 7/13 1:30-7:30 pm. The Art & Sculpture of Green Hills Farm - Selections from Pearl S. Buck's personal collection of art w/ a display of the recently recovered 'The Good Earth' manuscript. Closes 11/15. Tue.-Sat. 11 am, 1 & 2 pm; Sun. 1 & 2 pm. $7; $6 seniors; free for children under 6.

Pennsbury Manor 400 Pennsbury Memorial Rd., Morrisville; 215-946-0400. www.pennsburymanor.org. Recreated country home of William Penn. Provides a peaceful contrast to the hurry of modern American life. Guided tour: $5; $4.50 seniors; $3 children 6-17; free for children 5 & under. Tue.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. noon-5 pm.

*FREE* Pennypacker Mills 5 Haldeman Rd., Schwenksville; 610-287-9349. historicsites.montcopa.org. Turn-of-the-century mansion & farm of PA's 25th Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker (1903-1907). Tea on a Summer's Eve - Bring your cup & saucer for an evening of tea & desserts in a Victorian garden buffet setting. Reservations required. $20. 7/12 7-8:30 pm. Something Sweet: The Confectioner's World of 1900 - Enter the world of candy making with this fascinating exhibit focusing on candy making in the early 1900s. Closes 10/31. Tue.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm; Sun. 1-4 pm.

*FREE* Pottsgrove Manor 100 W. King St., Pottstown; 610-326-4014. www.historicsites.montcopa.org. Domestick Beings: Keeping a House, Making a Home - Exhibit focuses on the roles of women, servants & slaves in an upper-class colonial household. Closes 2/7. Suggested donation: $2. Tue.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm, Sun. 1-4 pm.

Richard Wall House Museum 1 Wall Park Dr., Elkins Park; 215-887-9159. Features 4 floors of exhibits, visitors' orientation center, springhouse, "Flapper" room, Victorian & Edwardian fashions & more. Donations accepted. Sun. 1-4 pm.

Swedish Cabin 9 Creek Rd., Drexel Hill; 610-237-8064. www.swedishcabin.org. This piece of America's past, located along the banks of Darby Creek, was over 100 years old at the time of the American Revolution & is believed to have been built (sometime between 1638 & 1655) by early Swedish settlers as part of the New Sweden colony. Call for group tours or appointments.

Tyler Arboretum 515 Painter Rd., Media; 610-566-9134. www.tylerarboretum.org. Totally Terrific Treehouses: Nature's Play - Tyler Arboretum adds 10 new entries including a childrens music program. Closes 9/27. $7; $6 seniors; $4 children 3-15; free for children under 3. Daily 8 am-dusk.

*FREE* Valley Forge National Historical Park 1400 N. Outer Line Dr., King of Prussia; 610-783-1099. www.nps.gov/vafo. Valley Forge Secrets & Spies - Learn 18th-century spy techniques as you try & unravel a plot against George Washington. Ends 9/5. Once Upon a Nation: Valley Forge After Hours - See what nights were like for the Continental Army under the leadership of General George Washington. Reservations: 215-629-4026. $55; $50 students; seniors; military & children under 13. Sat. 6 pm thru 10/24. Park open daily 6 am-10 pm.

Washington Crossing Historical Park/Memorial Building Auditorium 1112 River Rd., Washington Crossing; 215-493-4076. www.ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing. Tours begin on the hour. $5; $4 seniors; $2 children 6-17. Tue.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm, Sun. noon-5 pm.

Wharton Esherick Museum 1520 Horseshoe Trl., Malvern; 610-644-5822. Guided Tours of the handcrafted home & studio of the "Dean of American Craftsmen." The Artist, The Poet & The Centaur - Commemorates the 85th anniversary of the Centaur Press' edition of Walt Whitman's 'Song of the Broad-Axe' with illustrations by Esherick. Closes 8/31. Mon.-Fri. (groups only) 10 am-4 pm; Sat. 10 am-5 pm; Sun. 1-5 pm.

*FREE* Wings of Freedom Museum 1155 Easton Rd., Willow Grove; 215-672-2277. www.dvhaa.org. See some of the world's rarest aircraft among this collection of over 15 restored jets & helicopters. Highlights include North America's only Messerschmitt Me262B jet trainer, an experimental Navy YF-2Y jet seaplane, world class collections of aircraft models & flight gear, exhibits on women in aviation, 100 years of flight, interactive exhibits for kids. Guided tours available. Wed. 10:30 am-3 pm; Sat.-Sun. 10:30 am-4 pm.

New Jersey

Adventure Aquarium 1 Aquarium Dr., Camden; 866-451-2782. www.adventureaquarium.com. Features a number of interactive attractions including Touch-a-Shark, Creature Feature, Feather Ridge, Rainforest Rendezvous & Interactive Inlet, as well as 4D Theater, West African River Experience (featuring the Aquarium's hippos, Button & Genny) & more. $17.95; $14.95 children 2-11; free for children under 2. Daily 9:30 am-5 pm.

Atlantic City Aquarium 800 N. New Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City; 609-348-2880. www.atlanticcityaquarium.com. Ongoing events include: Dive & Dine - Divers feed some of the resident animals; Tropical Rainforest Exhibit - Frogs, iguanas, stingrays, snakes & more. Open daily 10 am -5 pm.

Battleship New Jersey Museum 62 Battleship Pl., Camden; 866-877-6262. www.battleshipnewjersey.org. Experience what life was like aboard our nation's most decorated battleship. City at Sea Guided Tour - New tour focusing on little-seen parts of the ship. Ongoing. $19.95; $15 seniors, veterans & children 6-11; free for active military & children under 6. $15-$19; $10.50-$13 veterans, seniors, ages 6-11; free active military in uniform, ages 5 & under. Daily 9 am-5 pm.

Camden County Historical Museum 1900 Park Blvd., Camden; 856-964-3333. www.cchsnj.com. Features exhibits on Camden County history, from the Lenni Lenape people through the industrial age. Pomona Hall - 18th-century mansion once home to the Cooper Family. Tours available. $6; $4 students & seniors. Sun. noon-5 pm; Wed.-Fri. 12:30-4:30 pm.

Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead 1605 Daniel Bray Hwy. (Rte. 29), Lambertville; 609-397-2752. www.holcombe-jimison.org. Museum is dedicated to the preservation of Hunterdon County's agricultural heritage from the 18th into the 20th centuries. Donation suggested: $5; $3 seniors & students. Re-opens in May.

*FREE* Howell Living History Farm 70 Wooden's La., Lambertville; 609-737-3299. www.howellfarm.org. 130-acre farm is an educational facility, open to the public, that preserves & interprets farming life & processes from the era of 1890-1910. Wheat Harvest - Farmers cut & shock the year's crop of "winter wheat". $2. 7/11 11 am-3 pm. Tue.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm.

Jenkinson's Aquarium 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach; 732-899-1659. www.jenkinsons.com/aquarium. $10; $6 seniors & children 3-12; free for children 2 & under. Mon.-Fri. 9:30 am-5 pm; Sat. & Sun. 10 am-5 pm.

New Jersey State Museum 205 W. State St., Trenton; 609-292-6464. www.newjerseystatemuseum.org. Archaeology/Ethnology, Cultural History, Fine Art & Natural History exhibits on extended view in galleries. Legacy of Land & Sea - Exhibit on how New Jersey's diverse resources helped native & colonial New World populations survive. Closes 7/12. Guillermo Thorn: Victorian New Jersey - Work by one of the most important New Jersey photographers of the 19th century. Closes 8/30. Luster of Lenox - Examination of the work of ceramic art industry trailblazer Walter Scott Lenox & his designers. Closes 9/6. Mel Leipzig: Artist as Curator - 19th & 20th-century figurative paintings. Mel Leipzig curates. Closes 9/6. Rising Tide: Climate Change & Sea-Level Rise in New Jersey - Exhibit on how climate change effects New Jersey. Info on greenhouse gasses & fossil fuels & maps/photos of the New Jersey coast. Closes 1/24. Museum: Tue.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. noon-5 pm; Auditorium Galleries: Mon.-Fri. 9 am-4:45 pm. Donations accepted.

Old Barracks Museum 101 Barrack St., Trenton; 609-396-1776. www.barracks.org. State & National Landmark built in 1758 by the Colony of New Jersey during the French & Indian War. $8; $6 seniors, students & children over 5; free for children 5 & under. Daily 10 am-5 pm.

South Jersey Museum of American History 123 E. High St., Glassboro; 856-442-0688. Includes artifacts from the Pre-Columbian through the Colonial era, antique hand tools, glass & comprehensive Political History exhibit. $4; $3 children. Wed.-Fri. 10 am-4 pm; Sat. 10 am-3 pm.

Tuckerton Seaport 120 W. Main St., Tuckerton; 609-296-8868. www.tuckertonseaport.org. Working seaport invites you to learn about commercial fishing, lifesaving, lighthouses, pirates, & Barnegat Bay or take a ride on the Melody II. The Bay at Play - Exhibit on the recreational activities of Bay & Pineland-area residents. Closes 10/18. $8; $6 seniors; $3 children 6-12; free for children 5 & under. Daily 10 am-5 pm.

*FREE* Washington Crossing State Park 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd., Titusville; 609-737-0623. Includes 18th Century Johnson Ferry House (historic farmhouse & tavern site) & Visitor Center Museum featuring exhibits on the Continental Army's crossing of the Delaware River & the Battles of Trenton & Princeton. Open daily 9 am-4 pm.

Delaware

Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village 866 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover; 302-734-1618. www.agriculturalmuseum.org. Eye to the Sky: Climate & Crops - Discover how farmers, past & present, anticipate weather changes. Closes 12/31. $5; $3 seniors & students; free for children under 6. Tue.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm; Sun. 1-4 pm.

Delaware Museum of Natural History 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington; 302-658-9111. www.delmnh.org. Ongoing exhibits include coral reef exhibit, coral reef canteen & coral reef walkover; Life-Size Model of Giant Squid. Deep Sea Treasures - History & technology of deep sea exploration as well as the biology & discoveries there. Closes 10/4. $7; $6 seniors 60 & over; $5 children 3-17; free for children 2 & under. Mon.-Sat. 9:30 am-4:30 pm; Sun. noon-4:30 pm.

Hagley Museum & Library Rte. 100 & Buck Rd., Wilmington; 302-658-2400. www.hagley.org. From the Orient - Decorative & fine arts, furnishings & souvenirs from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka & India. Closes 12/31. 19th-Century Patent Models: Innovation in Miniature - Over 100 patent models dating back to the 19th century. Closes 12/31. $11; $9 seniors, students; $4 ages 6-14; free under 6. Daily 9:30 am-4:30 pm.

Museum of Small Town Life 316 South Governors Ave., Dover; 302-739-4266. Sealed in Glass, Stone & Tin - 19th-20th century Delaware-made & used containers from the state's canning industry will be showcased. Closes 12/31. Donations accepted. Mon.-Sat. 9 am-4:30 pm; Sun. 1:30 pm-4:30 pm.

Rockwood Museum 610 Shipley Rd., Wilmington; 302-761-4340. www.rockwood.org. Super Saturday: Rockwood Goes Wild - Participate in a birdwatching event or search for animal signs. 7/11 11 am-4 pm. Thinking Thursday: Float Your Boat - Kids can make toy boats & try them out. 7/16 2-4 pm. $5; $2 children 2-12; free for children under 2. Wed.-Sun. 10 am-3 pm.

Winterthur Museum & Country Estate Rte. 52, Winterthur; 800-448-3883. www.winterthur.org. Ongoing exhibits include The Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens; Ceramics & Glass; Dominy Shops; In Style; In Wood; Metalworks; Painting & Prints; Textiles & Needlework. $15; $13 students & seniors; $5 children 2-11; free for children under 2. Tue.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm.