Check out rarely seen sights during Philadelphia Open House Tours

They don't call it the City of Brotherly Love for nothing. Museums, interior designers, gardens, and other architectural hot spots will open their doors for special behind-the-scenes tours during Philadelphia Hospitality's Philadelphia Open House. During the week of Monday, June 8 through Sunday, June 14, curious minds will be able to take a look at art and artifacts from land and from river.

Aside from the museum's impressive dioramas, the Academy of Natural Sciences (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway) also houses a vast natural history library with works spanning from the 16th through the 21st centuries. Get a special tour of the library at 10 a.m. on both Monday, June 8 and Wednesday, June 10.

Learn about the architecture of the Barnes Foundation (2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway) during a two-hour tour starting at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 8 or get an understanding into what goes into the design of a restaurant from interior designer Marguerite V. Rogers, whose firm designed Fork and High Street on Market (306 Market St.) at 5 p.m. also on Monday.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, stroll through the gardens at Meadowbrook Farms (1633 Washington Lane, Meadowbrook) followed by lunch. If you're into things that aren't so quaint, the Mutter Museum hosts an afternoon of anatomical abnormalities at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (19 S. 22nd St.) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. You'll be treated to a private tour of preserved organs and body parts — so be prepared.

Head out on foot at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10 for a historic walking tour departing from the African American Museum in Philadelphia (701 Arch St.) and hitting sites like the St. Thomas Church, Washington Square and more.

A number of early Philadelphia buildings were constructed with an Italian architectural inspiration. A guided tour, led by an Italian architect, will take visitors from the Public Ledger Building (150 S. Independence Mall West) to the First Bank of the United States, Carpenters' Hall and the Athenaeum of Philadelphia starting at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 11. Top it off the Italian way — with wine and cheese following the tour.

From one geographic region to another. Shofuso Japanese House and Garden (Lansdowne and Horticultural Drives) hosts a 6 p.m. traditional Japanese tea ceremony followed by light fare and an after-hours tour of the grounds on Thursday, June 11.

Seldom-viewed collections — like paintings by Mary Cassatt and sketches by Kenyon Cox — at the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts (118-128 N. Broad St.) will be seen only on Friday, June 12 at 2 p.m.

See sights from the Schuylkill River. Led by guides who'll fill you in on the buildings along the river, this beginners' kayak tour will let you experience the city riverside. Tours depart from the Walnut Street Bridge (Walnut Street and 24th St.) at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12 and from Manayunk Brewery (4120 Main St.) at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 13.

Who said bar crawls couldn't be educational? Between stops at three Gayborhood bars, crawlers will learn about the neighborhood's history starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 13.

Spring Mill Café chef Michele Haines on Sunday, June 14 will lead shoppers through the Headhouse Farmers Market (you'll meet at CVS though, 421 S. 2nd St.), pointing out her favorite buys and vendors along the way. After the 10 a.m. shopping trip, she'll prepare the small group a lunch in her Old City Home.

Check out the full tour lineup here.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.