Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Here are all the government shutdown deals in Philly

You'll get free admission at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute and more.

The Franklin Institute is offering free admission to federal employees Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 12 and 13.
The Franklin Institute is offering free admission to federal employees Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 12 and 13.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer

As the government shutdown wears on, Philadelphia’s museums are offering federal employees some welcome distraction with free or discounted admission. Show a federal government ID at the following spots to access temporary shutdown deals.

So far, we’ve only heard of one food special — Nick’s Bar and Grille in Old City is offering federal employees 20 percent off lunch or dinner — but check back for updates.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Art Museum is offering free admission to all federal employees, plus one guest each, during the shutdown. The Rodin Museum is closed for reinstallation until Feb. 1.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, closed Monday, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-763-8100, philamuseum.org

The Barnes Foundation

The Barnes Foundation is offering federal employees free admission, plus one guest, during the shutdown. Employees can redeem this offer by presenting a federal government ID onsite.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Monday, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-278-7000, barnesfoundation.org

Mütter Museum

The Mütter Museum is offering free admission to all federal employees impacted by the shutdown — and up to 4 family members — with a valid federal government ID.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 19 S. 22nd St., 215-560-8564, muttermuseum.org

The Academy of Natural Sciences

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is offering pay-what-you-wish admission to federal employees and their families through Jan. 31 or the end of the shutdown. There’s a maximum of four visitors per group.

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-299-1000, ansp.org

Museum of the American Revolution

During the shutdown, the Museum of the American Revolution is offering free general admission to federal employees and up to three guests. The museum has a special exhibit on Alexander Hamilton’s connections to Philadelphia.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 101 S. 3rd St., 215-253-6731, amrevmuseum.org

Please Touch Museum

Government employees and those with prepaid tickets to area federal attractions (like the Liberty Bell) get $5 off their admission through the end of the furlough. Bring your federal ID, or show your attraction ticket to the admissions desk.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 4231 Ave. of the Republic, 215-581-3181, pleasetouchmuseum.org

Eastern State Penitentiary

Federal employees can get $2 off admission to Eastern State by ordering their tickets online and using the promo code OPENINPHL. The code is valid through the shutdown.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 2027 Fairmount Ave., 215-236-3300, easternstate.org

University of Pennsylvania Museum

Furloughed federal workers and up to five additional family members can receive free general admission when they show their federal ID. The offer will run until the shutdown ends.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, 3260 South St., 215-898-4000, penn.museum

Independence Seaport Museum

The museum is offering free admission to all federal employees affected by the shutdown. They can bring up to three guests. A valid government ID is required upon arrival and this offer runs for the duration of the closure.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, 211 South Christopher Columbus Blvd., 215-413-8655, phillyseaport.org

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

Federal employees and their family members receive free admission at the museum through the shutdown, which includes access to Rina Banerjee’s Make Me a Summary of the World, an exploration of identity, tradition and culture.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 118-128 North Broad St., 215-972-7600, pafa.org

Walnut Street Theatre

Walnut Street Theatre is setting aside a number of free tickets for every performance of Ken Ludwig’s A Comedy of Tenors during the first two weeks of its run (Jan. 15 to 26). Each federal employee is eligible for two free tickets while supplies last. To see the comedy set in 1930s Paris, you must show proper ID. Reservations are available starting on Friday, Jan. 11, at 11 a.m.

Various times from Jan. 15 to 26, 825 Walnut St., 215-574-3550, walnutstreettheatre.org

The Philly Pops

The Philly Pops is offering free tickets for government employees to performances on Friday, Jan. 18, Saturday, Jan. 19 and Sunday, Jan. 20 during the shutdown. Employees can present their IDs at the Kimmel Center box office to receive a pair of tickets to JAZZED!, swing program covering the city’s contributions to the history of Jazz. The performances feature Philly-based trumpeter Terell Stafford and Grammy-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater.

8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, the Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad St., 215-790-5800, phillypops.org

Pineville Tavern

Federal employees can stop by Pineville Fishtown or Pineville Tavern in Bucks County for free fried chicken dinners for their immediate families every night of the week and as often as they’d like until the shutdown is resolved. Free soft drinks will also be provided. You just need to show federal IDs to servers or bartenders upon arrival at the restaurant, and this offer is for dine-in only.

4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, 1098 Durham Road, Pineville, or 2448 East Huntingdon St., Philadelphia, 215-598-3890 and 267-534-5885, pinevilletavern.com

Misconduct Tavern

Misconduct Tavern is offering government workers a free meal on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both locations -- 15th and Locust Streets and 18th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. A valid ID is required to redeem and the offer is for dine in only.

1511 Locust St. and 1801 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 215-732-5797 and 267-928-4297, misconducttavern.com