Top regional attractions

Academy of Natural Sciences

1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; 215-299-1000.

» READ MORE: www.ansp.org

. Includes Dinosaur Hall, Egyptian mummies, interactive, live animals, educational exhibits for children & more. $10; $8 seniors, students, military, children 3-12; free for children under 3. Geckos: Tails to Toepads Opening Weekend - Gecko-themed activities. Geckos: Tails to Toepads - Educational exhibit featuring live geckos & interactive displays. Closes 9/7. 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. Anders Zorn - 12 figurative copperplate etchings. Closes summer.$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. For info on continuing programs, see Web site.

Bartram's Garden 54th St.; 215-729-5281. www.bartramsgarden.org. Botanical Illustration Meet-Up - Opportunity to draw from nature. $5. 6/6 10 am-1 pm. Grounds: Daily 10 am-5 pm. Tours: noon-4 pm.

*FREE* Christ Church 20 N. American St.; 215-922-1695, ext. 30. www.christchurchphila.org. 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.

Eastern State Penitentiary 22d St. & Fairmount Ave.; 215-236-3300. www.easternstate.org. The vaulted, skylit cells of this prison once held many of America's most notorious criminals. $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 author from 1843-44. Wed.-Sun. 9 am-5 pm. 9 am-5 pm Wed.-Sun.

Elfreth's Alley Second St.; 215-574-0560. www.elfrethsalley.org. Fete Day - Tours, demonstrations, historical reenactors & other representations of 18th-century life. $10-$25. 6/6 noon-5 pm. $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. Mon.-Fri. 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Closed bank holidays. Open weekends thru 8/30.

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 - 2d Wed. 6/10 7:30 pm.$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. Party in the Park - Cocktail reception, light buffet dinner, miniature golf, dancing, raffle, live auction, live music & more. Tickets: 610-850-3290. $75. 6/5 6-10 pm $8; $6 children. Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel. $3; $2 children 3-12; free for children under 2. Daily 10 am-9 pm.

Independence Living History Center 115 S. Third St.; 215-629-4026. www.onceuponanation.org. 1776: The Movie-Musical - Interactive moviegoing experience with sing-alongs & props. Ends 9/4. Colonial Kids' Quest - Search for clues to solve the mystery of a missing copy of the Declaration of Independence. Sat. thru 9/5. $16. 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. Ends 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. $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 area artwork. Closes 11/09. 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 . 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.; 215-542-3789. www.lightsofliberty.org. Outdoor, nighttime sound & light spectacular. 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. $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. 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. $14; $12 seniors; $7 students & youth 3-17; free for children under 3. Daily 10 am-4 pm.

Mutter Museum 19 S. 22d 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. Life, $17.50; $16.50 seniors; $13.50 children 4-12; free for active military & children under 4. $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. First Friday reception 6/5. Closes 7/10. $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* 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. Three gallery floors with art & artifacts from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia, the Americas, Africa, Polynesia & the ancient Mediterranean world. 40 Winks With the Sphinx - Journey through time & across continents with hands-on opportunities, games & crafts while you explore Egypt, mummies & hieroglyphics. $50 per person. 6/5 5:30 pm, overnight to 9:30 am.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 33d & 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.

American Helicopter Museum & Learning Center

1220 American Blvd., West Chester; 610-436-9600.

» READ MORE: 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. 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.$5; $3 children 12-17; free for children 12 & under.

Elmwood Park Zoo 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown; 610-277-3825. www.elmwoodparkzoo.org. Montco Moms Blog Launch Party - Free gift bags for the first 250 zoo visitors in celebration of the Montco Moms' new blog. 6/6 10:30 am-2:30 pm. White $10.75; $7.75 seniors & children 2-11; free for children under 2. Daily 10 am-5 pm.

Fonthill Museum E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-348-9461. www.fonthillmuseum.org. Tower Tour for Families - 1st Sat. 10:30 am. Reservations required. 6/6 10:30 & 11:45 am. $9.50; $8.50 seniors; $4 ages 5-17; free for ages under 5. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. noon-5 pm. Reservations recommended.

*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. 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. 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. Voices of Hopewell - Hear the voices of nine characters at audio stations throughout the village. Ongoing. $4; free for children under 16. Wed.-Sun. 9 am-5 pm. Grounds open daily.

The Mercer Museum 84 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-345-0210. www.mercermuseum.org. Everyday Rhythms - Exhibit on instruments & their histories. 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. 18th-Century Mid Summer Festival - 18th-century reenactors, blacksmithing, cooping, weaving, spinning, open hearth cooking & colonial-style refreshments. $5; $4 seniors & students; free for children 5 & under. 6/7 noon-5 pm. $3; $2 seniors & children 6-17; free for children under 6.

Parry Mansion Museum S. Main & Ferry Sts., New Hope; 215-862-5652. www.newhopehistoricalsociety.org. 16th Annual New Hope Garden Tour. Held rain or shine. $28. 6/6 11 am-5 pm. $6; $5 seniors & students 12 & over; $1 students under 12. Open every Sat. & Sun. until last weekend in Oct.

Pearl S. Buck House 520 Dublin Rd., Perkasie; 215-249-0100. www.psbi.org. The Art & Sculpture of Green Hills Farm . 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. . Fabric Care Workshop - Bring your fabric heirloom for a hands-on learning experience. Registration required. $55. 6/6 10-noon. 6/7 1-4 pm. 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 (1903-07). 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. 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 & 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. Call for group tours or appointments.

Tyler Arboretum 515 Painter Rd., Media; 610-566-9134. www.tylerarboretum.org. Tyler at Twilight Auction - Food, entertainment & live & silent auctions. $75. 6/11 6-10 pm. $7; $6 seniors; $4 children 3-15; free for children under 3. Daily 8 am-dusk.

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." 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. Guided tours available. Wed. 10:30 am-3 pm; Sat.-Sun. 10:30 am-4 pm.

Adventure Aquarium

1 Aquarium Dr., Camden; 866-451-2782.

» READ MORE: www.adventureaquarium.com

. World Ocean's Day - Day of activites to highlight ocean conservation. 6/8 9:30 am-5 pm. $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; Super Saturday - Shark & stingray feeding, exotic animal show & diver feeding. Open daily 10 am -5 pm.

Battleship New Jersey Museum 62 Battleship Pl., Camden; 866-877-6262. www.battleshipnewjersey.org. 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 Society 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. Tours available. $5; $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. Donation suggested: $5; $3 seniors & students. Reopens in May.

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 ceramic art industry trailblazer Walter Scott Lenox . Closes 9/6. Mel Leipzig: Artist as Curator - 19th & 20th-century figurative paintings. Leipzig curates. Closes 9/6. 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. $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. Art Work of Students from Camden County College. Closes 6/28. $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. Patriot Pirates - Tales of Plunder & Privateers of Coastal NJ - Exhibit based on the Revolutionary War Privateers of the Jersey Shore. Ongoing. $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 Agricultural Museum & Village

866 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover; 302-734-1618.

» READ MORE: www.agriculturalmuseum.org

. Eye to the Sky: Climate & Crops. 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. $6; $5 children 3-17; $4 seniors; free for children under 3. 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 to 19th century. Closes 12/31. $11; $9 seniors, students; $4 ages 6-14; free under 6. Daily 9:30 am-4:30 pm.

Masonic Temple 1 N. 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.

Museum of Small Town Life 316 S Governors Ave., Dover; 302-739-4266. Sealed in Glass, Stone & Tin - 19th-20th century Delaware-made & used containers. Closes 12/31. Donations accepted. Mon.-Sat. 9 am-4:30 pm; Sun. 1:30 pm-4:30 pm.

Winterthur Museum & Country Estate Rte. 52, Winterthur; 1-800-448-3883. www.winterthur.org. Ongoing exhibits include Campbell Collection of Soup TureensPainting & Prints; Textiles & Needlework. $15; $13 students & seniors; $5 children 2-11; free for children under 2. Tue.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm.