Top regional attractions

Academy of Natural Sciences

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

» READ MORE: www.ansp.org

. Creatures of the Abyss. All Types of Fishes. Shells: Creatures & Collecting. $25 per adult/child pair; $5 additional adult or child. 6/13. 1:30-3 pm. 10 am-4:30 pm Mon.-Fri., 10 am-5 pm Sat.-Sun.

African American Museum 701 Arch St.; 215-574-0380. www.aampmuseum.org. 381 Days: The Montgomery Bus Boycott. Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia (1776-1876). Voices: African American & Latina Women Share Their Stories of Success. Tue.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. noon-5 pm.

American Philosophical Society Museum 104 S. 5th St.; 215-440-3400. www.apsmuseum.org. Dialogues With Darwin. Second Sundays: Now You See It, Now You Don't. 6/13. 1-4 pm. 10 am-4 pm Fri.-Sun..

American Sailing Tours - Pier 24 401 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-900-7758. www.AmericanSailingTours.com. History Sail. $35. Daily, 9:30 am-9 pm, late May-October.

American Swedish Historical Museum 1900 Pattison Ave.; 215-389-1776. www.americanswedish.org. Featuring exhibits dedicated to Swedish American history, Swedish arts & culture. Go Swedish! Smorgasbord & Beyond. Tue.-Fri. 10 am-4 pm, Sat.-Sun. noon-4 pm.

American Women's Heritage Society Underground Railroad Museum 2000 Belmont Mansion Dr.; 215-878-8844. www.belmontmansion.org. Summer: Tue.-Sun. 11 am-5 pm:.

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. History of the Lower Schuylkill River. 6/12. 2-3 pm. Grounds: Daily 10 am-5 pm. Tours: Mar.-2nd week of Dec.: noon-4 pm.

Betsy Ross House 239 Arch St.; 215-686-1252. www.betsyrosshouse.org. Heavens to Betsy! The Selling of An American Icon. Recovering the Past: The Upholstry Trade in Colonial Philadelphia. Meet Betsy Ross. Flag Festival. 6/12. Apr.-Sept.: Daily 10 am-5 pm.

Christ Church 20 N. American St.; 215-922-1695. 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. Christ Church in the Age of Washington. Donations accepted. Mon.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. 1 pm-5 pm.

Christ Church Burial Ground Arch Street; 215-922-1695. www.christchurchphila.org. Final resting place of Benjamin Franklin & 4 other signers of the Declaration of Independence. Brew N History Tour. $2; $1 student. 6/11. Mon-Sat. 10 am-4 pm; Sun. 12 pm-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. Bill Morrison & Vijay Iyer: Release. TowerCam!. Sharyn O'Mara: Victim Impact Statement. The William Portner Memorial Exhibit on Jewish Life at ESP. Daily 10 am-5 pm.

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

Elfreth's Alley Second St.; 215-574-0560. www.elfrethsalley.org. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. noon-5 pm.

Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center 640 Waterworks Dr.; 215-685-0723. www.fairmountwaterworks.com. Water in Our World. Tue.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm; Sun. 1-5 pm.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia 100 N. 6th St.; 866-574-3727. www.philadelphiafed.org. Money in Motion. Mon.-Fri. 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Open weekends Jun.-Aug. Closed bank holidays..

Fort Mifflin Fort Mifflin Rd.; 215-685-4167. www.fortmifflin.com. $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. Changing Earth. Electricity. Giant Heart. Space Command. Sports Challenge. The Franklin Air Show. Sir Isaac's Loft. Franklin National Memorial. Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt. $19.50-$29.50; $17.50-$27.50 seniors; $11-19.50 children. Target Community Nights. 6/16. Imax show times vary. Permanent exhibits open daily 9:30 am-5 pm.

Franklin Square Sixth & Race Sts.; 215-629-4026. www.historicphiladelphia.org. Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel. $3; $2 children 3-12; free under 3. Sun.-Thu. 10 am-6 pm; Fri.-Sat. 10 am-7 pm (hours vary per season).

Historic Philadelphia Center 6th and Chestnut Sts.; 215-629-4026. historicphiladelphia.org. Independence After Hours. $75; $70 senior/military/student; $50 children 12 & under. 6/11.

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 National Historical Park 6th & Market Sts.; 215-965-2305. www.nps.gov/inde/. Once Upon a Nation: Storytelling Benches. Independence After Hours. $75; $70 seniors, students and military; $50 children 12 and under. Dr. Franklin's Philadelphia. Colonial Kids' Quest. $17. Daily 8:30 am-5 pm.

Independence Seaport Museum 211 S. Columbus Blvd.; 215-925-5439. www.phillyseaport.org. What Floats Your Boat?. Olympia: Launching the American Century. Coming to America. Philadelphia & the China Trade. Divers of the Deep. It Sprang From the River: Everyday Objects With Maritime Secrets. Home Port Philadelphia. On the Rivers, On the Shores. Olympia: Launching the American Century. Philadelphia Flag Day Association Flag Exhibit. 6/11. 10 am-5 pm daily.

Independence Visitor Center N. 6th St. & Market St.; 800-537-7676. www.independencevisitorcenter.com/. Open daily 8:30 am-6 pm.

Laurel Hill Cemetery - The Underground Museum 3822 Ridge Ave.; 215-228-8200. www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org. Outdoor sculptural garden, horticultural gem & unique historical landmark featuring over 75 acres of art & history. Dig In: A Culinary Tour & Class to Die For. $25-$30. 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.

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. Mon.-Fri .9 am-5 pm; Sat.-Sun. 9 am-6 pm.

Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania 100 E. Northwestern Ave.; 215-247-5777. www.morrisarboretum.org. Conserving Plants of Pennsylvania.. Out on a Limb - A Tree Adventure. Hours vary throughout year.

The Mutter Museum 19 S. 22nd St.; 215-563-3737. www.collphyphil.org. Over 200 wet & dry specimens, lantern slides, x-rays & more. Corporeal Manifestations. Daily 10 am-5 pm.

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. Ancient Rome & America. $20; $18 seniors; $12 children 4-12; free for children under 4. Regular admission: $12; $11 seniors; $8 children 4-12; free 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. Coming to America. From Conflict to Harmony. Liberty Hall. Voyage to Liberty Through Faith. Heroes From Around the World. Independence Starts Here: Exceptional People. Heroes of 9/11. Education Center / Chihuly Gallery. Let Freedom Ring. Heroes of Character. Open 7 days a week (closed Mon. fall, winter, spring).

Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent 15 S. 7th St.; 215-685-4830. www.philadelphiahistory.org. Museum closed for renovations until early 2011. For info on programs, see website..

The Philadelphia Zoo 3400 W. Girard Ave.; 215-243-1100. www.philadelphiazoo.org. Cat Falls. Children's Zoo. Dodge Rare Animal Conservation Center. Reptile and Amphibian House. Peco Primate Reserve. African Plains. Bear Country. Bird Valley. Carnivore Kingdom. Monkey Junction. Pachyderm House. Prairie Dogs. Small Mammal House. Creatures of Habitat: A Gazillion-Piece Animal Adventure. Daily 9:30 am-4:30 pm.

Polish American Cultural Center & Museum 308 Walnut St.; 215-922-1700. www.polishamericancenter.org. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm.

Ryerss Museum & Library 7370 Central Ave.; 215-685-0544. ryerssmuseum.org. Asian art & artifacts as well as generations of family heirlooms & paintings. Crafts Fair & Burholme Stamp Club Stamp Show. Donations accepted. 6/13. 10 am-4 pm. Fri.-Sun. 10 am-4 pm.

Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology) 3260 South St.; 215-898-4000. www.penn.museum. 3 gallery floors with art & artifacts from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia, the Americas, Africa, Polynesia & the ancient Mediterranean world. Fulfilling a Prophecy: The Past & Present of the Lenape in Pennsylvania. Iraq's Ancient Past: Rediscovering Ur's Royal Cemetery. In Citizen's Garb: Southern Plains Native Americans, 1889-1891. Steve Keister: Ceramic Interactions. Pablo Helguera: What in the World. Righteous Dopefiend: Homelessness, Addiction & Poverty in Urban America. Justin Kerr: Signposts of the Maya Otherworld. 6/12. 1:30 pm. Tue.-Sat. 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun. 1-5pm.

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. Guided Tour. $15; $10 seniors and students; $5 children. Office: Mon.-Fri. 9 am-5 pm.

Woodford Mansion 33rd & Dauphin St.; 215-229-6115. www.woodfordmansion.org. Elegant 18th-century summer house furnished with period antiques. Guided Tours of Woodford Mansion. $5; $3 seniors; $2 children 6-12.

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.

American Helicopter Museum & Learning Center

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

» READ MORE: www.helicoptermuseum.org

. Helicopter Exhibit. Wed.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. noon-5 pm.

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. 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. All Aboard for Chadds Ford. 6/12.

Chester County Historical Society 225 N. High St., West Chester; 610-692-4800. www.cchs-pa.org/. Arctic Explorers From Chester County. Samuel Barber: A Musical Life. 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. Daily 10 am-5 pm.

Fonthill Museum E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-348-9461. www.fonthillmuseum.org. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. noon-5 pm. Reservations recommended.

Hopewell Furnace 2 Mark Bird Ln., Elverson; 610-582-8773. www.nps.gov/hofu. Voices of Hopewell. Daily 9 am-5 pm.

Longwood Gardens Rte. 1, Kennett Square; 610-388-1000. www.longwoodgardens.org. Making Scents: The Art & Passion of Fragrance. Daily 9 am-5 pm.

Mercer Museum 84 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-345-0210. www.mercermuseum.org. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm; Sun. noon-5 pm.

Pearl S. Buck International (Pearl S. Buck House) 520 Dublin Rd., Perkasie; 215-249-0100. www.psbi.org. Walk-In Tours. Personal Pearl Exhibit Tours. $7; $6 seniors and groups of 10 or more. Tue.-Sat. at 11 am, 1 & 2 pm; Sun. at 1 & 2 pm.

Pennsbury Manor 400 Pennsbury Memorial Rd., Morrisville; 215-946-0400. www.pennsburymanor.org. Re-created country home of William Penn. Provides a peaceful contrast to the hurry of modern American life. April-November: Tue.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. noon-5 pm.

Pennypacker Mills 5 Haldeman Rd., Schwenksville; 610-287-9349. historicsites.montcopa.org/pennypackermills. Turn-of-the-century mansion & farm of Pa's 25th governor Samuel W. Pennypacker (1903-07). Work or Play: Childhood in the Early 1900s. Donation suggested: $2. Tue.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm; Sun. 1-4 pm.

Pottsgrove Manor 100 W. King St., Pottstown; 610-326-4014. www.historicsites.montcopa.org. So Long & Toilsome a Journey: Transportation in Colonial Pennsylvania. Donations accepted. 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 pm-4 pm.

Tyler Arboretum 515 Painter Rd., Media; 610-566-9134. www.tylerarboretum.org/. Nature's Enchantment: Mysteries of the Magical Path. 1-3 pm. Daily 8 am-dusk.

Valley Forge National Historical Park 1400 N. Outer Line Dr., King of Prussia; 610-783-1099. www.nps.gov/vafo. Once Upon a Nation: Storytelling Benches at Valley Forge. Daily 6 am-10 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park/Memorial Building Auditorium 1112 River Rd., Washington Crossing; 215-493-4076. www.ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing. 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. 1-4 pm.

Adventure Aquarium

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

» READ MORE: www.adventureaquarium.com

. Daily 9:30 am-5 pm.

Atlantic City Aquarium 800 N. New Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City; 609-348-2880. www.atlanticcityaquarium.com/. Dive & Dine. Storytime. Daily 10am-5pm.

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. $19.95; $15 seniors, veterans and children 6-11; free under 6 and active military. Fire Power Tour. $19.95; $15 seniors, veterans and children 6-11; free under 6 and active military. 4D Flight Simulator Ride. Tour admission. General Quarters Tour. $18.50; $14 seniors, veterans and children 6-11; free for active military and children under 6.

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. 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. May-Oct.: Sun. 1-4 pm; Wed. 9 am-noon.

Howell Living History Farm 70 Wooden's La., Titusville; 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. Tue.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm; Sun. noon-4 pm.

South Jersey Museum of American History 123 High St. E., Glassboro; 856-442-0688. Includes artifacts from the Pre-Columbian through the Colonial era, antique hand tools, glass & comprehensive political history exhibit. Camden County College Artwork. Thu.-Sun. 1 pm-5 pm.

Washington Crossing State Park 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd., Titusville; 609-737-0623. www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/washcros.html. 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. Wed.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm, Sun. 1-4 pm.

Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village

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

» READ MORE: www.agriculturalmuseum.org

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Delaware Museum of Natural History 4840 Kennett Pike, Greenville; 302-658-9111. www.delmnh.org. Tree Houses. Stan Smokler: Steel Currents. Life-Size Model of a Giant Squid. Coral Reef Exhibit. Mon.-Sat. 9:30 am-4:30 pm; Sun. noon-4:30 pm.

Hagley Museum & Library 298 Buck Rd. East, Greenville; 302-658-2400. www.hagley.org. 19th-Century Patent Models: Innovation in Miniature. Remember Me: du Pont Family Keepsake Portraits. DuPont Science & Discovery. DuPont: The Explosives Era. Hagley Powder Yard. Workers' Hill. Eleutherian Mills. Easy Does It! How Machines Make Life Easier. Gunpowder in American History. 6/15. Daily 9:30 am-4:30 pm.

Museum of Small Town Life 316 S Governors Ave., Dover; 302-739-4266. 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. Guided Tours. Wed.-Sun. 10 am-3 pm.

Winterthur Museum & Country Estate Rte. 52, Winterthur; 800-448-3883. www.winterthur.org. Lost Gardens of the Brandywine. In Wood. Textiles & Needlework. Painting & Prints. Metalworks. Ceramics & Glass. The Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens. Dominy Shops. Period Rooms. Tue.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm.