Please Touch Museum
| Type | Children's museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 4231 Avenue of the Republic |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Fairmount Park |
| Phone | (215) 581-3181 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1976 |
| Visitors | 500,000+/year |
| Admission | $24 per person |
| Hours | Tue-Sun 9am-5pm |
| Transit | SEPTA Bus 38, 32 |
| Building | Memorial Hall (1876 Centennial Exposition) |
The Please Touch Museum is a children's museum in Fairmount Park, designed for children ages seven and under. Located in Memorial Hall, the grand 1876 Centennial Exposition building, the museum offers interactive exhibits encouraging play-based learning. It is one of Philadelphia's most popular family attractions.[1]
History
Founding
Please Touch Museum was founded in 1976, inspired by the hands-on children's exhibits at the Boston Children's Museum. The name reflects the philosophy that children learn by touching and doing—the opposite of "please don't touch" signs in traditional museums.
Memorial Hall
In 2008, the museum moved to Memorial Hall, the last major building from Philadelphia's 1876 Centennial Exposition. The grand Beaux-Arts structure, designed by Hermann Schwarzmann, provides dramatic spaces for children's exhibits:
- 73,000 square feet of exhibit space
- Historic architecture as backdrop
- Outdoor plaza and gardens
- Location in Fairmount Park
Exhibits
Permanent Exhibits
All exhibits are designed for hands-on exploration:
- Imagination Playground — Block play and building
- River Adventures — Water play and exploration
- Flight Fantasy*** — Airplane and flying themes
- Roadside Attractions — Pretend road trip with gas station, diner
- City Capers — Urban environment play
- Wonderland — Alice in Wonderland-themed space
- Centennial Carousel — Restored 1908 carousel (additional fee)
Play Spaces
- Tot Spot — Ages 3 and under
- Art studios
- Outdoor play areas
- Seasonal special activities
The Carousel
The museum's Centennial Carousel is a highlight:
- Rare 1908 Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel
- 48 hand-carved wooden animals
- One of the oldest carousels in America
- Fully restored
- Unlimited rides (additional fee or membership)
Visiting
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tue-Sun 9am-5pm |
| Admission | $24 per person (adults and children) |
| Best ages | 7 and under |
| Time needed | 2-4 hours |
| Crowds | Weekends busy; mornings less crowded |
Tips
- Everyone (including adults) pays admission—it's a per-person rate
- Weekday mornings are least crowded
- Pack snacks or use the café
- The carousel is worth the extra fee
- Water play areas—bring a change of clothes
Getting There
- Address — 4231 Avenue of the Republic (in Fairmount Park)
- SEPTA Bus — Routes 38, 32
- Driving — Near Philadelphia Zoo, free parking
- Note — Not easily accessible by subway
Frequently Asked Questions
See Also
References
- ↑ "Please Touch Museum". Please Touch Museum. Retrieved December 23, 2025