May 18 is International Museum Day — a perfect day to gather friends or family, file into a bus, and take a day trip to a local museum and soak up some culture. But if the idea of a typical art museum trip leaves you a little cold, and you happen to be in or around Philadelphia this May, here are a few unusual museums you might try instead. And, if you’re not in Philadelphia, maybe the time is right to book a party bus with Metropolitan Shuttle and see the museums in the City of Brotherly Love!
The Mütter Museum
If you decide to visit the Mütter Museum, you’d best be prepared. The Mütter collects medical oddities, wax models, antique medical devices, and more. The original aim of the museum was to collect specimens to further biomedical research, but has since become a public showcase for those specimens. At the Mütter, you’ll find full skeletons, including the tallest human skeleton on exhibit (7’6″) and a large collection of skulls, as well as a collection of “wet specimens,” meaning tumors, cysts, and other specimens such as brain sections and slides of Albert Einstein’s brain.
The Chemical Heritage Foundation
Dedicated to promoting the history of science, the Chemical Heritage Foundation focuses on the impact of science and technology on society, with several public collections showcasing the significance of chemistry. The collections include photographs, fine art, and information archives. The museum also has a collection of over a hundred different chemistry sets from across the globe.
The Stoogeum
In nearby Spring House, Pennsylvania (about 37 minutes by bus) you’ll find a place Three Stooges fans refer to as “Stooge Heaven” — the Stoogeum museum. The goal of the Stoogeum is to “preserve and interpret historically or culturally significant pieces of Stoogeabilia” for both existing and future fans. The museum contains over 100,000 pieces of memorabilia, from 1918 to the present, including posters, art, lobby cards, and more. There are interactive games and a theater for film screenings and presentations. The museum is also the HQ of the fan club, in case you want to sign up while you’re there.
Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum seeks to teach children through interactive exhibits, aimed at the seven-and-younger set. The exhibits on display include an Alice in Wonderland play area, a carousel, an exhibit on roadside attraction, the Please Taste cafe, and the Space Station, which offers a glimpse at thirty years’ worth of Star Wars toys. The museum offers programs and events where children can learn, hear stories, and make art.
The Insectarium
For those with a true museum bug, the Insectarium features exhibits of live insects from honeybees and tarantulas to scorpions, spiders, millipedes, crickets, and much more. In 2017, the museum opened a 7,000 square foot butterfly pavilion, where visitors can see both tropical and native butterflies. The pavilion is the largest of its kind in the U.S. and is a great chance for children and adults alike to learn more about insects.
The Pizza Brain Pizza Museum
Also known as the “Pizza Brain Museum of Pizza Culture,” Pizza Brain is where you will find the world’s largest collection of pizza memorabilia. The museum grew from an art show organized by Brian Dwyer and Christopher Powell known as “Give Pizza Chance,” and developed into a hybrid pizzeria / museum. Guests can see exhibits of toys, puzzles, advertisements, records, and more as they enjoy one of the best pizza shops in Philadelphia.
These are only a few of the many museums Philadelphia has to offer — whether on International Museum Day, or any other day of the year. Whether you’re looking to book a charter bus for a company event, family get-together, or educational trip, you can count on Metropolitan Shuttle to make it easy and stress-free to organize your trip. Want to start booking your trip today? Call us at 1-866-556-3545 or contact us today for a free quote.
