Day Tripper: Museum Without Walls

There’s no rule that says you have to be cooped up inside to enjoy a museum. Philadelphia’s Museum Without Walls allows the curious to learn about 51 sculptures and public works of art in the City of Brotherly Love.

Museum Without Walls is a self-guided stroll along Ben Franklin Parkway and Kelly Drive. The museum provides the ultimate customizable experience.

Don’t want to take the whole tour? Just dial in on your cell phone or scan the Quick Response Code with your smartphone at various points to learn about the artwork at that location. Looking forward to a leisurely walk at your own pace? Download the free audio tour to your cell phone or mp3 player before you head out.

The museum also offers a Web-based tour for people who would rather learn about the public art from their comfort of their own home.

For those who opt for the audio tour, don’t expect a staid voice or hushed tones that so often characterize museum experiences. About 100 people intimately connected with the pieces of art are featured on the audio tour, and provide their own perspective on the works and their meaning. The voices include artists, historians, curators, civic leaders, scientists and more.

The tour starts at Philadelphia’s famous LOVE sculpture at 15 Street and JFK Boulevard. There, you’ll learn how LOVE—created for the nation’s bicentennial—nearly slipped out of Philadelphia’s grasp.

At the ensuing 34 stops and 50 pieces of art, you’ll encounter everything from the Monument to Six Million Jewish Martyrs to the mysterious The Wedges to, yes, the Rocky statue. The tour ends at East Fairmount Park with John B. Kelly (The Rower).

This museum isn't just for you to take in. Museum Without Walls encourages visitors to send in photos or stories of their experience as well. 

The Fairmont Park Art Association runs Museum Without Walls in conjunction with city and art groups. It launched in June 2010 as a way to connect Philadelphia locals and visitors alike to the city’s artwork.

If You Go 

Hours: 24-7. Go when you like, for as long as you’d like. Just remember, this is a city, so exercise the proper precautions at night.

Admission: Free. Expect to pay for parking and a toll if you drive, or the cost of public transportation.

Patch Tip #1: Learn about the different ways to experience Museum Without Walls here, and pick the best one for you before you go. No matter which you choose, print out the map and take it with you as a reference guide, or bookmark it on your smartphone.

Patch Tip #2: Make sure you have enough devices (mp3 players or cell phones) for everyone in your group. It may be too loud on the street to use the speakerphone option.

Patch Tip #3: If you drive over, use Philadelphia's parking lot locator to find the nearest spots and best deals on parking. Street parking is extremely limited near the tour's start, and Philadelphia's ticketing is notoriously aggressive.

Patch Tip #4: Take plenty of water with you if you’re going on a hot day. If it’s particularly hot out, Philadelphia officials have been known to look the other way when people jump into city fountains. Incidentally, Swann Memorial Fountain is part of the tour.

Day Tripper is a periodic feature Moorestown Patch will publish throughout the summer with ideas for, you guessed it, day trips. Do you have a favorite day trip destination or tips to share? Email lauren.burgoon@patch.com or leave a comment below.