Top Exhibitions in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has a treasure trove of exhibitions that attract science and culture enthusiasts from across the globe.

From world-renowned museums to cutting-edge galleries, the city offers a diverse range that caters to every taste. Here are some of the top exhibitions in Philadelphia.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Neighborhood: Center City
Address: 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

“Ice Dinosaurs”

Dates: September 28, 2024–May 4, 2025

Ice Dinosaurs, the Academy’s new special exhibit, takes visitors back to the Late Cretaceous period in the Arctic, where dinosaurs thrived in extreme polar environments. This immersive experience features animatronic dinosaurs, real fossils, and interactive maps, allowing guests to follow a family of Troodons. Through engaging displays, visitors can explore the dinosaurs’ adaptations, like hunting, hibernating, and nest-building, while marveling at life-like moving creatures.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia

Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 701 Arch St

“Shared Vision: Portraits from The CCH Pounder-Koné Collection”

Dates: September 14, 2024 – March 2, 2025

Shared Vision: Portraits from The CCH Pounder-Koné Collection showcases a selection of contemporary African and African diasporic art collected by actress and art patron CCH Pounder. The exhibition features striking portraits that explore themes of identity, culture, and heritage, offering insight into the diverse experiences of African and African-descended artists. Through this collection, Pounder emphasizes the power of portraiture to capture personal stories and challenge traditional narratives in the art world.

Barnes Foundation

Neighborhood: Fairmount
Address: 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

The Franklin Institute

Neighborhood: Center City
Address: 222 N 20th St.

“Body Worlds: Vital”

Dates: February 15 – September 1, 2025

Body Worlds: Vital at The Franklin Institute offers a groundbreaking exhibition featuring over 20 full-body plastinates and more than 150 additional preserved specimens. The exhibition highlights the body’s complexity, resilience, and vulnerability through vivid displays and interactive stations. Enhanced with media experiences, these displays reveal the body’s complexity, resilience, and vulnerability, deepening understanding of health and illness.

“Body Odyssey”

Philadelphia’s beloved Giant Heart has returned to the public! The heart headlines “Body Odyssey,” a new exhibition about the human body. Guests will embark on an immersive journey through the human body, exploring its inner workings and how cutting-edge technology pushes the boundaries of medicine and human performance.

“The Hamilton Collections Gallery”

The Hamilton Collections Gallery showcases the Baldwin 60,000 steam locomotive, inviting guests to explore its intricate machinery and the innovation behind the Industrial Revolution. Rare artifacts from The Franklin Institute surround this centerpiece, offering a deeper dive into technological advancements and the evolution of transportation.

Museum of the American Revolution

Neighborhood: Old City
Address: 101 S 3rd St.

“Banners of Liberty: An Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flags”

Dates: April 19 – August 10, 2025

The Museum will present Banners of Liberty: An Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flags, commemorating of the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. This exhibition will showcase the largest collection of Revolutionary War flags in over 200 years, highlighting the colorful and symbolic banners used by the Continental Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Featuring over a dozen original flags from military campaigns nationwide, the exhibition will explore how flag makers, including Philadelphia’s Rebecca Flower Young and Betsy Ross, used these flags to express national identity and the ideals of liberty and independence.

“The Declaration’s Journey”

Dates: October 18, 2025 – January 3, 2027

To mark the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the Museum will present The Declaration’s Journey, exploring the history and global impact of the Declaration of Independence. This exhibition will highlight how the Declaration’s ideals have shaped independence movements in over 200 nations, becoming one of history’s most influential political documents. Featuring rare documents, artwork, and artifacts from around the world, The Declaration’s Journey will offer an in-depth look at its 250-year legacy.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)

Neighborhood: Center City
Address: 118-128 N Broad St

Making Strange: Sacred Imagery and the Self

Dates: November 14, 2024 through April 6, 2025

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Neighborhood: Fairmount
Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

“The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure” 

Dates: November 9, 2024–February 9, 2025

“The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure” curated by Ekow Eshun, showcases 27 Black and African diasporic contemporary artists who use painting, drawing, and sculpture to celebrate the richness of Black life. Inspired by James Baldwin’s writings, the exhibition emphasizes the urgency of contemporary Black artistic expression, exploring themes such as Double Consciousness, The Persistence of History, and Our Aliveness. These works examine Black identity, the erasure of Black figures in mainstream narratives, and the celebration of Black culture and community.

Rodin Museum

Neighborhood: Fairmount
Address: 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

“Rodin’s Hands”

Dates: Through January 4, 2026

At the Rodin Museum, “Rodin’s Hands” highlights the artist’s mastery in conveying emotion through the sculpting of hands. The exhibition features fifteen bronzes and plasters — many of which are rare or unique to the Philadelphia collection. These join the other masterpieces on view as part of one of the largest Rodin collections outside of Paris.

There are plenty of attractions and places to explore in Philadelphia. Check out our discover page for more.