Philadelphia's port has long been one of the nation's busiest. Through exhibits that include a single racing shell used for rowing on the Schuylkill River, secrets from sunken ships, and the development of SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) gear, this museum pays tribute to the maritime heritage of the Delaware Valley and shows how our waterways have played a part in the nation's immigration, commerce, defense, industry and recreation.

Our Favorites
We have found that the best exhibits at the Seaport Museum have an interactive element. Our favorite is the exhibit that allows visitors to chart a course for Penn's Landing. You'll hear audiotaped boat horns and whistles, view the charts and navigational instruments that helped guide early Delaware River travelers, and learn about the hazards of navigation as you travel beneath a three story replica of the Ben Franklin Bridge and make your way along a carpeted Delaware River.

We also like the wooden boat shop where you can watch as boats are made by craftsmen using traditional tools and techniques.

More Fun Nearby
While you're at the museum, be sure to take a self-guided tour of the two ships docked nearby.

• The Olympia was one of the nation's first steel warships. Tour the ship's quarters, barber shop, sick bay, galley, bake shop and engine room to get a sense of how the sailors lived. Don't miss her 8-inch guns, remembering that Commodore Dewey was speaking of these when he gave the famous order "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley" during the Battle of Manila Bay. Her active career came to a close in 1921 when she sailed to France and brought the body of the Unknown Soldier home to its final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery. The Olympia is the only vessel remaining from the Spanish-American War fleets and the nation's "New Navy" of the 1880s and 1890s.

• The Becuna is a World War II submarine. The Becuna's tiny sleeping bunks (directly under the torpedo launching tubes!) and 15-inch storage lockers for personal belongings help remind us of how harsh life beneath the sea was. She made five war patrols and was credited with destroying thousands of tons of Japanese naval and merchant ships.

We recommend that you allow 60 minutes for the tours of the two ships.

Getting There
From I-95 North or South, take Exit 16 (Columbus Boulevard/Washington Avenue). Turn left onto Columbus Boulevard. Turn right under the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge.

From the Schuylkill Expressway (Route 76), take the Vine Street Expressway (Route 676) to I-95 and follow the directions above.

Penn's Landing offers three public parking lots. There are additional lots on nearby Pier 30 and across the pedestrian bridge in the South Street area.

Other Logistics
For more information see the Museum's web site.

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