Directions, Parking, Map, and Public Transportation

Events Along the Parkway

  • Please be aware that on weekends there are often special events taking place along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and/or Kelly Drive. In addition, Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive (formerly West River Drive) is closed for recreational activities on Saturday and Sunday from April through October. You may wish to allow for extra travel time on weekends.
From Southern Locations: South Jersey, Baltimore, Washington
  • Take I-95 North. Exit onto I-676 West. Follow directions from I-676 West (see below).
From Northern Locations: New York, Connecticut, North Jersey
  • Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 4 (Route 73). Go one mile on Route 73 North and take the exit for Route 38 West. Take 38 West towards Philadelphia to route 30 West (follow signs for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge). Go over the bridge and follow the signs for I-676 West. Follow directions from I-676 West (see below).
From I-676 West (Vine Street Expressway)
  • Take I-676 West to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway exit (22nd Street, Museum area), on the right side. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto 22nd Street and get into the far left lane. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a boulevard with two outside lanes and two inside lanes. Turn left onto the inside lanes of the parkway towards the Museum, which will be in front of you on the hill. Eakins Oval is on your left.
From Western Locations: Valley Forge, King of Prussia
  • Take I-76 East to Philadelphia. Exit at right onto Spring Garden Street. At end of exit ramp go left. Continue past the side of the Museum, through the first traffic light, and around Eakins Oval, staying inside lanes. Eakins Oval is on your left.
To See a Map from Your Area to the Museum
  • Link to MapQuest.com (For best results please use the Museum address. The Museum address is 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA)

Parking

Limited parking for the I Glide is available in Eakins Oval and on the Upper Terrace of the Museum.  Parking on weekends when special events are taking place in the area may be challenging.

Current parking fees for Eakins Oval and the Upper Terrace are:

  • Eakins Oval (7 days a week)
    Monday through Sunday (except Friday), 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
    Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
    $7 for up to 6 hours and $10 for any period over 6 hours
  • Upper Terrace Level (weekends only)
    Saturday and Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
    $5
    Public parking at all other times is free.

The map of center city and the Museum (at top of page, or click here) also indicates with the letter "P" where parking lots in center city Philadelphia are located.

Designated accessible parking for vehicles with the appropriate disability permits is available on the Upper Terrace level, Schuylkill River side of the Museum.

 

 

Public Transportation in the Philadelphia Area

  • SEPTA - (215) 580-7800
    SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) serves the Philadelphia region with subway-elevated, light rail, trackless trolley, bus routes, and commuter rail lines. Currently SEPTA buses Nos. 7, 32, 38, 43, and 48 serve the Museum area. There may be route detours when special events are taking place along the Parkway. Please check with SEPTA for details.

    PHLASH - (215) 925-TOUR
    The Phlash Downtown Visitor Shuttle provides direct service between Penn's Landing, Center City, and the Museum. Operated by the Philadelphia Trolley Works, it uses distinctive purple trolleys and runs daily every twelve minutes between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., March 1 through November 30, 2005.

    PATCO - travel from southern New Jersey to Center City

    Amtrak - 1-800-USA-RAIL

    Philadelphia Trolley Works - (215) 925-TOUR

    Philadelphia International Airport - (215) 937-6800

    SmarTraveler - Philadelphia area traffic reports