Top 2013 Museum Exhibitions To Look Forward To In Philadelphia

The weather has become colder, the days are shorter and you're going to have some major cabin fever if you don't leave the nest all winter long! Now is a popular time to visit any of the museums in Philadelphia or traveling museums that are only here for a season. Though you can't go wrong in this historic city, these are the best of 2013.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19103
(215) 448-1200
www.fi.edu/titanicPrices: $29 adult daytime tickets (includes regular museum admission)/$22 children ages 3 to 11/$19.50 adult evening tickets (does not include museum admission)/$14.50 children ages 3 to 11

Beginning Nov. 10 and running until April 7, 2013, this exhibit fit for a Titanic fanatic will be available at the Franklin Institute. Come see more than 300 artifacts salvaged from the debris field. The exhibit will take visitors on a chronological tour from the building of the Titanic to its eventual sinking in April 1912. This exhibition marks the ship's 100-year anniversary, and includes stunning room re-creations.

Double Portrait Paula Shcer and Seymour Chwast Graphic Designers
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-8100
www.philamuseum.orgPrice: $20 adults/$18 seniors/$14 students and children 13 to 18/free for children younger than 12

This will be the first time both of these artists are shown together. Beginning Dec. 2, 2012 and going through April 14, visitors to the museum may experience both of these graphic designers of modern art. Both artists work with modern themes and issues to create uniquely brilliant pieces. The exhibit will feature various formats including posters and wood workings.

Great and Mighty Things; Outsider Art from Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-8100
www.philamuseum.orgPrice: $20 adults/$18 seniors/$14 students and children 13 to 18/free for children younger than 12

From March 3 through June 9, the museum will exhibit more than 200 works from 27 self-taught artists that range from the 1930s until 2010. The collections features diverse formats as well as unusual materials like twigs, plastics and other items found both in nature and on-hand. This promises to be one of the area's premier displays of public art -- not just this year, but historically.

Related: Top Places to Buy Local Art for Less Than $100

The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University: The Academy at 200 The Nature of Discovery
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 299-1000
www.ansp.orgPrices: $15 for adults and children 13 and older/$13 seniors, children 3 to13/free children younger than 3

From now until March of 2013, enjoy the bicentennial anniversary of the Academy. More than 18 million items are displayed within the museum for you to discover. Children can enjoy the weird and beautiful specimens while they practice being brilliant scientists. Explore hands-on activities, including a 400-pound space rock, or be a dirt detective walking through a marsh to discover exciting new specimens.

The Mummer's Museum
1100 S. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 336-3050
www.mummersmuseum.comPrices: $3.50 adults/$2.50 children younger than 12, seniors and students

Philadelphia's exclusive Mummers tradition is much talked about, and in 1976, a museum was opened to display items related to the groups and their history. Visitors may delight in seeing former costumes -- some dating back to the beginning of the 20th century -- and other show memorabilia. The gift shop sells mummers merchandise and recorded former performances. From May through September, the Mummers delight guests with a free outdoor concert that begins at 8 p.m. Favorite Philly refreshments such as soft pretzels are available for sale at 7:30 p.m. promptly.

Related: Top Historical Spots in Philadelphia