Tuesday saw us looking out our 9th floor window into a steady, cool spring rain. This called for some planning changes, where I guessed some indoor, museum style venues might make for a more comfortable day. I took my iPad to an early breakfast and juggled the day to be one of less walking with more closely located attractions.

Conveniently, our hotel was located directly across from the expansive Philadelphia Convention Centre.  One benefit is the area is very geared to visitors and most very need is close by.  This day we had the luxury of walking some of the way covered by the overhang of the convention Center.  Nice... And pretty smart location for the Hampton owners as well!

We jumped puddles to arrive, somewhat dampened, at The Franklin Institute (also covered by the CityPass) for our first stop of the day.  Arriving just before opening, we quickly made our way in to what is Philly's premiere science museum.  The National Monument of "Big" Ben Franklin sits (a la Lincoln) just past the main entry.  We decided at the door to do a special Titanic Exhibit and immediately entered to enjoy an excellent interpretation of the story... Boarding passes gave us the name of a passenger to add interest by following which class we were "bunked" during the fatal trip. I was in third class and found my character's name among the dead in the last room of the tour. Young Peter, a second class man, was among the causalties as well but Monica and Janie were spared as second class female passengers. The displays included a wide variety of artifacts, photography, reconstructions of hallways and rooms, as well as a 3D video of the discovery and underwater research.

Some solid exhibits through the museum as well... Including a fun sports science exhibit, a model "walk through" sized heart, and good weather / electricity centers.  Between sporadic mobs of school kids, we wandered through the exhibits. The ticket included a trip to the Planetarium as well.  Extreme weather in the solar system was the topic... Of which I somewhat struggled within the totally dark, often quiet, relaxing chair I took upon entering.  Monica had to wake me up as we neared Neptune... but I was refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Shortly after 1:00 pm we traipsed across the street to the The Academy of Natural Sciences.  The initial exhibits of taxidermy and animals from around the globe, felt much like the Natural History Museum in New York.  Not a big fan of these "static" type display. However, the live butterfly exhibit was very good... made more interesting in that one butterfly zoomed directly to Monica's head, landed and stayed. It eventually (when we all decided it was time to move on) was removed by one of the guides.  There is a great shot if the butterfly in the Gallery. We did like the focus on researchers on the third floor as well as the animal interpretation area on the second floor. There a very genuine lady was more than helpful and brought out a healthy constrictor for us to examine.  Although designed for the younger set, she quickly made it relevant.  The lower floor had a good collection of dinosaur fossils nicely displayed as well.

We collected a supper along the way home for the kids.  They were "museumed" out and retired to the room for some relaxation.  Janie and I once again hit the Reading Terminal Market for a walk through, where we picked up several bottles of Pennsylvania Wine, as well as market fare which we enjoyed on site.  I had planned a Ghost Tour walk for the evening but with the inclement weather we decided to forego the event and settle for the night.  Good choice, as we were tucked in early, sleeping through to 7:00 am.