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These Philly museums on the Parkway will be open during the NFL Draft

Some Parkway institutions will have discounts and deals, too

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After weeks of road closures and months of preparation, the NFL Draft is officially underway on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway here in Philadelphia. And while the three-day event has wreaked havoc around the Art Museum area in terms of traffic, it hasn’t deterred the many museums and cultural institutions located on the Parkway from staying open during the draft.

In fact, many museums are offering deals and discounts from April 27 through April 29. So if you need a break from all of the football festivities, here’s a list of of the museums on or near the Parkway that will have their doors open. If we've missed a spot, let us know in the comments and we'll add it to the list.

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Philadelphia Museum of Art

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The art museum serves as the backdrop to the NFL Draft, but it will stay open throughout the three-day event. Because of the temporary NFL stage, the Rocky steps are closed, but you can enter the museum from the west entrance and Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive at 25th Street. While you’re around, check out the free outdoor gallery around its grounds—it’s actually covering up the museum’s own construction work.

Rodin Museum

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Admission to the Rodin Museum is always pay-what-you-wish, and it will have regular hours during the draft. But its beautiful grounds are always open to the public, making for an easy escape from the NFL Draft festival when you just need some peace and quiet.

The Franklin Institute

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Don your favorite NFL team jersey and head over to the Ben Franklin Institute during the draft. Those wearing NFL gear will receive $2 off admission tickets, which usually cost $20. Also note: There will be added security and you’ll have to enter through the 20th Street business entrance.

Eastern State Penitentiary

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This historic prison is about a 15-minute walk from the Ben Franklin Parkway. While it isn’t offering any deals during the draft, it will stay open with regular hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Courtesy of Eastern State Penitentiary

The Barnes Foundation

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The Barnes is open all three days of the draft with normal operating hours. Right now its “Person of the Crowd: The Contemporary Art of Flânerie,” exhibit is on display and features artists who take their work to the streets to highlight social issues. You might even find some of their work on display throughout Philadelphia.

The exterior of the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. The facade is glass. There are trees in front. Courtesy of the Barnes Foundation

Moore College of Art & Design

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The galleries and the art shop at Moore will both be open during the draft. Take in one of the most iconic modern buildings in Philly.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

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During the draft, the Academy will offer free general admission and an $8 “super saver” ticket for its special exhibits. If you wear an NFL jersey, you’ll get a $1 discount off that ticket.

Free Library of Philadelphia

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As the name suggests, this flagship library is always free to Philly residents, but it’ll also open its doors to NFL Draft visitors from April 27 to 29. Guided tours of the Beaux-Arts building will be offered, including a rare peak inside the library’s Rare Book Department.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

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The PAFA is just south of the Ben Franklin Parkway on North Broad Street, which makes it an easy pit stop, especially if you take the SEPTA to Suburban Station or City Hall. Both buildings—the Frank Furness-designed Historic Landmark Building and the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building will be open.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The art museum serves as the backdrop to the NFL Draft, but it will stay open throughout the three-day event. Because of the temporary NFL stage, the Rocky steps are closed, but you can enter the museum from the west entrance and Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive at 25th Street. While you’re around, check out the free outdoor gallery around its grounds—it’s actually covering up the museum’s own construction work.

Rodin Museum

Admission to the Rodin Museum is always pay-what-you-wish, and it will have regular hours during the draft. But its beautiful grounds are always open to the public, making for an easy escape from the NFL Draft festival when you just need some peace and quiet.

The Franklin Institute

Don your favorite NFL team jersey and head over to the Ben Franklin Institute during the draft. Those wearing NFL gear will receive $2 off admission tickets, which usually cost $20. Also note: There will be added security and you’ll have to enter through the 20th Street business entrance.

Eastern State Penitentiary

This historic prison is about a 15-minute walk from the Ben Franklin Parkway. While it isn’t offering any deals during the draft, it will stay open with regular hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Courtesy of Eastern State Penitentiary

The Barnes Foundation

The Barnes is open all three days of the draft with normal operating hours. Right now its “Person of the Crowd: The Contemporary Art of Flânerie,” exhibit is on display and features artists who take their work to the streets to highlight social issues. You might even find some of their work on display throughout Philadelphia.

The exterior of the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. The facade is glass. There are trees in front. Courtesy of the Barnes Foundation

Moore College of Art & Design

The galleries and the art shop at Moore will both be open during the draft. Take in one of the most iconic modern buildings in Philly.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

During the draft, the Academy will offer free general admission and an $8 “super saver” ticket for its special exhibits. If you wear an NFL jersey, you’ll get a $1 discount off that ticket.

Free Library of Philadelphia

As the name suggests, this flagship library is always free to Philly residents, but it’ll also open its doors to NFL Draft visitors from April 27 to 29. Guided tours of the Beaux-Arts building will be offered, including a rare peak inside the library’s Rare Book Department.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

The PAFA is just south of the Ben Franklin Parkway on North Broad Street, which makes it an easy pit stop, especially if you take the SEPTA to Suburban Station or City Hall. Both buildings—the Frank Furness-designed Historic Landmark Building and the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building will be open.