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Where to find free air conditioning in Philly during a heat wave

Duck in these places for a cool breeze and some even cooler art and culture.

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They say that rain is supposed to break the heat, but that hasn’t quite been happening in Philly. It seems that the more it rains, the hotter, stickier, and more humid it gets.

And the heat’s only climbing: this week is supposed to see temperatures in the high 80s and 90s, so maybe it’s time to cool off.

What better way to do that than in an air conditioned museum, market or other visitor-friendly Philly building? While taking in the free air conditioning you can check out some great art, grab a bite, or just see some of the interior architecture that makes this city so gorgeous.

Here’s our list of the best free air conditioned spots to check out, listed from west to east.

Got another air-conditioned spot? Leave a comment or send us a tip and we’ll add it to the list.

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Institute of Contemporary Art

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Admission is always free at the Institute of Contemporary Art in University City. Enjoy the art, stay for the AC.

Arthur Ross Gallery

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This free art gallery is located in the Frank Furness-designed Fisher Fine Arts Library on Penn's campus. Only library patrons are allowed in the actual library, but the gallery is open and free to the public.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

30th Street Station

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The main train station in Philadelphia offers plenty of space to just chill out and enjoy the cool air. Once your body temperature has returned to normal levels, you can relax outside at the Porch, which features lounge chairs, food trucks, and porch swings. Take time to check out the stunning art deco architecture. Need a better list of things to do? We’ve got you covered

Rodin Museum

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It's always pay-what-you-wish admission at the Rodin Museum on the Parkway, where you can admire this special collection of the artist's work while cooling down. If you can bear the heat, the museum's grounds and garden fountain offer some quiet, shaded respite, too, and are open to the public free of charge.

Rodin Museum Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Galleries at Moore

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All of the exhibits at the Galleries at Moore are free and open to the public and are meant to promote community dialogue. The space supports the Moore College of Art & Design.

Free Library of Philadelphia: Central Parkway

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There are a whopping 54 free libraries around Philadelphia in this network. You can find the library in your neighborhood here. Grab a book, find a chair, and chill.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Comcast Center and Comcast Technology Center

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The lobbies of both the original Comcast Center and its newer sister site, the Comcast Technology Center, are both open to the public and very well air conditioned. Grab a coffee while you’re at the technology center, and make sure to check out the interiors of both spaces. There’s a ton of interesting design aspects and art pieces to check out.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Fabric Workshop

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The public can visit the Fabric Workshop Museum in Center City for free, seven days a week. You might even catch an artist create a new piece of work from start to finish.

Reading Terminal Market

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No trip to Philly would ever be complete without a stop at Reading Terminal Market. And luckily—for visitors and vendors alike— the indoor market is air conditioned. Stop in to grab some food from around the world and relax away from the humidity.

The Curtis Center & Dream Garden

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The Curtis Center is one of those Washington Square West buildings that gives the neighborhood its iconic old Philly look. But, if you haven’t already, take some time to step inside the building, too. There’s a a lot of history and beauty, from the massive mural in the lobby, to the towering atrium. Bonus: it’s air conditioned to perfection and sometimes the atrium has free yoga.

Independence Visitor Center

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The tourist-friendly spot is open to the public and has places to rest, charge your phone, and get free internet. There are also grab-n-go food vendors and a gift shop.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Bourse

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When Independence Mall gets too hot to handle, just walk into the historic Bourse building, which sits on the edge of the park. The Bourse recently got totally revamped on the inside, and now it offers a chic, black and white look, with details that recall its historic past. Plus, great food.

Photo by Melissa Romero

Mummers Museum

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The Mummer's Museum in Pennsport is open and free to the public Wednesdays through Saturdays. See colorful costume displays, listen to oral histories, even catch a summer concert–all in the comfort of the air-conditioned museum.

A post shared by M. Henderson (@nagromastro) on

United States Mint

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During 45-minute self-guided tours at this museum you can learn about how U.S. currency is made and its long history. Yes—tours in the air-conditioned museum are free.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Science History Institute

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Over in Old City you can check out the Science History Institute (formerly the Chemical Heritage Foundation), which is free to the public and now open on Saturdays.

A post shared by Cara Blouin (@flockofbats) on

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Institute of Contemporary Art

Admission is always free at the Institute of Contemporary Art in University City. Enjoy the art, stay for the AC.

Arthur Ross Gallery

This free art gallery is located in the Frank Furness-designed Fisher Fine Arts Library on Penn's campus. Only library patrons are allowed in the actual library, but the gallery is open and free to the public.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

30th Street Station

The main train station in Philadelphia offers plenty of space to just chill out and enjoy the cool air. Once your body temperature has returned to normal levels, you can relax outside at the Porch, which features lounge chairs, food trucks, and porch swings. Take time to check out the stunning art deco architecture. Need a better list of things to do? We’ve got you covered

Rodin Museum

It's always pay-what-you-wish admission at the Rodin Museum on the Parkway, where you can admire this special collection of the artist's work while cooling down. If you can bear the heat, the museum's grounds and garden fountain offer some quiet, shaded respite, too, and are open to the public free of charge.

Rodin Museum Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Galleries at Moore

All of the exhibits at the Galleries at Moore are free and open to the public and are meant to promote community dialogue. The space supports the Moore College of Art & Design.

Free Library of Philadelphia: Central Parkway

There are a whopping 54 free libraries around Philadelphia in this network. You can find the library in your neighborhood here. Grab a book, find a chair, and chill.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Comcast Center and Comcast Technology Center

The lobbies of both the original Comcast Center and its newer sister site, the Comcast Technology Center, are both open to the public and very well air conditioned. Grab a coffee while you’re at the technology center, and make sure to check out the interiors of both spaces. There’s a ton of interesting design aspects and art pieces to check out.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Fabric Workshop

The public can visit the Fabric Workshop Museum in Center City for free, seven days a week. You might even catch an artist create a new piece of work from start to finish.

Reading Terminal Market

No trip to Philly would ever be complete without a stop at Reading Terminal Market. And luckily—for visitors and vendors alike— the indoor market is air conditioned. Stop in to grab some food from around the world and relax away from the humidity.

The Curtis Center & Dream Garden

The Curtis Center is one of those Washington Square West buildings that gives the neighborhood its iconic old Philly look. But, if you haven’t already, take some time to step inside the building, too. There’s a a lot of history and beauty, from the massive mural in the lobby, to the towering atrium. Bonus: it’s air conditioned to perfection and sometimes the atrium has free yoga.

Independence Visitor Center

The tourist-friendly spot is open to the public and has places to rest, charge your phone, and get free internet. There are also grab-n-go food vendors and a gift shop.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Bourse

When Independence Mall gets too hot to handle, just walk into the historic Bourse building, which sits on the edge of the park. The Bourse recently got totally revamped on the inside, and now it offers a chic, black and white look, with details that recall its historic past. Plus, great food.

Photo by Melissa Romero

Mummers Museum

The Mummer's Museum in Pennsport is open and free to the public Wednesdays through Saturdays. See colorful costume displays, listen to oral histories, even catch a summer concert–all in the comfort of the air-conditioned museum.

A post shared by M. Henderson (@nagromastro) on

United States Mint

During 45-minute self-guided tours at this museum you can learn about how U.S. currency is made and its long history. Yes—tours in the air-conditioned museum are free.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Science History Institute

Over in Old City you can check out the Science History Institute (formerly the Chemical Heritage Foundation), which is free to the public and now open on Saturdays.

A post shared by Cara Blouin (@flockofbats) on