Just Mutter

My son wants to see the Mutter Museum. We%26#39;d be coming from Boston and I%26#39;m trying to decide how to best configure travel. About how long might we need to really see the collection? If I come in late on Friday night can I leave mid afternoon Saturday? I%26#39;d like to keep it to one night if possible and we were planning to take the train. But it%26#39;s looking difficult. We couldn%26#39;t leave Boston til after school on Friday which would put us in very late. Then he%26#39;d be tired for the museum Saturday morning. ugh. Any ideas? Is there a way to make this work? Or do I give up and plan two nights? I don%26#39;t think flying would make a lot of difference.

What area of the city is the Mutter in? For hotel planning purposes.

Thanks so much!

Monica

Just Mutter

Most people spend about 2 hours in the museum. This is an average, of course, and one could spend more or less time depending on your level of interest. You should certainly be able to have a good visit if you arrive mid-day on Saturday. (I%26#39;m a docent at the museum, by the way.)

The Mutter is on 22nd St between Chestnut and Market Streets so its on the western side of Center City. There aren%26#39;t any hotels in the immediate vicinity, but any of the hotels west of Broad Street are within easy walking distance. The closest would be the Westin, the Crowne Plaza, and Club Quarters, but honestly, any Center City hotel will be convenient.

Feel free to ask any other questions as you plan your visit.

Tom

Just Mutter

Thank you, Tom,

That does help. Maybe I can do it with a one night stay. Any tips on whether I%26#39;d be better off crowd-wise to come morning or afternoon, Saturday or Sunday?

Do you have a favorite exhibit?

Monica

In general, Saturday afternoons tend to be the most crowded, but I don%26#39;t think that should determine your plans. You and your son will have a great time time and be able to see everything no matter when you come.

I should probably pass on the question about my favorite exhibit for fear of being considered ghoulish, although simply volunteering at the Mutter probably settles that issue anyway. For me, however, the Soap Lady is the most interesting not only because of the scientific issues, but also because of the mysteries surrounding her death and burial and the possibilities of further research.

Tom

We visited the Mutter recently and saw the Soap Lady. However, we couldn%26#39;t find any information on why she%26#39;s called the Soap Lady. The kids were fascinated with her though. It%26#39;s different seeing the Mutter in person even tho some tv shows have done a good job. Nothing like being there yourself!

The information about why she%26#39;s called ';the Soap Lady'; is on the board above her body under the heading ';Adipocere.'; I won%26#39;t go into detail about the process on this forum, but if you%26#39;re curious, a Google search under that term should head you in the right direction. Wikipedia has a pretty good description of it. (Sorry I wasn%26#39;t at the museum when you were there to tell you the story personally.)

If you need to park near the Mutter, there is a very reasonable lot on 23rd %26amp; Market.

You may want to check out the cheap direct flights on Southwest to Philly from Manchester, NH or also TF Green Airport outside Providence, RI. airport. With the flights being only 1:15 hr or so this would make your commute time to the Philly so much shorter and then make a one night stay possible. We paid something like $50 per person to fly round trip. Another time paid $80 per person. Keep checking Southwest and see if this is an option. Parking and driving to Manchester Airport or TF Green is easy (at least as compared to Logan airport).

I agree with the possibility of flying. I used to fly Airtran from Philly to Boston frequently and would get very cheap tickets- probably cheaper than Amtrak and more convenient....you could then take a shuttle from the airport depending on where you stay, or rent a car. The Mutter museum is an interesting place, and as your son obviously sounds interested, I am sure it will be a very memorable and exciting experience.