These days, many attractions, museums, and theaters have added sensory-friendly spaces and programming to their offerings. This change stems from an increased awareness about the challenges that children with sensory sensitivities experience in public spaces. From relaxed performances and social stories, to the addition of quiet areas, institutions have made adjustments to help make experiences more sensory friendly and accessible for all.

Here are some sensory-friendly experiences we have found around the Main Line and in Philly.

Attractions

 

Elmwood Park Zoo

1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown

Elmwood Park Zoo is the first zoo in the world to become a Certified Autism Center. An accessibility map, a sensory guide, and a social narrative help prepare and guide guests through the zoo with important insight where crowded areas, noise, bright lights, and strong odors might be found. The zoo also provides a dedicated quiet space (located across from the Prairie Dog exhibit) for guests to take time out.

Additionally, on the last Thursday of every month, Elwood Park Zoo opens one hour early for “Quiet Mornings”. During this time, guests with special needs and their families can enjoy the zoo in a relaxing setting before it opens to the general public. Guests are welcome to take a complimentary Sensory Backpack containing noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, sensory maps, and other items.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Plymouth Meeting Mall, 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting

In 2023, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia became certified by KultureCity® as a Sensory Inclusive Venue to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. As part of the certification process, LEGOLAND staff participate in annual training about the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing needs and how to offer resources and accommodate their guests. Before visiting LEGOLAND, check out their Digital Social Story so you know what to expect for sensory stimuli while you are there. You may also borrow a KultureCity Sensory Bag containing a special KCVIP badge, a feeling thermometer, fidget tools, and noise-canceling headphones from the Admissions desk. 

Sesame Place

100 Sesame Road, Langhorne

 

Sesame Place is the world’s first theme park to be designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC). The park offers the IBCCES Sensory Guide™, which provides insight on how a child with sensory processing issues may be affected by each sense for rides and attractions at Sesame Place Philadelphia. As part of their CAC designation, Sesame Place requires that all staff Ambassadors participate in specialized autism and awareness training to ensure they cater to all children, including those with special needs. While at the park, guests can take a break from sensory stimulation in the park’s Quiet Room, pick up noise-cancelling headphones at the Welcome Center, or visit other low sensory areas. There are also opportunities to meet and interact with Julia, a little girl Muppet with autism.

Museums

The Academy of Natural Sciences

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

The Academy of Natural Sciences is Philly’s must-visit natural science museum that is home to a 42-foot long T-Rex dinosaur. On select dates, the museum hosts Sensory-Friendly Mornings from 9–11 a.m. These sessions are designed to offer a more comfortable, calmer experience for visitors with smaller crowds and more tranquil sounds. Other amenities include a quiet and relaxing space, noise cancelling headphones, and fidget toys that guests may use. Advanced ticketing is required; it helps avoid lines and ensure a calm, positive experience for all guests.

This regional art museum features the artwork of the Wyeth family, as well as many other distinctive American artists. In addition to artwork, families will find plenty to explore around the campus, including riverside native plant gardens and animal sculptures. To align with the needs of the community, the Brandywine River Museum offers Sensory-Friendly Museum Packs, available for free during museum hours. These packs contain social stories, fidgets, noise-cancelling headphones, and activity suggestions. To request a pack, inquire at Visitor Services when purchasing admission.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

To help families with children on the autism spectrum prepare for a day at the museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art created the PMA for All app. With the app, you can learn more about their exhibits, plan out your visit, play PMA card matching, and view insider tips and a sensory-friendly map. Find the app for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Periodically, the museum also hosts Sensory Friendly Mornings. At these events, you can experience select galleries open before public hours and engage in activities and art-making for all ages and developmental levels. Check their calendar for dates.

Theaters

AMC Movie Theaters

AMC has partnered with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where they turn the lights up and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout, or sing! Their Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes.

Throughout the year, People’s Light offers Relaxed Performances for individuals with autism, ADD, ADHD, dementia, and sensory sensitivities. During Relaxed Performances, the theater becomes a “shush-free” zone and house lights remain on at a low level. This allows patrons to freely move around, express themselves, and enjoy the show. The theater creates a quiet sensory lounge and provides pre-show materials, fidgets, and other sensory toys to borrow as needed. For each Relaxed Performance, the theater also offers a pre-show sensory tour, when patrons can enter the theatre space, view the set and props, and ask questions.

Regal Cinemas

Various locations

Regal’s My Way Matinee gives everyone the opportunity to experience a movie with the lights turned up and the volume turned down. This becomes safe space where guests are free to express themselves by singing, crying, dancing, walking around, talking, or shouting while enjoying Hollywood’s latest films! These showings will be the first show of the day on select Saturdays each month. Find a Regal sensory-friendly screening.

Studio Movie Grill

53 S. 69th Street, Upper Darby

Studio Movie Grill (SMG) is a first-run movie cinema that offers in-theater dining and a full service bar. SMG’s Special Needs Screenings are shown with the lights up and the volume lowered, and children are free to move around and talk during the movie. These sensory-friendly screenings are free for children with special needs and their siblings, and adult tickets are available at before-noon price. 

Click here for more sensory-friendly resources in Philly. And for more events around the Main Line area, visit our Events Calendar.

Lead photograph courtesy of Elmwood Park Zoo. Laura Swartz contributed to this article.