Nerdy Nights: Top Events For Geeks In Philadelphia

March 5, 2013 5:57 PM

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The Academy Of Natural Sciences (photo credit: Cassie Hepler)

Ever since CBS brought The Big Bang Theory to televisions all over Philadelphia, city viewers have been eating nerd-laden nomenclature up like iHOP pancakes. So, where would these fictional characters visit if they were to live in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection? These top events for geeks, of course! Dive into you inner nerd (or outer, whatever your style) and explore all these thought-provoking, creative neuron-inspiring locations where nerds flock. Feed the brain — it is the smartest muscle in the human body, after all.

International House of Philadelphia
3701 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-5125
ihousephilly.org

Does the idea of watching hundreds of educational documentaries have you chomping at the bit? If so, this is your home away from home. Catch indie film screenings, thought-provoking documentaries, vintage black-and-white movies and more. Look at it this way: You can do it at home (boring), or in a group with like-minded peers (nerd interaction and possible discussion). Just make sure you buy tickets online early — this place is pretty popular and sells out quickly.

Related: Website Encourages Readers to Embrace Your Inner Nerd for the Day

The Hacktory
3711 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 650-7295
www.thehacktory.org

This hacker mecca’s motto is “repurposing technology, making art.” However, this place offers so much more than that! With classes to empower, enlighten and feed your brain, it is truly a geek’s delight. Perhaps you would like to mix electronic circuits, learn sewing, basic web development or crafting with LED lights. If so, this space features inspiring new uses of technology and keeps the fun smart, light and clean.

Related: The Biggest Nerds In Pop Culture

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The Academy Of Natural Sciences (photo credit: Cassie Hepler)

The Academy Of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 299-1000
www.ansp.org

This nearly 200-year-old museum displays the world’s first mounted dinosaur collection and offers an interactive live butterfly exhibit, exotic flowers and blue frogs. Winner of the Philadelphia Geek Award, this place is not just for children but adults seeking to travel to a time long ago. Oddly enough, there is also a petting zoo on the bottom floor.

Mütter Museum
19 S. 22nd St.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
(215) 563-3737
www.collegeofphysicians.org

Located in Rittenhouse Square and dubbed “disturbingly informative,” this is the museum of oddities. Learn how a local woman turned into soap after a burial, marvel at conjoined twins and check out some shrunken heads, then meander over to the array of human fetuses preserved in formaldehyde and see how babies grow from week to week. The Mutter Museum is for people fascinated with medical miracles — not for the faint of heart — and also offers random classes to explore more about medical science. Check the website for dates and times.

Hive76
915 Spring Garden St. Suite 0519
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(484) 483-4307
www.hive76.org

This is the place to create in the Spring Garden Arts Building. Crafters, builders and robot-lovers gather here for an outlet to create, intrigue and innovate, all for a monthly fee on a sliding scale. If you have a friend who is already a member, you can get a deep discount. If not, pony up on a Wednesday night for one of the organization’s weekly open houses, when nerds pile in to work on software and hardware projects, among other things. Geeks unite!

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The Academy Of Natural Sciences (photo credit: Cassie Hepler)

Atomic City Comics
638 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-9613
www.bestphillycomics.com

No nerd list is complete without a comic book store. Located on the city’s beloved South Street, this is the place to go for comics, graphic novels and unique titles. But like any good comic book store, Atomic City Comics has other merchandise to tempt nerds. Imported toys, geeky jewelry and witty, sarcastic T-shirts are just a few fun finds to help you display your geek-dom.

Related: The Coolest Philadelphia Geeks Recognized Friday Night At The Academy

best of philly screen shot4 Nerdy Nights: Top Events For Geeks In Philadelphia Head to Philadelphia’s Best Of pages for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food, culture and more!

Cassie Hepler is a freelance writer covering all things Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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