TRACKS/TOURS
Because there is so much to see and do in Philadelphia, when registering for the event, you will be asked to choose “track” which best represents your interests, i.e. what activity do you want to do Saturday afternoon. General Admission Fees will be covered in your Browncoat Ball Membership, but if you wish to see any special exhibits at your track destination, you will have to purchase that on your own.
Captain Track
Whether you own or operate your own spacefaring vessel, or you just have a keen interest in science, you’ll want to spend the afternoon at the Franklin Institute Science Museum. Space Command and the Franklin Airshow are two permanent exhibits which will interest would-be captains and pilots alike. And no Big Damn Hero would be complete without a Big Damn Heart.
Crew Track
If you like working on ships, or just traveling on them, you may be interested in afternoon at the Independence Seaport Museum. Not only can you learn about the history and science of Serenity’s nautical cousins, but you can climb on board the cruiser Olympia (circa the Spanish-American War) and the submarine Becuna (circa WWII)! Neither may be a Firefly-class transport, but it may be as close as you ever come to one.
Finery Track
Whether you were trained at the Companion Academy or you just like pretty things, maybe an afternoon at the Philadelphia Museum of Art may be for you. You can explore the renowned exhibits and acclaimed special exhibitions at one of the nations largest art museums… or you can just run up the stairs like Rocky. Oh, go crazy, do both!
Reaver Track
If you’re a Reaver at heart, or just enjoy those sideshow tents on little backwater moons, you might enjoy a ghastly afternoon at the Mütter Museum and the Edgar Allen Poe house. “The Mütter Museum was founded to educate future doctors about anatomy and human medical anomalies. Our collection now boasts over 20,000 unforgettable objects. These include fluid-preserved anatomical and pathological specimens; skeletal and dried specimens, medical instruments and apparati; anatomical and pathological models in plaster, wax, papier-mâché, and plastic; memorabilia of famous scientists and physicians; medical illustrations, photographs, prints, and portraits.”
http://www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp
Although he is buried in Baltimore, MD, Edgar Allen Poe lived in Philadelphia for time, writing such stories as “The Gold Bug” “The Black Cat” and “The Tell Tale Heart”. If time allows, members of the Doctorin’ Track will get a tour of his former home.
A Big Damn Bus will pick up our wayward band at Chinatown’s Friendship Gate at 1:00pm and take us on a partial tour of Philadelphia, dropping members of each track at their respective destinations along the way. When you are finished at your track destination, you hop on the Big Damn Bus again (they circulate on a regular basis) and get back off near the hotel. All track destinations close at 5:00pm. Your ticket for the Big Damn Bus Tour is also included in your Registration for the BCB.