You’ll also save on gas and avoid traffic hassles while having a good time at the museum and then spending time on your own in Ben Franklin’s adopted hometown.

Participants walk through “Real Pirates,” a National Geographic exhibition that tells the true story of the Whydah, a pirate ship that was found off the coast of Cape Cod in 1984 by underwater explorer Barry Clifford.

The exhibit features more than 200 artifacts salvaged from the ocean floor, including treasure chests of jewelry, coins and gold, weaponry such as cannons, pistols, and knives, and a full size replica of the actual ship.

Scheduled for 5 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, the trip costs $79, which includes the bus, guide and admission. Participants will tour the exhibit during the morning and have the rest of the day on their own in Philadelphia.

Departures are available from multiple HACC campuses. The deadline to sign up is July 18. No refunds will be issued after that date.

To register, call 780-2414 or visit www.hacc.edu and click on Noncredit Courses. Search “bus trips” and then look for the trip titles. The link leads you to the Shopping Cart where you can enroll. Users receive an e-mail confirming enrollment.

Upcoming trips:
* “A Civil War Experience!” takes participants to Virginia on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4-5, to tour the USS Monitor Center, The Hollywood Cemetery, The Museum of the Confederacy, The Confederate White House and Monument Avenue. Cost $415, includes bus, lodging, baggage handling, one breakfast, one dinner, guides and admissions. Departures from multiple HACC campuses starting at 4 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. To go on this trip, sign up by Sept. 5. No refunds will be given after this date.

* “Fright, Terror and Horror in Philadelphia-A Halloween Happening,” 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, for a day of fright that includes stops at the Mutter Museum, Laurel Hill Cemetery and the Eastern State Penitentiary. Cost $135, includes bus, guides and admissions. Departures are available from multiple HACC campuses.

* “Seasons Greetings from our Nation’s Capital,” 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, includes a tour of the Washington National Cathedral, free time at Union Station, a performance of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens and dinner in Georgetown. Cost $160, includes bus, tours, guide, theater ticket and dinner. Departures are available from multiple HACC campuses.