Philadelphia offers it all: historical sites, museums, parks, and lots of good food. Before the Revolutionary War, the City of Brotherly Love hosted the First Continental Congress, a second Continental Congress during the war, and the Constitutional Convention after the war.
In the 1790s, Philly served as the United States’ capital. With its ideal mix of culture and history, Philadelphia is a great family destination no matter the season.
Flickr photo by Tony the Misfit
Ride the Ducks
Want to see the city of Philly but don’t want to walk? Why not ride a duck?
Board a bus at 6th and Chestnut to begin your tour. On this 70-minute tour, you and your family will see major Philadelphia sights, including the Betsy Ross House, Ben Franklin’s grave, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the National Constitution Center.
Then, your kids will be thrilled when the amphibious bus drives right into the Delaware River for a short cruise. Enjoy a relaxing 20-minute cruise on the river before returning to land.
Bonus: Free quacking noisemakers. (Though you might want to “accidentally” leave them on the bus for the ride home.)
The Details: Location: 6th and Chestnut Street, across from the Liberty Bell. Tours depart frequently 7 days a week from Mid-March through November. Exact departure times vary somewhat throughout the season based on guest demand. Tickets: Adults (Age 13 and up) – $26.00; Children (Age 3-12) – $16.00. For more info, visit www.phillyducks.com or call 215-227-DUCK.
Be an animal
America’s oldest zoo is always a hit with children. Opened in 1874, the Philly Zoo boasts the usual menagerie (elephants, giraffes, monkeys, zebras, lions, etc.) as well as some unusual residents, including rare white lions, capybara, lemurs, giant anteaters, pygmy marmosets, coati and okapi.
Flickr photo by digitalART2
In the Treehouse, your kids can view the world from a tree-dweller’s perspective. And if that’s not high enough for them, ride up over 400 feet in the Zoo Balloon (tickets extra).
Bonus: Don’t miss the special natural habitat exhibits, Tortoise Trail and Birds of Australia, where you can feed lorikeets!
The Details: Location: 3400 West Girard Avenue. Hours: 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. daily. Admission: Members and children under three – free; Children (2-11) – $15; Adults – $18. Parking: $12, and extra fee for the Zoo Balloon. For more information, visit www.philadelphiazoo.org or call 215-243-1100.
Please touch!
The Please Touch Museum is an award-winning museum where everything is hands-on. Kids will love the City Capers section, where they can work in “Pats Shoe Store,” help patients in the Medical Center, and build in the construction section. Get wet and experiment in the River Adventures exhibit, where they can race sailboats and play with bubbles.
Each of the exhibits is specially designed for young children to experiment, explore, and learn, all while having a blast!
After visiting the indoor exhibits, don’t miss the historic Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel. Rides are $3 and tickets may be purchased at box office or at Carousel House kiosk.
Flickr photo by Shanna Lee
Bonus: Parents and kids alike will enjoy the Please Touch Playhouse’s daily interactive shows (free with admission).
The Details: Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131 (GPS Users, use 4231 North Concourse Drive for directions.). Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Members – free; under age of one – Free; Children and Adults – $15 per person. For more information, visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/ or call (215) 581-3181.
Lights of Liberty Show
To make American history really come alive for your family, experience the American Revolution in Independence Square. The Lights of Liberty Show is the first ambulatory sound-and-light show in the world.
Right where many historically important events occurred, you will see (and hear, through specially programmed headsets) images projected right up onto the 200 year-old buildings. You walk through the show, which takes about an hour.
The children’s tour is narrated by Whoopi Goldberg and others, and concludes with a moving recording of “God Bless America;” many visitors join in the song. Adult versions are offered in English, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.
(Note: this show can be so realistic that it may be scary for young children; use your discretion.)
Bonus: The music you’ll hear is performed by members of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, so if you don’t have the time to go hear them, you can hit two birds with one stone!
The Details: The show departs from Liberty Center, Sixth and Chestnut Streets. Shows are scheduled Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through August 15 and Fridays and Saturdays from August 21 through September 5. The show begins at dusk, with a new one starting roughly every 10 minutes. Duration: 60 minutes. Tickets: Children (12 and under) – $13; Students and 65 & older – $16.50; Adults – $19.50. Reservations are required: call (877) 462-1776. For more, visit www.lightsofliberty.org.
Photo by Dan Smith.
(The original version of this post contained incorrect information about the Please Touch Museum, which has now been corrected.)
