Things to do in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is known for its rich history with such historic sites as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (where the declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed), as well as other American Revolutionary sites. Other popular attractions include the steps of the Philadelphia Museum immortalized by Sylvester Stallone in the movie “Rocky”, the Please Touch Museum and the Philadelphia Zoo.

 

Independence Hall- See the room where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed. The Hall is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets are required at certain times of the year and are free. There is no charge for same day distribution (non-reserved) tickets obtained at the Independence Visitor Center on the day of your visit. There is a handling fee of $1.00 per ticket for advance reservations. For advance reservations you can  make your reservation online or call 1-877-444-6777.

 

The Liberty Bell Center-Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon. The Bell is now located at 6th and Market Streets. The Center is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free, and entrance is on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Sesame Place- Located in Langhorne, PA about 30 minutes from Philadelphia, this Sesame Street themed amusement park offers rides, shows and parades for all ages. The park opens weekends starting in April, and is open daily at the end of May through August, with weekend only hours in September and October plus other select dates during the holiday season.

 

Philadelphia Zoo- America’s first zoo is home to more than 1,300 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. Popular exhibits include Z00360 train system, Big Cat Falls, the McNeil Avian Center, the PECO Primate Reserve and KidZooU. The Zoo is open daily at 9:30 am except for winter holidays. The Zoo closes at 5 pm spring, summer and fall. During the winter the Zoo closes at 4 pm.

 

Please Touch Museum- Geared towards children ages 1-7, this attraction has two floors of interactive exhibits, plus a fully restored century-old carousel. On the first Wednesday of the month the museum charges just $2 admission from 4 to 7 pm.

 

Franklin Square- One of William Penn’s five original squares offers a Philly-themed mini-golf course, restored marble fountain, playground, and a carousel. Seasonal burger joint SquareBurger serves up burgers, fries, and cake shakes.

 

The Franklin Institute- This popular science museum is located on a full city block. Popular exhibits include Giant Heart, Space Command, SportsZone, Amazing Machine, Electricity, Train Factory, The Franklin Air Show. The museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

 

TreeTop Quest Philly- An Aerial Adventure Park located in Fairmount Park. 5 levels of difficulty to chose from of obstacles and zip-lines through the trees including a Chick Pea course for ages 4-6. Open weekends only in the spring and fall, and daily in the summer.

 

Smith Memorial Playground-One of the oldest playgrounds in America it is geared towards children 10 and younger. The park also offers a Tot Lot with more than 20 pieces of age-appropriate play equipment.

 

 

The Betsy Ross House- Betsy Ross was known for sewing the first Stars & Stripes, and her home is known as the birthplace of the American Flag. Tour her home and learn more about Betsy and her life during the 18th century.  Hours vary by season.

 

Independence Seaport Museum- The collections in this museum document maritime history and culture on the Delaware River. It has dozens of exhibits, including the warship USS Olympia and the submarine USS Becuna. Most suitable for children ages six and up. The museum hosts special events for families on Saturdays from 1:30-3:30. Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with extended hours in the summer. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

Museum of American Revolution- This newer museum having just opened in 2017 is dedicated to telling the story of the American Revolutionary War. The museum offers over 3000 different artifacts and has programs for children and families. It is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with extended hours in the summer. It is closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

 

Fireman’s Hall Museum- Founded in 1902 this restored firehouse displays local firefighting equipment and photographs. It is dedicated to the art & science of firefighting over the last 3 centuries. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and admission is free.

 

Diggerland USA-This construction themed amusement park is located in West Berlin, NJ about 40 minutes from Philadelphia. Kids will flip over getting to try their skills at the Backhoe Adventure, Skid Steers or Mini Diggers. Open daily in the summer, and select weekends in the Spring and Fall.

 

Day Trip Suggestions

Amish Country, Lancaster County- Experience the slow placed lifestyle in Amish country. A variety of tours are offered where you can learn about the Amish way of life.

 

Baltimore, Maryland- About an hour from Philly, Baltimore is known as the city of firsts, from the first locomotive, the first telegraph ever sent, and the location of the first Methodist Church in America. This city is rich with history, including Fort McHenry, where the British attack during the War of 1812 was foiled. The Inner Harbor area is a great spot to visit with dining, shopping, and an aquarium, an observatory, and a planetarium.

 

Hershey Park & Chocolate World- Located just two hours west of Philadelphia, this is the perfect day trip for Chocoholics. Chocolate World, open daily offers tours, interactive games, as well as bakeries and eateries. Hershey Park is a chocolate themed amusement park and is open late Spring, Summer, and early Fall with special Halloween and Christmas events.

 

Philadelphia Professional Sports Teams- The Philadelphia area has five professional sports teams. For game tickets visit the team website or a reputable ticket broker.

 

Philadelphia Phillies- Professional Baseball Team, regular season runs late March through the end of September. Tours are available of Citizen’s Bank Park year round, days and times vary. For more information please visit their website.

Philadelphia Flyers- Professional Hockey Team, regular season runs October through early April.

Philadelphia Eagles- Professional Football team, regular season runs September through December. Based on availability, group (10 or more) and walk-up tours of Lincoln Financial Field are available on non-event days. Visit https://www.lincolnfinancialfield.com/stadium-tours/  for more information.

Philadelphia 76ers- Professional Basketball team, regular season runs mid October through early April. Tours are available of Wells Fargo Center. Please visit their website for more information.

Philadelphia Union- Professional Soccer team, regular season runs from early April through early October.

 

Family Friendly Restaurants

Pizza Brain- Located in the Fishtown area, this is not only a restaurant but also a museum dedicated to all things pizza. The menu offers a variety of different pizzas from red to white, all loaded with toppings. The museum has interesting collectibles, toys and music all honoring pizza! Sister location Pizza Dads can be found in the Brewerytown district.

 

Trolley Car Diner- Locate north of downtown Philly is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with breakfast served all day. The diner also has an old-fashioned  Ice Cream Shoppe with over 15 flavors of ice cream, water ice, shakes, sundaes and other treats. Kids love dining in the real trolley car!

 

Max Brenner- This chocolate dessert wonderland located near Rittenhouse Square also serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chocolate options include waffles, ice cream, shakes, chocolate milk drinks, and their famous Chocolate Bar!

 

Nifty Fifty’s- 3 bright and colorful locations in the Philadelphia area, serving casual kid-friendly fare like burgers and fries. Plus they are open for breakfast. This chain is most famous for their milkshakes with over 100 flavors and varieties.

 

Honey’s Sit ’n Eat- Two locations in the Philly area. This family friendly establishment offers high chairs and a kids menu with simple options like pancakes and burgers. To avoid a wait during brunch hours get there early. Cash only.

 

The Bourse- This newer establishment located in Independence Mall is the perfect place to grab a bite while sightseeing. This food hall has tons of options to please any member of the family including a French fry bar, grilled cheese counter, pasta spot, and all-day breakfast maker.