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Family Fun Abounds In The Philadelphia Region
With a wide array of family-friendly attractions, the Philadelphia region is a kid’s kind of town, where history and horticulture, art and animals, gardens and galleries, tours and theme parks come together to offer loads of family fun.
* All attractions are located in Philadelphia unless otherwise noted.
Historical Sites
The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, New Hall Military Museum, Franklin Court, Bishop White House and the Declaration House are just some of the buildings that make up Independence National Historical Park (INHP) in Center City Philadelphia. From May through October, colonial re-enactors, sponsored by Historic Philadelphia, Inc. (HPI) in partnership with INHP, tour the streets in and around the park to perform for and interact with visitors. Especially popular with children is the Call to Arms program, in which George Washington and Benjamin Franklin induct kids into the Continental Army. Independence Visitor Center, 6th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676, www.nps.gov/inde; Historic Philadelphia, Inc., (215) 629-5801, http://historicphiladelphia.org
Pennsbury Manor, in Bucks County, is the recreated country home of William Penn, America’s foremost Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania. The 43-acre site includes a Manor House, Bake and Brew house, Kitchen Gardens, an orchard with bees, a vineyard, animals and a barn. 400 Pennsbury Memorial Road, Morrisville, (215) 946-0400, www.pennsburymanor.org
Valley Forge National Historical Park comprises 3,600 acres of rolling hillsides, where Washington’s army suffered through the winter of 1777-78, to emerge an effective fighting force. Children are fascinated by the log huts, Washington’s original stone headquarters and the Artillery Park, where rows of cannons line the grounds. Route 23 & N. Gulph Road, Valley Forge, (610) 783-1077, www.nps.gov/vafo
Museums
In existence since 1812, The Academy of Natural Sciences is an international museum of natural history. Popular exhibits include Living Downstream, an exhibit that demonstrates how people’s actions impact the environment; and Outside-In, a display in which children use their senses to learn about nature. On-site dining available. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 299-1000, www.acnatsci.org
More than 30 aircrafts are on display at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center, including the only V-22 Osprey on public view in the world. The museum was named “Best Scientific Outing for Kids” by Philadelphia Magazine. 1220 American Boulevard, West Chester, (610) 436-9600, www.helicoptermuseum.org
The Franklin Institute is the region’s premier science museum featuring a full city block of exhibits such as the kid-friendly Sports Challenge, in which visitors can climb a rock wall, throw a pitch, challenge gravity and surf monstrous waves; and KidScience, a display that combines more than 25 interactive components to illustrate scientific principals. The museum is also home to the Tuttleman IMAX Theater, the newly renovated Fels Planetarium and a 3D Theater. On-site dining available. 222 N. 20th Street, (215) 448-1200, www.fi.edu
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of the top three art museums in the country, showcases an impressive array of American, Asian, Middle Eastern and European art. A vast array of swords, shields, firearms and full suits of armor are on display in the Medieval and Renaissance Art rooms. Sunday is family day, when children and their parents can participate in art classes, tours and reading activities. On-site dining available. 26th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 763-8100, www.philamuseum.org
Animals Above and Below the Sea
Some 150 wild animals from North America roam the grounds of the Elmwood Park Zoo in Montgomery County. Jaguars, cougars, wolves, bison, elks, bobcats and alligators live in natural habitats. There is also a playground and barn with live animals and pony rides during warmer weather. On-site dining and picnic grounds available. 1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, (610) 277-3825, www.elmwoodparkzoo.com
The New Jersey State Aquarium is home to more than 4,000 aquatic animals of some 500 species, including sharks, penguins, stingrays and sea turtles. Dive shows, live animal talks and performances by the Drama Gills take place daily. Family workshops and birthday parties can also be arranged. On-site dining available. 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ, (856) 365-3300, www.njaquarium.org
America’s first zoo is the Philadelphia Zoo, a 42-acre Victorian garden with more than 1,800 exotic animals. The zoo offers pony, camel and elephant rides as well as swan boat rides. The Children’s Zoo and Treehouse allow up-close critter contact. The Zoo’s newest adventure is the Zooballoon, which rises 400 feet above the treetops of the Zoo and overlooks giraffes and zebras. On-site dining available. 3400 W. Girard Avenue, (215) 243-1100, www.philadelphiazoo.org
Especially for Kids
A four-acre, horticultural wonderland awaits visitors to the Camden Children’s Garden. The display garden features a host of interactive exhibits including the Butterfly, Railroad, Dinosaur, Treehouse and Storybook Gardens. Children can take a train ride or hop on the carousel. A combination ticket with the New Jersey State Aquarium is available. 3 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ, (856) 365-TREE, www.camdenchildrensgarden.org
At the Please Touch Museum, children ages one to seven years old are the focus of the fun. Interactive experiences abound in displays such as Move It!, an exhibit that teaches children about various forms of transportation; Studio PTM, a kid-sized television studio; and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a display that explores what life is like down the rabbit hole. On-site dining available. 210 N. 21st Street,
(215) 963-0667, www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
Sesame Place, open from May through October, is the nation’s only theme park based on the popular television series. In addition to amusements like Vapor Trail, the park’s first roller coaster, and Nets ‘n’ Climb, a three-story climbing apparatus, the park features more than 50 play elements, live stage shows and a water park. On-site dining available. Sesame Place Road, Langhorne, (215) 752-7070, www.sesameplace.com
Gardens, Tours and a Whole Lot More
Children see how their favorite snacks are made during the Herr’s Snack Factory Tour. Visitors learn why gravity is important to making a great potato chip, why good cheese curls need a lot of hot air and why pretzels wouldn’t be the same without a hydroxide bath. During the free tour, guests are invited to sample the goods. Routes 1 & 272, Nottingham, (800) 284-7488, www.herrfoods.com
More than 300 acres of land make up Linvilla Orchards, one of the last working farms in the Delaware Valley. Linvilla hosts a variety of family-friendly events throughout the year. Hayrides, tours, fruit and vegetable picking and swimming are offered in season. On-site dining available. 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, (610) 876-7116, www.linvilla.com
There’s plenty for kids to do at Longwood Gardens, one of the world’s finest horticultural display centers, with 1,050 acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows, 20 outdoor gardens, 20 indoor gardens and 11,000 different types of plants. Indoors there’s the Children’s Garden, featuring a ruin, a maze and mushroom-shaped fountains. Outdoors there’s Kid’s Corner, a seasonal display complete with a sunflower house, A-to-Z garden and weather station. On-site dining available. Route 1, Kennett Square, (610) 388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org
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You can find the answer at the Please Touch Museum (215-963-0667), home to theater performances and interactive exhibits. 
Youngsters are dazzled by animals and cultures from around the world at The Philadelphia Zoo (215-243-1100).