What is there to do in Philadelphia?

Question

We will be taking my three year old to Sesame Place next September and would like to know what else there is to do or see for families. My husband would like to see a Phillies game and some of the city's historical sites. Any other tips?

Answer 1

National Constitution Center, Philadelphia
The National Constitution Center in historic Philadelphia is America's most interactive history museum. Located just two blocks from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, it is the only museum devoted to the U.S. Constitution and the story of we, the people.
Attraction type: History museum; Specialty museum

Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia
An impressive collection of European art housed in a stately, neoclassical building.
Attraction type: Art museum; Landmark/point of interest

Mutter Museum, Philadelphia
This museum, located at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, showcases medical oddities.
Attraction type: Science museum; Specialty museum

Independence Hall, Philadelphia
Both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed in this historic building.
Attraction type: Historic site; History museum; Architectural building; Government building

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia
The Eastern State Penitentiary is a former state prison in the United States. Today, the Eastern State Penitentiary operates as a museum and historic site, open from April 1 through November 30. In addition, it holds many special events throughout the year. Each July, Eastern State offers a Bastille Day celebration. In October, it offers a Terror Behind the Walls haunted house.
Attraction type: Old jail; Historic site




Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia
Though it can no longer be rung, the bell remains a lasting American symbol of freedom.
Attraction type: Landmark/point of interest; Historic walking area; Historic site; Monument

Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia
One of the most famous square miles in the United States, the park is home to the Liberty Bell, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Independence Hall.
Attraction type: Historic site; Historic walking area; National park

Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia
Featuring over 80 concessions, this historic market has something for even the most eclectic of tastebuds.
Attraction type: Flea/street market

Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia
America's oldest zoo opened in 1874, and today houses more than 1,600 animals from around the world.
Attraction type: Zoo

Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
One of the world's largest municipal parks, a sprawling 9,200 acres contains several million trees and America's oldest zoo.
Attraction type: Park; Jogging path/track; Urban park

South Street, Philadelphia
Known as Philadelphia's liveliest and funkiest strip, the street has more than 300 stores and restaurants.
Attraction type: Street

Rosenbach Museum and Library, Philadelphia
A library thats more a museum. Its collection includes the original manuscript of James Joyces Ulysses, first editions of Melville, drawings by Maurice Sendak and even a reproduction of Marianne Moores Greenwich Village study.
Attraction type: Specialty museum; Library

Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia
Hands-on museum where adults and children can learn and explore together.
Attraction type: Children's museum; Science museum

Italian Market, Philadelphia
A colorful outdoor market specializing in Italian foodstuffs.
Attraction type: Neighborhood; Flea/street market

Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
People-watching is the favorite pastime at this busting park, with loads of benches to accommodate weary pedestrians.
Attraction type: Town center/square/plaza

Powel House, Philadelphia
The Georgian mansion of well-to-do colonial Samuel Powel, who served as mayor of Philadelphia. Home also to the sinful dinners, as John Adams called it, the fabulous dinners and dances Powel hosted, inviting the founding fathers and foreign dignitaries.
Attraction type: Historic home

Franklin Court, Philadelphia
With levels above and below ground, the complex houses a theater and museum devoted to Franklin's life and inventions.
Attraction type: History museum; Historic home; Historic site

Masonic Temple, Philadelphia
"The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania" is an example of elegant architecture. Inside, the lodge is adorned with lovely artwork.
Attraction type: Religious site; Library

Elfreth's Alley, Philadelphia
America's oldest residential street was built in 1702 and is now designated a National Historic Landmark.
Attraction type: Historic site; Street

Betsy Ross House, Philadelphia
Historic Georgian-style home where the first American flag was made pays tribute to the creator of the Stars and Stripes.
Attraction type: Historic home

Answer 2

I just took my 2-year-old to Sesame and she really loved it.

My grandmother lives in Philly, so we go every year and take my kids to some fun things.

Here are the things we like to do:

Academy of Natural Sciences - the big attraction at this museum is the dinosaur hall. My 4-year-old son was in heaven! They have many fossils, and some hands-on things that the kids can do there.

Please Touch Museum - this is not far from the Academy, on the block behind the Franklin Institute. It is full of things for the kids to play with - a huge water table, a grocery store where they check themselves out, vehicles, etc. They have a farm area for kids 3 and under that my kids loved, and they have storybook areas - Where the Wild Things Are, Alice in Wonderland, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The kids can play with everything.

Franklin Institute - It's a science museum that has some neat stuff for kids.

Philadelphia Zoo - This is a great zoo. We definitely plan a trip there every year, and the kids love it. The exhibits are all really nice, and the layout of the zoo is easy to get around.

The Phillies game will be fun, and the historic sites are well worth seeing.

If you have time, a trip to the Jersey shore would be fun. We like Ocean City the best for families - the boardwalk is fun (although the amusement rides probably aren't open in Sept - maybe on the weekends) and the beaches are nice. Atlantic City also isn't far.

Answer 3

Check Gophilly.com for a start.

Are you staying in the city? There is a Comfort Inn right on the waterfront at 100 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd. The hotel is okay but the location is really good. It puts you within easy walking distance of The Olde City Section, Independance Hall, Northern Liberties (the up and coming hot spot) and in the other direction is South Street. The Martine Museum is just outside the hotel door as well as the water taxi to the Camden Aquauim.

From there it's only a short taxi ride to Chinatown, the museums off the Franklin Parkway or the Avenue of the Arts.
The Ave. of the Arts (Broad Street near City Hall) and the surrounding neigborhood has The Willma Theater, the Keswick and the Academy of Music for live Broadway and off-Broadway productions.

A few small tips. I believe during the week you can still go to the top of the City Hall tower for free. On Sunday mornings you can get into the Philadelphia Museum of Art for a volutary contribution instead of paying full price. The first Friday of every month the Olde City section keeps its art galleries open late and has a street festival. If you come before September 16th you could catch part of the fringe festival (a celebration of experimental theater like Glasslow's fringe festival). Also if you are a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated your card will get you into many of the meseums in town for free. Expect to spend half the day at Independence Hall and the new National Constitution Center across the street to see the Liberty Bell. Once you could have walked in on a whim now the place is guarded by Homeland Security.

You should be able to get tickets for the Phillies. Beware of scalpers and most of the local fans. Just when you think Philadelphia is the nicest place world one drunken lout will be there ruin your day. Citzen's Bank Park is on the southern end of the city near the base of the Walt Whittman Bridge, almost in the same place as the old Vets Statium. Easy to get to by car.

Some parts of Philly are great but large parts of the city are urban wastelands. Be careful where you go outside of the Center City area.

If you're not staying in the city I would recommend Bethlahem PA or Hadonfield NJ. Both charming towns and easily accesable to Philly.

Please pardon all the typos, I'm typing fast and the spell check isn't working.

Answer 4

Well for something different this weekend: There is the Mushroom Festival in Kenneth Square, PA & the Brandywine battle reinactment. Both on baltimore pike About 45 mins from town.

Answer 5

Franklin Institute Science Museum. Perfect place for kids. They learn about science while having fun. Interactive exhibits.
http://www.fi.edu/

Please Touch Museum--kids ages one to seven can explore and touch everything in the exhibits. http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/

Liberty Bell--the bell with the famous crack. Historical site. http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/

Fairmount Park--perfect place to relax and have fun. The most famous park in Pennsylvania. http://www.fairmountpark.org/

Philadelphia Zoo: over 100 exhibits. Animals include tigers, leopards, gorillas, bears, giraffes, flamingoes, polar bears, etc. Wild peacocks roam the zoo grounds. http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/

Answer 6

try the Franklin Institute they have a heart which your able to enter and its really fun i've gone there about a dozen times for class trips