Philadelphia is an amazing city and a wonderful way to introduce your kids to American History! The city is simply amazing! Like, I really really love it! There are so many great places to make a trip to Philly an educational one that you and your kids will remember forever. If you’re looking for a great Fourth of July Holiday Weekend trip or a place to visit this summer, look no further than Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!
Hotels
The Philly Overnight® Hotel Package is a popular getaway — and a terrific deal. It’s available throughout the year and gives you free parking (worth $50 or more) and special offers and discounts – in addition to deluxe accommodations in Center City Philadelphia. Check out the package, then pick your favorite hotel.
For families that enjoy modern luxury, The Loew’s Hotel Philadelphia is outstanding! This hotel’s concierge service can plan out your family’s itinerary ahead of time and arrange for age-appropriate welcome gifts for the kids. The hotel’s Center City location is a very short walking distance of both the historic sights and the museum district.
Holiday Inn – Historic District is just steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. This hotel has a fantastic location and offers very reasonable rates. In addition, the hotel offers cribs, rollaway cots, board games and in-room video game rentals. Kids under 12 eat free in the hotel restaurant. Ask about family rate packages.
The Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Landing is one of the historic area’s newest hotels.
Upgrade your stay in the City of Brotherly Love with a room or suite at the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing. Located right off the shores of the breathtaking Delaware River and nestled among the history of the birthplace of America, it will give you an amazing adventure from the inside out. You will sleep the night through in beautifully decorated rooms outfitted to provide you with the most comfort you can find outside of your own home. Feel free to bring the whole crew with you because the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing has family-friendly and pet-friendly programs to ensure that everyone, from the small to the tall, has the time of their lives.
Looking for more of a home away from home? For some of the conveniences and comforts of home, try the Embassy Suites in Center City. Each two-room suite offers a kitchen area with a microwave and refrigerator, plus up to two beds and a sofa bed. (Cribs are available on request.) Each suite also has a dining area and a balcony. Breakfast is complimentary, and other meals are available in the attached T.G.I. Friday’s. The hotel is located near Logan Circle and some of Philly’s most kid-friendly museums.
Top Things to Do & See With Kids (Family Friendly Attractions) in Philadelphia
Is the region’s premier science museum, features an IMAX theater, the Fels Planetarium and a full city block of kid-friendly exhibitions, such as the walk-through Giant Heart, Space Command, Sports Challenge, Electricity and Changing Earth. In June 2014, the museum opened the doors to its 53,000-square-foot Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion. The centerpiece of the dazzling three-story addition is the 8,500-square-foot permanent exhibit Your Brain, featuring an unprecedented collection of interactive, high-tech exhibitions. The expansion also features space for traveling exhibitions and a new rain garden and atrium with a freely moving aluminum “Shimmer Wall” offering a utopian chill-out spot for families seeking a break.
Housed in Fairmount Park’s Memorial Hall, the kid-centric Please Touch Museum® includes two full floors of interactive exhibit zones, plus a fully restored 100-year-old carousel. Youngsters can play and pretend amid Alice’s Wonderland, River Adventures and other hands-on fun. And on Target First Wednesdays, the museum stay opens 4-7 p.m. with $2 admission.
Zoo360 let’s the animals walk high above the guests for a one-of-a-kind experience.
America’s first zoo and one of the region’s foremost conservation organizations, the Philadelphia Zoo is home to nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered. The zoo offers a first-in-the-world animal travel and exploration trail system—called Zoo360—that enables primates and big cats to move above and across the main visitor pathway. Award-winning exhibits include First Niagara Big Cat Falls, the McNeil Avian Center, the PECO Primate Reserve and the newest exhibit KidZooU: Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo & Faris Family Education Center.
One of William Penn’s original five squares, Franklin Square is a modern and fun family park, with a Philly-themed miniature golf course, a restored marble fountain, playgrounds and an old-fashioned carousel featuring some famous Philly horses. When hunger strikes, SquareBurger delivers with burgers, fries and shakes from Starr Restaurants.
Independence National Historical Park
The Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, the Benjamin Franklin Museum and the Bishop White House are just some of the buildings that make up Independence National Historical Park in Historic Philadelphia. In the summer months, the park offers ranger-led walking tours, including Dr. Franklin’s Philadelphia, History Beneath Our Feet and Underground Railroad.
Learn about the colonial America’s most important political city and the founding of the nation by exploring some of the 20 city blocks that comprise Independence National Historical Park. A walk along its cobblestoned streets reveals dozens of the colonies’ first institutions of education, religion, culture and service.
From here, you can walk straight to Independence Mall, which houses the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall, where our founding fathers debated and signed the U.S. Constitution.
Take a stroll through Independence Square, where the Declaration of Independence was read publicly for the first time, and be sure to tour Ben Franklin’s post office and printing shop. Start at Independence Visitors Center for a reference point and required timed tickets to some of the (free) attractions.
America’s most famous flag maker greets guests in her interactive 18th-century upholstery shop at the Betsy Ross House. Visitors learn about Betsy’s life and legend from the lady herself. Summer brings a weeklong, annual Flag Fest celebration with free events every day. Also, every morning at 10 a.m. in the summer, kids can participate in a free flag-raising event with Betsy and a Colonial friend.
The Betsy Ross House is the only site in the country that interprets a working 18th century upholstery shop. The kids will love meeting Betsy and having her show them how to cut a five point star with just one snip of the scissors. Interactive exhibits let young visitors try their hands at colonial cookery and more.
The Liberty Bell is a huge bronze bell that symbolizes freedom in the United States of America. This historic bell is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The bell was originally cast in 1752 in London, England. It was commissioned as a bell for the Pennsylvania State House (now called Independence Hall).
Independence Hall is where both the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted. It is now the centerpiece of the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The building was completed in 1753 as the colonial legislature (later Pennsylvania State House) for the Province of Pennsylvania. It became the principal meeting place of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1783 and was the site of the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787. The building is part of Independence National Historical Park and is listed as a World Heritage Site.
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse offers a free, safe place to play for children 10 and younger. Located in East Fairmount Park, it includes a 6 1/2 acre Playground featuring the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide and more than 50 pieces of unique, age-appropriate and accessible pieces of play equipment. The 24,000 square foot Playhouse, designed for children 5 and younger, gives them a chance to “drive” the train, “cook” in the kitchen, ride tricycles in Smithville and much, much more.
Reading Terminal Market is an enclosed public market at 12th and Arch streets in downtown Philadelphia. There are hundreds of stores and eateries offering local produce, delicious homemade food and fresh homemade goods, open daily. Note: The Pennsylvania Dutch shops are closed Sunday through Tuesday.
Insider Tip: My absolute favorite way to see the city of Philadelphia is with the Philadelphia City Pass. The Philadelphia Pass grants you a free 2 day pass on the Big Bus Tour. See the sights of the city on one of our open-top tours that offer spectacular views and entertaining stories from our fully-trained Philly friendly guides. Operated by Philadelphia Trolley Works, the Big Bus Tours operate 7 days a week with frequent departures from 5th & Market Streets. Climb aboard the Big Bus and enjoy the history, cultural, dining, shopping along the route. Hop on and off at any of our 27 stops or just sit back and enjoy the ride! See the steps that Rocky climbed, enjoy an authentic cheesesteak or Philadelphia soft pretzel, retrace the steps of our founding fathers, visit America’s first zoo or shop along south street.
For more information on visiting Philadelphia, visit www.visitphilly.com
{Special Thanks to Visit Philly, Philadelphia’s Official Visitor & Tourism Site for partnering on this post!}
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