KidsOutAndAbout.com's Family Travel Video Guide to Philadelphia, PA
The City of Brotherly Love: Visiting Philadelphia with Kids
by Ella S. Ross
Both my mother and I both lived in Philadelphia during our early 20s, (my stint being slightly more recent) so I know the city pretty well. But I was happy to experience the city through different eyes on this trip: the eyes of a kid.
I would never turn down a stroll through Independence Square, or an afternoon at the Franklin Institute, but you would have to twist my arm to make me do the pose on the Rocky steps (Although I’ll go inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art without a fight!)
A museum here, the birthplace of a nation there, you see something interesting everywhere you look in Philly.
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Please Touch Museum
Since 1976, Please Touch Museum has been the Children’s Museum of Philadelphia. Over three decades and more than two million visitors later, Please Touch Museum has grown into one of the nation’s premier children’s museums by becoming experts in play.
The mission of the museum is to enrich the lives of children by creating learning opportunities through play, laying the foundation for a lifetime of hands-on learning and cultural awareness.
Located in historic Memorial Hall — a National Historic Landmark built in 1876 for the Centennial Exhibition celebrating the country’s 100th birthday — Please Touch Museum aims to bring together the past, present and future through six interactive exhibit zones across 157,000 square feet, including four areas specifically designed for children 3 and younger.
Kids and their grown-ups will also delight in riding the meticulously restored 1908 Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel, originally built in Philadelphia and after more than 40 years in storage, returned to its hometown in its own 9,000 square-foot glass pavilion on the east side of Memorial Hall.
Fairmount Park
In 1876, more than 10 million people journeyed to Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park for the nation’s Centennial Exposition.
Today, the expanse remains a refuge from the bustling city, keeping quiet natural landscapes within close reach of all residents and visitors.
With more than 2,000 acres of rolling hills, gentle trails, relaxing waterfront and shaded woodlands, Fairmount Park keeps a wealth of natural landscapes in East and West sections of the park, divided by the Schuylkill River.
The Franklin Institute
Founded in honor of America’s first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the country.
Today, the premier museum continues its dedication to public education by offering new and exciting access to science in ways that would dazzle and delight its namesake.
In Benjamin Franklin’s spirit of inquiry and discovery, the mission of The Franklin Institute is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology.
Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
Historic sites abound throughout Greater Philadelphia, but there are few more iconic than Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Liberty Bell.
These two Philadelphia stalwarts — some of the most popular attractions in the city, and some of the most famous historic sites in the country — make for must-visits whether it’s your first, second or 50th time in the city.
Franklin Square
Franklin Square, one of five public squares laid out by William Penn in his original plan for Philadelphia, offers a refreshing, urban green space with a ton of awesome activities within its eight-acre grounds.
Originally named “North East Publick Square,” the park was renamed in honor of Benjamin Franklin in 1825.
Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal Market, one of the nation’s oldest and largest public markets, first opened in 1893.
Today, it stands out as one of the greatest public markets in the country.
Visitors can enjoy eating a wide swath of different cuisines, from sublime soul food and exquisite Asian and Middle Eastern dishes to authentic Philly cheesesteaks and traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare — all available from largely locally owned, family-run stands.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Like Philadelphia’s own Parthenon, the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art sits majestically on a rise at the end of the city’s famous Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The vast collections in this temple of art make it one of the largest art museums in the country — and an absolute must-see on the city’s cultural circuit.
The museum’s holdings encompass more than 240,000 works spanning 2,000 years, including pieces from the ancient world, medieval times, the Renaissance, the Impressionist movement and modern day.
World-renowned architect Frank Gehry led a major transformation of the attraction’s interior in recent years. A new north entrance opened in fall 2019, and new galleries, public spaces and exhibits opened in May 2021.
But wait, there's more!
- Longwood Gardens
- The Barnes Foundation
- African American Museum in Philadelphia
- Museum of the American Revolution
- Rodin Museum
Family-friendly restaurants worth checking out:
Thank you for the wonderful hospitality to the team at VisitPhiladelphia and everyone at the attractions who showed me around! To learn more, visit their website at Visitphilly.com.
—Ella
Ella S. Ross is a travel videographer. Interested in having her visit your region? Click here for more information.