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PhiladelphiaFamily-friendly activities

Our most recommended Philadelphia Family-friendly activities

Philadelphia: Eastern State Penitentiary Admission

1. Philadelphia: Eastern State Penitentiary Admission

Discover the historic building of the Eastern State Penitentiary which stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Learn about how when Eastern State opened more than 180 years ago, it changed the world of prisons and was copied throughout the world. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world's first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners. Discover how the building itself was an architectural wonder; it had running water and central heat before the White House. Marvel at the vaulted, sky-lit cells which once held many of America's most notorious criminals, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and Al Capone. As you explore the building, listen to 'The Voices of Eastern State' audio tour which is included in your admission price. Narrated by actor Steve Buscemi (known for Boardwalk Empire, Fargo, Armageddon, and Ghost World), this rich, stereo soundscape mixes dozens of voices. Hear the stories of 3 former wardens and 25 guards and inmates which create an atmospheric tour as you stroll through Eastern State's cellblocks and yards. When you arrive, receive an MP3 player and headset that will guide you through the penitentiary complex and explain the prison's history. This audio guide contains a main audio route, plus additional stops for subjects like escapes, riots, sports, sexuality, and more. You are free to tour at your own pace and to listen to (or skip) stops based on your interests. Also discover interactive experiences, history exhibits, and a critically acclaimed series of artist installations.

Philadelphia: Museum of Illusions Timed Entrance Ticket

2. Philadelphia: Museum of Illusions Timed Entrance Ticket

Experience the impossible with an entry ticket to the Museum of Illusions Philadelphia. Immerse yourself in a world where your eyes will be in a constant battle with your brain. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, this brain-boggling museum is a one-of-a-kind destination for optical illusions.  Challenge yourself in more than 60 visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms designed to tease the senses and trick the mind. Defy gravity, grow and shrink, walk on the ceiling, experience infinite space, and much more. Spend some time in the Smart Playroom with games that will stimulate and challenge your mind. Enjoy some friendly competition with friends and family while simultaneously improving your cognition, problem-solving skills, and memory.  Have fun while learning the mechanics behind each and every illusion you experience. And don't forget your camera or smartphone when you visit as there are eye-fooling photo-ops around every corner.

Philadelphia: Philadelphia Zoo Entry Ticket

3. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Zoo Entry Ticket

Meet the exotic animals at Philadelphia Zoo, America's first zoo, for a family-friendly day out. See big cats and primates, exotic birds, reptiles, and insects. The first-ever zoo in America is home to almost 1,900 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. The Philadelphia Zoo has a revolutionary animal travel and exploration system, which allows primates and big cats to move above and across the main visitor pathway. Other exhibits at the Philadelphia Zoo include Big Cat Falls, the McNeil Avian Center, the PECO Primate Reserve, and KidZooU, an interactive wildlife academy featuring dynamic displays, rare breeds, and indoor-outdoor learning. The zoo is famous for its historic architecture, including the country home of William Penn's grandson. It also features a botanical collection with over 500 plant species. Philadelphia Zoo is situated in a charming 42-acre Victorian garden with tree-lined walks, formal shrubbery, and animal sculptures. Make your Philadelphia Zoo visit a memorable family day. From scavenger hunts and rope courses to carousel rides and animal experiences, the zoo offers a number of attractions for visitors of all ages.

From NYC: Philadelphia and Washington DC 2-Day Tour

4. From NYC: Philadelphia and Washington DC 2-Day Tour

Day 1: NEW YORK – PHILADELPHIA – WASHINGTON DC Depart New York through New Jersey and Pennsylvania and to the city of brotherly love Philadelphia. Arriving in the historic area of Philadelphia, visit the famous Liberty Bell, one of the symbols of freedom in America, Constitution square, and Congress Hall. Stroll Elfreth’s alley, the oldest continuously inhabited street in America. Continue on a panoramic tour of Philadelphia that includes the financial district, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Historic Philadelphia, and more. Depart Philadelphia and see the famous “Rocky Steps” and then continue east to Lancaster county home of the Amish people. Enjoy an authentic Amish Buggy ride through the Amish farm country. Learn how Amish culture survived centuries without the benefits of technology, to this day their towns survive without the central power and sewage systems, that modern civilization take for granted. Learn how the Amish adapted, incorporating technology to create farms that are self-sufficient and make use of renewable sources of energy. After the ride, visit the marketplace where you can shop for handmade arts crafts and products. In the late afternoon, depart east for an evening arrival in Washington DC. Day 2: WASHINGTON DC – NEW YORK Start the day with a visit of Thomas Jefferson Memorial, by the Tidal Basin, surrounded by famous Japanese cherry blossom trees. Visit the Arlington National Cemetery, the Changing of the Guard, and the Kennedy family gravesite. The next stop is Capitol Hill. See the US Capitol and the White House to understand the core of the US government. Continue to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (while Air and Space Museum is closed due to renovations) before visiting the Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam Memorials. In the late afternoon, depart north for an evening arrival in New York.

Philadelphia: Segway Adventure Tour

5. Philadelphia: Segway Adventure Tour

Take a Segway tour of Philadelphia to see the main city sights and get an informative commentary on the history of the city at the forefront of the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence. Your guide will give you a 30-minute training session before you set off on the self-balancing vehicles. Then, traveling in groups of up to 6 people, head down to Penn's Landing for views across to New Jersey and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Glide through the Historic District, passing Elfreth's Alley and the Betsy Ross House. Admire Independence Hall en route to Society Hill, where you can marvel at the stately homes while catching the aroma of fresh coffee at quaint cafés. Pass over Avenue of the Arts to Rittenhouse Square, before winding through the Fitler Square neighborhood to Schuylkill River. The scenery changes here, as you work your way along the paths of the Schuylkill Banks, joined by runners and bikers en route to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Admire the statue of Rocky Balboa at the bottom of the famous steps he ran up in the 1976 blockbuster movie, before moving on to Benjamin Franklin Parkway to see Rodin’s “Thinker” statue in the outdoor sculpture garden.  Take back streets that will lead you to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, from where you can loop through Chinatown and the end of your tour.

Philadelphia: Museum of the American Revolution Entry

6. Philadelphia: Museum of the American Revolution Entry

Discover the dramatic story of the American Revolution at one of Philadelphia’s lead attractions. Step into the Museum of the American Revolution, then watch an introductory movie before making your own way through the exhibitions. Marvel at the museum’s vast collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art that bring history back to life. Learn about this fascinating period of time as you explore immersive galleries, engage in powerful theater experiences, and take part in interactive features. Located just steps from the famous Independence Hall, the museum serves as a portal to the region’s Revolutionary history, which sparks interest, provides context, and encourages exploration. Printed museum guides are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin and Japanese, to elevate your learning experience.

From New York City: 4-Day Tour w/ Niagara Falls & US Capitol

7. From New York City: 4-Day Tour w/ Niagara Falls & US Capitol

Visit the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls. Stop at an outlet mall for shopping, continue to the historic city of Brotherly love in Philadelphia and see the famous Liberty Bell and Independence Hall Square. You will also visit Washington DC, the US Capitol and visit the US Mint. Continue to Lancaster to learn about the Amish community. Day 1: New York - Finger Lakes - Niagara Falls Your morning departure from the Big Apple takes you north where you will pass the beautiful Delaware Gap to Watkins Glen State Park in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Walk through Watkins Glen Canyon to visit the beautiful waterfalls and then continue to Niagara Falls passing Seneca Lake, arriving in the late afternoon. Tour the American and Canadian sides of the Falls including the American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Goat Island, and Sister Island. At night tour Niagara Falls where you will marvel at the colorful lighting of the waters. Overnight: Ramada - Wyndham Day 2: Niagara Falls - New Jersey As you depart the hotel, hear the thundering water of Niagara Falls. See the falls up close from Horseshoe Falls and experience the power of the current aboard the Maid of the Mist (May-October). From November through April you will tour the Power Vista Hydro-electric Station, and the Cave of the Winds. At noon depart south to New York State. On the way to New York, enjoy a shopping excursion at one of the large outlet malls along the way, where you can hunt for bargains at their brand name stores. Overnight New Jersey - La Quinta Inns & Suites  Day 3: New Jersey - Philadelphia - Washington DC Depart New Jersey to Pennsylvania and to the city of brotherly love Philadelphia. Arriving in the Historic area of Philadelphia you will visit the famous Liberty Bell, and Constitution square and Constitution Hall, one of the symbols of freedom in America. Stroll Elfreth’s Alley (the oldest inhabited street in America) then continue on a panoramic tour of Philadelphia that includes the financial district, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Historic Philadelphia and more. Departing Philadelphia, see the famous “Rocky Steps” and then continue north to Lancaster county home of the Amish people. Ride on an authentic Amish Buggy, visit an Amish market place of handmade arts and crafts and learn what it's like to live without the benefit of modern technology, electricity, running water or telephone service. Overnight at: Fairfield Inn & Suites, Alexandria Day 4: Washington DC - New York  Start the day with a visit to Thomas Jefferson Memorial, by the Tidal Basin, surrounded with famous Japanese cherry blossom trees. Visit the Arlington National Cemetery, the changing of the guards and the Kennedy family gravesite.  Next stop is Capitol Hill. See the US Capitol and the White House to understand the core of the US government. Continue to the Air and Space Museum before visiting the Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Korea and Vietnam Memorials.  In the late afternoon, depart north for an evening arrival in New York.

Philadelphia: Escape Room Adventure

8. Philadelphia: Escape Room Adventure

See if you and your group have what it takes to escape the room during this King of Prussia escape room experience. Enter 1 of 3 thrilling adventures, including heist, gold rush, and prison break themes. No matter your choice, keep your wits and focus: you’ve only got one hour to escape. During an adrenaline-packed adventure, you’ll enter a series of elaborately designed escape rooms and break your way out to freedom. Think fast: you and your group must work together to find clues and crack codes to complete your mission. You may find yourself as a prospector hunting for a lost cache of gold, a spy sent to recover a stolen painting, or a falsely accused prisoner determined to break out of jail. After you’ve emerged victorious, you’ll be conveniently located at the King of Prussia Mall to celebrate your achievement. The Heist Escape RoomIt’s up to you to recover a priceless painting. Your espionage outfit has placed you inside a prestigious art museum, where a recently stolen masterpiece is presumed to be hidden. Your mission is to recover the painting unnoticed. (Difficulty: 8/10) Gold Rush Escape RoomReady to search for gold? For nearly two centuries, the hope of gold has lured people to the hills of Northern California. You’ve been tipped off to where an old gold prospector stashed his gold, but so has the mob. (Difficulty: 7/10) Prison Break Escape RoomThe plans are in place and it's time for your daring escape. The year is 1955. You’ve been wrongfully accused of a crime and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Can you escape while the cruel warden is in a meeting? (Difficulty: 9/10)

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Philadelphia

9. LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Philadelphia

Explore the many LEGO attractions at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia. Go on the Imagination Express ride where you hop aboard an interactive train ride to collect points for the top score. Discover insider tips and super tricks from an expert LEGO builder in the Creative Workshop. See famous LEGO characters on the big screen, like The LEGO Movie™: A New Adventure, at the 4D LEGO Cinema. Explore MINILAND, a Philadelphia cityscape made entirely out of LEGO Bricks – over 1.5 million to be exact. Build friendship in LEGO Friends Heartlake City and create new colorful additions to add to their growing town. Get a selfie with a LEGO Friend during the visit too. Create a LEGO racing car at the LEGO Build & Test and race vehicles on the test track for the quickest time. Put your ninja skills to the test at the LEGO Ninjago Training Camp. Become a true LEGO ninja and defeat the bad guys in this action-packed play-zone. Test your agility in the laser maze and master your building skills at the Ninjago build table.

Philadelphia: Comedy Magic Walking Tour with a Guide

10. Philadelphia: Comedy Magic Walking Tour with a Guide

Experience the beauty of Philadelphia on a walking tour with a blend of comedy, magic, and mystery. Visit the famous attractions like Franklin's House, City Tavern, Welcome Park, Girard Fountain Park, and many more. You will be led by an award-winning guide who knows the city very well. Soak in the vibrant atmosphere while listening to stories of this charming city. Pass through the iconic Christ's Church, The Arden Theater, and Little Boys Court and hear many facts about the monuments. At each stop there will be a comic and mind-bending magic performance. Explore the hidden gems, alleys, and squares on this unique walking tour of Philadelphia. 

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What people are saying about Philadelphia

This place was so much fun. The pictures alone are worth it. Since I got back I've shared those pictures with others so many times. I went by myself and the staff were so helpful in taking my picture and helping me to get the best shots!

Sargeant very knowledgeable and certainly made our Philadelphia historic experience very positive.

The entire museum was fun and unbelievable we can’t wait to go back.

It was fun and interesting. We didn’t want to leave.

It was great, everyone should definitely give a try