24 Things To Do in Philadelphia With Kids

The Please Touch Museum is filled with interactive hands-on exhibits for children with a focus on pretend play, science, art, music, communication, building, reading and more to engage all five senses. They also have a full calendar of performances, special events, parades, non-permanent exhibits, a huge water play area and carousel.

One of the oldest zoos in the United States, the Philadelphia Zoo will surpass your expectations. They feature exciting animal exhibits including Big Cats, Penguins, Primate Reserve, Reptiles, Birds, and many more. Your kids will love KidZooU, filled with hands-on activities to promote learning, conservation, and animal life. Be sure to look up as you explore to catch their Zoo360, where animals roam in enclosed mesh trails throughout the zoo. Make your visit even more memorable with attractions including guided tours, carousel rides, animal experiences, and more.

Smith Playground & Playhouse boasts a giant mansion that was built as a playhouse for the children of Philadelphia. Inside, you will find a low-key children's museum type environment, with lots of fun activities for smaller children. Outside, you will see a sprawling state of the art playground, with different sections for younger and older children. Kids and adults alike will love riding a potato sack down the giant wooden slide that has been a fixture at Smith Playground since 1905.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Smith Memorial Playground, located in East Fairmount Park, is one the kids will want to come to again and again. It has unique playground equipment to foster climbing, exploring, pretend play and more. It offers a special tot area for young children as well. But its signature giant wooden slide will be the highlight of your visit.

Tim Ponisciak said:  If you are visiting Philadelphia, there is no better way to end your day than a drive past Boathouse Row. The buildings that make up Boathouse Row are all decorated with white lights, which when reflected off of the river, make this a peaceful and beautiful sight to see.

If you are a fan of rowing, this is a great place to stop by during the day to see some of the local college teams practice!

Shila said:  Climb the 72 front entrance "Rocky" steps and take a photo with Rocky Balboa's statue. Next, explore a wide-range of creative and interactive family & children's programs. Families can discover the world of art together at this world-class museum from large-scale family events to studio art creations, drop-in workshops & classes.

Rittenhouse Square is an oasis in the middle of Philadelphia located at 18th and Walnut Streets. It is filled with trees, flowers and grassy areas and great for walking, having a picnic, playing, reading books or just relaxing. There are many events throughout the year and it is beautifully decorated during the holidays, too!

Sister Cities Park offers imaginative nature-inspired play with a Children's Discovery Garden, where kids can climb rocks, wander pathways and explore a sensory-friendly twig nest. There's a wading pond open April-October, and a tunnel log made from a rescued fallen silver maple tree for the rest of the year. The Sister Cities Café is available to grab a quick bite or beverage.

Until the '80s, City Hall was the tallest building in Philadelphia as there was a handshake agreement that no one would construct a building taller than the hat on Billy Penn's head, who is on the top of the tower. You can now take a tour of the tower and see what the city looks like from Billy Penn's point of view!

Kate Wille Murray said:  Try Dalessandro's for Philly Cheesesteak. We heard about it from Jimmy Fallon show. So worth the weird lines and length of wait.

Philadelphia's historic public market is a "must stop" when in Center City. There are so many different options, it can be overwhelming. You can get doughnuts, hoagies, cheesesteaks, coffee, pretzels, scrapple, asian food, cheeses, cajun, and much more!

Tim Ponisciak said:  You can get yourself a hoagie from Carmen's, a cheesesteak from Spataro's or a maple bacon donut from Beiler's Donuts. Try to avoid being there exactly at lunch time as it does get pretty crowded with the office crowds.

The National Constitution Center offers visitors of all ages an in-depth museum to explore the history & relevance of the Constitution & embrace their role in the story of "We the People." The museum proudly displays 1 of the 12 surviving copies of the Bill of Rights, among other national artifacts. The Center features a range of daily programs, live performances & exhibits like "Signers’ Hall," where you sign the Constitution alongside 42 life-size, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers.

Located just a few blocks from the Liberty Bell, Franklin Square offers a fun interactive playground for kids to play and explore. Open year round, the playground has something for everyone! While the playground is free, Franklin Square offers mini golf, a carousel and restaurant for an additional fee. Franklin Square also holds special family-friendly events throughout the year.

Visiting the United States Mint in Philadelphia, the nation's first Mint, is always free to the public. Guests can view coins being made in the factory below, see the first coining press, and other historic artifacts. All tours are free, self-guided, and take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

Tim Ponisciak said:  Elfreth's Alley is widely considered America's oldest residential street. Walk over cobblestone and take a moment to truly step back in time. The houses though are not just for show, people still live on the street. You can visit The Museum House to learn the history of the street. Walk through and guided tours are available.

If you're going to visit Sesame Place, you might want to carve out a whole weekend to enjoy all of the rides, shows, a water playground and meals with the characters.