Ultimate Guide to a Weekend Trip to Philadelphia with Kids

Thanks to kid-friendly museums, beautiful parks, and tasty eateries, a weekend in Philadelphia is the perfect family getaway. History comes alive in the birthplace of our nation, from storytelling benches in the historic district to museums dedicated to our Constitution and the American Revolution. Kids can take selfies with statues of the Founding Fathers and see where the Declaration of Independence was adopted. There are so many exciting and educational things to do in Philadelphia for kids that make it an ideal destination for young families. Read our ultimate guide to a weekend trip to Philadelphia with kids. We share the best family-friendly Philadelphia things to do, what you have to eat before leaving, where to stay, and how to get around town. This is the only Philadelphia visitors guide you’ll need to read, because we’ve covered it all!

Best Things to Do in Philadelphia with Kids

We did a ton of research on Philadelphia attractions before our visit because we didn’t want to miss out on anything amazing. We visited for a 3-day holiday weekend over Memorial Day so had a lot of time to see the best of Philly. There are so many fun Philadelphia activities for kids that parents will love too! Here are our top picks for a family weekend trip to Philadelphia.

Liberty Bell Center

Seeing the Liberty Bell is pretty much obligatory when visiting Philadelphia. The famous cracked bell is a symbol for abolitionists and others who seek equality, and has become a symbol of the city. The bell is free to visit inside the Liberty Bell Center, a glass pavilion that is part of the Independence Visitor Center. Expect long lines that wrap around the building during tourist season. Early morning or late in the day is your best bet for shorter lines. If you don’t want to wait, just take a peek inside the glass wall that faces Independence Hall. That was sufficient for us since our kids would have driven us nuts waiting in line for an hour. When they get a little older (and more patient), we’ll wait to see the bell up close.

Independence Hall

Walk across the street from the Liberty Bell Center to Philadelphia’s most iconic landmark- Independence Hall. Here is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Within these walls the Founding Fathers debated, drafted and signed the U.S. Constitution. Depending on how old your kids are, you can decide if you just want to snap some photos of the building from outside and explain the importance to them or if you will enter. Timed tickets are free from the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets.

During summers, you should arrive early to get your ticket before the time slots for the day run out. For only $1.50 you can reserve your ticket online ahead of time, which is recommended if you don’t want to miss the opportunity to see the famous Assembly Room. We visited Independence Hall before we had children so decided to skip it this visit, but plan to return when our kids are a little older and will be more interested. Make sure to capture some family photos with this famous landmark!

You will pass Independence Hall as you walk around the city so it’s virtually impossible to miss it. The address is 520 Chestnut Steet, and it is right across the street from the Independence Visitor Center. Independence Hall hours are 9am to 5pm with extended hours until 7pm during the summer.

Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution was our favorite history museum during our visit. It has only been open since 2017 so if you’ve visited Philly in the past, you probably haven’t seen this one yet. If you only have time for one history museum in Philadelphia, we recommend this one because it is highly engaging for people of all ages. It tells the story of the founding of America through a collection of Revolution-era weapons, artifacts, documents, and art in interactive galleries and immersive environments. This museum is a win-win for both parents and kids.

Start your visit with the short yet powerful film Revolution on the first floor, which explores the causes of the American Revolution and its legacy. Next to the theater don’t miss Patriots Gallery, which has dress-up costumes for boys and girls from the Revolution era, toy replicas from the 1700’s, crafts and coloring, an area to design your own flag, and more. We could have spent hours in this area alone if we hadn’t enticed them to board the privateer ship upstairs in the main gallery. They had fun playing on the ship, asking questions to the sailor on board, and pretending to be pirates.

Another highlight was Washington’s War Tent, a film showcasing George Washington’s role as General of the American Revolution. His original Revolutionary War headquarters tent sits behind a glass wall and is in surpringly excellent condition for being hundreds of years old. The only way to see the tent is to stay for the film, which we highly recommend. Our 6-year-old daughter was excited to tell her Kindergarten class about seeing George Washington’s real tent. Plan several hours for this museum because there is a lot to explore! There’s a cafeteria inside in case you get hungry.

You can find the museum at 101 S. 3rd St, at the corner of 3rd and Chestnut Streets. Museum of the American Revolution hours are 10am to 5pm, with varying extended hours during the summer. Admission costs $19 for adults, $12 for youth 6-17, and is free for children ages 5 and under. Seniors, students, military, and teachers get a reduced admission for $17. Tickets are good for two consecutive days, so if you need to leave early for nap time, feel free to come back the next day. Consider the combo ticket for the National Constitution Center, which we cover next.

National Constitution Center

The National Constitution Center is the only museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution. We think it is a must-see when you visit Philly. Although it may sound better suited for adults, our kids loved this museum. There are 100 interactive and multimedia exhibits to capture kids’ (and adults’) attention and learn while having fun including artifacts, films, photographs, and sculptures.

We recommend starting with the 17-minute live theatrical production Freedom Rising, which gives a moving testimony to the power of the people established by the Constitution. We also had fun in the voting booths and swearing ourselves in as the President of the United States. Make sure not to miss Signers’ Hall, with 42 life-size statues of the Founding Fathers who signed the U.S. Constitution. We had a blast taking photos and bringing back the mannequin challenge with the Founding Fathers.

The museum is located at 525 Arch St just across the lawn from Independence Hall and the Visitor Center. National Constitution Center hours are 9:30am-5pm Monday-Saturday and 12pm-5pm on Sunday. Admission for the National Constitution Center is $14.50 for adults and $11 for youth ages 6-18. Children ages 5 and under are free, as well as active military. You can also purchase a combo ticket which includes admission to the Museum of the American Revolution for $29 per adult, $19 per youth, or $90 for a family pack of 2 adults and 2 youth.

The Franklin Institute

Whatever you do in Philly, make sure The Franklin Institute is on your agenda! This science museum, named after the famous inventor, is Pennsylvania’s most visited museum. We can certainly understand why. It is interesting and fun for kids of any age as well as adults. We could have easily spent an entire day there because there is so much to see and do. Plan for at least a half day to visit. Our kids loved climbing through The Giant Heart, an enormous replica of a human heart.

Our favorite exhibit was Your Brain, which was both educational and exciting for all of us. The kids were cracking us up at the entrance to the exhibit, where you can move and your musculoskeletal system shadow appears on a screen in front of you. The kids danced in front of that screen until we peeled them away, fascinated with how their bones moved. We also loved the planetarium show, which is always a highlight for any science center visit. SportsZone is another popular exhibit for kids and sports fans. It explores the relationship between science and sports with kid-friendly interactive experiences like testing your jump. There’s something everyone will find fascinating at The Franklin Institute.

The Franklin Institute is located at 222 N. 20th Street and is open daily from 9:30am to 5:00pm. Adult admission costs $23 and children ages 3-11 are $19. Looking for Franklin Institute discounts? If you are members of a science musuem that participates in the ASTC Travel Passport Program, you can visit The Franklin Institute for free with the reciprocal admission program. Since we are members of the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, we can get in to the Franklin Institute for free! This saves us money when traveling, so look into the program if you aren’t familiar with it yet.

Please Touch Museum

If you have the time and energy for another museum, consider the Please Touch Museum. We unfortunately did not have time for the Please Touch Museum, but we had to include it on our list because it is another fantastic museum for families with young children. The museum was designed for children from ages 0-7. It is full of play-based learning experiences and interactive exhibits to fuel creativity, imagination, deductive reasoning, and critical thinking. Its art-making spaces, hands-on programs, and theatrical performances will keep the kids entertained while sneaking in learning. We definitely plan to return to Philly soon so we can visit this top-rated children’s museum that’s recognized internationally as a leader in “purposeful play.”

Please Touch Museum is located in Fairmount Park at 4231 Avenue of the Republic. It is open from 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday. Tickets cost $19 for adults and children, but admission on the first Wednesday of every month is only $2 from 4-7pm. Military, police, and fire fighters receive discounted admission.

Philadelphia Zoo

America’s first zoo should be on your itinerary if your kids love animals (and honestly, what kid doesn’t?). Weather didn’t cooperate for us to visit The Philadelphia Zoo during our weekend, so this is another attraction we plan to visit during our next trip to Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Zoo is home to over 1,300 animals including giraffes, hippos, gorillas, cheetahs, tigers and more. Children will have a blast at KidZooU, a children’s zoo and wildlife academy. Here kids can have up close encounters with animals, such as grooming goats and feeding ducks. Sounds like the perfect way to spend a sunny day in Philadelphia!

You can find the zoo at 3400 W. Gerard Ave, 3 miles from City Center. Adult tickets are $24.95 and children ages 2-11 are $19.95. The zoo is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm.

Franklin Square

If you’re looking for some down time to relax while the kids play outside, then head to Franklin Square. This is one of William Penn’s original five squares which has been transformed into a beautiful family park. There are plenty of opportunities for good old-fashioned family fun. Stop by the Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Bench and listen to a free 5-minute story about our nation’s history. Have your kids grab a Story Flag and collect stars from all 10 storytelling benches throughout the historic district to get a free carousel ride. We couldn’t leave without a ride on the Parx Liberty Carousel, which is $3 if you haven’t collected 10 stars yet.

Here you can also play a round at the Philly Mini Golf Course that features Philadelphia landmarks ($7 for kids, $9 for adults). Admire the beautiful fountain that is original to the park and snap some photos in this picturesque spot. Let the kids run wild at the playground, which was voted as one of Philly’s best play spaces. If you’re hungry, SquareBurger is known for serving up delicious burgers, fries and Cake Shakes made with Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpets. Yum!

While we were visiting, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival was taking place at Franklin Square in the evenings. The park was lit up with 28 culturally-inspired lantern sculptures and featured performances like Chinese acrobatics, dance and more. We were mesmerized by the face-changing performance, where a dancer changed her face mask in the blink of an eye, faster than anyone could notice. We all were in awe, and the kids thought it was one of the coolest things they’d ever seen. The Chinese Lantern Festival is held annually May-June, but check for events while you’re going to be in town since there are so many Philadelphia festivals all throughout the year. Franklin Square is also home to the Holiday Festival at the end of the year with its Electric Spectacle Holiday Light Show.

Franklin Square is located at 6th & Race Streets and is open daily from 10-5 or later depending on the season.

Spruce Street Harbor Park

Another great place to kick back and unwind after a day of sightseeing is Spruce Street Harbor Park. This Philadelphia waterfront park is located at Penn’s Landing. It is an urban beach on the Delaware River with a boardwalk, floating restaurants, beer garden, games, and swan boats or kayaks to rent. There are colorful hammocks and Adirondack chairs to relax in with a cold beer while the kids play games like bocce ball and shuffleboard. Thousands of colorful LED lights hang from the trees at night making it appear magical and romantic. Spruce Street Harbor Park is lauded as one of the best urban beaches in America, so check it out! The park is free to visit and is open from spring through fall.

Elfreths Alley

One last must-visit attraction in Philadelphia is Elfreth’s Alley. This quaint little cobblestone street dates back to 1702 and is a National Historic Landmark. It is famous as the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in America. The charming historic homes make the perfect backdrop for one-of-a-kind family photos and some perfect Instagram shots. Flags hang from the brick fronts, old-fashioned flower boxes adorn the window sills, and shutters and front doors painted in vivid colors look ever so picturesque. You will love meandering along this adorable little street.

People still live there now, so make sure to be respectful and not peer into anyone’s windows. The street is free to visit but there’s a museum which offers a tour that tells the story of a pair of dressmakers who ran a sewing business there. If you happen to visit during Fete Day in June or the first Saturday in December, residents open their homes to visitors. Elfreth’s Alley is located between Front and 2nd Streets and Arch and Race Streets.

Where and What to Eat in Philly

Philadelphia has earned a great reputation with foodies thanks to its fantastic array of eateries, from casual food markets to fine dining, many of which are BYOB! Here are some of the foods you have to try as well as some of the best places to eat in Philadelphia.

Reading Terminal Market

If your family has a hard time agreeing on what to eat, come to Reading Terminal Market where everyone can get something different. This historic train shed is home to over 80 vendors with so many choices that even the pickiest of eaters will find something to tickle their fancy. You can find anything from Middle Eastern (try falafel at Kamal’s) to Amish cuisine (try Pennsylvania Dutch specialty scrapple- a combination of pork, cornmeal, and spices- at Down Home Diner and warm apple dumplings at Dutch Eating Place). Don’t forget Philadelphia soft pretzels (try Miller’s Twist) and roast pork sandwiches (DiNic’s has been named one of America’s best sandwiches). If you want to try Philly’s famous Cheesesteak sandwich, Carmen’s is good, but be prepared for a 45 minute wait in a line that goes out the door. If you’re not sure which vendor is best, just look for the longest line and you know you’ve found something good.

The huge line is how we discovered Beiler’s Doughnuts and decided it must be worth a wait. Whatever you do, don’t leave without a visit to this Pennsylvania Dutch bakery. It is so amazingly good that it seems to have descended from Heaven. I have to admit that donuts are one of my vices. I love them enough to say that I’m a donut connoisseur. Beilers donuts are the best I’ve tasted in my life! The choices will blow your mind- from M&M toppings to fruity pebbles, with every kind of filling you could imagine. Try the mouth-watering apple fritters, our favorite. Opt for the Elvis Delight if you like chocolate, peanut butter and bacon. You will most definitely return to buy more before you leave Philly. A very important word of warning- they are not open on Sundays or holidays. We almost cried when we went back to get a dozen to take home and it was closed!

One more reason we love Reading Terminal Market is that many of the vendors offer free samples of their food. If you’re on a diet, be prepared to have a cheat day! Some of the tasty tidbits available to sample include fresh baked cookies, cheese, fruit, and chocolate. Exploring Reading Terminal Market is definitely an experience you cannot miss in Philadelphia. It is popular with both tourists and locals, so you know it’s the real deal. That being said, it gets very crowded so don’t lose track of your children. 🙂 Especially while they are on a sugar high from all those donuts! LOL

Reading Terminal Market is located at 12th and Filbert Streets. It is open daily from 8am to 6pm, but is closed on holidays (or at least it was closed on Memorial Day when we went back for more Beilers donuts).

Starr Restaurants – Jones Restaurant and Pizzeria Stella

If you’re looking for something more formal than the market but still casual and family-friendly, we have a few recommendations. There are 30 Starr Restaurants operated by restauranteur Stephen Starr in Philadelphia. We tried 2 of them and were highly impressed. The service was top-notch, the food was delicious, and the drinks (think adult beverages) hit the spot after a long day of sightseeing in Philadelphia.

Jones Restaurant serves American comfort-food in a convenient location just a few minutes walk from Independence Hall. We loved the Chicken and Waffles, which were melt-in-your-mouth good! The Greek salad was also bursting with flavor and the macaroni and cheese was so creamy and delicious that I stole some of it from my kids. Save room for dessert because that was the grand finale and left us moaning in our booth. I personally recommend the Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie which is served hot and gooey with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. OMG I want it right now! Bertaut loved his Praline Brownie Sundae, which I tasted too and it was a chocoholics dream. If you eat healthy, throw caution to the wind and indulge in the desserts. They are worth every calorie!

Our next restaurant recommendation is Pizzeria Stella, because who doesn’t love pizza and gelato? The pizzas are personal-sized, but one pizza will definitely feed two people. If you are looking for something different, try the Tartufo pizza which has black truffle, fontina cheese, Parmesan, and an egg cracked over the top of it. It was so flavorful and rich! My mouth is watering a little just thinking about it. Save room for house-made gelato too, which comes in exotic flavors like olive oil and strawberry basil. Oh and the cocktails, how can we forget those? Try the Sgroppino if you like your drinks sweet.

Jones Restaurant is located at 700 Chestnut Street and is a great place to eat when visiting the historic district. Pizzeria Stella is located at 420 S. 2nd Street, which was within walking distance from our hotel and convenient for a visit to the waterfront.

The Franklin Fountain

Of all of Benjamin Franklin’s inventions, ice cream is one of my favorites! He invented the creamy dessert in Philadelphia during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 to help cool tensions of his testy statesmen. It is still putting smiles on faces in Philadelphia today at The Franklin Fountain. This old-timey ice cream parlor is one of those places you visit for the experience. You feel like you’re stepping back in time to the turn of the 20th century, an era of old-fashioned soda fountains and bow-ties. This adorable ice cream parlor serves up tasty treats like home-made ice cream, banana splits, milkshakes, sundaes, phosphate sodas and ice cream floats. The staff are dressed like soda jerks inside the Victorian-inspired eatery with a fully-restored 1905 marble soda fountain.

Be prepared for a very long wait because this place is popular! When we arrived, the line was out the door, around the corner, and down the block. Since our kids were already arguing and fussy, we decided that this place will have to wait until next time in Philly. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive and the treats are picture-perfect, so consider this a must-visit in Philadelphia. The Franklin Fountain is located at 116 Market Street and stays open late- until midnight weekdays and 1am on weekends. FYI- they only take cash, so come prepared!

Shane Confectionery

If you don’t feel like waiting in a long line to satisfy your sweet tooth, head to The Franklin Fountain’s sister store, Shane  Confectionery. It is steps away and had no line at all when we went there. This hidden gem is America’s oldest candy store, making sweets since 1863. The building has been restored to include vintage scales, cash register, and a cast-iron buttercream churn used there in the 1920’s. They also use traditional artisanal confectionery recipes, so come get a taste of candy made the good old-fashioned way. It is utterly adorable inside, and once again you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. Don’t feel guilty for indulging in a buttercream chocolate. It’s part of your history lesson. 😉 Make sure to check out the back room too, where they make the best “drinking chocolate” aka hot chocolate you’ll ever taste.

City Tavern

Speaking of stepping back in time, another popular restaurant in Philadelphia is City Tavern. The original City Tavern was the favorite meeting place of many of the Founding Fathers. This restaurant is a 97% historically accurate reconstruction of the tavern on its original site. Anyone who loves history needs to visit City Tavern, where Benjamin Franklin drank beer with his buddies. Kids will get a kick out of the staff being dressed in period costume from the 1700’s. Knowledgeable staff share stories about the Founding Fathers over candlelit dinners of traditional American fare from colonial days. Beer enthusiasts can taste colonial beer recipes of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and more. Diners can enjoy hearty dishes like turkey pot pie and pork chops while listening to live harp music. It’s the kind of evening your kids will always remember. City Tavern is located at 138 S. 2nd Street and has an ongoing Award of Excellence from TripAdvisor, where it ranks as one of Philadelphia’s Top 10 restaurants.

Where to Stay in Philadelphia

Penn’s Landing/Philadelphia Waterfront- Sheraton Society Hill

We visited during the Sail Philly Festival over Memorial Day Weekend, so wanted to stay close to the Philadelphia Waterfront for the fireworks show and festivities. We also wanted to be within walking distance from the main sights we planned to visit. Sheraton Society Hill fit the bill since it is just steps away from Penn’s Landing and a few minutes walk to the historic district. Our kids loved being so close to the harbor and seeing the tall ships from around the world.

The Sheraton Society Hill has a heated indoor pool, which is always a hit with our kids. The elegantly decorated lobby is open and bright with a Starbucks for weary parents who need a quick caffeine fix. We enjoyed the breakfast buffet at the restaurant, where our kids ate for free. Our room was clean and comfortable, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Extra touches like letting us borrow umbrellas and calling a free shuttle to pick us up for the Big Bus Philadelphia tour made a difference.

Rittenhouse Square- The Rittenhouse

The Rittenhouse is another hotel we recommend in Philadelphia. The Rittenhouse is the only Leading Hotel of the World (LHW) in Philadelphia. Stays count toward a free reward night if you are a Leaders Club or Unlimited Member of LHW. Bertaut stayed there for business recently, but we haven’t stayed there yet as a family. We plan to change that soon since the hotel is recognized as one of the best family hotels in Philadelphia. The hotels offers so many special extra touches for children and parents. Kids get to pick a gift from a treasure chest and receive a copy of Goodnight Philadelphia. Turndown service includes bathrobes for children. Baby amenities like cribs and bathtubs are available upon request. Older kids can enjoy free popcorn and free in-room movies. Splurge on afternoon tea at the Mary Cassatt Tea Room with your little princess and prince for a vacation memory they will never forget! If you’re planning on visiting the Philadelphia Zoo or Please Touch Museum, the concierge has discounted tickets. The hotel also has an indoor pool the kids will love. We cannot wait to stay here as a family next time we come to Philadelphia.

The Rittenhouse is in Center City in the financial district so is still walkable to many of the top sights in Philadelphia. It is located at 210 W. Rittenhouse Square.

How to Get Around Philadelphia

Walk Philadlephia

Philadelphia is known as one of the most walkable cities in the U.S. The city is laid out in a grid which makes it easy to navigate, and the top sights are in close proximity. There are also signs all throughout the city pointing the direction to the tourist destinations. As a family with young energetic kids, we did a lot of walking in Philadelphia to wear them out so they would sleep well at night. We also like to get in some exercise when we’re traveling to help burn off all those desserts. We used Google Maps walking directions to make sure we weren’t biting off more than we could chew each time we set out for our next destination. We let the kids run, jump, and skip their way across the city. Philly is a very accessible city so we recommend bringing a stroller if your kids don’t like to walk or are too little to walk all day.

Take the Philly Plash Tourist Bus

Another great option for transportation in Philadelphia is the Philly Phlash bus. It costs only $5 for a day pass or $2 per ride, and kids 4 and under and senior citizens are free. This bus is perfect for tourists because it has 22 stops at the must-see attractions in Philadelphia. It runs every 15 minutes from 10am-6pm with daily service from May 1 through Labor Day and during the winter holiday season. Outside of peak tourist season, it offers only weekend service. The Phlash bus is an easy and affordable mode of public transportation in Philadelphia that is family-friendly and designed for tourists.

Hop On and Off the Big Bus Philadelphia

If you’re willing to spend a little more and enjoy narrated tours, we recommend the Big Bus Philadelphia. It has 27 stops around the city, including all the sights we recommend. You can take the entire 90-minute guided tour at once, or you can hop on and off throughout your visit. Our kids were thrilled to ride in a London-style double-decker bus and loved sitting in the open- air top level. They were all smiles as we cruised around the city and saw the sights from up high. It also gave us a chance to rest while still sightseeing and learning interesting facts about the historic city. We think guided tours are a great way to orient us to a new city and give us the highlights before we do our own exploring. The Big Bus tickets work interchangeably with the Philadelphia Trolley Works tour, which takes the same route in a Victorian-style trolley car. Tickets are available for 1, 2, or 3 day passes and cost $32/$38/$48 for adults and $10/$15/$20 for children ages 4-12.

RideShare or Taxi

Sometimes you just don’t feel like walking or waiting for a bus, and that’s when you call an Uber. We used Uber several times when the kids were too worn out to walk anymore, and when we were too impatient to wait for a bus. Since the distances in Philly are so close, it never cost more than $5 for our ride. This is a quick and convenient alternative to the other options and was especially appealing when it was pouring down rain outside. Taxis are another convenient option but we prefer Uber which tends to be cheaper and faster since the drivers always showed up within 5 minutes.

Time to plan your weekend trip to Philadelphia!

That’s a wrap for our ultimate guide to a weekend trip to Philadelphia. We’ve shared the best attractions, what you cannot leave Philly without eating, where to stay, and how to make your way around the city. Although we squeezed a lot into our 3 day holiday weekend, we went at a pace that was comfortable for our 4-year-old and 6-year-old. Depending on the age of your kids and your pace for sightseeing, you can decide how much to tackle in one visit. If you like to take more time, it gives you another reason to visit Philadelphia again and check off the rest of your bucket list. We hope you love the City of Brotherly Love as much as we do! Our kids told us that they had so much fun that they wished we lived in Philly. Thank goodness we are only 2 hours away in Baltimore so we can easily have more weekend getaways in Philadelphia!

Now go plan your family weekend in Philadelphia! If you have more time to spare, stay longer and you will have plenty to keep entertained. We hope our ultimate guide to a weekend trip to Philadelphia with kids has been helpful! If you liked this post, please share it on social media or pin it for later. Sign up for our Email newsletter for more travel tips and inspiration to explore the world.

Disclosure: We were guests of Visit Philadelphia for our weekend visit, but all opinions are our own.

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