Family friendly day trips from Philadelphia
Philadelphia is such an amazing place to visit for families. We love all the history in the city, plus there are so many other fun attractions near Philadelphia, perfect for that summer family road trip.
On the blog, I will share some family friendly day trips from Philadelphia that you can add to your Philadelphia road trip itinerary.
Most of these places are no more than a two-hour drive from Philadelphia and can be seen on a short getaway from Philadelphia, or as a perfect weekend adventure from Philly.
Either way, I have listed some of the most fun things to do near Philadelphia with kids.
READ NEXT: How to spend the weekend in Philadelphia with kids
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Best Day Trips from Philadelphia
Hersheypark
- Tickets costs: 1 day tickets start at $47.95 purchase tickets here
- Check operating hours here
One of the best day trips from Philadelphia is a visit to HersheyPark.
Hershey PA is less than a two-hour drive from Philadelphia, and there are quite a few things to do on your visit including HersheyPark, Hershey Gardens, Hershey’s Chocolate World, and more.
Spend an entire day getting your thrill on at this chocolate-themed park, complete with coasters and a waterpark for the whole family.
You can also create your own chocolate bar at Chocolate World, or take a free tour and learn about the process of making the world-famous chocolates.
Another attraction to add to your day trip to Hershey PA, is a visit to Hershey Gardens. Let the kids have fun in the butterfly pavilion and the beautiful children’s garden that is just absolutely beautiful.
The rose garden is spectacular as well and is well worth the visit when visiting Hershey PA.
READ MORE: How to spend a weekend in Hershey Pennsylvania
Indian Echo Caverns
- Open Daily 10-4pm (till 5pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day)
- Tickets cost: $20 for Adults, ages 12 and over
- $19 for Seniors, ages 65 and over
- $12 for Children, ages 2-11
- Children, under 2 are FREE
Another fun day trip from Philadelphia for families is Indian Echo Caverns. The Cavern is just a short drive from Hersheypark and is one of the most fun family attractions near Philadelphia.
Spend the day exploring these underground caves on a 45-minute guided tour, and let the kids be in awe of all the rock formations. You can purchase tour tickets at the gift shop, including tickets to Gem Mill Mining where kids can pan for gemstones as well.
There is also a free small petting zoo, as well as a playground to keep the kids busy while you wait for your timed tour. It’s definitely a fun Philadelphia day trip for families.
Sesame Place
- Tickets costs: starting at $39.99 Purchase tickets here
- Check operating hours here
Another fun day trip idea from Philadelphia is Sesame Place in Langhorne PA. Sesame Place is just a 30-minute drive from Philadelphia and is a fun place for the little ones.
The park is geared towards kids ages 3-10 and has two coasters and so many fun little rides that they can all get on! There are also fun shows to look forward to and meet and greets with the Sesame Street characters.
During the summer, Sesame Place also has a fun water park, complete with water rides, a wave pool, and splash pads! Make sure to purchase tickets online for discounts, and to avoid the lines.
FontHill Castle
- Castle hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10-5pm, with the last tour at 3:45.
- Tickets costs: Adults $15
- Senior (65 and up) $13
- Youth (6-17) $8
- Ages 5 and under FREE
- purchase tickets here
One of the most interesting places to add to your day trip itinerary from Philadelphia is Fonthill Castle in Doylestown PA.
Less than an hour’s drive from Philly is one of the most unique and interesting places in Pennsylvania.
Fonthill Castle is the home of Henry Chapman Mercer who built it as both his home and showpiece for his collection of Moravian Tiles and prints that he creates.
The building is an eclectic mix of Medieval, Gothic, and Byzantine architectural styles, and is significant as an early example of poured reinforced concrete.
We took a guided tour of this castle and it was so amazing! The interior was just so beautiful with tiles everywhere, and a vast collection of artifacts from Mercer’s travels from around the world.
Make sure to reserve tickets online, especially when planning a visit during the weekends.
READ MORE: How to visit Fonthill Castle with kids
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Another stop to add to your day trip from Philly itinerary is the Washington Crossing Historic Park.
Washington Crossing Historic Park offers more than 500 acres of American history to explore.
The park preserves the site where George Washington crossed the Delaware River and turned the tide of the Revolutionary War.
There are a few historic buildings you can visit and replicas of the actual Durham boats that George Washington actually sailed on to cross the Delaware River.
Make sure to stop by the Visitors Center. You can find information about the history of the park, view historic exhibits, attend an educational program, purchase tour tickets, or browse through the museum shop.
There’s even an exact replica of Emanuel Leutze’s famous painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware River there as well.
Gettysburg National Military Park
Another Philadelphia day trip suggestion is a visit to the town of Gettysburg.
You can learn more about the Battle of Gettysburg up close and personal on your visit to the Gettysburg National Military Park.
Start your civil war battlefield experience at the Gettysburg Visitors Center. Depending on which ticket you purchase, your paid admission allows you to either visit the museum only or an option to watch a film and cyclorama.
Either way, it is a great starting point before you make your way out into the battlefield. If you’re into civil war history, then this is the perfect day trip from Philly.
READ MORE: A visit to Gettysburg Pennsylvania
Turkey Hill Experience
- Tickets costs:
- $23.95 Triple Scoop includes admission to the Turkey Hill experience, Taste Lab, and Tea Discovery
- $18.95 Turkey Hill experience & Taste Lab
- $10.50 Turkey Hill experience only
- purchase tickets here
- Check operating hours here
- Location: 301 Linden Street Columbia, PA 17512
One of the most fun places near Philadelphia for families is a visit to the Turkey Hill Experience in Lancaster Pennsylvania.
Just under a two-hour drive from Philly, the Turkey Hill Experience is something the kids will definitely love. You can learn the process of how Turkey Hill ice cream is made, including their famous flavored teas.
- There are three ticket choices when you visit Turkey Hill. You can choose from just the Turkey Hill experience, the triple scoop tour, which includes admission to the Turkey Hill Experience, the Turkey Hill Taste Lab and Tea Discovery, and the experience and Taste Lab only.
- We had so much fun experimenting with different flavors during our make your own ice cream experience. It’s definitely a must do when visiting Pennsylvania with kids.
- There are also many fun interactive exhibits for the kids which includes milking the mechanical cow, a create your own Turkey Hill commercial, make your own virtual ice cream creation, and free ice cream and tea samples!
Valley Forge
Just a short drive away from the city is Valley Forge. Valley Forge functioned as the third of eight military encampments for the Continental Army’s main body, commanded by General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War.
You can go on a self-guided tour and learn more about how the troops survived here for six months during the winter.
About 1,700 to 2,000 soldiers died due to disease, possibly due to malnutrition. No battle was fought here, but they did battle a fight to survive with the lack of food and low morale!
It was quite interesting to learn more about this place, the onsite museum and visitors center were very informative and are worth a visit if you are ever in Philadelphia.
Legoland Discovery Center
- Tickets costs: General admission starting at $22.99
- Extra Value package starting at $29.99
- Military gets $10 dollars off standard walk-up admission prices when purchased at the gates, valid for you and up to 5 guests. Must show a valid military ID
- Check operating hours here
- Location: Plymouth Meeting Mall 500 W Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
For you Lego lovers, Legoland Discovery Center is just a short drive from Philadelphia and is one of the best attractions to add to your family day trip from Philly.
This is the ultimate indoor LEGO playground, which features a Pirate play area, Philadelphia landmarks built with LEGO bricks, a 4D cinema, lots of LEGO bricks in themed building areas, and a fun interactive ride!
- Your Legoland Discovery Center experience starts with a fun interactive ride on the Imagination Express where you can collect points with your magic wand.
- Test your skills on the Ninjago Training Camp through interactive activities to improve your agility and Lego brick building skills.
- Lots of Lego building play areas and Lego creative workshops for kids and parents to show off their creativity!
- There is also a cafe that serves sandwiches, pizza and drinks, a LEGO store and rooms for birthday parties.
- Make sure to visit their website for info on fun events, and for Lego character meet and greets. On our visit, there was a fun Ninjago training event, a dance party and a meet and Greet with a Ninjago character which our little one truly enjoyed!
- There are also fun holiday events to look forward to here including Brick or Treat Halloween event, and the Holiday Bricktacular.
- Don’t miss out on the Lego 4D Movie experience which plays on rotation every 15 minutes, and features some fun wind, rain, and snow effects which was so much fun!
- You can easily purchase tickets online for a discount off the gate price. Tickets are for ages 3 and up, kids under 3 get in free!
New York City
Just under a two-hour drive from Philadelphia is New York City. New York City is a great weekend getaway from Philly.
There are so many fun things to do with the family, including a visit to Central Park, the Natural History Museum, a broadway show, and of course a visit to the FAO Schwarz toy store.
You can’t miss seeing Lady Liberty up close or from Liberty State Park. The kids will love the playgrounds at the park, and the two-mile-long boardwalk, while you enjoy the city views.
For the most amazing New York City views, get to the top of the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, or the Vessel at Hudson Yards. There are so many fun activities in New York City for families!
READ MORE: Guide to New York City with kids
Lewes beach Delaware
If a beach visit is on your itinerary, then drive two hours down to Lewes beach in Delaware. This is one of the most kid-friendly beaches, with its still and shallow waters.
Make sure to stroll along this historic town on your visit. It’s one of the most charming towns, with some Dutch history.
The first European settlers here were from the Netherlands, and you can learn more about their history at the Zwaanendael Museum, which is modeled after the city halls in the Netherlands.
It was such an interesting piece of history, and the town was just so beautiful!
Washington DC
Another fun road trip from Philadelphia is Washington D.C. There are so many fun family-friendly things to do in our Nation’s Capital.
One of the best things to do in Washington DC with kids is a visit to all the FREE Smithsonian museums!
Some of our faves are the Museum of Natural history and their new dinosaur exhibit, the Air and Space Museum, and the Art and sculpture gardens. You can even visit the FREE Smithsonian zoo, which is the perfect day trip in DC.
The Wharf DC is another family-friendly place to visit in DC. There is always something going on here, with some fun outdoor games for the kiddos, go on a kayaking adventure, splash around in the splash pad, and indulge in some gelato.
READ MORE: Guide to Washington DC
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