How to spend the weekend in Philadelphia with kids
Planning a weekend in Philadelphia with kids? Then check out our blog to see some of the activities and attractions that you can add to your weekend visit!
Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s largest city and is notable for its rich history. The city played an instrumental role in the American Revolution and served as temporary U.S. capital while Washington, D.C., was under construction.
There’s so much to do in Philadelphia with kids, and it’s such a family-friendly vacation destination with so much history to explore.
From visiting iconic landmarks like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall to enjoying interactive exhibits at the Franklin Institute, there’s something for everyone.
Walking through the cobblestone streets of Old City can transport you back in time, offering a unique educational experience for children and adults alike.
Don’t forget to indulge in some of the city’s famous culinary offerings, like Philly cheesesteaks and soft pretzels, which are sure to delight the kids.
On the blog, I will share how to spend the weekend in Philadelphia with kids, including the best family attractions in Philly, and how to make the most of your weekend trip to the city of brotherly love.
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How to get around Philly
The best way to explore Philadelphia is on foot since most of the main sites in Philly are within walking distance of each other.
But when planning a weekend in Philadelphia with kids, a hop-on hop-off bus tour may be the way to go, especially if you have younger kids.
It’s the best way to get around the city, especially with little ones, and we got to see all of Philly’s main attractions in one day. It’s the perfect way to see Philadelphia if you’re only planning a one-day visit to the city.
Explore historic sites in Philadelphia with kids
Visit Independence Hall
One of the best things to do in Philly with kids is a tour of Independence Hall.
Independence Hall is the building where both the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted.
It was amazing walking through this historic building and seeing the actual room where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Independence Hall is part of the Independence National Historical Park and is listed as a World Heritage Site.
- Hours: Open daily 9am to 5pm
- Tickets: Admission is FREE, but tickets MUST be reserved online here
- Location: 599 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
Visit the Liberty Bell
After a visit to the Independence Hall make sure to see the famed Liberty Bell nearby. The Liberty Bell is one of Philadelphia’s main attractions and is an iconic symbol of American independence.
The bell first cracked when rung after it arrived in Philadelphia, and was twice recast by local workmen John Pass and John Stow, whose last names appear on the bell.
The Bell was first used to summon lawmakers to legislative sessions and to alert citizens about public meetings and proclamations.
In the 1830s, the bell was adopted as a symbol by abolitionist societies, who dubbed it the “Liberty Bell”.
Today you can visit this iconic Bell, located at the Liberty Bell Center. Admission is free and is also on a first come-first served basis.
- Hours: Open daily 9am-5pm
- Tickets: FREE admission
- Location: 526 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
See the Betsy Ross House
One place not to miss on your weekend visit to Philly is the Betsy Ross house, which is supposedly the site where the seamstress and flag-maker Betsy Ross lived when she sewed the first American Flag.
The house is on Arch Street, several blocks from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. You can go on a self-guided tour of the house and learn more about her and the American flag.
- Hours: Open daily from 10am-5pm; closed Tuesdays
- Tickets: $7 adults, $6 kids/Seniors/Military/Students
- Location: 239 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Christ Church and Burial grounds
Another must-see site on your visit to Philadelphia with kids is Christ Church. The church was founded in 1695 and is considered one of the nation’s most beautiful surviving 18th-century structures.
Some of the most famous people who attended church here included signers of the Declaration of Independence, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.
Nearby are the Christ church burial grounds where Benjamin Franklin and four other signers of the United States Declaration of Independence are buried.
Visit the Benjamin Franklin Museum
Explore Benjamin Franklin’s life and legacy through his character traits. The exhibit area is divided into five rooms, each highlighting a different trait and containing videos, touchscreen interactives, mechanical interactives, and artifacts.
Don’t miss a visit to the Franklin Court Courtyard located outside the museum, where you can see “ghost” structures showing Franklin’s home and the original foundations as well.
The courtyard also leads to the Franklin Court Printing Office, the “Fragments of Franklin Court” exhibit, and the B. Free Franklin Post Office.
- Hours: Open daily: 9am – 5pm, year round
- Tickets: $5.00 for adults
$2.00 for children, ages 4 through 16
Children ages 3 and under are FREE - Location: The museum is located in Franklin Court. Entrance to the courtyard is from Market or Chestnut Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets.
Stroll through Elfreths Alley
Take a stroll along Elfreth’s Alley in Old City, Philadelphia, which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited streets in the U.S. Dating back to 1703.
It features early American buildings built from 1720 to 1836. Most homes are privately owned, but buildings #124 and #126 house the Elfreth’s Alley Museum, managed by the Elfreth’s Alley Association.
- Museum Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 12:00pm – 4:00pm
- Tickets: $3 for adults, $2 for ages 7-12, and free for those under 7
- Location: Elfreth’s Alley is a public road available for a stroll any time of day.
Explore Head House Square
Another weekend activity in Philly is a visit to Head House Square, the oldest surviving market in the U.S. Located on South 2nd Street in the Society Hill neighborhood.
The farmer’s market is open on Sundays from May to Christmas, from 10 am to 2 pm, offering local produce. There’s also an Antique Market on weekends, along with many shops and restaurants nearby.
Rocky steps and the Philadelphia Museum of Art
One of the most iconic things to do in Philadelphia is to run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
If you’ve ever watched the movie Rocky, then you would know that he made the steps famous during a scene in the movie. Corny or not, it’s a must when visiting the museum!
Besides the Rocky Steps, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is another place to add to your Philly with Kids itinerary.
The Museum houses more than 240,000 objects, highlighting the creative achievements of the Western world and those of Asia, in more than 200 galleries spanning 2,000 years!
At the bottom of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the Rocky statue. Make sure to snap a photo with the statue, then run up the famous steps to complete your Rocky Movie bucket list!
- Hours: Open Sat-Sun 10am-5pm (closed Tues & Wed)
- Tickets: $25 adults/ $23 Seniors 65 +/ $14 Students with valid ID/ FREE for youths 18 and under.
- Purchase tickets here
- Location: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Visit Love park
Don’t miss a visit to the John F. Kennedy Plaza, also known as Love Park, and take a photo with the iconic LOVE sign. The sign has been here since 1976, and it’s an instragrammable photo-op!
The park also features lots of green spaces, a fountain, walking paths, and the LOVE Park Visitor Center, where you can purchase tickets to local attractions, and shop for souvenirs in the gift shop.
There are also lots of events here, including the I Love Philly Christmas market during the holidays.
Reading Terminal Market
Another place to add to your weekend in Philadelphia with kids is a visit to the Reading terminal market.
The Market is one of America’s largest and oldest public markets, housed since 1893 in a National Historic Landmark building of the Reading Railroad company.
On your visit, make sure to sample the taste of Philly like the iconic Philly Cheesesteaks and roast Pork Sandwiches at Dinic’s. Don’t forget to shop for some locally grown produce and take home some yummy freshly baked cookies from The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company.
Explore Philly’s Chinatown District
Don’t miss a stroll along Philadelphia’s Chinatown district which stretches from Arch Street to Vine Street, and from 11th Street to 8th Street.
The neighborhood is packed with lots of restaurants and cute stores representing several East Asian cultures. There are also lots of events that happen here periodically so make sure to research on the day of your visit.
Eastern State Penitentiary
Another historic spot to visit on a weekend visit to Philly is the Eastern State Penitentiary. This historic prison was once the largest and most expensive public structure ever built in the United States and quickly became a model for more than 300 prisons worldwide.
It was operational from 1829 until 1971, and some of its most notable prisoners were Al Capone and bank robber Will Sutton!
The prison is considered a U.S. National Historic Landmark and is now open to the public as a museum for tours.
- You can choose between daytime or night tours. Daytime Prison Tours are available Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (last entry 4 pm), and are not date or time specific, and are valid one year from the date of purchase.
- Tickets cost: $17 adults/ $13 for students with ID, and kids ages 7-12/ $15 seniors 62+/ kids under 7 are FREE. Purchase tickets here
- Guide Led Tours are given on Saturdays & Sundays at 10:30am and ticket prices are the same as above.
- Location: 2027 Fairmount Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19130
Best Museums in Philadelphia with kids
Visit the National constitution center
One of the best museums to visit in Philadelphia with kids is the National Constitution Center. Visit the museum dedicated to the US Constitution with exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays that explore and explain the U.S. Constitution. Visit the website here
- Hours: Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm
- Tickets: From Jan. 19, through March 31, enjoy discounted admission of $10 for adults (usually $14.50) and $7.50 for youth ages 6-18 (usually $11). Promotion is valid online only, must be purchased in advance.
- Location: 525 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is a family-friendly science museum with many interactive exhibits & displays that was opened to honor Benjamin Franklin.
There’s also a planetarium, live shows, 3D printing, simulators, movies, & more. Guests ages 3 and up are required to wear masks during their visit. Visit the website here
- Hours: Open daily from 9:30 am – 5 pm.
- Tickets: Adult: $23
Child (3-11): $19
Members: FREE. You can purchase tickets online here - Location: 222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Please Touch Museum
The best place to add to your weekend in Philadelphia with kids is the Please Touch Museum. The kids will have so much fun at this fun indoor space all about PLAY!
There are many fun exhibits for curious kids, and there is also a carousel with unlimited rides which has a separate ticket that costs $5 and must be purchased at the admission desk. Visit website here
- Hours: Wed-Sun from 9 AM to 4:30 PM
- Tickets: $19 general admission for all ages. You must make online reservations here. Masks are required for ages 2 and up.
- Prepaid parking must be purchased online and costs $16.
- Location: Memorial Hall 4231 Avenue of the Republic Philadelphia, PA 19131
Independence Seaport museum
Explore Philadelphia’s maritime history at the Independence Seaport Museum which features an award-winning exhibit that explores how the Delaware River was used in daily life.
You can also go on guided tours of the Cruiser Olympia, the oldest remaining steel ship afloat, and the submarine Becuna, commissioned during World War 2. These guided tours are an additional fee from admission.
- Hours: Open daily 10am-5pm
- Tickets: $18 Adults (18-64)
- $14 Seniors (65+), Military (active/retired), College Students, and Children (3-17)
- Location: 211 S. Columbus Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19106
Visit Legoland Discovery Center
Another fun attraction to add to your weekend in Philadelphia with kids is the Legoland Discovery Center, especially if you have Lego fans in the house.
Some things to look forward to here are Lego play areas, Pirate-themed play structure, Lego Miniland featuring Philadelphia’s historic attractions, exclusive rides, Lego 4D cinema, meet and greets with Lego characters, and more!
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-5pm / Fri 10am-5pm / Sat 10am-6pm / Sun 10am-5pm
- Tickets: Online general admission starting at $22.99 ages 3+
- Purchase tickets online here
- Location: Plymouth Meeting Mall 500 West Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
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Where to stay in Philadelphia
Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District was the perfect stay with its location just a walk away from the historic center. You can easily walk to most of the main sights and lots of restaurants nearby.
Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City was also the perfect location. Most of the main sights are an easy walking distance and if you’re planning to visit during the holidays, the Philly Christmas Village is just a short walk away.
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