How to spend the weekend in Philadelphia with kids
A weekend in Philadelphia with kids is the right amount of time to get to know the history in Philly. 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.
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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Top things to do in Philadelphia with kids
There is so much history to explore on a visit to Philadelphia with kids. Some of the cities main sights are the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed).
Also iconic are the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, immortalized by Sylvester Stallone’s triumphant run in the film “Rocky.”
Of course a visit to Philly isn’t complete without eating the iconic Philly cheesesteak, which we practically ate daily!
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Read about Philadelphia’s Christmas Market here. This German inspired Christmas Market in Philly is one of the best, and is so worth the visit!
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.
On our family visit to Philadelphia, we decided on the Big Bus tour in Philly to familiarize ourselves with the cities main sights, and to learn more about the history with their onboard tour guide.
It was the best way to get around the city especially with our little one, 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, and are first some first served. Visit the Independence Visitor Center for tickets, or reserve tickets online with a $1.00 handling fee.
- Location: 599 Market StreetPhiladelphia, 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 its arrival 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 located 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 you 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 is the Christ church burial grounds where Benjamin Franklin and four other signers of the United States Declaration of Independence are buried.
Rocky steps and the Philadelphia Museum of Art
On 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 musuem!
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 a totally 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 Cheesteaks, and shop for some locally grown produce, it’s a must when visiting the city.
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 where 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 a 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 explores and explains 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
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 that 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, which is the oldest remaining steel ship afloat, and the submarine Becuna, which was 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
READ NEXT: More Family friendly day trips from Philadelphia
Where to stay in Philadelphia
Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District was the perfect stay with it’s 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 your planning to visit during the holidays, the Philly Christmas Village is just a short walk away.
Book your stay in Philadelphia here:
Booking.comWe truly enjoyed our visit to the City of brotherly love. We especially loved exploring Americas history and visiting some of the cities most historic sights. One of the highlights was eating our body weight in Philly cheese sandwiches, they tasted so yummy!
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