I’ve discovered that the best weekends in Philly aren’t just about entertaining kids—they’re about creating moments everyone remembers. Here’s how I spent a Friday-to-Sunday weekend exploring four unforgettable attractions, with three personally experienced and four additional ones I deeply trust. Each blends play, learning, tasty local eats, and manageable logistics. Written in first person, it reflects real Philadelphia travel.
🧳 Activity 1: Please Touch Museum – A Wonderland for Little Hands and Grown-Up Hearts
Location: 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131 (Fairmount Park East)
Hours: Tue–Sat 9:30 AM–4 PM, Sun 11 AM–4 PM, closed Mon
Admission: $19.95 adults, $17.95 children (ages 2–12), toddlers under 2 free; discounts via Go City Pass (20% off), and library pass weeks (pleasetouchmuseum.org, gocity.com)
Booking: Online timed-entry ticket strongly recommended—benefits fast entry and quieter midday slots.
🧠 What We Did & Loved
My partner and I brought our six-year-old daughter on a Tuesday morning. We started in “Alice’s Wonderland” – an oversized tea party set where she climbed sugar-bottle scaffolds and chased “Mad Hatter” hats. The staff-led cupcake decoration session was delightful (and messy!). We then drifted to the River Adventures gallery, where she guided a pretend tugboat around a scaled Delaware River diorama—while I silently appreciated the clever engineering behind currents and locks.
❓ Pros & Cons
Pros: Extremely interactive; exhibits reset continuously; helpful “Play Guides” help kids explore. Adult-sized chairs and light cafés make it comfortable for parents.
Cons: Early afternoon gets noisy and sweaty; exhibits are wonderful but can feel cramped at peak times.
🚇 Getting There & Tips
Take SEPTA Route 15 trolley to 45th & Columbia, then a 4-minute walk south. Metred parking in surrounding neighborhoods. Bring a change of clothes for little ones if they get drenched (there’s a water play area). Go midweek or early morning to avoid crowds and long coat-line wait. We used the Go City Pass and saved $16 total.
🖼 Activity 2: Franklin Institute – Science and Fun for All Ages
Location: 222 N 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (Benjamin Franklin Parkway)
Hours: Daily 9:30 AM–5 PM
Admission: $27 adults, $23 children (ages 3–11), free under 3; combo packages with planetarium and IMAX (~$48 adult, $40 child) (fi.edu, gocity.com)
Booking: Timed-entry recommended online; select extras like live shows ahead of time.
🔬 My Experience & Highlights
We arrived on Saturday before opening to queue for a live physics show (“Electricity Festival”) which dazzled both our child and us with Tesla coil sparks. We spent the late morning in Your Brain, where she pressed buttons to send neural signals through giant brain models; I loved the adult-level take on cognition and neuroplasticity.
Afternoon took us to Fels Planetarium—I booked seats via the Franklin Institute site ($9/person), which showed us a simulated spacewalk that left us all breathless. The immersive dome visual effects—star fields and Earthrise—were stunning. Meanwhile my partner noted how the museum’s wheelchair-accessible ramps and adjustable riser seats make it easy for guests of all abilities.
❓ Pros & Cons
Pros: Combines entertainment and serious science; clean, air-conditioned, very accessible; multiple food options onsite (Cascade Café; lunch ~$12–15).
Cons: Crowded on weekend afternoons; IMAX is pricey; timed shows sell out fast.
🚇 Getting There & Tips
Walkable from City Hall (12-minute stroll) or take the PHLASH bus on the Parkway. Book your planetarium seats along with general admission for the best experience. Pro-tip: pack your own granola bars—we brought snacks for breaks. Tell staff you’re a member or museum partner—they sometimes offer $2 concessions on tickets.
🦕 Activity 3: Philadelphia Zoo – Prehistoric Encounters and Butterfly Magic
Location: 3400 W Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (Fairmount Park West)
Hours: Daily 10 AM–4 PM, later extended to 5 PM in summer
Admission: $24.95 adults, $21.95 children (ages 3–11), free under 3; Memberships or coupons may reduce price (~10–15%)
Booking: Online booking is recommended (untimed, but you get skip-the-line kiosk code).
🐘 What Stood Out
On Sunday morning we entered at opening—first stop Trail of the Tiger, where tigers paced within feet (glass-separated). We then visited the KidZooU interactive farm (goats to pat, chickens to feed) and our daughter built her own giraffe mask at the crafts table. The highlight was PECO Primate Reserve—we watched orangutans play above us, and they seemed to acknowledge our presence.
As a surprise, I booked the Zoo360 animal tunnels guided tour ($10 per adult, $7 child), letting us walk the elevated mesh tunnels above big cats and bears—a thrilling view for all ages.
❓ Pros & Cons
Pros: Excellent layout for kids; clean restrooms; daily feeding talks; photogenic butterfly house with live monarchs.
Cons: Hilly terrain—bring comfortable walking shoes; some exhibits close early. Souvenir shops are overpriced (expect $15 for a basic plush).
🚇 Getting There & Tips
Take SEPTA bus 15 or 43; or park in lots near park entry for free after 5 PM. Sunday morning is ideal for avoiding heat. Bring refillable water bottle (there are water fountains). Wear layers—shade and sun spots vary. Check gazebo schedule online for feeding times and plan around animal shows.
🌟 Four More Worthwhile Family Culture Spots (Recommend Only)
4. Adventure Aquarium (Camden, NJ – riverfront, 10–15 min from Philadelphia by PATCO train)
- Location: 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
- Why it appeals: Touch tank sharks, hippo sharks, sea turtle feedings, and a glass tunnel where stingrays float overhead—adults enjoy marine diversity, and children love close encounters.
- Best for: Early afternoon visits; adult tickets ~$32 online, kid tickets ~$25; book via Go City Pass for discounts.
- Pros: Excellent shade, interior climate, aquarium cafés good for kids.
- Cons: Extra travel across state line; aquarium fees can add up.
5. Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
- Location: 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
- Why it works for families: An eerie, educational experience with audio-guided tours (narrated by ‘Tommy Dee’ in puppet form for kids), plus special daytime “family tours.”
- Adult ticket: $16 adult, $12 child 7–12, kids under 7 free; summer twilight tours $20.
- Pros: History comes alive; kids fascinated by cells and old guard towers; interactive prison yard exhibits.
- Cons: Might be heavy for very young kids; some areas are not wheelchair friendly.
6. Philadelphia History Museum at Atwater Kent
- Location: 15 S 7th Street, Washington Square West
- Why useful: Focuses on local Philly history with hands-on exhibits like Victorian toy railcars and colonial-era dress-up areas.
- Admission: $10 adults, $8 kids; free first Friday evenings.
- Pros: Compact, engaging, well staffed, great for mixed-age groups.
- Cons: Smaller in scale—not as “wow” as big museums, but still appreciated.
7. Franklin Square Playground & Sweet Treats
- Location: 6th & Race Street, within Franklin Square Park
- Why it’s fun: Lets the kids ride the carousel, mini-golf, and splash in fountains; adults can relax on nearby benches or grab a Franklin Fountain milkshake ($6–8).
- Admission: Park is free; ride tickets extra ($3–5).
- Pros: Affordable, central, great for letting kids run off steam before dinner.
- Cons: Crowds after 3 PM; rides stop mid-evening.
🗓 How These Three Days Played Out
Friday Afternoon: Checked into a downtown stay (e.g. near City Hall).
- Visited Please Touch Museum until 1 PM; lunch at the café.
- Afternoon at Franklin Institute until 5 PM; dinner in Rittenhouse Square.
Saturday Morning—Day 2:
- Return to Franklin Institute for a few hours or head to Eastern State Penitentiary.
- Evening: stroll and carousel at Franklin Square, dinner at local family-friendly restaurant (e.g. Pizzeria Vetri).
Sunday Morning—Day 3:
- Philadelphia Zoo visit until lunchtime; zoo lunch or picnic.
- Late afternoon historical wrap-up: Philadelphia History Museum or explore Old City before heading home.
❤️ A Weekend That Balanced Play and Wonder
Philadelphia surprised me. I came expecting cheesesteaks and cobblestones, but I left with something richer—a renewed sense of wonder, and genuine family connection that’s rare in our busy, scheduled lives. The city knows how to welcome families without dumbing anything down. Attractions are smart, playful, safe, and clean. And everything—from its urban parks to historic corridors—felt manageable, even with a young child in tow.
🧩 What Worked Well
- Logistics and walkability were incredibly manageable. We used SEPTA buses and the occasional Uber for longer stretches, but so many attractions were within a 10- to 20-minute radius. Philadelphia’s city grid is logical and generally stroller-friendly.
- Timed-entry ticketing was a blessing. It allowed us to avoid crowds and plan our day with purpose.
- The Go City Pass saved us over $60 across all entries—definitely worth it for families visiting three or more attractions.
- Dining was more family-friendly than I anticipated. Spots like Reading Terminal Market or Pizzeria Vetri offer kid‑pleasers with a grown-up twist.
- Bathrooms and changing stations were easy to find at every major venue. This made transitions less stressful.
😅 What I’d Do Differently
- I would have booked earlier access to the planetarium and zoo events—they sell out quickly. In summer, I’d also aim for earlier zoo visits to beat the heat.
- Next time, I’ll pack cooling towels, sun hats, and a picnic blanket. Franklin Square is ideal for impromptu rest stops.
- I’d also recommend choosing a central hotel (like near Rittenhouse or Logan Square). The walkability pays off, and you can pop back midday for a rest or snack.
We didn’t just visit Philly. We experienced it—together. We learned together, laughed together, and even got tired together (in the best way). If you’re a family with young children—or even teens—looking for a destination that mixes education, excitement, culture, and comfort, Philadelphia delivers.
Whether it’s your first family weekend or your fiftieth, Philly offers a canvas of connection—and memories your kids will talk about long after they’re home. Mine already asked when we’re coming back.
So pack light. Bring snacks. Book early. And don’t worry if things don’t go exactly as planned—in Philly, even the detours feel like part of the adventure.
