Philadelphia

[ChrisinNJ]

We are thinking about a short summer getaway & want to stay close, on budget (gas prices) but still have plenty to do. We are thinking about Philadelphia. We would like to go to the Franklin Institute, to see the Liberty bell & maybe take a carriage ride, and maybe a visit to the art museum. Any other ideas for a family of 5 with kids ranging from 7-10?

Any hotel suggestions? We have Hilton Honors points that will expire if we dont either use them or add to them, so a Hilton chain hotel would be a welcome recomendation. (but we are open to other suggestions as well)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Karenj2]

DH and I live only an hour away, so we don't usually stay in the city, however we've recently stayed in the city overnight twice:

- Courtyard by Marriot at City Hall for a babymoon; it was VERY nice - it has an indoor pool, and valet parking.
- Hilton Garden Inn @ Center City (at the convention center); I don't remember liking it as much as the Courtyard, but that was my first night without the baby, and I was pretty cranky because of it. The restaurant was nicer here, I thought.

As for things to do (beyond what you've mentioned), there's the zoo, I think there's still the National Treasure tour, the new Independence Hall museum (the Betsy Ross house & Ben Franklin's grave are nearby), the Mutter museum if you like weird & gross stuff, South Street (although it might be a bit too "adult" for your kids), and I highly recommend eating at the Reading Terminal Market. (There's a crepe store there, where you can get a crepe with nutella and bananas - YUM!)

 

[clori]

I went to Philadelphia when my girls were 5 and 9. I was actually there for a conference so we stayed at the conference hotel Sheraton Society Hill. The hotel was nice, we walked to all attractions we did plus the girls loved the indoor pool (I loved the hot tub). We were visiting a friend in NJ so we just took Amtrak so I don't know about parking.

We got there early to explore. I used the Philadelphia Pass. We had 1.5 days. We saw the Liberty Bell, visited Betsy Ross House with audio tour, rode the duck boat, went to the National Liberty Museum and National Constitution Center. We wanted to do the Big Bus tour but it started pouring out. The girls both enjoyed every attraction we saw. We've been on a couple of other duck boat rides and this one was their favorite.

 

[jessily]

A few ideas: stop by Reading Terminal Market for lunch or a snack, Franklin Square (has a carousel, mini golf, playground, food, etc.), and it's not for everyone, but exploring Eastern State Penitentiary can be lots of fun.

 

[TIAMOMMA]

A few ideas: stop by Reading Terminal Market for lunch or a snack, Franklin Square (has a carousel, mini golf, playground, food, etc.), and it's not for everyone, but exploring Eastern State Penitentiary can be lots of fun.

Good suggestions, but pls. note that I believe the Eastern State Penitentiary has a minimum age limit of 8.
Franklin Square has a mini-golf based on Philadelphia, very cool.

 

[NYEmomma]

Eastern State Pen. has an age limit?? Didn't know that. Bummer for OP if that's true -- that's what I was going to recommend because I found it SUPER interesting. Also the Mutter Museum if you've got boys that are into gross stuff.

I love South St. but I don't think there's terribly much there for younger kids.

There's also the science museum... I forget the name of it, but we went there with BIL, SIL & their 2 boys last time we went and it was a lot of fun for the kids.

We usually stay on the outskirts of the city now to be close to BIL/SIL in Bala Cynwyd, but before they moved there, we stayed at the Mariott by City Hall & LOVED it. Super nice, and we got it 2 nights for the price of 1 when the city was doing a deal on vacation packages.

 

[TIAMOMMA]

Eastern State Pen. has an age limit?? Didn't know that. Bummer for OP if that's true -- that's what I was going to recommend because I found it SUPER interesting. Also the Mutter Museum if you've got boys that are into gross stuff.

I love South St. but I don't think there's terribly much there for younger kids.

There's also the science museum... I forget the name of it, but we went there with BIL, SIL & their 2 boys last time we went and it was a lot of fun for the kids.

We usually stay on the outskirts of the city now to be close to BIL/SIL in Bala Cynwyd, but before they moved there, we stayed at the Mariott by City Hall & LOVED it. Super nice, and we got it 2 nights for the price of 1 when the city was doing a deal on vacation packages.

I double checked. They word it now stating "not recommended for children under the age of 7". Before I remember seeing wording that seemed they prohibited children before that age. The OP would be okay, the youngest is 7.

 

[labdogs42]

I grew up near Philly and I love the Phila zoo, Franklin Institute, and natural History Museum in Philadelphia. The art museum is awesome, too. Consider heading over to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, too. That's a lot of fun! I haven't done it yet, but I want to take the Philly Duck Tour. I think that looks like a fun touristy thing to do to get a nice overview of the city. I don't know about places to stay because Philly is a day trip for us. Sorry I'm no help there!

 

[ChrisinNJ]

We got there early to explore. I used the Philadelphia Pass. We had 1.5 days. We saw the Liberty Bell, visited Betsy Ross House with audio tour, rode the duck boat, went to the National Liberty Museum and National Constitution Center. We wanted to do the Big Bus tour but it started pouring out. The girls both enjoyed every attraction we saw. We've been on a couple of other duck boat rides and this one was their favorite.

The Duck Boat tour is a great idea. We have been wanting to do that in NYC, but haven't yet. Thanks for that recomendation!

A few ideas: stop by Reading Terminal Market for lunch or a snack, Franklin Square (has a carousel, mini golf, playground, food, etc.), and it's not for everyone, but exploring Eastern State Penitentiary can be lots of fun.

Eastern State Penitentiary looks very interesting! I would never have thought of that, thanks!!

I double checked. They word it now stating "not recommended for children under the age of 7". Before I remember seeing wording that seemed they prohibited children before that age. The OP would be okay, the youngest is 7.

She is 7 and a half (you know how important that half is right? ) and pretty mature for her age. I think she would be fine there.

I grew up near Philly and I love the Phila zoo, Franklin Institute, and natural History Museum in Philadelphia. The art museum is awesome, too. Consider heading over to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, too. That's a lot of fun! I haven't done it yet, but I want to take the Philly Duck Tour. I think that looks like a fun touristy thing to do to get a nice overview of the city. I don't know about places to stay because Philly is a day trip for us. Sorry I'm no help there!

I will have to look into the Zoo & Natural History Museum. My kids lke the Natural History Museum in NY, But I think they actually liked the Metropolitan Museum of Art better, so the art museum may still be a better choice!

The Camden Aquarium would be a day trip for us...though we haven't gone there yet either.

Thanks for all the advice & suggestions!!

 

[clori]

We actually didn't really like the duckboat in NYC. It was rather blah for us. Partly because it showed things we have all seen before (dh grew up in midtown) and partly because the driver wasn't entertaining at all. For example they gave out quakers but didn't want them used. It probably didn't help that both older dd and I felt motion sickness on the water. The theater part was interesting.

We love the duckboat in Boston where quacking is encouraged and the kids get to steer the boat in the water. Even though we are from there the driver was very entertaining. The Philly duckboat was full of corny (ducky) jokes etc that kept the kids laughing and a kid was selected to hold a cork etc.

 

[Marionnette]

Groupon.com has gift certificates for the Constitutional Walking Tour on sale today. $8 each for a value up to $17. It might be a nice way to get oriented to the historic district.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

How about a Phillies game? Their ballpark is really awesome!

Seconding Eastern State Pen. WAAAAAAYYYY better than Alcatraz. There are lots of little restaurants in that area as well.

Try to avoid the Reading Terminal Market on Saturdays, it's a ZOO. Steering clear of actual lunch hour on weekdays (noon-1 pm) is also a good idea.

The Philadelphia Zoo is a good stop!

And certainly don't miss the historical stuff.

I grew up in Philly. Despite that, DH and I will go spend a night downtown every now and then. We like the Sheraton Society Hill.

On a completely different idea, have you considered Lancaster County? HersheyPark is FABULOUS. Ever been camping? Try the KOA near Hershey! You can get a cabin, and they are air conditioned!

Enjoy!!!

 

[PA Princess]

We do Philly as a day trip, so I am no help with hotels.

Not sure of your travel dates, but the art museum is pay what you want on the first Sunday of each month (and I see from you children's ages that they are free for admission).

While not budget in price, City Tavern is a colonial type of restaurant my family has enjoyed when we have toured the historic areas of Philly. Keep in mind that you can easily spend a day (or at least half a day) doing the historic area.

 

[Minnie116]

I just purchased a 4 pack of tickets to the Franklin Institute for $27 it is 2adults and 2 children from livingsocial.com. I know that you said you are a party of 5 but it still may save you some money.

 

[KBW]

I am originally from NYC area and now live in the Philly suburbs...All of these are fantastic ideas, and you really can't go wrong with any of them...

For the hotel, DH and I sometimes go into Philly for dinner/night out, and get a hotel. I always use Hotwire.com. You can specify the general area you want to be in and get a great deal if you book close to the date. Anything in Old City, Society Hill, Center City is usually a good bet. Also, lots of restaurants are BYO (because of PA's antiquated liquor laws!), so you might save $ on dinner. A few restaurants are also cash-only, so you might want to research beforehand so that you are prepared.

As a PP mentioned, there are also great things outside Philly. We are doing a day trip to Hershey Park this year since we live only an hour away. The Allentown area also has some good attractions with the Crayola Factory and Dorney Park.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Sign up for livingsocial.com They've had deals for walking tours and Frankilin Insititute in the past.


Doh! Didn't see Minnie116's post! Sorry! Also try phillydealyo.com

 

[dex08]

Everyone has pretty much already recommended everything I would have.

As for Hilton brand hotels, there are 3 in Center City:
- Hilton Garden Inn is right by Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown. My co-workerswho come to town stay here and say it's good.

- Embassy Suites is on Ben Franklin Parkway and has great views of the Art Museum and City Hall with a great breakfast. I've actually stayed here and the room are really good sized suites with 2 rooms, fridge & balcony. The building is a round cylinder so it's interesting when you get off the elavator and it's a circle of rooms. Kids get a kick out of this.

- DoubleTree is on South Broad just south of City Hall. I don't know anything about this property really.

 

[Jakesmom504]

Ditto for Citizens Bank Park.....and definitely Reading Terminal!

 

[disneymarie]

I grew up near Philly and I love the Phila zoo, Franklin Institute, and natural History Museum in Philadelphia. The art museum is awesome, too. Consider heading over to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, too. That's a lot of fun! I haven't done it yet, but I want to take the Philly Duck Tour. I think that looks like a fun touristy thing to do to get a nice overview of the city. I don't know about places to stay because Philly is a day trip for us. Sorry I'm no help there!

This is some of my thoughts too.

We stayed just near the Franklin Inst. the Best Western behind the Rodain museum. The price is half because it is not right in center city....but FREE parking!!!!!

Free P/U and drop for getting the tour bus from downtown double decker.
There is a pickup for the "double decker" bus. good for 24 hrs.
When you take the bus it will stop at all the attractions for you to get off. We got the ride pass, then drove to the Penatentury. It is okay, but just old cells, I loved that Ghost Hunters were there.

Go online for the Philly website, to get tickets for the Independance Hall. Preregistering is the best way to assure getting into the site. There are only so many tickets a day. If you get there really early at the Visitors center across the street they have some first come first serve.

There was parking at the Franklin too, that was a day itself, actually liked the Zoo because I was to the Insitute so many times on class trips.

The Ducks were grounded last summer I think;not sure if running again because of the tragic accident.

The good thing about this hotel. is that the touring bus stop is out the front across the stree and takes you to all the down town sites without paying to park, or fighting for a parking space. THe hotel left us park the car on check out day until we left.

REMEMBER!!!!! EVERYTHING closes at 5 PM in Phial. There may be a night walking tour of the historic area, but everything else closes.
Not sure about the terminal that may be the time to visit there and have a soft pretzel.

I take a small cooler in my back pack with drinks, sandwhiches, veggies and picnic alone the area next to Independance Hall.

There is a lot to see, and limited hours of operation.

 

[mlynn]

Not sure about hotels.I live 2min from Philly.

Duck boats have a new route(smaller I think) after the horrilbe accident.

Eastern State.Is the scariest place I have ever been!!!!!!!!!!!!I love to be scared but this was really scary.

Don't know when your going but look into see what Penn's landing is doing that weekend.Irish weekend is fun and they do an ice cream one to.


http://www.citypass.com/philadelphia This is a nice deal!!!!
CityPASS gives you admission to 6 must-see
Philadelphia attractions
The Franklin Institute
Adventure Aquarium
Phila Trolley Works Tour & The Big Bus Company
Philadelphia Zoo
The Academy of Natural Sciences OR National Constitution Center
Please Touch Museum OR Eastern State Penitentiary
- CityPASS is valid 9 days from day of first use

- Skip most ticket lines with CityPASS in hand
Adult: was $112.06 Child 2-12 was $81.21 e-ticket or Booklet
NOw. $59 Now. $39

(this what I saw just now onthe website.I don't know how long until it ends)