Philly Disers help please...

[ThreeMusketeers]

We have family coming into town for the next 2 weeks and we want to keep them busy.

My daughter has been wanting to see some dinosaurs so we were thinking of hitting up the Philadelphia Museum of Natural History. Thought it would be something other people would enjoy as well.

We are in South Jersey. But just moved to the area about 5 months ago. So we are still mapping things out.

Do you have any opinions on this place? Safety? Parking? Should we take the train in or drive? Is the museum neat or lame? We are really wanting to see some dino bones and we hear this is the best place to do that.

If not could you point me in another good direction??

I heard the Franklin Insitute is pretty lame. But it looks neat online. What are your opinions on that?

Thanks,

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Anyone?

 

[JKMastalski]

Hi! i can't help you with the museum of natural history - but I do know lots of people that have been to the franklin institute and LOVED it. I know right now they have a pirate expedition going on that looks really cool!

 

[zurgswife]

Depending on the ages I'd say either would be good. I think the Franklin institute is great. I drive more then I take the train so can't advise you there.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

The website for Franklin is fi.edu if that helps at all.

You could also take them on a walking tour of the historic section of Philly. I have wonderful memories of going to the Betsy Ross House and Independence Hall when I was little. Don't forget the Liberty Bell too!

Anothing thing you could do is go out and visit Valley Forge and the King of Prussia Mall. They are very close to each other.

Enjoy!

 

[Jennifer S]

I went last year to the museum of Natural History. It was neat - the kids got to do a dinosaur dig. It's just not real big. Will only take about two hours to see the whole thing. If you have a coupon or some free tix. maybe do both- esp if you are driving in from Jersey. I'm from the burbs so we always drive in.

My inlaws took the kids over Christmas to Franklin Inst. and they let them in for free - was during the week- maybe call and ask if they have any certain day that kids are free.

 

[Kim&Chris]

The last time I was in town, we rode the Ducks....and it was hilarious. Our tour director (ironically named "Donald") was extremely entertaining, and knew tons of trivia about old Philadelphia.

http://www.phillyducks.com/

 

[Philadisney]

I love the history museum (the Academy of Natural Sciences I think it is called). I was just there last month with my friend for his birthday. In addition to the dinosaurs, there is a wonderful butterfly conservatory, and some really neat dioramas with life sized animals.
I like the Franklin Institute too - and have heard good things about the pirate museum! I also love the art museum, although it's certainly not as hands-on as the science museums. I also recommend the Please Touch Museum for kids!
Parking in the area, like most of Philly, is not great. It's abundant but pricey. We found a lot a few blocks away for about $10.
The Parkway is a very safe area during the day (it's not really bad at night either - just kind of creepy because it's deserted). There aren't a lot of restaurants around there although both the franklin institute and the art museum have restaurants.

 

[Philadisney]

Anothing thing you could do is go out and visit Valley Forge and the King of Prussia Mall. They are very close to each other.

Enjoy!

Oh and you know what's in the King of Prussia Mall...a big gorgeous DISNEY STORE!

 

[zippitydoo]

I would say take the train. Philly has a lot of historical places to visit. Liberty Bell, Natural History, Franklin Inst. I don't know if they will like South St. but that is also an option. I am drawing a blank. I havent been back to Jersey in a while.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Thank you for the replies!

So I 'm not sure now..the FI or museum of natural history. To do both is too expensive. (we are treating everyone)

We just recently did the walking tour of philly so i don't really want to go do the whole liberty bell thing again..but then again...most of that stuff is FREE. hmmmm.,,

 

[Philadisney]

Thank you for the replies!

So I 'm not sure now..the FI or museum of natural history. To do both is too expensive. (we are treating everyone)

We just recently did the walking tour of philly so i don't really want to go do the whole liberty bell thing again..but then again...most of that stuff is FREE. hmmmm.,,

The Constitution Center is near the liberty bell - that's an option too, although I think kids would like the science museums more.
I LOVE the academy of natural sciences but if you are planning to spend the whole day at a museum, i would go for Franklin Institute. I mentioned before that I recently went to the academy of natural sciences with friends - we went through the whole museum and looked at EVERYTHING in about 2 hours. Granted we didn't have kids, but still.

 

[Mkrop]

We just did the Franklin Institute two weekends ago, with DSs 11 and 5 and had a blast. We were there from 11 to about 4ish. We toured the regular exhibits which the kids loved all the hands on stuff, and we did an Imax film, the one on the ocean which was neat, and we did the pirate tour which was cool. The Imax and Pirate thing were purchased separately.

My neighbor just did the Duck tour with her DD13 and her DS8 and they had a blast.

We drove in, we parked at the garage at the FI and it was under construction so they actually had to valet the cars.

 

[tazdev3225]

If you can take the train into Center City I would do that as parking can be hard to come by and is expensive. I made the mistake of driving a couple of weeks ago and went through 1/4 tank of gas looking for a lot with space. The Academy of Natural Sciences is great but I have always loved the Franklin Institute. My mom took my 4 y/o DGD to the Acad of Nat Science last week and couldn't get her to leave. The Zoo is also another nice option and is very pleasant this time of year. There are a lot of things in the 2nd and Market area. The Independence Center, Franklintowne, Betsy Ross House, the mint, Old Christ Church, to name a few. You also have to do the Reading Market just for the experience. I love taking my grandkids down there to see the history of our city. There is also the waterfront area with the Olympia and the Becuna (the WWII sub) and the Seaport Museum. Philly is a very diverse city with a lot to do.

 

[SeeDisney]

You can also check out the Franklin Mint tour -- it's FREE! The place where they print money.

 

[DVCsince02]

The Crayola factory or the Herrs Chip factory is fun too.

If you don't mind the drive... Hershey Park.

 

[lilsweetpea]

What about the Philadelphia Zoo?

 

[SeeDisney]

Well if you're going to consider Hershey Park, then you can think about the Lancaster area --- dozens, and dozens of touristy attractions there.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

No not going to go as far as Hersey Park. We are only 11 min from Philly, so want to stay in the vicinity.

 

[disneymarie]

IF there are several coming it may be worth the while to drive. You may be by the Ben Franklin bridge near camden and into historical area of Phila.
We were there in July, the attractions all close at 5;00 PM.
I think if you want to take the park and ride, near Independance Hall , where you ride the Big red Bus, it goes to all the areas, the science museaum, franklin Inst. , the Eastern Penatentury, The first prison in US, it was featured on Ghost Hunters where they caught an incredible shadow person on the on wing you can visit.

If it is a day trip to the science museum and franklin institute only, we found a TOS of meter parking in mid July available in front of both areas. there is a large lot at franklin. The cost is high for the both Franlin visit and the pirate exhibit, but after 4:00 Pm I think it is, you can get into the Pirate exhibit after the museum area has closed for about $15. If you only can fit in two things, Drive, Go out the parkway to the science museaum and find meter parking, or park at the franklin and take the side door parking area and walk to the Museum of Natural science.

The meters have a 2 hr limit but if you do the museum, someone can run out and put more money in. We parked everywhere at a meter, I can not do the walking. Some times we had to drive around a block, but worked out great. One day we did have the Big Red Bus tour and it was great after 5 to travel the 90 minute knowledgeable tour.

In one day it seems that is all you could do. If there is extra time, take a drive to the Independance Hall area,, find a parking meter and it is free to see the liberty bell, They do search bags, so try to leave all you can in the car,

If you get there at 9 and want to ride the buses, and stop at Betsy Ross, Liberty bell, Independance hall, and the two museaums, then park the car at the Big Red Bus lot and buy the tickets online....
The City walk or something it is called, It has tickets to the attractions and the bus price in one.

I believe the AAA has the best buy for the tickets. If you want to see Independance Hall, get the tickets on line the day before as they start early Am, giving them out in the Center, and run out fast.

There are night halloween tours if the teens are into that. I think the Eastern Penn does a night one, check out the web sites.
Enjoy your self, the day flies fast.
dianne