please help w/Philadelphia ideas

[tinkerbell423]

I just realized our Disney trip is getting closer and I have given no thought to the day we have in Philadelphia. We will be driving to philly in the AM from NY staying the day then taking an early flight to Orlando. We planned it this way because DH has always wanted to go to Philly. We plan on going to the mint. Does anyone else have any budget friendly ideas? There will be 11 of us 5 adults and 6 children. We would like to see the liberty bell. Would this interest the kids? Is it outside? I imagine it will be pretty cold (we are going in Jan) Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Karenj2]

When you mentioned the mint, I thought of the Franklin Mint, which is out my way (not in Philly), but then I realized you meant the US Mint in Philly.

Hmmm... Other things to do in Philly, in January? (I'm not sure what these cost - you might want to check www.gophila.com for discounts, coupons)
- Ice skating at the River Rink
- Walk around the Reading Terminal Market (lots of food there)
- Liberty Bell/Besty Ross House/Ben Franklin's grave/Independence Hall, etc.
- The Franklin Institute or Museum of Natural History (fun for kids!)
- Philadelphia Museum of Art (more fun for adults)
- Philadelphia Zoo

I think it'll mostly depend on where you're staying, and if you'll be walking around, or driving (or getting public transportation...)

 

[Hannathy]

The mint is right across the street from the new visitors center and the Liberty bell. Go to the National parks web site and read about what is available there. You can also schedule a tour of independence hall (recommended because the tours get booked up) Christ Church is also within that block and Franklins printing press is a block west of the Independence area. Besty Ross's house is about 3 blocks north. There is plenty to do for a day within walking distance of the mint.

The Liberty Bell (free) is inside and the new visitors center(fee) is all about the constitution. Liberty Hall is a definite do if you have never been there but like I said you need to sign up for a tour. The mint(free) is very interesting self guided tour.

 

[robsmom]

If you just have one day you probably want to focus on the historic district as posted above. I would start at the visitor center, get your maps and your tickets (free) for independence hall and then plan your day around your tour time. allow time to go through security to get into the liberty bell pavillion and into the indepedence hall complex. After your independence tour be sure to go to the other 2 buildings in the complex. The document room is as short visit but great to see originals. The state house bldg( i think that is what is is called) is where the senate and congress met when in the capital. The constitution center is next to the visitor's center and is not free, however it is a very good museum and indoor. The Franklin museum at franklin court is only a few blocks from Independence Hall, I have always found this to be a cool spot and it is popular with kids. If it were summer I would say to take a duck tour (boat/bus). I am not sure in december that makes sense. There is a food court in the Bourse bldg (right near Independence Hall) that offers alot of lunch options. If you are looking for dinner suggestions, let us know your price range and tastes.

 

[mom2cookies]

http://www.gophila.com/C/Things_to_...nd_in_Historic_Philadelphia_with_Kids/47.html

this might give you some ideas

 

[clori]

I spent a day there alone this summer with dd9 and dd5. We took the train from NJ and had a conference at a hotel in Philly starting around 5pm. I purchased a pass from www.philadelphiapass.com. We went to the Liberty Bell, Visitors Center, National Liberty Museum, Betsy Ross House and did the Duck Boat ride and looked around the Visitor Center though I might. We also did the National Constitution Center as well but on our way home.

I skipped Liberty Hall in the interest of time and I wasn't sure how much my 5 year old would enjoy it. The girls liked everything we did and never complained about the walking.

 

[1bandaid]

are located around the major tourist attractions. (We went this summer) My daughters 9,9,7 loved going to all the sites and listening to the stories. After the 13 stories at Franklin park they showed their collected 13 stars and got a free coupon book for a ride on the carousel and a free ice cream. It was a great way to see the sites and for the kids to learn history! The story tellers are fabulous actors and mom and dad enjoyed it too.
Go early for your tickets to Independence Hall since they are first come first serve!

Two additional things we enjoyed that were not free were the Constitution Center and the Lights of Liberty night walking tour retelling history with lights and music. There were separate headsets and stories for kids and adults that were conducted simultaneous.

 

[tinkerbell423]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I have been looking over the web sites but it's nice to hear from those who have been there.

My husband wants to eat at the Liberty Tavern (?I think that's the name) Any feedback on that. We have 5 small and one bigger kids 3,4,5,6,8,12 and i'm worried they might get antsy. We are toying with the idea of splitting up the group and taking the kids to something kids friendly. Any suggestions

 

[badblackpug]

I don't know what time your flight leaves, but be sure to be at the airport plenty early because TSA out of Philly is awful. Independence Hall is interesting and free. I would also recommend the Franklin Institute (www.fi.org) or the Please Touch Museum. I think you mean City Tavern on 2nd street. The food is good and the servers are dressed in colonial era costumes.

 

[quentina]

I just realized our Disney trip is getting closer and I have given no thought to the day we have in Philadelphia. We will be driving to philly in the AM from NY staying the day then taking an early flight to Orlando. We planned it this way because DH has always wanted to go to Philly. We plan on going to the mint. Does anyone else have any budget friendly ideas? There will be 11 of us 5 adults and 6 children. We would like to see the liberty bell. Would this interest the kids? Is it outside? I imagine it will be pretty cold (we are going in Jan) Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks

In case you didn't know...no camera's allowed in the mint. If you all want to go in together, leave the cameras behind otherwise, someone needs to stay outside with it.

The duck tour thingie looks neat. We never did it however, always talk about doing it.

I think I have 4 free tix to the franklin institute somewhere (would need to look). If interested, pm me.

 

[billwendy]

The Please Touch Museum in philly is great!! but only for the younger kids....the Franklin Institute is really really good too!!

 

[shelemm]

If you've never been to Philly, then you must go to Independence Hall and the historic district. Tickets to tour Independence Hall sell out very early in the day, so make sure you get your tickets early. The park rangers are very knowledgeable, so ask plenty of questions.....

Check out the National Park Service website and look at a map of Independence National Historic Park before you go. The Liberty Bell is there.

www.nps.gov

 

[uromac]

Hi!

I think you might be referring to City Tavern, we had Thanksgiving there which was a great experience for us - our kids were probably 12 (ds) and 8 (dd) - and my parents. Although I think that meal was a different experience. The chef there Walter Staib uses old traditional recipes reflective of that time and depending on the ages and tastes of your kids may or may not like the food.

 

[Cindy B]

I work in the historical district. There are plenty of things to do and see in just the historical district alone. The Mint and the Independence Center are right near each other. Betsy Ross house is not far in the opposite direction. The first post office is only a few blocks away (opposite direction) from the mint on Market Street. You can walk in the little courtyard behind the post office and see all kinds of interesting things. Ben Franklin's gravestone is not that far-- can't remember the street offhand but it isn't far.

Those are all within a few blocks of each other. It will be cold and be prepared to walk. If it was nicer out I'd suggest walking past Market to Chestnut/Locust and see all kinds of parks.

Food is fantastic in Philly-- you will see all kinds of stuff in that area. If you happen to be there the first Sunday of the month, the Art Musuem is free that day.

 

[Connorsmom0]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I have been looking over the web sites but it's nice to hear from those who have been there.

My husband wants to eat at the Liberty Tavern (?I think that's the name) Any feedback on that. We have 5 small and one bigger kids 3,4,5,6,8,12 and i'm worried they might get antsy. We are toying with the idea of splitting up the group and taking the kids to something kids friendly. Any suggestions

If you do split up and have transportation the Please touch museum would be awesome for the 3-6 crowd and possibly the 8 yr old but depending on personality.

 

[rangermom]

We just moved from Philly a couple of weeks ago. DH and I both worked at Independence NHP. If you are going to the mint, then I would stay in that area. Parking can sometimes be an issue, there is a parking garage under the Independence Visitor Center. Not sure how much it cost becuse it is not owned by the park service. As people have said, the mint is across from Independence. It is easy walking around that part of the city.

To clarify prices in the area:
All of the Park Service(NPS) areas are free. This includes Independence Hall (tours are done by rangers at scheduled times throughout the entire day, but at this time of year they are rarelly full), The Liberty Bell Center, The Independence Visitor Center, Franklin Court (site of Franklin's house and the 1st post office), the Free Quaker Meeting house and the Second Bank of the US. There are also some houses they give tours at between 3rd and 4th on Walnut st.

Christ Church Cemetery is across from the Free Quaker Meeting House. It is run by the church and by tour only and cost,I believe, $2. Tours seem to be sporatic. This is where Franklin and his wife are buried. If you do not want to see or can not schedule a tour, you can see the graves very clearly through the cast iron fence.

The National Constitution Center is on NPS property, but is not ran by the NPS. It is a pretty neat center, but when we lived there I did not take my 3 and 5 yr old, I thought it was a little above their level and they would not be interested.

The Please Touch and Franklin Institute always get rave reviews, particulary for younger kids, but a little expensive. When I go to Disney, I try to stop at places that do not cost too much on the way there and back. (I want to save my spending money ).

There is also the Philadelphia Zoo, America's first zoo. We are members there and loved it. They accept memberships for several zoos and aquariums, so if you belong to one you might aee if they participate in the reciprocal benefits program. This is not in Center City and is about a 10-15 min drive if traffic is good.

You can spend a day in Center City and see many things and not spend a lot of money. The city blocks are not to big (they were designed in the 1700's) so walking is pretty easy.

It would also be cool to get a family picture in front of the real Liberty Bell and then get one with the replica one in Liberty Square. We went to DW right before my DH started working there. He is law enforcement and I made him practice protecting the Liberty Bell while we were on vacation.

Sorry this is long, if you have any questions on the park feel free to pm me. Have fun!

 

[tinkerbell423]

Great info thanks so much It did make me think of other questions...

We are staying at the Sheraton Suites on Island Ave. I was planning on parking our car there and taking public transportation. I this advised or not?

How early should we plan on arriving at the airport. Our flight leaves at 7:55. We usually arrive at our airport here 2 hours in advance is this enough time or do we need more?

I love the Liberty Bell photo Idea. We will definately do that.

 

[tinkerbell423]

I forgot one question...
We are arriving in Philly on the day we are touring. DH thinks we should go to the mint first because they close early. Everyones comments are saying get tickets for the independance hall tour first thing (how early is first thing?) Can we get the tickets quickly and get to the mint? I this what you would advise?

 

[Cindy B]

Great info thanks so much It did make me think of other questions...

We are staying at the Sheraton Suites on Island Ave. I was planning on parking our car there and taking public transportation. I this advised or not?

How early should we plan on arriving at the airport. Our flight leaves at 7:55. We usually arrive at our airport here 2 hours in advance is this enough time or do we need more?

I love the Liberty Bell photo Idea. We will definately do that.

As for public transport, I'm not sure which route to go. (I do more NJ public transport).

www.septa.org is the website for the PA public transportation agency.

 

[Cindy B]

I forgot one question...
We are arriving in Philly on the day we are touring. DH thinks we should go to the mint first because they close early. Everyones comments are saying get tickets for the independance hall tour first thing (how early is first thing?) Can we get the tickets quickly and get to the mint? I this what you would advise?

I would advise this as well. I want to say the independence hall tours start early. Check the web for details. Remember you are taking public transportation so pad your time accordingly as well.