Fodor's Around Philadelphia with Kids, 1st Edition: 68 Great Things to Do Together (Travel Guide, 1) - Softcover

Welcome to Great Days!

Everyone knows that organizing a family’s schedule is a full-time job. Pickups, drop-offs, school, parties, after-school activities — everyone off in their own direction. Of course, it’s an organizer’s dream, but a scheduling nightmare. Spending time together shouldn’t be another thing to have to figure out.

We know what’s it’s like to try to find good places to take your children or grandchildren. Sometimes it’s tough to change plans when you suddenly hear about a kid-friendly event; besides, a lot of those events end up being crowded or, worse, sold out. It’s also hard to remember places you read about in a newspaper or magazine, and sometimes just as hard to tell from the description what age group they’re geared to. There’s nothing like bringing a "grown-up" 12-year-old to an activity that’s intended for his 6-year-old sister. Of course, if you’re visiting Philadelphia, it’s even harder to figure out the best things to do with your kids before you even get there. That’s where we come in.

What you’ll find in this book are 68 ways to have a terrific couple of hours or an entire day with your children or your grandchildren. We’ve scoured the city, digging out activities your kids will love — from the historic buildings of Independence National Historical Park to the newfangled technology at the Franklin Institute. The best part is that it’s stress-free, uncomplicated, and easy for you. Open the book to any page and find a helpful description of a kid-friendly attraction, with age ratings to make sure it’s right for your family, smart tips on visiting so that you can get the most out of your time there, and family-friendly eats nearby. The address, telephone number, open hours, and admission prices are all there for your convenience. We’ve done the work, so you don’t have to.

Naturally you’ll still want to keep an eye out for seasonal events that fit your family’s interests, from the annual Philadelphia Flower Show to Devon’s horse shows. New Year’s Day brings the over-the-top feathered and sequined Mummers Parade, while in June, an entirely different group — world-class cyclists — takes over Philly’s streets for the First Union U.S. Pro Cycling Championship. Even before the family entertainment center is finished at Penn’s Landing, you can check out the summer weekend children’s activities there. And older, artistically minded kids might enjoy combing Old City galleries on First Friday (the first Friday of each month from 5 to 9), when galleries host openings and receptions. Pick-your-own farms bring produce to your fingertips at certain times of year, and seasonal festivals pop up in towns and shopping meccas, such as Lahaska’s Peddler’s Village (check out the scarecrows in fall). If you can get a group together — sometimes as few as five people — you can often take advantage of group tours offered by places as varied as KYW-TV and the main post office at 30th and Market.