Planning a trip to Philly with the family? Check out this BIG list of Fun Things to Do in Philadelphia with Kids! It’s the ultimate family fun guide!
So are you thinking of visiting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania? Dreaming and planning your next vacation is always so much fun!
With so many significant historic sites, fun interactive tours, and off-the-charts cheesesteak sandwiches… your whole family will LOVE visiting Philly! That’s why I’ve put together this ultimate travel guide for Fun Things to Do in Philadelphia with Kids!
Here’s everything you need to know before you go with loads of insider tips shared by your frugal friends…
Related: 25 Southwest Airlines Hacks! {Tips To Know Before You Fly}
Fun Things To Do In Philadelphia with Kids
So You’re Planning a Trip to Philadelphia?
To keep your vacation budget-friendly, you’ll need to plan ahead. One of the first things you’ll want to do is start stashing cash away for your ‘Philadelphia Trip Fund’. Need to increase your travel fund stash? One of the easiest ways is to make extra money on the side in your free time! Here’s my favorite trick for ramping up the vacation budget…
Top Survey Sites to Make Money Online
How to Visit Philadelphia for Free!
How to Get Free Travel Gift Cards
Now keep reading for all the very best Philadelphia travel tips shared by myself and your frugal friends…
Lisa said: “Tons of places, Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center, Franklin Institute, Natural History Museum, Art Museum, Rodin Museum, Please Touch Museum, Duck Ride, other Tour buses, Seaport Museum, Reading Terminal. It is a grand city!”
Polly said: “If you are wanting to check out museums, get the CityPass, (including the zoo and the aquarium).”
Philadelphia CityPass – Save 47% off Attractions!
Stephanie said: “Franklin Institute, Zoo, Liberty Bell of course and the Academy of Natural Science Museum. I live in PA and these are places we take the kids. :)”
Kathie said: “Franklin institute is reciprocal with some museum memberships.”
Amy said: “If you have kids, the Franklin institute is a lot of fun! Get tickets before you go, but the Barnes Foundation is amazing. The City Tavern has great old timer fare, served on pewter.”
Stacey said: “We went this summer for a few hours and loved walking the streets around the Liberty Bell!”
{Geno’s Steaks picture above, home of the Best Cheeseteak in Philly}
Yolanda said: “Eat at Geno’s Cheese Steaks!”
Patti said: “Visit Independence Hall where the constitution was signed, the Betsy Ross House, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, China Town in Philly, and eat at Geno’s Steaks.
{Sleepy Hollow Cemetery pictured above}
James said: “Penns Landing and the Rocky statue”
Score a Deal on your Philadelphia Car Rental! There are so many beautiful places to explore all around Pennsylvania… and you’ll need a car to see most of them! There are a few easy Rental Car Hacks to slash your costs that you’ll want to put to use! Here are my favorite tricks to save BIG on car rentals…
18 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars
Alli said: “Continental Congress. You can see Washington’s actual chair. Amazing!”
Vanessa said: “Take a handsome cab ride, very informational and will show you what you might be interested in seeing.”
Tonja said: “The carriage ride is great for a history lesson or to just enjoy the ride. If you are willing to drive about 1.5 hours north to Easton, PA, the Crayola Factory is there and was a lot of fun.”
Kat said: “Please Touch Museum if you have young children with you. Philadelphia Zoo. Pat’s Cheesesteak.”
Megan said: “A more obscure and eclectic activity is a tour of the city’s murals… They are really interesting and you see a lot of the city. Another fun option is dinner at the Restaurant School on Walnut? It has a neat ambiance and delicious meal for a reasonable price.”
Score Free Coffee at Starbucks! With so many things to do and explore all over town… you just might be needing a caffeine fix and a snack! There are so many Starbucks locations all around the city, so check this out…
Starbucks Money Saving Hacks
JoAnne said: “Tony Luke’s has THE best Chicken Supreme Sandwich ever! Oh ‘n if you have kids you should do the Liberty Benches. My kids loved the stories and being able to put a star on the flag they give out.”
Jane said: “See Christ Church; See the pews where Jefferson and Franklin worshiped, Franklin’s tomb, Jefferson’s baptismal font. It was founded in 1695. Then… Madcap Theatre was soooo fun! Interact with audience. Skit in American history, but hysterically funny.”
Michele said: “Tastykakes and Elfreths Alley (oldest street in America)”
Meg said: “Lots and lots to do!!! *must eat Philly Cheesesteak and have a tasty cake!! Those are freaking good.”
Jane said: “Reading Terminal Market.”
Shelly said: “Reading Terminal Market – the best soft pretzels I have ever had!”
Wanda said: “Reading Terminal… get the Pork an Broc Rabe Hero… awesome.”
Stephanie said: “Reading Terminal, Boathouse Row, Viv Pickle, and the Franklin Institute.”
Nicole said: “Termini Bros., Betsy Ross House, the mint… 12th and Shunk for Italianos Water Ice.”
{The Betsy Ross House pictured above ~ 239 Arch St, Philadelphia ~ the birthplace of the American flag}
Holly said: “Mini golf at Franklin Square, followed by ice cream from the Franklin Fountain!”
Laura said: “Smith Memorial Playground. You get in for a small donation and kids can play for hours. Best playground ever!”
Get Free Gas for Road Trips! Wherever you plan to spend time around Philadelphia, you’ll likely need to plan a road trip to see some of your favorite historical sites outside of the city. Using Free Gas Gift Cards is a frugal way to make your trip to Pennsylvania less expensive!
Free Gas Gift Cards for Driving To Historical Sites
Tara said: “Di Bruno Brothers”
Kris said: “South Street and Jim’s Steaks. You will be able to smell their goodness at least a mile away. :)”
Mary said: “Lee’s Hoagie House has the best cheese steaks.”
Joy said: “Campos for Cheesesteaks! And Shane Confectionery… oldest candy store in the US!”
Stef Ani said: “The Phillies! At Citizens Bank Park, head over to Tony Luke’s first for the best cheese steaks!”
Claire said: “Don’t know if you can go as far west as Lancaster/Amish country, but you’ll HAVE to go to Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Jim’s Steaks on South St. in Philly has the best cheesesteaks. You also have to get some Rita’s Water Ice. Notice everything has everything to do with food? Haha”
MaryAnn said: “You need to have an Italian Water Ice!”
Dee said: “The Wine Thief Bistro on Germantown Ave. Great food!”
Karen said: “Iron Chef Garces restaurant Distrito… Go for their lunch menu. Delicious…”
Dawn said: “We had a blast in Philly. Ben Franklin’s Grave at Christ Church, Betsey Ross House and loved seeing the money at The Mint. Didn’t wait in the long line to see the Liberty Bell, you can look in at it from the side of the building! Stayed at Windsor Suites… Loved it!”
Stefanie said: “A great kid activity would be Sesame Place, just 30 minutes north of Philadelphia. If you want to hit up some additional amusement parks just outside of Philly, you could check; Hershey Park… when you drive into the town you can smell the chocolate; Dorney Park with the oldest wooden roller coaster; Knoebels; and Dutch Wonderland. You can also head out to Lancaster County to get some great fresh veggies, produce and see the Amish. Have fun!”
Amy said: “Go to the Comcast Building and see the giant TV on the wall it is also the tallest building in Philadelphia.”
AND finally… Debra said: “Great food and shopping… oh and a visit to QVC – LOL!
Save Money Eating Out with these Eat Out Cheap Ideas!
Frugal Philadelphia Travel Tip: Learn How to Travel for Free or Cheap to Philadelphia! {Budget Travel Hacks}
What To Pack for Philadelphia:
Best Baby Travel Gear
Traveling with Baby? Don’t leave home without these Baby Travel Gear Essentials! I’ve taken my babies on the long flights so many times and these must-have items will make traveling with Baby so much easier!
Suitcases
Now that you’ve read through all of these incredible Philadelpia Travel Tips… are you ready to get packing for your trip? Make sure you’ve got some good sturdy luggage with wheels to take along! Fun and unique prints on luggage are always great, because it always seems like every suitcase at the airport or hotel is black, right? Someone will be a lot less likely to walk off with your luggage when it’s got a unique color or print!
Large Travel Purse
Every great trip starts with a large purse, right? I have one large purse I save just for trips, and it’s perfect for storing my Kindle, Maps, Snacks, and even my Camera! I never leave on a trip without it, and am always grateful for that extra space!
Travel Pillow
Make sleeping on those long flights a whole lot easier when you pack a comfy travel pillow!
Don’t board your plane without these 11 Carry On Must Haves! They’re a lifesaver on long flights!
Be sure to leave extra room in your suitcase to bring home some souvenirs!
So now that you’ve read these Fun Things to Do in Philadelphia with Kids, are you ready to start dreaming of more vacations on the East Coast? Get dreaming with these fun and frugal travel tips below…
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So… have YOU ever been to Philadelphia before?
What are some of your favorite Fun Things to do in Philadelphia with Kids? Or must-see sights in Philly?
Leave a comment & share!
Dee says
independence mall, the liberty bell, you need to get tickets across the street from the liberty bell to visit independence mall, Also the constitional center is close by. Along with Christ Church. The gallery, and reading terminal. Stop by Terminis and get a cannoli. There is also Amish goods on the weekend. If you are going in December stop by the light show at Lloyrd and Taylor. Call ahead for the schedule. Make a reservation to eat in the restaurant and watch the light show from a table. Then there is also the railroad museum right down the street. So many places and things to see even not in December. If you go July 4th, it is a week long celebration with free concerts leading up to the finale on the 4th, Ben Franklin freeway. Visit the Ben Franklin institute and check out the planetarium. My other favorite place is the art museum. You can be like Rocky and run those steps. If you are not able to walk or run the steps, parking is located behind the museum. I grew up in south jersey, and visited philly frequently. If you are adventurous hop on the car and travel a little out of city limits to logwood gardens, anytime of the year it is beautiful. Lancaster county, is an adventure all on its own. Visit sight and sound and see a biblical play,stay at willow valley or rent a home from the Amish,and walk to kitchen kettle. At nite you can sit on the porch and watch the Amish ride past in their buggies. Or stay on a working farm. Lots of options. Good places to eat, Good and Plenty, Shady Maple, and Willow Valley. bring your appetite. Walk off the calories at the outlets nearbye. Lots to see and do no matter what you choose.