Fresh off its first Super Bowl win, Philadelphia’s got plenty to celebrate — including a great lineup of family-friendly activities. Whether you’re there for football in the fall, hockey in the winter or baseball and patriotic fanfare in the summer, the games are centrally located and much of the other entertainment is free or inexpensive.
No visit is complete without a trip to the Liberty Bell and, despite a history that dates back to the 1750s, there are still plenty of new developments here — including the Museum of the American Revolution, opened last spring. The massive, 118,000-square-foot space holds a huge collection of art and manuscripts from the nation’s Revolutionary period, weapons, diaries and General Washington’s Headquarters Tent. Hear the fascinating stories of the region’s and the country’s history thanks to professional storytellers outside on the 13 benches spread through Philadelphia’s Historic District, and kids who collect stamps at all 13 earn a free carousel ride at Franklin Square. You can continue your historic experience with lunch at City Tavern, where staff dressed in colonial garb present an 18th-century-inspired menu with amicable revelry. Established in 1773, it’s where the founding fathers dined and drank, and fathers — and mothers — will have something to toast here with a menu that includes local craft beers.
Cheesesteak has got to be on the menu in the City of Brotherly love, and it’s pretty fun to grab a bench and do a taste-test comparison at Pat’s and Geno’s, right across the street from each other. It’s about as gooey an indulgence as you’re going to get, so for cuisine that’s still family-friendly but a bit more upscale, check out the Victor Café; the Italian food here comes with a side of entertainment. The so-called “Music Lovers Rendezvous” celebrates its centennial this year as a music-shop-cum-restaurant that started offering songs from its waitstaff in the late 70s after an opera student/server started bringing in the tips for his vocal performances. Victor’s is also famous as a movie set in Creed and Rocky Balboa, filmed here in 2006. Nevertheless, get in the spirit of Philly’s most famous pugilist, and trek on over to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to take a picture on the steps of Sly Stallone’s most famous run.
Almost everything is within walking distance and, from here, it’s easy to adventure on over to one of the city’s most unique tour experiences: the imposing Eastern State Penitentiary. The castle-like fortress formerly held Al Capone and is purported to be haunted. From there, the budget-friendly Route 15 bus will take you to the Philadelphia Zoo, with it’s 1,300-plus critters, and you can even “drive” a SEPTA bus at the nearby Please Touch Museum with its collection of 25,000 toys. There’s a restored 1908 carousel, too.
The grand circa 1904 Bellevue Hotel harkens back to the same era, and the “Grand Dame of Broad Street” just underwent a serious renovation with 18th century-inspired furnishings, as well as art from local Philadelphia painters and photographers. The oversized rooms are just right for a bigger brood (even the “standard” has two queen beds), and the location in the heart of the city can’t be beat. The property is listed as a Historic Hotel of America, but is also part of Hyatt’s new family-friendly Unbound Collection, a rebrand effective in March 2018. It’s geared toward luxury travelers who want properties with a unique aesthetic, story and the amenities of a hotel rewards program.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedCruising
Apr 15, 2024Some of Europe’s Best Day Cruises
A week cruising along the Danube or the Rhine may be the stuff of dreams for many, but family travelers can enjoy views from the water in ways kinder to the family budget. Many riverside cities offer scenic cruises, and some Baltic or Mediterranean ports have daytrips to nearby islands or coastal attractions. In several cities you can cruise the canals, and in Switzerland you can spend a day cruising on Lake Geneva, with sightseeing stops in lakeside towns.
Sponsored Content
Travel Tips to Help Protect Your Health and Your Trip
Five Tips to Help Minimize Potential Travel Problems
Multigenerational
Apr 15, 2024Enjoy Multigenerational Travel in New York with Motto by Hilton
Family Travel Agent recently found family travel will continue to grow this year, as 81 percent of families expressed their likelihood of traveling in 2024. Of that group, more than 50 percent plan to take part in multigenerational travel. If that multigen travel is taking place in New York City, two hotels, Motto Times Square and Motto Chelsea, prove ideal options.
Cruising
Apr 10, 2024Explore Holland America Line’s “Nieuw Amsterdam’s” Kids Club
Don’t think a cruise with Holland America Line is just for adults. Aboard the cruise line’s Nieuw Amsterdam ship, a dedicated Kids Club ensures family travelers of all ages have a good time both at sea and port.
Sponsored Content
United Continues Its Global Expansion
United Airlines keeps soaring to new heights, recently announcing another expansion of its leading global route network. The airline added new non-stop flights between Newark (EWR) and Marrakesh (RAK), Morocco; Tokyo (NRT) and Cebu (CEB), Philippines; and Houston (IAH) and Medellin (MDE), Colombia. That’s not all: United also plans to increase flights to popular worldwide destinations including Hong Kong (HKG); Seoul (INC), South Korea; and Porto (OPO), Portugal. Following the recent agreement to increase flights between the U.S. and Chinese governments, the airline now adds four weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Shanghai (PVG).
Multigenerational
Apr 4, 20245 Eco-Friendly Properties to Stay at for Earth Month
Book family travel at one of these five eco-friendly properties around the world for Earth Month.
ShareThis