Philadelphia

← Back to Guide

GrandkidsGuide

grandkidsguide.com

Travel Guide · April 2026

🔔

Family Travel Guide

Philadelphia

PA · Mid-Atlantic

The birthplace of the country, a world-class science museum, and the best cheesesteak you've ever had

SpringFall Ages 4–16 2 hr drive

🚗 2 hrs from Stamford · 2.5 hrs from White Plains · 1.5 hrs from NYC

GrandkidsGuide Philadelphia, PA

Overview

Philadelphia delivers a remarkable amount of American history at $0 admission — the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center are all free or nearly so. Layer in the Franklin Institute and Reading Terminal Market and you have two full days of exceptional activities that genuinely engage kids and grandparents equally.

Why Grandparents Love It

✓ The entire Independence National Historical Park is flat and accessible — cobblestones on some streets, but the sites themselves are all indoor

✓ The Old City neighborhood is compact: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, and Elfreth's Alley all within 10 minutes on foot

✓ Philadelphia is substantially cheaper than NYC and Boston for food, hotels, and activities

Highlights

 → The Liberty Bell is free and takes 30 minutes — the line moves fast, the experience is legitimately moving 

 → The Franklin Institute is one of the top science museums in the country — the Giant Heart alone is worth the trip 

 → Reading Terminal Market is the best lunch stop in Philadelphia — 80+ vendors under one roof, open since 1892 

 → The Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art are mandatory — and the museum is genuinely excellent 

Top Free Pick

🌟 Start Here

Independence National Historical Park

The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center, Congress Hall, and the President's House are all free. Independence Hall requires a timed entry ticket (also free, from recreation.gov). Walking the grounds costs nothing and the density of American history per city block is unmatched anywhere in the country.

Free (Independence Hall timed tickets required in peak season) · Ages 5+

GrandkidsGuide Philadelphia · Activities

Top Activities

Franklin Institute

One of the oldest and best science museums in the United States. The Giant Walk-Through Heart has been a Philadelphia institution since 1954 — kids crawl through a model of a human heart four stories tall. Permanent exhibits on space, electricity, trains, and the human body. A full day minimum.

$25/adult · $20 ages 3–11 ⏱ Full day Ages 3+

Grandparent note: Fully accessible, though crowded on school holidays. The IMAX theater and traveling exhibits cost extra. Buy tickets online to skip the ticket line.

Reading Terminal Market

An enclosed public market operating since 1892, with 80+ vendors selling everything from Amish butter to DiNic's roast pork sandwiches to Tommy DiNic's famous short ribs. Go for lunch — it is the best single-stop meal in Philadelphia and a genuine historic experience.

$10–20/person (meal) ⏱ 1 hour All ages

Grandparent note: Wednesday through Friday for Amish vendors. Crowded noon–1pm — go at 11:30am or 1:30pm. DiNic's roast pork is the landmark order; the Bassetts ice cream is the dessert.

Philadelphia Zoo

The first zoo in America (1874), set on beautiful Victorian park grounds. The Zoo360 free-range trails allow animals to roam overhead on mesh trails between exhibits. Kids watch big cats and primates cross directly above them.

$28/adult · $24 ages 2–11 ⏱ 3–4 hours All ages

Grandparent note: Entirely flat and stroller-friendly. The Zoo360 trails are the main draw — position yourself near any intersection and watch. Best visited on weekdays when school groups are lighter.

GrandkidsGuide Philadelphia · Activities, cont.

More Activities

Please Touch Museum

A children's museum designed specifically for ages 1–7, housed in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building in Fairmount Park. A working vintage carousel (one of the oldest in the country) is the centerpiece. Well-designed, well-staffed, and excellent for younger grandkids.

$22/person (ages 1+) ⏱ 2–3 hours Ages 1–7

Grandparent note: The best option for grandkids under 7. The carousel dates to 1908 and is in pristine condition. The museum is genuinely thoughtful about grandparent visitors — plenty of seating throughout.

Philadelphia Museum of Art (Rocky Steps)

The 99 Rocky steps are the required stop even if you never go inside. The museum itself is world-class with an outstanding Impressionist collection, armor hall, and American wing. The Fairmount Park setting is beautiful.

$30/adult · Free under 13 ⏱ 2–3 hours (museum) Ages 4+ (steps) · Ages 8+ (museum)

Grandparent note: There is an elevator inside the museum to avoid the stairs if needed. The museum alone justifies the visit but even 30 minutes on the steps and the parkway view is worthwhile.

Where to Stay

Hotel Monaco Philadelphia

Boutique Hotel · $200–350/night

Old City location, walking distance to Independence Hall and Liberty Bell

DoubleTree by Hilton Center City

Hotel · $180–280/night

Reliable, central, the warm cookie check-in is remembered by grandkids every time

Where to Eat

Reading Terminal Market

Market Hall · $

Best lunch in the city, period — see activity listing above

Jim's South Street Steaks

Cheesesteaks · $

The cheesesteak is mandatory — Jim's has the longest consistent reputation on South Street

Famous 4th Street Deli

Jewish Deli · $$

Old-school deli in the original Jewish neighborhood, the pastrami and matzo ball soup are the real things

GrandkidsGuide Philadelphia · Tips & Itinerary

Grandparent Tips

Independence Hall timed tickets are required May through October — reserve on recreation.gov at least a week ahead

July and August on the Independence Mall cobblestones is brutally hot — spring and fall are far better

The SEPTA subway and trolley are easy and cheap — consider a day pass rather than driving everywhere

South Street is excellent for an evening walk — good restaurants, funky shops, and the Magic Gardens mosaic installation ($10)

The Philadelphia CityPASS saves significantly if you're doing the Franklin Institute, Zoo, and museum

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 — American History

• Morning: Liberty Bell + Independence Hall (timed ticket, 10am)

• Lunch: Reading Terminal Market

• Afternoon: National Constitution Center or Betsy Ross House

• Evening: South Street walk and dinner

Day 2 — Science & Art

• Morning: Franklin Institute (open 9:30am)

• Lunch: Near the museum — Eastern State Penitentiary nearby (ages 10+)

• Afternoon: Philadelphia Museum of Art + Rocky Steps

• Evening: Jim's cheesesteaks

More guides at GrandkidsGuide

14 more destination guides for grandparents in the Northeast — plus a full local directory for Fairfield County, CT and Westchester County, NY.

grandkidsguide.com/travel/

Subscriber Guide