Last Updated on March 27, 2026 by Adrienne
We recently spent time in Philadelphia for a family event, and found a lot of fun, kid-friendly activities, along with some great food. If you too find yourself visiting Philadelphia with kids, check out my recap of our trip, including what we did and where we ate, along with some suggestions for things I would have loved to have included if we’d had an extra day.
Things to Do in Philadelphia with Kids
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell
One of the most unique things about Philadelphia is its place in American history. Many cities have fantastic zoos and science museums, but only Philadelphia has the building where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Constitution was written, so I knew I wanted to center our visit around Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
We started our exploration of historic Philadelphia at the Liberty Bell Center, which is free to visit. We had been warned that the lines might be long but it only took about 10 minutes to get inside and through security to the Bell.
Independence Hall is also free to visit, although it’s highly recommended that you reserve a tour on Recration.gov, which is $1 per person. The tour takes about 25 minutes and our tour guide was fantastic, engaging my 7 year old at a level she could understand, while also delivering lots of historical information (and fun Hamilton references).
Other kid-friendly activities in this area include the Museum of the American Revolution (which has interactive exhibits and themed play areas), the National Constitution Center and the US Mint. The park rangers have trading cards with famous historical figures and monuments on them, and my 7 year old had a lot of fun collecting them and talking to the rangers.
Betsy Ross’s House
The house where Betsy Ross (maybe) lived and sewed the first American flag is a fun place to visit kids, with actors who interact with you in character and fun play areas where kids can get a taste of life in the 1700s.
If you have younger children who may not be as familiar with American history, I highly recommend checking out some of these great kids books before visiting Philadelphia’s many historical sites. A little background reading goes a long way towards making a trip here fun and engaging instead of boring.
- A Kids’ Guide to the American Revolution by Kathleen Krull
- The Story of Benjamin Franklin: An Inspiring Biography for Young Readers by Shannon Anderson
- Independence Hall: All About the American Symbol by Jessica Gunderson
- Betsy Ross by Alexandra Wallner
The Franklin Institute
One of the premier science museums in the US that’s especially known for its giant model heart, the Franklin Institute is a must-visit if you’re in Philadelphia with kids. If you have kids in the 4-12 age range, you could easily spend the better part of a day here, but you can also get through the highlights in a couple of hours. The Franklin Institute is part of the ASTC passport program (a membership every family that likes to travel should have!) so our visit was completely free.
The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University
While I would definitely recommend the Franklin Institute if you only have time one for museum while visiting Philadelphia with kids, the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University is just around the corner and also worth a quick visit if you have time. It’s small but well-curated, including a large T-Rex skeleton. It’s also free with ASTC membership.
Reading Terminal Market
One of the oldest and largest public markets in the United States, Reading Terminal has everything from meat, cheese and produce to all sorts of prepared food and artisan crafts. It’s a must-do when visiting Philadelphia and is a great place to eat with kids because you can find something for everyone.
Other things to Do in Philadelphia with Kids
There are many great activities for kids in Philadelphia that we didn’t get to. If we’d had an extra day I would have loved to add the Philadelphia Zoo, the “Rocky steps” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Philly Mini Golf in Franklin Square (Philadelphia landmark-themed putt-putt).
Where to Eat in Philadelphia with Kids
The Love
My family had a great brunch at The Love, a trendy American restaurant in Rittenhouse Square. Don’t miss the warm chocolate chip cookie skillet dessert!
Mission Taqueria
We really enjoyed the tacos, empanadas and chips and gauc at Mission Taqueria, a popular Mexican spot.
Uncle Gus’s Steaks
You can’t go to Philadelphia and not have a cheesesteak, and I loved Uncle Gus’s, conveniently located in the Reading Terminal Market.
Bassett’s Ice Cream
We sampled several dessert places in Reading Terminal and Bassett’s was our family’s favorite.
Urban Farmer
We’ve eaten at Urban Farmer a couple of times now and it’s a solid brunch spot with options like chicken and waffles, steak frites and eggs Benedict, as well as a kid’s menu and coloring pages.
Federal Donuts & Chicken
This iconic donut shop (that also sells chicken sandwiches) has a bunch of locations across the Philly area and and we had to try it on our trip. We didn’t get to try the chicken but the donuts were great!
Where to Stay in Philadelphia with Kids
We’ve stayed a couple of times now at The Logan, a Hilton property that has a great Center City location just steps from the Franklin Institute. The convenient location, along with the fact that there’s an awesome indoor pool and a nice on-site restaurant in Urban Farmer make it a great choice for families visiting Philadelphia with kids.
Have you been to Philadelphia? What would you add to my list?
Looking for more US cities that make great weekend destinations for families with kids? Check out my recaps of our trips to San Diego, Phoenix-Scottsdale, Denver, Oklahoma City, Madison, Cincinnati, Woodstock Vermont and Atlanta.
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