Philadelphia & Pennsylvania

Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Questions
  • Lodging in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania
  • Philadelphia with a six year old
  • Philadelphia with 10 year old

Lodging in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania

Sept 2012

Our family of four is taking a trip to Pennsylvania the week of Thanksgiving. We will be driving from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, stopping at Fallingwater and Gettysburg along the way. I would appreciate any good suggestions for lodging near either of those places and in Philadelphia itself. We could do your basic hotel but prefer something a little more personal if available and not terribly expensive. Thanks! Heading east

Have you looked at Extended Stay America? They have lodging with kitchenettes, which makes it easy with kids, who often get hungry between restaurant stops. You can prepare breakfast and simple meals. We stayed in them in other cities twice this year and the prices were reasonable. love to travel

Philadelphia with a six year old

April 2007

I am going to Philadelphia with my six-year-old girl this May. Can anyone suggest places to see for a two-day visit? Thanks, Deborah

You should plan to go to the Franklin Institute -- a young person-oriented science museum with lots of hands-on exhibits. It's really a wonderful place for all ages (well, post 4). It's bigger and better than the Exploratorium, and just does a lot more. I think the King Tut exhibit is there now, but it's very big, so there's always lots to do, and the permanent exhibits are terrific.

Also, this website has more info about kid-friendly activities: http://www.gophila.com/C/Your_Philadelphia/14/Family_friendy_Philadelphia/264.html

former philadelphian

Philadelphia with 10 year old

March 2007

I am going to Philadelphia with my 10 year old in mid April and I am wondering about some interesting things to do, and some interesting neighborhoods to see. We have already done the Franklin Institute and the mint on a previous visit.

I grew up in Philly and have a great fondness for it. The art musuem is beautiful, if you think your child is old enough. Valley Green is a beautiful spot in Fairmount Park where you can feed the ducks, go for a bike ride or a hike, they also have a restaurant. Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Betsy Ross House are all within walking distance of each other and definitely worth a visit. Have fun! alice ------------------------------------------- I haven't lived there for over a decade but we did go back with our little ones (1 & 5) last year.

I'd suggest seeing Independence Hall & the new museum & then walk over to have lunch at the Reading Terminal - yum & interesting to see the Menonites from Lancaster County with their farm goods and baked goods.

I'd also spend some time just roaming Old City (2nd & Race, etc.) The Betsy Ross house, the Quaker cemetery are all there.

Not sure how well your child does in museums, but the Philadelphia Museum of Art has an amazing collection.

South Philly is a fun walk through another culture if you're not from back east - a taste of a Little Italy, Queen's Village, etc. And, Rittenhouse Square is good for shopping.

Finally, the Muter Museum is gross - a weird collection of medical supplies, random body parts (like the piece that connected the Chinese Siamese twins.) Kids who like gross love this place. Have fun!