Visiting Philadelphia was never on my radar until a few years ago when my husband was sent to the area for a work trip and I decided to tag along with our then two children ages 15 months and 2 years old. We stayed in a suite which is fantastic for longer-term family travel and just outside of the city so it made it more affordable for a two week stay. We absolutely loved it and were eager to return again. We went back for a 2-night visit this past March during our holidays and continue to be amazed with the amount of family friendly activities and places to explore in a city that is known for it’s nightlife and history.
Things To Know Before You Go To Philly
Before ever visiting Philadelphia I had no idea that it was similar to NYC when it comes to traffic in the downtown core. I was expecting more of a Toronto vibe and similarities when it comes to traffic and events. Busy but manageable. Pick your hotel so you are either in the heart of it all and able to walk/uber to everything you need or enjoy some more space outside of the city and plan to drive in to park for the day while you explore. The public transportation system or Uber will become your best friend if you are planning to venture out and cover a large amount of ground. Make sure to bring comfortable shoes!
What else do you need to know?
- You will never go hungry. Seriously. There are soooo many amazing places to eat and drink.
- You will get to see many historic places so make sure your phone battery is full to capture all those great photos!
- Think Philly isn’t a place to bring your kids? WRONG! And below I share why you definitely want to explore this city with your kids!
- Parking is super expensive. See above…get ready for public transportation, Uber or your own two feet.
- It is super easy to get to from the Ottawa area. Not even a full days drive and you are there ready to explore!
- Hotels downtown can be $$$ but convenience of a downtown hotel can also pay for itself when it comes to travelling around. We have stayed both downtown and on the outskirts of the city. Both are great and each served it’s own specific purpose.
- You will LOVE it! Seriously, get there! We have been twice and will definitely be back to explore more!
Where To Stay
On our latest trip we stayed at the Sheraton Society Hill and it was extremely spacious and family friendly. I was a little apprehensive staying right in the heart of Philly when it came to a hotel, as we were travelling as a family of 5. Our room had 2 beds and had lots of room for a cot, allowing for the kids to move around freely. We were close to the water with a great view and the lobby was gorgeous with lots of seating (and Starbucks coffee!). This is a boutique hotel that was originally built in 1828 and the setting reminded me of being in Quebec City or France.
The first time we visited Philadelphia we stayed at the Staybridge Suites in Glen Mills and it was equipped with a full kitchen, plus they had evening cocktail hour and appetizers (always great for kids who want to snack non-stop and parents who want a moment to catch up over a drink!). It was only a short drive to downtown Philadelphia which was extremely manageable with young children.
You have to choose what feels best for you and your family. During our two week stay we stayed in Glen Mills (and probably saved about $700 in just daily parking) at a hotel that also allowed us to have access to a full kitchen in our suite which we find is a necessity when gone for that long with young children. Our quick trip in March for 2 nights we decided to stay downtown because we wanted to have access to everything within just a short walk or few minute drive.
Let’s Talk Food!
Reading Terminal Market– WOW! I thought I was experienced when it came to busy places and local markets, but Reading Terminal Market is like nothing I have ever explored. We visited here for lunch and the kids were absolutely amazed with all that there was to offer and the amount of people. Tip? Ditch the stroller and definitely baby-wear if you are travelling with a little one. Our 3 year old rode around in the Toddler Tula while I held our middle child’s hand and we kept a close eye on our oldest. We found delicious calzones and pizza and a spot outdoors to enjoy it. Feeling a little overwhelmed and not sure what to grab to eat? This great blog post from Visit Philly shares their top places in the market! With more than 80 merchants selling fresh food, produce, meats and cheeses, as well as other treats you definitely won’t leave hungry!
Coffee & Drinks!
There are so many delicious coffee shops in the Philly area. If coffee is not your thing (I am not sure how it couldn’t be by the way!) then check out the many amazing places within the historic district for drinks, juices and more! The Franklin Fountain is a Victorian inspired ice cream salon and has delicious milkshakes, sundaes and fountain drinks. Looking for some delicious komboucha? Inspired Brews where small amounts of seasonal batches, are created is the brainchild of a lawyer and a designer. Stripp’d Juice is the place to stop if you are looking for non-GMO ingredients for organic fresh pressed juices and açai bowls. Coffee? Yep…if that’s what you are looking for, you and me can be BEST friends! ICI Macarons & Cafe has you covered with delicious pastries and fresh coffee.
Attractions You Don’t Want To Miss
Franklin Institute – This hands on science museum is full of science and technology and will keep your kids exploring and asking inquisitive questions! My favourite? Exploring through the “Brain” and “Heart” exhibits. My kids thought I was a little nerdy because I just can’t get enough when it comes to human anatomy and physiology. Did you know that this was one of the nations first hands-on science museums? Neither did I! But it’s definitely worth a visit!
Please Touch Museum– This is definitely one of my all time favourite kids museums and we have been to many. I think Orlando beats it out…but just by a bit! You can easily spend a full day here playing and exploring!
Sesame Place – I think this place is one of my all time favourite places. I had no expectations when we visited Sesame Place a few years ago with our then 3 year old and 16 month old, but was curious to see what it was all about. WOW! We were so impressed with Sesame Place. This place is PERFECT for toddlers and preschoolers and we are definitely heading back here so our youngest can also experience it. We spent two days here and it was the perfect balance. We were able to see everything without feeling rushed or with too many crowds. The water park area was a great refresh as well! The best part? Watching our children’s faces light up!
Adventure Aquarium – Not only is the drive over the bridge to New Jersey lots of fun for kids, but one of the best places to get a fantastic view of Philly over the water and see the skyline is from NJ. Head to Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ while you are there.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University – this museum covers four floors and has live butterflies, a digger zone for kids to dig for fossils and a chance to explore the world of mammals. This museum is great for a quick visit with the kids, but don’t expect for it to be a day long event. This is a great place to pop into and let the kids explore in between shopping and meals. This museum is also just a few blocks away from the Franklin Institute so we went here for a quick visit and then popped over to explore longer at the Franklin Institute.
Philadelphia Zoo – Yes! Right in the City you can find some beautiful space and land that is dedicated to the Philly Zoo. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of space that was at this zoo and the kids had a great time exploring. There were tons of things for the kids to do on our visit (we went in June the last time we attended) and our oldest still talks vividly about this trip and asks when we will return for a visit.
Philadelphia City Pass – On our first visit to Philly we purchased this City Pass and loved having the flexibility of visiting some of the fantastic local attractions at our own pace and for an amazing price. This was definitely the most economical way for our family to visit all of the attractions that we wanted to see.
*Disclaimer- our second trip back to Philly (March 2018) was sponsored by Visit Philly and some of the local attractions. As always what we share are our own opinions. xo
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