Kid-Friendly Vacation Ideas in Philadelphia, PA

Ride the Ducks Sightseeing Cruise

On the water

You'll spend about 20 minutes seeing Philadelphia from the water.

Philadelphia is often associated with its rich and vibrant historical heritage; however, visitors will quickly discover there are a variety of attractions to keep kids educated as well as entertained during their sojourn here. From the rather interesting and unique Ducks to strolling down Sesame Street itself, you will not only be able to keep your kids from being bored but may just find that you feel like a kid yourself again.

Ride the Ducks

Kids will love taking a tour of the city in this truly unique sightseeing opportunity. Visitors are first taken on a tour throughout the city and then make their way out into the Delaware River at Penn's Landing in an incredibly amazing vehicle. Your kids will be delighted and amazed and probably beg you to take them on the tour more than once.

Sesame Street Place

Sesame Street Place is a theme park located just 30 short minutes outside of Philadelphia. Based on the much beloved children's television program, the park encompasses 16 acres and features a wide variety of rides and attractions. While several of the rides in the park are water rides, there are also a number that are dry rides as well. The entire Sesame Street cast performs in a lively parade twice per day; providing plenty of opportunities for taking photos and seeing Big Bird, Elmo, Bernie and all of the others up close and personal.

Academy of Natural Sciences

This museum is certain to be a hit with the kids, especially as they come face to face with some of the most ferocious creatures in history inside Dinosaur Hall. Be sure to have the camera ready as you approach the tyrannosaurus rex skull, which kids are invited to climb inside. Other activities include the chance to dig for fossils and even try on real claws and horns.

New Hope and Ivyland Railroad

Take the kids on a ride they will certainly not forget anytime soon. An old-fashioned passenger steam trains takes passengers on a tour of the past. While your kids might roll their eyes at history, they will no doubt enjoy the opportunity to ride on a real train. The open-air car will provide you with a chance to completely enjoy the astounding Rushland Trestle as the train rumbles across it. Your kids might even learn a thing or two as well, as the guide discusses what it was like to travel in the past.

Philadelphia Zoo

Take a walk on the wild side at the Philadelphia Zoo. Known as America's First Zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo was the first zoo to be chartered in the United States in 1859. Today it is home to more than 1,300 different kinds of animals and includes a wide variety of habitats. Many of the animals who make their home in this zoo cannot be seen in other zoos. They include lemurs, rare white lions, coati, pygmy marmosets, giant anteaters and okapi. The zoo also features a number of rides and exhibits kids are certain to enjoy include Swan Boats that take visitors out across the water.