Please Touch Museum (website)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Please Touch Museum is definitely a kid-centered museum in everything they do! My daughter still asks to go to this museum. In fact, every time we say we are going to a museum she ask “it is a touch museum or a look museum?”
She squealed with delight when we told her she could touch everything in the museum. She was three and a half when we went and absolutely loved it — we could have spent a whole day in the museum. We literally dragged her away kicking and screaming. The museum is two floors and full of different exhibits. There are exhibits featuring trains, groceries, cars, buses, the Wizard of Oz, woodland creatures, water tables, and many more. It even a carousel you can (pay extra) to ride.
Each of the exhibits are well done and done with great detail. They didn’t miss a beat in creating any of the exhibits! My daughter loved the carousel and the grocery store exhibit the most. She had so much fun picking out and talking about food with us. I couldn’t believe how many great questions it sparked in her! It was definitely a great learning experience for her.
The Please Touch Museum is located a little out of the city-center, but easy to access on many of the bus lines. The building itself is also historic and gorgeous. We had such a fun afternoon in the museum — we will definitely be back when we return to Philadelphia! I highly recommend it to families with young kids (likely best suits kids under 8ish).
Liberty Bell (website)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Liberty Bell is a must see in Philadelphia. Entrance to the Liberty Bell is free on a first come, first serve basis and does not require tickets. That said, you can imagine the lines to enter are long during high tourist season. I recommend an early morning viewing before you do the Independence Hall Tour (or another nearby museum — there are a number to choose from within walking distance of the Liberty Bell).
The walk-through museum leading up to the Liberty Bell is well done and informational, but very text-heavy. We went when my daughter was three, and while she enjoyed seeing “the big bell thing,” the historical importance and text-heavy information was lost on her. As a history enthusiast, I really enjoyed the museum aspect and seeing the Liberty Bell in person. We had a short wait since it was rainy and early in the morning, so it was very worth it! Likely, the Liberty Bell is a better fit for school-age children who have talked about it in school and/or who can read the museum panels. Overall, it’s worth the stop! We followed up our visit with a tour of Independence Hall.
Independence Hall Tour (website)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Independence Hall Tour was very well done and informational. My husband, brother, and I really enjoyed hearing more about the history of Independence Hall and its significance during the Revolutionary War, while my daughter (three at the time) enjoyed seeing the old chairs/artifacts, rooms, and running around the square outside of the Hall. The tour was much more interesting (and dare I say accurate) than much of what I remember learning during school. I especially think middle and high school students would like the tour, artifacts, and grounds. It was expertly done and well worth the time we spent there.
The tour itself was about 45 minutes long, if I remember correctly. Tickets are needed to enter, but are available for free at the Independence Visitor Center (located a few blocks away from the Hall itself). You can also reserve tickets in advance for a very small fee, which is what we did (I think it was about $6.00 USD total for one child and three adult tickets — worth it for us to guarantee when we could do the tour).
Reading Terminal Market (website)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We loved, loved, loved Reading Terminal Market! It is HUGE and very centrally located within the city center! A mostly inside market, Reading Terminal Market is full of food vendors and tiny shops. It is not open late, but is the perfect morning stop for coffee and a doughnut (one of the best doughnuts I’ve ever had was at Beiler’s Doughnuts within the market) or a quick stop for lunch (yum, philly cheesesteaks!).
The market becomes more crowded later in the day, but the people watching and food tasting is endless. For those cooking in Philly, Reading offers a bakery, produce, fresh meat, and other grocery-related items. For those eating in, you can get philly cheesesteaks, Asian fare, burgers, and much more. My daughter (age three at the time) requested to go each morning for a doughnut and to feed Philbert, a fundraising pig statue at the center of the market. We were in Philly for a few days visiting my brother and I think we went to Reading almost every day. I highly recommend going at least once if you are traveling to Philadelphia!
