Category: Things to do with kids in Pennsylvania

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

This 1,000-acre preserve, located just one mile from the Philadelphia airport, is a great place to get away from the high tech world with your children. The refuge is a way station for more than 300 species of birds (including bald eagles), along with fox, deer, muskrat, turtles, fish, frogs, and swaths of beautiful wildflowers. Established to protect the last 200-acres of freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania, it’s a terrific place for a walk along shady, well-maintained trails. There are exhibits on wetlands and local history at the visitor center and guided walks on weekends.

Contact number: (215) 365-3118

Location: 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19153

Learn more here.

Fairmount Park

The world’s largest urban park, Fairmount Park sprawls more than 4,400 leafy acres, with extensive hiking, walking, and biking trails, the city’s first art museum, Memorial Hall, and the soon-to-be home of the Please Touch Museum. Take the children to feed the ducks in Valley Green, do some trout fishing (with a license) in Wissahickon Creek or mountain bike along scenic Forbidden Drive. Tricycles are better suited to West River Drive, which is closed to car traffic weekends from April through September. If you really want to impress the kids, don’t miss the Whispering Benches that flank Memorial Hall, two serpentine benches which magically conduct sound from one end to the other, even at the level of a whisper.

Contact number: (215) 683-0200

Location: 4231 North Concourse Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131

Learn more here.

Bartram Gardens

Follow in the footsteps of early visitors George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson to America’s oldest botanical garden, a 45-acre horticultural gem not far from downtown. This National Historic Landmark overlooks the Schuylkill River and includes the 18th century home, barn and farm buildings of naturalist, botanist, and explorer John Bartram. The children will have fun going on a treasure hunt for the oldest living Gingko tree, or spying the different buildings that mark the Philadelphia skyline which you’ll see from the riverside meadow trail.

Contact number: (215) 729-5281

Location: 54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Learn more here.

The Melting Pot

Kids love to dip, which is why children love the Melting Pot, the fondue eatery that presents bubbling cauldrons of cheese, broth, and chocolate along with fun stuff to dip; like bread, fruit, shrimp, and steak. There is a children’s entrée that has a little bit of everything on the plate, or order one of the cheese fondues, which are perfect for sharing.

Contact number: (215) 922-7002

Location: 1219 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Learn more here.

Reading Terminal Market

 

There’s something to tempt all the children at this vibrant indoor city market, home to more than 80 merchants and vendors housed in the city’s former commuter train shed. With older kids, why not give them an allowance for lunch and turn them loose after making a meeting point at one of the market’s common dining areas. They’ll be able to choose between everything from souvlaki and fried seafood, to sushi and burritos, cheese steaks, and hot roast beef.

Contact number: (215) 922-2317

Location: 12th Street and Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Learn more here.

Natural Goodness Market and Café

If your child has recently sworn off meat, this crunchy café is the perfect stop. Choose between fresh fruit smoothies and juices, organic eats, natural products, homemade soup, and faux meat dishes like a yummy tempeh Reuben.

Contact number: (215) 977-7749

Location: 2000 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Learn more here.

Johnny Rockets — Philadelphia

Munch along with the oldies at this 1950s-themed burger joint on South Street, which features triple thick shakes and malts, a great grilled chicken sandwich, french fries, and cheeseburgers hot off the grill. The retro-diner chain, which started on Melrose Avenue in LA, delivers food fast on paper plates; a touch which you and the children will appreciate.

Contact number: (215) 829-9222

Location: 443 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Learn more here.

Franklin Fountain

If the children are screaming for ice cream, head to Franklin Fountain in Old City, an old fashioned ice cream saloon run by brothers Ryan and Eric Berley. Specialties include handmade ice cream, banana splits, thick shakes, sundaes, and flavored soda water. Try the Franklin mint chip — named for you-know-who — an all natural blend of white peppermint, green crème de menthe, and dark bittersweet chocolate chunks.

Contact number: (215) 627-1899

Location: 116 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

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Pietro’s Coal Oven Pizzeria

Located on South Street and in Center City’s chic Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, Pietro’s Coal Oven Pizzeria puts out pizza with a thin, crispy crust, thanks to the heat of its coal-fired ovens. The children will love the pizza and you can dine on freshly made pasta dishes and salads. Now that’s the best of both worlds.

Contact number: (215) 733-0675

Location: 121 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Learn more here.

Hard Rock Cafe — Philadelphia

Rock and roll rules at the Philly outpost of this international chain, but the food won’t let you down either. The children will love the mac and cheese, but there’s also chicken tenders, caesar salad, and barbecue; even the veggie burger is good. And you’ll have fun talking rock history and looking at Madonna’s bustier, Bob Dylan’s motorcycle, and Buddy Holly’s sport coat, among other treasures.

Contact number: (215) 238-1000

Location: 1113-31 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Learn more here.