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Whether you are heading out for a family vacation or going home from a family visit, spending the day at the Philadelphia Airport with the kids is probably not on your list of fun things to do. The airport is nice, but you cannot keep kids busy there all day.
Why not take them outside the airport to see Philly?
No matter how old the kids are, there are plenty of attractions nearby that all of you can enjoy. Whether you are interested in teaching them a bit of history or just want to have fun, you can find it in Philly. Drop off your luggage at a suitcase storage site near the Philadelphia Airport and go have fun with the kids.
Philadelphia Zoo
Everyone loves the cute creatures, so make sure you visit the animals at the Philadelphia Zoo. Located on the Schuylkill River, it was the first zoo in the United States, and they have been open since 1874 with over a million visitors per year.
Now they have about 1,300 animals in more than 340 species on 42 acres. One of their unique features is the Zoo360 trail system. It includes five trails where the animals can travel through the park on suspended mesh tunnels. Besides all the animals, they also have a lake where you can rent paddle boats, a carousel for everyone to ride, and a rope course that will challenge all of you.
Please Touch Museum
Many kids may roll their eyes when you tell them you are going to a museum, but not this one. The Please Touch Museum is fun for everyone but is mainly geared toward teaching kids seven years and under about science and other fascinating things about the world around them.
Some of the permanent exhibits at the museum include Wonderland, Storytime Cabin, Rocket Room, Roadside Attractions, River Adventures, the Please Touch Garden, and Imagination Playground. You can also ride the 1908 Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel and get some awesome souvenirs at the gift shop.
Sesame Place
No matter how old you are, you have probably heard of Sesame Street or one of their characters like Big Bird or Elmo. Close to the Philadelphia Airport, you and the kids can visit Sesame Place, which is a theme park with 27 rides including two coasters and nine water rides. It is the first theme park based completely on Sesame Street.
The park has nine themed areas including Twiddlebug Land with Sky Splash and Slimey’s Chutes, Elmo’s World with Peek-a-Bug and Elmo’s Cloud Chaser, and Cookie’s Monster Land with Monster Mix-Up, Flying Cookie Jars, and the Monster Clubhouse. And don’t miss the shows like Elmo the Musical and The Magic of Art.
Kid’s Castle
The only castle built especially for kids in the world, Kid’s Castle is a popular place for kids 12 and under to explore an 8-story castle and play with a variety of other fun structures in this huge park. There is a pirate ship with slides and a rope challenge, a Tot Structure with a Tic Tac Toe Panel, drum panel, and solar climber.
The Jet Spring Rider and Boat Spring Rider are fun to bounce around and the Neos 360 has games, buttons, and panels. The RockBlocks and ZigZag slides are perfect for all the kids to climb on and the Playweb has a variety of activities like the Cozy Cocoon, Nature Sounds Panel, the Vine Climber, and Drop Zone.
Treetop Quest
If you and the kids are not afraid of heights, the Treetop Quest is a fantastic place to test your skills in the trees. Maneuver from obstacles to trees on zip lines, rope swings, and bridges as you learn to do new adventurous activities. You can join the kids on all of the courses in the park so you don’t get left out.
They have five courses that include the Chick Pea Course for kids four to six years old, Level One is the beginner course for kids seven and up, Level Two is a family challenge for kids and adults seven and up, Level three is a zip line course for those seven and up. And Level Four is for those 12 and up who are really adventurous.
Philadelphia’s Adventure Aquarium
Do not miss the Adventure Aquarium while you are in the area where they have more than 15,000 aquatic creatures to see. In fact, they have the largest collection of sharks in the northeast. From the Little Blue Penguins to the Nile hippos, you and your family will love seeing all of these fascinating animals.
You will be amazed at the chocolate chip sea star, and you will even see Dory the blue hippo tang, and Nemo the clownfish. The giant Pacific octopus is always available for selfies, and you will all get to touch the nurse shark and rays. If you have time, get a behind-the-scenes encounter with the hippos or sea turtles.
Fairmount Park
With over 2,000 acres, Fairmount Park is an excellent place to spend the day. Some of the park’s main features include the trails and waterfront but you can also find a lot of historic information there. It was Philly’s first park and in 1876, over 10 million people gathered there for the nation’s Centennial Expo.
The park has several Colonial mansions in the park where you can take tours and the kids may actually enjoy the Philadelphia Museum of Art too. The Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is another popular feature, and you should definitely not miss the Schuylkill River Trail where you can get some exercise.
And don’t forget about eating while you’re close to the Philadelphia Airport!
Wherever you go in Philadelphia, you have to find a place to eat where everyone can get what they want. Take the kids to the Reading Terminal Market where they have 26 restaurants. Choose from Beck’s Cajun Café, By George! Pizza, Down Home Diner, Hunger Burger, and many more.
Take this advice, and you’re sure to enjoy your next visit to Philadelphia.
You might also enjoy reading:
New York City: In A Day and On A Budget
How To Homeschool Your Kids And Actually Enjoy It
Children’s Safety While Traveling: 10 Things We Do and Don’t Do
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