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Family-friendly: Attractions
History, science and art come to life
Quick history lesson
Philadelphia is the place where democracy was born. It was here that the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were created. And, it is here that history is preserved on the streets, in the architecture and among the people. In other words, it’s impossible to leave Philadelphia without learning something.
Families can walk down the cobblestone street of Elfreth’s Alley, the nation’s oldest continuously occupied residential street, to see the homes where carpenters, sea captains and blacksmiths once lived; they can see one of the greatest symbols of freedom at the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall (both free); or they can catch a performance by Colonial re-enactors at the Betsy Ross House, former residence of the beloved American flag seamstress.
While touring Philadelphia, visitors will also encounter many firsts: the first independent hospital in America, Pennsylvania Hospital; the first art museum and school of fine arts, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; the first American theater, the Walnut Street Theatre; the first natural history museum in the Western Hemisphere, the Academy of Natural Sciences; and the first museum built to house a private collection, the Mercer Museum – to name just a handful.
Hands on fun
But, while steeped in history, these attractions are far from antiquated. In fact, interactive, immersive 21st-century experiences (the kind computer-savvy kids just love) can be found all around the Philadelphia region at the Independence Visitor Center, at the brand new Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field, at the The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and at countless museums and attractions.
Learning about history is a given in Philadelphia, but it’s certainly not all there is to learn. Weekend programming at the city’s many cultural attractions is big business here, giving kids the chance to explore their interests in art, music, dance, gardens, animals and even bugs!
Family programs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) allow parents and children the chance to get in touch with their inner Picasso. Each Sunday, the PMA hosts activities that encourage exploration and creativity for all ages. Similar programming is offered at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts on Saturday mornings, when the museum is alive with the sounds of children participating in anything from drawing classes to art-making workshops.
At the Academy of Music, the littlest music maestros can sharpen their listening skills during Sound All Around with award-winning storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston and members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Those with a penchant for the dramatic will enjoy post-show talks with the actors after children’s performances at the Arden Theatre Company, while dance devotees (and even those with two left feet) will relish the spontaneity of a Friday night movement workshop with the Group Motion Dance Company.
On any given weekend, children can explore the gardens at Morris Arboretum with a horticulturist, get up close with exotic animals at the Philadelphia Zoo, or experience what life is like for new Navy recruits at the Independence Seaport Museum. And, that’s just the beginning.
Want to see the city from a bird’s eye view? Travel to the top of City Hall for a breathtaking view of Center City. It’s free! Interested in seeing how potato chips and popcorn are made? A Herr’s Snack Factory Tour fits the bill perfectly. A priceless experience, yet it’s free – and even includes snacks! In the mood for a concert at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts? Family concerts on Saturdays don’t
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