Driving from Columbus OH to Philly...what to do while there and Hershey
 

We are leaving on July 5 to drive from COlumbus Ohio to PA. We will be going to both Philadelphia and Hershey and then back to Maryland to see family. We have the whole week to do as we wish from the 5th through that Sat, what would be the best way to see both of these cities and what to do while in each? There will be myself my husband our our 3 kids ages 16, 12 and 6...we all enjoy all kinds of these and arent picky...I was thinking 2 days in Philly and 3 in Hershey ..? or is there one another place we should stop for another night maybe? Also any help on hotels would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much...

2 days in Philly and 3 days in Hershey???

If you have never been to Philadelphia before, I suggest you spend at least 3 days there.

What to do in Philadelphia? Start here: http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...ure_30002.html

Check out
www.gophila.com

What to do in Philly with kids?
Independence Hall
Zoo
"Rocky" Steps at Art Museum
Reading Market
Italian Market
Liberty Museum
Please Touch Museum
Franklin Institute (Star Trek exhibit)
Academy of Natural Science (dinosaurs)
Mummer Museum
Mutter Museum (if your kids like gross and disgusting things)

And then cross the River to Camdem for
Battleship New Jersey
New Jersey Aquarium
Riverfront Garden

There really is a lot to do in Philadelphia that kids can enjoy; I'd devote one day to the history stuff alone. There's nothing like really being there to make history come alive! Hershey can really be done in one day (the amusement park and Chocolate World) or you could do an overnight there. Of course, in that general area you could also visit the State capital building or Pennsylvania Dutch (German) country, but don't skimp on your Philadelphia time. :)

One of the things that my nieces and nephews really enjoyed was a carriage ride around the historic area first; there are also the hop-on, hop-off trolleys and buses and the Duck tours for an overview of the city. But you can do so much with just walking around--that's the best way of all, I think, to see the city.

Here's a post that might be helpful: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-itinerary.cfm