Greetings,
My husband and I had a wonderful weekend in Philadelphia last year - just shopping, dining, and a great jazz club! This year we are bringing the kids (pre-teens) in for just a day trip. I don't want to wait in that LONG line to see the Liberty Bell, BUT what would you consider a Don't-Miss activity? Anything in particular that well-travelled young-teens would enjoy? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Beth, Not sure when you are planning to visit, but the Franklin Institute is a great museum. In addition to exhibits there is a great movie theater. Check their website; sorry, but I'm not sure of the address. South Street is always entertaining. Reading Terminal market is neat, but be sure to visit it thurs-Sat when the Amish are there -- great baked goods etc! Hope you enjoy you're trip!

Thanks, Nanci! Sounds great. What will we find on South Street?

I wholeheartedly concur with Nanci. The Franklin Institute is great for all ages, also check out the Museum of Natural History and Science (or something like that), it's about two blocks from the Franklin Institute. The Reading Terminal Market is great and has food for everyone. Be aware that the market is closed on Sundays.

As a former teenager who spent time in Philly. Please don't drag them to the Art Museum, it's wonderful for adults, but mostly a form of torture on younger viewers. Seeing the historical sights in Old City is good too, but I can't say that the kids will love it too much.

check out this website. they have every bit of information about Philly.

http://www.gophila.com/

Thanks! This was very helpful. Now, does anybody know which department store has the huge pipe organ recital daily? And do you know what time it's played? Thanks in advance!

The organ is in the old Wannamakers which is now Lord and Taylor. Just across from City Hall.

Concernts are at 11:15 a.m. and 5 or 5:15 p.m.

Try the Lights of Liberty sound and light show in the historic area. Tickets are available across the street from Independence Hall.

Thanks Linda! Someone also said there is some sort of Xmas show that starts after Thanksgiving. Do you know the scoop on that?
Susan, I saw that Light show advertised last year, but couldn't find any more about it now on the internet. Is it an indoor or outdoor thing? Can we buy tickets that day? Thanks for any more detail you can provide!

The art museum is wonderful and only you know if your children would consider it torture. My daughter LOVES the art museum, although I am willing to concede that she may be the exception to this. I do think that you need to prepare a child for a trip to an art museum with a little bit of information, perhaps make it a treasure hunt with a list of things to find in the paintings (a dog, a boat, etc. and see how many things they can find on the list.)

Philadelphia is one of my favorite cities, although I moved away from the east coast and haven't been back in a couple years. I hope you have a wonderful time... There are several websites for things to do in Philly. One of my favorites is http://www.phillyfriend.com

Beth: Check out lightsofliberty.org for full info on the Lights of Liberty show. The Philly Flash makes a full loop around the city and is a good (and inexpensive) way to see the city. It takes about an hour to make the full loop and you can hop-on and off if you like. Check out Elfreth's Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited street in America, very quaint. Enjoy.

South Street is a place the kids will like. It's a sort or wacky collection of bars, shops and people, the kind of place you go to get your body pierced or buy homoerotic and sado-masochistic paraphernalia. Teenagers think it's cool.

(If you're looking for deals on homoerotica or s/m stuff, let me know. I get a volume discount.)

The fact that your kids are pre-teens may be a very good reason to avoid South Street... I personally don't like the area, but each to their own.

Just thought of something else to do that the whole family might like... take a horse drawn carriage ride, they offer historical tours like this. They look like fun, I wish that I had done this on my last trip to Philly.

BETH -
The christmas light show is a sentimental favorite of mine, and many Philadelphians. I have been going to it every year since I was born - literally - and I am 32 now. My parents used to take us, and we all loved watching it. It is in the old Wanamaker's building (now lord and taylor). It is free and shows (which are 15 minutes long) run regularly (pretty much every hour depending upon the time of year). You can just go the main lobby, and the next show time will be posted. I introduced my husband (then b.f.) to it 6 years ago, and his first reaction was that it wasn't what he had expected - I think I had hyped it too much. Over the years, though, he has grown to enjoy it as much as I do. A non-philadelphian friend of mine described it as a giant lite-brite show (it is at least 3 stories in height) - which it kind of is to some extent, but that doesn't do it justice. Maybe it is the child in me, but I think it is well worth seeing it. OH, get there at least 20 min. ahead of time to be able to sit on the floor to watch - the only "real" way to see it (despite the kink you'll get in you neck!)

By the way, the light show is on a giant curtain on top of the pipe organ--so if you are there during xmas season, you won't actally see the organ. The Lite Brite description is absolutely perfect! Plz don't expect a big laser show or anything like that---I think the shows endurance is based in nostalgia for those of us that grew up with it.

Hi, Beth!

For anyone's first visit to Philadelphia, I would suggest spending at least some time in Independence National Park. Stop at the visitor's center on Third Street near Chestnut Street and pick up a map of the area. Depending on how much time you wish to spend, stay for the orientation film, then walk to some of the sites and enjoy the atmosphere of the historic area. (Maybe the lines at the Liberty Bell or Independence Hall won't be t-h-a-t long!) Or go to Franklin's post office on Market Street to have your postcards hand-cancelled with Ben's signature imprint. Access also through Franklin Court from Chestnut Street (the interactive museum is below ground level and Franklin's 'ghost house' rises above it.)

http://www.nps.gov/inde/

I second other recommendations you have received--organ concert/light show, Franklin Institute, Reading Terminal market. (I'm with Maggie when it comes to South Street.)

And I'll recommend a hidden treasure not on many lists. (Okay, maybe it's not a children's attraction, but this won't take long...) If you are at Independence Hall or at the building which is the headquarters for the Lights of Liberty show, it's only a few steps to the Curtis Building on Sixth Street where you enter the lobby and marvel at the iridescent magic of the Parrish/Tiffany mural, Dream Garden.

Thanks again everyone! I think we have our day trip planned! How about this:
Reading Terminal Market upon arrival; bite to eat.
Lord and Taylor's for (Xmas) organ.
Independence Hall tour about, and possibly Curtis Bldg lobby! The Light show ends in October.
Betsy Ross house and Elfreth's Alley. Shops and restaurant for dinner.
I think we'll have a great day walking about and exploring Philadelphia! I appreciate everyone's help!

If you are going at Christmas time your kids might also enjoy the Christmas Carol set-up at Strawbridges department store. It's not a huge deal but it's cute. It's a a number of diaramas telling the story of the Christmas Carol. Strawbridges is right on Market St., I think around 8th St. The SEPTA trolly museum (not much of a museum really) is also on Market and at Christmas has a small layout of trains with a Philadelphia/winter motif. Worth a quick stop if you're on your way down Market.