We'll be going to Philly for the weekend, I need to catch part of a conference, but most of Saturday and Sunday I'll be able to spend with my wife and kids (6 yr old boy, 2 yr old girl).

What are the one or two things we really ought to do?
(Staying at the Hilton Garden Inn on Arch St)
Thanks in advance,
Dan
www.familyroadtrippers.blogspot.com

Definitely take the kids to the Franklin Institute. The seven year-old will love it, and there is a lot going on to keep the two year-old occupied.

Have fun!

Everybody who visits Philly should see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. For children that age you might want to skip the tour inside the former, and just view it from the outside. You can go into the Liberty Bell Pavillion and get just a couple meters away from it.

If you're lucky, you may run into "Ben Franklin" or maybe even "George Washington."

The children may enjoy the Duck Tour. WE took my niece and nephew when they were about that age and they got a real kick out of going from the streets right into the water.
There are also several walking tours of the city. Franklin Institute is great for the 6 year old.

Definitely go to Reading Terminal Market on Saturday morning. This is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds, and your kids will be fascinated. It's right across from the Convention Center around 10th and Arch.

The kids may also like the Please Touch Museum and/or the Academy of Natural Sciences.

I had certainly planned to visit the Liberty Bell, especially since we just saw a replica at Disney World a few weeks ago (http://familyroadtrippers.blogspot.c...gdom-blog.html). And Ben Franklin and George Washington may stumble by? Like Captain Cook and Goofy did in the Magic Kingdom? That would be pretty cool.

And the Franklin Institute soun ded like a good thing to do. We'll put them at the top of the list.

Is Philly a walking city?

Oh, Philly is a very walkable city.It's one of the things that people often mention as being very likable about it.

I've never seen GW, but Ben Franklin does wander about.

My friend was just telling me about her trip to Philly last summer. Her boys absolutely loved the Eastern Penatentary & a battleship on the Jersey side (sorry I don't recall the name of the battleship)

the ship is , the New Jersey. you can take a ferry to camden to see it, but the Franklin Institute would get my vote along with liberty bell, and reading terminal. there is also the philly zoo but that is a drive from center city (probably 20 min to 1/2 hour depending on traffic.

There is a great website
www.digphilly.com

It has sections on all aspects of Philadelphia....restaurants, activities, hotels, etc.

Also try www.gophila.com They list all events going on in the city and also hotel and restaurant information.

Thanks for the input. I'll give a quick report when we get back.

Dan
www.familyroadtrippers.blogspot.com