Philadelphia
Center City
Franklin Square - Popular with families, in the square find a carousel (decorated with eagles), playground, cafe for lunch and snacks, picnic tables.
Play mini-golf with landmarks of Philadelphia - Liberty Bell, Franklin Bridge, Elsfreth's Alley, Independence Hall.
African American Museum - This museum is a great place for kids to see African-American art, history and culture. Don't miss the Conversations Hall, "Audacious Freedom," a multimedia experience about African-Americans in Philadelphia from 1776 - 1876 - family, work, religion, law, politics. The exhibits change in the temporary exhibits, we enjoyed videos about the enslaved immigrant experience from Africa, to today.
Reading Terminal Market - This large indoor market is always very busy, and an experience in itself. Watch doughnuts rolled by hand and then fried, buy Amish baked goods, oatmeal cookies, lemon bars, try a local specialty - chocolate covered pretzels. The market has a wide variety of eating options - deli and diner dishes, seafood, bar-b-que, Thai, Middle Eastern, salads, hoagies (sandwiches) and Philly cheesesteaks.
City Hall - Walking through the city center, standing on Broad St. you can't help but notice this extraordinary building, Philadelphia City Hall. Completed at the end of the 19th century, the city hall was once of tallest buildings in the world
City Hall tower is topped by an immense bronze statue of William Penn, founder of Philadelphia. Also on the tower are four clocks, and statues of a Native American warrior and dog, Native American woman with a child, Swedish woman holding a child and lamb, Swedish settler and boy, and four bronze eagles. (Bring binoculars to see the statues better up close.)
City Hall has an outdoor observation deck, ride a small six person elevator to the top for bird's city views.
One Liberty Observation Deck - The tallest building in Philadelphia, One Liberty enclosed observation deck has panoramic views in all directions. Kids will enjoy the speedy elevator ride that zips up 57 stories in a flash. And two modern Ben Franklin statues - giant feet at the bottom, large geometric green Franklin head sculpture on the observation deck.
Rittenhouse Square - And old square, where once cows and sheep grazed. Today, there are benches, grass, flowers, and charming statues of a lion stepping on a serpent, girl holding a duck, a large frog, two dogs, and "Billy," a fluffy goat, shiny because so many children have petted the bronze statue.
This is a charming residential neighborhood, with lots of cafes, restaurants, food shops to put together an impromptu picnic. At Christmas time, there's a big tree and lights in the square.
