Philadelphia is one of America’s most fascinating cities for families because every cobblestone and brick reeks of history.
Over a two-day weekend, I was struck by how much we learned about America by just walking in and out of the remarkable museums of the Historic District.
The city’s oldest section, much of it dating to the early 1700s, comprises important landmarks between Front (or 1st Street) and 7th Street, and from Vine to Lombard. Beautifully preserved colonial homes still stand between Front and 2nd Streets, from Chestnut to Walnut Streets, for a closer look.
Before you head out a for a walk, share some of these intriguing stories with your kids.
1. President Woodrow Wilson’s second wife, Edith Bolling, claimed to be a descendant of Pocahontas and renamed a four-masted sailing barque Mosholu, which means “one who fears nothing” in the Seneca language. We learned this on that Moshulu, now a restored tall ship moored at Penn’s Landing that serves excellent seafood and steak in a dress-up atmosphere. Their casual upper deck bar is a great place to orient all ages to the city.
2. Samuel Fraunces was a Jamaican-born restauranteur nicknamed “Black Sam.” His popular lower Manhattan place, Fraunces’s Tavern, was a favorite haunt of the Revolutionaries, especially General George Washington. When Washington moved to the new capital of Philadelphia as president, Black Sam came to run the staff and, from 1791-94, they lived together in the Presidents’ House. The house foundation can be seen today at 6th and Market in Independence National Park.
3. The Franklin Fountain has been serving ice cream, floats and house-made sodas since 2004 in a building that is much older. They credit Philadelphian Dr. Philip Syng Physick, considered the “father of American Surgery,” for flavoring the soda water he gave patients and inventing the first soft drink in 1807.
4. Jacob Graff may have been America’s first Airbnb host. He rented two rooms to Thomas Jefferson of Virginia on the top floor of his red brick house in June 1776. Within three weeks, Jefferson had completed writing the Declaration of Independence. Be inspired by the reproduction rooms at Declaration House, 7th and Market Streets.
5. In 1838 at age 13, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper began to educate herself while working as a servant in a Quaker household. She grew up to be a teacher, writer and noted poet yet faced discrimination because she was of African descent. We heard how that realization launched her career as a public speaker, abolitionist, Christian leader and suffragette from a life-size video re-enactor at the African American Museum of Philadelphia.
6. Ben Franklin was the da Vinci of his time. A respected printer from Boston, he also discovered the Gulf Stream, experimented with electricity and was a Founding Father who worked on both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution – the latter when he was 81! There is much more to learn at the fascinating Ben Franklin Museum in Franklin Alley.
7. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” These words from the Declaration of Independence, while accepted and ratified by the Continental Congress, caused great anxiety among the Founding Fathers, most of whom were slave holders. Dive deeper into 18th-century morality at the Museum of the American Revolution.
8. The Oneida Nation of Native Americans was loyal to the Revolutionaries’ cause and fought alongside colonists throughout the American Revolution. According to the Museum of the American Revolution, their crucial assistance was given in exchange for having their lands returned, but it never happened.
9. Martha Washington’s personal slave, Oney Judge, escaped from their Mount Vernon estate and successfully fled to New Hampshire when she heard that she was being given to Martha’s beloved grandchildren. It is one of many stories told through video re-enactments at the President’s House.
10. When President John Adams and his wife Abigail, both abolitionists, moved into the President’s House in Philadelphia, they had no slaves. They employed four servants of both European and African descent and paid wages themselves, as the new United States government would not cover household expenses.
11. Hot chocolate comes in flights. At the ca. 1911 Shane Confectionary, the nation’s oldest operating chocolatier, roasted cacao beans are pounded by hand and melted over a burner to produce cocoa. You can try several flavors, plus historic buttercreams, at their vintage store on Market and 1st Street.
12. Liberty, and the concept of living life as you choose, has been fought over throughout history, something the National Liberty Museum makes clear. This small museum feels like a Hall of Fame of those who fought for freedom, and shares many powerful lessons for school-age children.
There’s much more to see and do with the family in Philadelphia. While some attractions are free or low-cost, a Philadelphia CityPASS provides discounted admission to the top places, both inside and outside the Historic District. For more information and current hotel packages, please go to VisitPhilly.com.
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Are you ready for a Road Trip? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.!
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I love spending time in London. I think if you want to spend time out of the city, Brighton is also a great place to visit, especially as it’s close by. There are a number of family-friendly hotels, too, like The Brighton Hotel:
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It’s a steam excursion train, shorter ride, probably many kids on board. This would be better suited to younger children. Much better choice for the under-12 set.
Ralph
Originally created as a recreation area for employees of the Hershey Chocolate factory, today Hershey Park boasts plenty of chocolate paraphernalia, as well as roller coasters and a water park. Tickets include admission to the nearby ZOOAMERICA. Originally owned by the Knott’s jam producers, Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park is one of the older parks in the US, Knott’s Berry Farm is a classic for those looking for thrill rides, water rides and family fun.
Hi Ralph, thank you for your reply. I haven’t booked it yet as I had similar reservations that since it’s an 8-hr journey, it will not be wise to take the kids at this age but would love to take them on a shorter train tour, I’m currently looking at the Jacobite express (here in the UK).
Hello Zeb,
For children under 10, It would simply be too long a day in too confined a space for them, might get a little boring for them after the first 20 minutes; it’s an eight-hour journey.
If they are active, there isn’t a lot of room to run around on the train, which is smaller than the ones we are used to here in the U.S.
If you have already booked a space, and will have toddlers or young children, suggest you bring lots of things to keep the little ones entertained.
Ralph
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Have been to Switzerland but missed the Glacier Express, I’ve heard it really one of the best train journeys in the World with amazing mountain/alps view. Is it good to travel with kids 7 and 4 years old) too, since it’s 8 hours long?
Sunlight, particularly in late summer and fall, sets off the production of anthocyanin. Cloudy weather dampens production and leads to less colorful displays. Many scientists argue that warming temperatures do not have much to do with the intensity of color, only with its timing: when it appears and how long it lasts. But Howard Neufeld, a professor of biology at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, said climate change could eventually affect the complex processes in leaf senescence and lower anthocyanin production, dulling the autumn reds.
Gladiator School – My new favorite thing to do in Rome. We did this on our last trip to Rome and both kids and adults absolutely loved it. Instructors are great. Highly recommended. Book far in advance. (Pictured above.) Walking Tour: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill – Excellent guided tour of Ancient Rome. Skip the line to enter all three sites. Very kid-friendly.
Deer Valley caters to families with kid-friendly skiing, child care programs and a limited child-to-instructor ratio. Because Deer Valley sells a limited number of daily lift tickets, tiny tots and pint-sized groms have plenty of room to work on their pizza wedge and French fries. Other amenities include a Children s Center, Adventure Camp and furry mascots on the Adventure Trails. I grew up skiing here and learned to love the mountains and snow at this resort. The amenities are top notch and the food is amazing. As a young kid, when the skiing got tough, I would always head inside and get delicious food and hot cocoa. See more Deer Valley reviews here .
Fall is very busy in the mountainous regions with the influx of leaf peepers from the New England area, around the United States and the world. In these extremely popular areas, you ll want to make lodging reservations at least several weeks ahead, especially on weekends. Columbus Day weekend (Oct 7-9, 2017) is another time in which advanced booking is advised throughout the region.
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Traveling to other cities with your kiddos? Don’t miss Curbed’s maps of the best family activities
Good to know : West Valley is open daily from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Apples are $0.85 a pound. Follow their Facebook page for updates on U-pick apples. And be sure to bring containers for their popular juice pressed right on site!
Minneapolis, Minnesota is a great pick for outdoor-loving families thanks to kid-friendly (and free) favorites like the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home to more than 40 outdoor works of art
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The K Bar S Lodge, built in 2006, is located a short distance from Mount Rushmore. It is quietly secluded on 31 forested acres and away from busy streets. Battle Creek winds its way throughout the property and the large meadow in front of the Lodge is often a playground for deer and turkeys. As a single traveler it was so fun to be with this group. It s much nicer to be with others when you share a great experience or see something wonderful. And, it s safer than traveling alone. I m hooked on Road Scholar.
Rockefeller State Park offers seasonal activities including hiking, running, bird-watching, fishing ( New York state fishing license required), picnicking, horseback-riding, carriage-driving, photography, painting, and geocaching (park permit required). Sleepy Hollow and neighboring Tarrytown have a deep immigrant history resulting in a rich mix of cuisines: Italian, Greek, Mexican, Indian, French, Portuguese, Irish, Japanese, Dominican, Chinese, Ecuadorian, Thai, Moroccan, and Chilean. Foodies should not miss the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow farmers market at Patriots Park where you ll find fresh Hudson Valley produce, meat, bread, and wine.
Speaking of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, don t miss out on seeing the Rockettes show-stopping leg kick precision chorus during the holidays at Radio City Music Hall.
Jimmy Buffet s restaurant is a short walk from the Comfort Suites Paradise Island Hotel and Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. What could be better than eating a literal Cheeseburger in Paradise? Pairing it with a yummy margarita, of course.
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Make sure you check out the new sustainable Christmas Market in Berlin!! Its located by Hacksnshiremarkt!
What s more exhilarating than seeing the city from 108 floors above the world-famous Las Vegas Strip? Jumping off it. Strap in and face your fear as you jump off the side of SkyPod at The STRAT.
Have you ever dreamed of creating your own ice sculpture? The Quebec Winter Carnival has just what you’re looking for! Bring your group to our Ice Sculpture Workshops under the guidance of a team led by none other than Marc Lepire, chief sculptor of Bonhomme’s Ice Palace! During this one-hour event, you will learn the workflow of master sculptors and enjoy the unique experience of carving your own solid ice block with your group of 2 to 4 people. Free all-you-can-drink hot chocolate will keep you warm throughout the frosty fun.
When you’re travelling with your kids, indoor-fun options are a must no matter what the season. Montreal saves the day with all kinds of activities, from adventurous physical feats to skill-testing games and educational entertainment.
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We have traveled through several airports in Germany but never Munich. We will keep Munich on our list for the next trip through Europe since it sounds like the best place to have a stop over with kids. Thanks for the review and the information for kids to do in Munich Airport.
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