The facts: looking for a 7-8 day vacation with myself and 2 sons ages 11-10. Thinking about either Philly, Boston or New York. We enjoy museums, zoos, historical sites and big buildings:) Amusement parks are also good. Done DC and been to Chicago 3 times so thats kind of what we are looking for.
Any recommedations on which city would be the best for us? And what would there be there to keep us occupied for that long?
Appreciate the input. Thanks in advance.
All of those cities are great. I am a Philly native, so I am somewhat biased towards that fair city. We’ve been there with our kids a bunch to visit my parents and other family, so here are a few things off the top of my head:
[ul]
[li] Franklin Institute - awesome science museum. Walk through the giant heart for a true Philly experience–I did it when I was your kids’ age almost 40 years ago.[/li][li] Philadelphia Museum of Art[/li][li] Historic downtown: Independence Hall, Franklin Court, Elfreth’s Alley, Betsy Ross House, etc.[/li][li] Eat soft pretzels, steak sandwiches, and water ice[/li][li] I’ve never been, but the Mutter Museum is supposed to be pretty interesting (not for the weak of stomach)[/li][li] Side trip up to Bucks County to Doylestown - go to the Mercer Museum if you like interesting collections of 19th century technology[/li][li] New Hope and Washington’s Crossing - also up in Bucks County[/li][/ul]
Would they be interested in Colonial Williamsburg? There’s tons Of hands-on stuff for kids, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg is right there, as is a Great Wolf Lodge, if you’re into that sort of thing.
To expand on RickG’s post, here are some more sights to see/things to do in and around Philly:
– Check out the Rocky statue and run up the steps if you go to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Enjoy the views from the top of the steps. The museum has a cool arms and armor collection, in case you didn’t know.
– Rodin Museum. Included with admission to Museum of Art.
– Academy of Natural Sciences.
– Fairmount Waterworks - right next to the Museum of Art.
– Philadelphia Zoo.
– Fairmount Park - cool to just drive around - Boathouse Row is an iconic Philly sight to see. Take in the view from the Belmont Plateau. Visit the Japanese House, drive or stroll around Laurel Hill Cemetery, have fun on the big, wide, wooden slide at Smith Memorial Playground.
– Catch a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park.
– Visit the lobby of Comcast Center to see the big HD video wall.
– Check out the Macy’s near City Hall, in the Wanamaker Building. Very cool building on the inside. Check out the wanamakers Eagle and take in a pipe organ performance. Yes, it has a pipe organ!
– Go and watch money being made at the US Mint!
– Liberty Bell and Constitution Center on Independence Mall.
– Check out Reading Terminal Market for lunch.
– Morris Arboretum.
Things to do nearby:
– Adventure Aquarium in Camden. You can take a ferry there from Penn’s Landing.
– Battleship NJ in Camden.
– Catch a Camden Riversharks game. Check out the view of Philly from the stadium.
– Visit the Jersey Shore, though I’m not sure what shape everything will be in, due to Hurricane Sandy. Morey’s Piers in Wildwood would be good for the kids. Hit the boardwalk in Wildwood or any number of other towns. If you just want a good beach, go to Island Beach State Park. There’s a per-car admission fee, but it’s a pretty place.
– Grounds for Sculpture - a very cool place in Hamilton, NJ.
– Visit Lancaster (Amish Country).
– Amusement parks: Hershey Park (Hershey, PA), Dorney Park (Allentown, PA), Great Adventure (Jackson, NJ).
– Valley Forge National Historical Park.
– Gettysburg National Military Park.
– Longwood Gardens.
Six Flags Great Adventure is an absolute must if you like amusement parks ( the type with a lot of huge rides rather than elaborate theming. They have the worlds highest roller coaster there, and a number of other rides that are no slouches. Nitro is probably the scariest ride I’ve ever been on.
And not far away is Jamestown, Virginia Wildlife Museum, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, the aquarium at Virginia Beach, and the beach.