The Greater Philadelphia area is a great place for children of all ages. Whether you have a day, a week, or a lifetime, there is plenty to see and do.

Difficulty Level: Easy      Time Required: one hour to one day

1. Visit the Academy of Natural Sciences on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. See the dinosaurs, nature exhibits and much more.
2. Spend a day at the Franklin Institute Science Museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Don’t miss the popular walk through human heart, the Fels Planetarium or the Tuttleman Omniverse IMAX Theater.
3. The Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill, NJ is a hands-on museum for children up to 10 years of age, offering larger-than-life, kid powered, interactive exhibit areas.
4. Explore Independence National Historical Park. Don’t miss Carpenter’s Hall, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell or the nearby Betsy Ross House and Franklin Court.
5. Don’t miss "Lights of Liberty" the new sound and light show that opened to rave reviews in July 1999 in Independence National Park. You are guided through events in the American Revolution, as they happened, where they happened.
6. The New Jersey State Aquarium and Children’s Garden is just a ferry ride away across the Delaware River. Their huge Ocean Tank features lots of sharks and other fish.
7. America’s first zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo, in Fairmount Park, is a great place to spend a day. Be sure to catch the new Peco Energy Primate Center. For young children the Children’s Zoo offers great fun.
8. For families with young children under eight years old, the Please Touch Museum on 21^st Street offers a cultural and educational hands-on experience.
9. Sesame Place, located in nearby Bucks County, is a theme park featuring live Sesame Street characters, water rides, shows and much more for children of all ages. Take a self-guided tour of the US Mint located on Independence Mall East. Sorry, there are no free samples.

1. The Franklin Institute is a one of a kind experience unlike what you will find in any other city. Don't miss it.
2. If you're going to the New Jersey Aquarium, take the ferry. It's a fun experience on its own.
3. If you live in the area, check into a Philadelphia Zoo membership to save some real money on your admission.
   

Related Features:

• Philadelphia museums
• Philadelphia Historic Sites
• Philadelphia Zoo - Peco Primate Reserve