Philadelphia delivers a remarkable amount of American history at $0 admission — the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center are all free or nearly so. Layer in the Franklin Institute and Reading Terminal Market and you have two full days of exceptional activities that genuinely engage kids and grandparents equally.
✓ The entire Independence National Historical Park is flat and accessible — cobblestones on some streets, but the sites themselves are all indoor
✓ The Old City neighborhood is compact: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, and Elfreth's Alley all within 10 minutes on foot
✓ Philadelphia is substantially cheaper than NYC and Boston for food, hotels, and activities
→The Liberty Bell is free and takes 30 minutes — the line moves fast, the experience is legitimately moving
→The Franklin Institute is one of the top science museums in the country — the Giant Heart alone is worth the trip
→Reading Terminal Market is the best lunch stop in Philadelphia — 80+ vendors under one roof, open since 1892
→The Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art are mandatory — and the museum is genuinely excellent
🌟 Start Here
Independence National Historical Park
The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center, Congress Hall, and the President's House are all free. Independence Hall requires a timed entry ticket (also free, from recreation.gov). Walking the grounds costs nothing and the density of American history per city block is unmatched anywhere in the country.
Free (Independence Hall timed tickets required in peak season)·Ages 5+
Franklin Institute
One of the oldest and best science museums in the United States. The Giant Walk-Through Heart has been a Philadelphia institution since 1954 — kids crawl through a model of a human heart four stories tall. Permanent exhibits on space, electricity, trains, and the human body. A full day minimum.
$25/adult · $20 ages 3–11⏱ Full dayAges 3+
Grandparent note: Fully accessible, though crowded on school holidays. The IMAX theater and traveling exhibits cost extra. Buy tickets online to skip the ticket line.
Reading Terminal Market
An enclosed public market operating since 1892, with 80+ vendors selling everything from Amish butter to DiNic's roast pork sandwiches to Tommy DiNic's famous short ribs. Go for lunch — it is the best single-stop meal in Philadelphia and a genuine historic experience.
$10–20/person (meal)⏱ 1 hourAll ages
Grandparent note: Wednesday through Friday for Amish vendors. Crowded noon–1pm — go at 11:30am or 1:30pm. DiNic's roast pork is the landmark order; the Bassetts ice cream is the dessert.
Philadelphia Zoo
The first zoo in America (1874), set on beautiful Victorian park grounds. The Zoo360 free-range trails allow animals to roam overhead on mesh trails between exhibits. Kids watch big cats and primates cross directly above them.
$28/adult · $24 ages 2–11⏱ 3–4 hoursAll ages
Grandparent note: Entirely flat and stroller-friendly. The Zoo360 trails are the main draw — position yourself near any intersection and watch. Best visited on weekdays when school groups are lighter.
Please Touch Museum
A children's museum designed specifically for ages 1–7, housed in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building in Fairmount Park. A working vintage carousel (one of the oldest in the country) is the centerpiece. Well-designed, well-staffed, and excellent for younger grandkids.
$22/person (ages 1+)⏱ 2–3 hoursAges 1–7
Grandparent note: The best option for grandkids under 7. The carousel dates to 1908 and is in pristine condition. The museum is genuinely thoughtful about grandparent visitors — plenty of seating throughout.
Philadelphia Museum of Art (Rocky Steps)
The 99 Rocky steps are the required stop even if you never go inside. The museum itself is world-class with an outstanding Impressionist collection, armor hall, and American wing. The Fairmount Park setting is beautiful.
$30/adult · Free under 13⏱ 2–3 hours (museum)Ages 4+ (steps) · Ages 8+ (museum)
Grandparent note: There is an elevator inside the museum to avoid the stairs if needed. The museum alone justifies the visit but even 30 minutes on the steps and the parkway view is worthwhile.
Hotel Monaco Philadelphia
Boutique Hotel · $200–350/night
Old City location, walking distance to Independence Hall and Liberty Bell
DoubleTree by Hilton Center City
Hotel · $180–280/night
Reliable, central, the warm cookie check-in is remembered by grandkids every time
Reading Terminal Market
Market Hall · $
Best lunch in the city, period — see activity listing above
Jim's South Street Steaks
Cheesesteaks · $
The cheesesteak is mandatory — Jim's has the longest consistent reputation on South Street
Famous 4th Street Deli
Jewish Deli · $$
Old-school deli in the original Jewish neighborhood, the pastrami and matzo ball soup are the real things
1
Independence Hall timed tickets are required May through October — reserve on recreation.gov at least a week ahead
2
July and August on the Independence Mall cobblestones is brutally hot — spring and fall are far better
3
The SEPTA subway and trolley are easy and cheap — consider a day pass rather than driving everywhere
4
South Street is excellent for an evening walk — good restaurants, funky shops, and the Magic Gardens mosaic installation ($10)
5
The Philadelphia CityPASS saves significantly if you're doing the Franklin Institute, Zoo, and museum
•Morning: Liberty Bell + Independence Hall (timed ticket, 10am)
•Lunch: Reading Terminal Market
•Afternoon: National Constitution Center or Betsy Ross House
•Evening: South Street walk and dinner
•Morning: Franklin Institute (open 9:30am)
•Lunch: Near the museum — Eastern State Penitentiary nearby (ages 10+)
•Afternoon: Philadelphia Museum of Art + Rocky Steps
•Evening: Jim's cheesesteaks
More guides at GrandkidsGuide
14 more destination guides for grandparents in the Northeast — plus a full local directory for Fairfield County CT, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk County NY.
grandkidsguide.com/travel/