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24 Free Family Activities in Philadelphia

    free-activities-philadelphia

    We found so many free things to do in Philadelphia that your big family’s vacation budget will sigh in relief. Now don’t tell the kiddos but many of these activities and points of interest are educational. Philadelphia’s rich history will make any trip not only fun but a great way to learn about US history.

     

    Carpenters Hall
    Carpenters’ Hall – In 1774, delegates from 12 colonies (Georgia abstained), gathered at Carpenters’ Hall and voted to support a trade embargo against England, one of the first unified acts of defiance against the King.

     

    Congress Hall
    Congress Hall & Old City Hall – Constructed in 1787 – 1789 as the Philadelphia County Court House, this building served as the meeting place of the U. S. Congress from 1790 – 1800. George Washington (his second) and John Adams had their presidential inaugurations here. National Park ranger led programs are provided.

     

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    Edgar Allan Poe House

     

    Elfreth's Alley
    Elfreth’s Alley – one of our nation’s oldest residential streets, dating back to 1702.

     

    Fireman's Hall Museum - 2
    Fireman’s Hall Museum

     

    Philadelphia - Old City: Franklin Court - Ghost House
    Franklin Court – site of Benjamin Franklin’s brick home while he served in the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention and up to his death. While the original house was torn down, today the site has a steel “ghost structure” outlining the spot where the house stood.

     

    Franklin Square Fountain
    Franklin Square – one of five open public parks planed by William Penn. Centered around its beautiful fountain, Franklin Square also features the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, a miniature golf course, and the renowned SquareBurger restaurant.

     

    Independence Hall
    Independence Hall – Birthplace of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

     

    icamuseum
    Institute of Contemporary Art

     

    John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Landscape
    John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge – The refuge is managed to protect and enhance the largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania and other key habitats.

     

    Love Park
    Take a family pic under the Love Statue

    Mario Lanza Institute Museum – A glimpse at the life of America’s opera and movie icon

    Philadelphia Museum of Art – First Sunday of the month and every Wednesday after 5:00 p.m. pay what you wish

    Philadelphia Public Art self tour 

    Self guided mural tour – Explore the Mural Mile, 17 of Center City’s most iconic murals arranged along a walking route through downtown Philadelphia.

    smithmemorialplayground
    Smith Memorial playground and playhouse

     

    Spraygrounds – in the hot summer months, hit one of Philadelphia’s six spraygrounds to let the kids cool off and play

     

    Swann Memorial Fountain
    Swann Memorial Fountain

     

    28a Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial - NRHP-70000068 (E)
    Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial – Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution.

     

    Chemical Heritage Foundation
    The Chemical Heritage Foundation – learn how chemistry impacts our everyday life.

     

    Liberty Bell
    The Liberty Bell

    The Polish American Cultural Center

    The Schuylkill Center – 400 acres of woods, streams, ponds and fields and four miles of hiking trails.

    Tour the United States Mint

     

     

    Theresa Jorgensen

    Theresa Jorgensen

    Theresa Jorgensen is a mother to four children including twins. She recognized the necessity for a comprehensive resource of hotels that cater to big families with rooms and suites for 5, 6, 7, or 8 people in a single room while traveling with her own family. In 2008, she established SixSuitcaseTravel to compile a database of such hotels. Over time, the website has grown to include travel advice, itineraries, road trip suggestions, national park guides, and more. Theresa takes pleasure in assisting other big families in creating unforgettable travel experiences.