Anonymous wrote:Sesame Place is a fun waterpark. And, Crayola Factory is so unique-lots of amazing things there!

BIG NO to both of these. OP's kids are too old and these are too far for such a short trip. Skip.

Stay in Rittenhouse so you can walk to Reading terminal, Chinatown, Liberty Bell, restaurants. You could also walk to the Art Museum but depends on your kids. Do Franklin Institute and you can also walk there. Skip the Aquarium and do the zoo. If you have any energy left stop at Longwood on the drive back to DC. My kids were not that impressed though.

Franklin Institute is great. We did spring break in Philly when my kids were 7 & 10. The science museum right by the Franklin does reduced tickets if you go at 3p? (check time on their website). The US Mint has free self-guided tours that we thought were neat. It's walking distance from the Liberty Bell.

Your kids are too old for Crayola and Please Touch.

Go to Franklin Institute.
Franklin Square has fun mini golf.
3 nights is enough if you are worried about cost.
Stay in a central area- there are so many hotels to chose from, we cannot advise without budget or if you have a chain preference.

It sounds like you don't travel much? Have you ever traveled with your kids before? 3 Hours is not a long car ride with kids of that age. You can stop for lunch on the way. Philadelphia is really as easy a trip as can be with those ages.

Sesame Place is a fun waterpark. And, Crayola Factory is so unique-lots of amazing things there!

Definitely just get an EZ pass. Stick on car and forget it.

What aquarium??
The New Jersey one?

I have been to Phila. Many times. First, try one of the Pizzeria Vetri restaurants. Good for kids and adults. Interesting pizzas plus more. One near the Barnes. One near Rittenhouse Square.
Second, take the kids to Magic Gardens on South Street, no more than $10 per adult. Several houses covered in mosaic! Very fun. But does not take much time.

The Liberty ?bell, Chinatown, National Constitution Center are additional possibilities. Enjoy.

Anonymous wrote:Get the EZ Pass. Such a simple thing that makes a huge difference in time saved and overall ease of travel.

+1 we use ours all the time even locally like a lot of the VA toll roads, Baltimore tunnel etc. Why wouldn't you get it?

Get the EZ Pass. Such a simple thing that makes a huge difference in time saved and overall ease of travel.

Have gone twice with kids, this thread sums it up. And the PP that suggested using AI is right on.

Philly is a day trip or a weekend trip.

A road trip entails driving a very long distance and breaking up the drive with pit stops or overnights along the way.

Having said that, this thread has highlighted the various activities.

Don’t do the duck tours, unless you don’t mind killing someone, dying yourself, or supporting a company that does.

Are the Phillies in town? Great baseball experience.

Find a ghost tour. I did that with my DS when he was about 10.

Make sure you stop at Reading Terminal Market, greatest food hall in the country.