7 Reasons to Visit Philadelphia with Your Kids, Even In Cold Weather

Philadelphia, only two hours from New York City, is a great place for families, especially those traveling with young kids and grandparents. Multi-generational travel has seen big hikes in the last several years and Philly serves that market well. Here, top reasons to visit Philly now—even if the weather is still chilly. A great way to really see the city is through CityPass which offers tickets to a variety of attractions, including the Aquarium.

Family-friendly hotels

We stayed at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel (http://www.sheratonsocietyhillhotel.com/) which has a terrific location in the heart of the historic district. It’s a great home-base because many of Philly’s top attractions—Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, and Penn’s Landing—are a short walk away (ideal when traveling with older grandparents or young kids). If you’re traveling with a large family, booking a suite with a connecting double room is the way to go. It allows for plenty of sleeping options (there’s a king bed, two doubles, and a pull-out sofa), plus you’ll get two bathrooms, and a living area to spread out. If you stay on the club floor, a hot breakfast—think eggs, sausage, oatmeal, and a variety of bagels—is a nice way to start the day and the convenience of eating steps away from your room (we often ate in our PJs), was awesome.

Franklin Institute

This was my kids' favorite museum, hands-down. From the IMAX theater and special exhibits (we saw the Terra Cotta Soldiers and movie on China) to the SportsZone center (my boys loved “racing” against their favorite sports heroes), we spent six hours at this museum. Other must-see exhibits include the giant walk-through heart; the climb-aboard steam train engine, and planetarium. If you can only hit one museum while in Philly, this is the one.

Liberty One Observation Deck

Few places offer the views of Philly that the Oberservation Deck does. The floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows offer stellar views of all the big Philadelphia landmarks, plus the interactive kiosks not only tell you where you are, but give you back info on the sights.

Great Places to Eat

Philly has a lively dining scene, ranging from inexpensive family-hangouts to high-end multi-gen spots. A must is stopping at Reading Terminal Market for some of the best Philly Cheeseteaks. Of course, this giant indoor market sells everything from pickles to cheese and plenty of delicious desserts.