101 Family Day Trips and Staycations Around Philadelphia | Kids Out and About Philadelphia <

101 Family Day Trips and Staycations Around Philadelphia

Remember, it's always best to follow each link to get details about your visit directly from your destination, since some places operate seasonally or by reservation, as well as to check each venue's COVID requirements (masks, limits, social distancing).

Free activities and splurges that are worth it. The coolest stuff for a staycation in town and road trips for less than a tank of gas from Philadelphia. Kids Out And About has tons of ideas for family travel, with places to explore, learn, and have fun!

KidsOutAndAbout is America's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families! If you don't already receive our free weekly e-newsletter, sign up today to make sure you're in the know about free stuff, festivals, classes, camps, vacation ideas, and all the best events near you!

Explore Gardens & Sculpture Gardens

Morris Arboretum
Awbury Arboretum
Bartram's Garden
Tyler Arboretum
  Grounds for Sculpture
Peace Valley Lavender Farm
Mt. Airy Lavender Farm
Hope Hill Lavender Farm

 

 

Get Wild on a Hike

  Wissahickon Valley Park
Ridley Creek State Park
Hickory Run State Park
Clarence Schock Memorial Park
Kelly's Run
Ricketts Glen State Park

 

Time Travel Today

  Battleship New Jersey
Betsy Ross House
Historic St. George's UMC and Museum
Woodford Mansion
The Rosenbach
Philadelphia History Museum
Penssbury Manor
Elfreth's Alley

 

Make Life a Beach

  Asbury Park Boardwalk
  Long Beach Island
Brigantine Beach
Stone Harbor Beach
Ocean City New Jersey

 

Splash into Some Water Fun

Clementon Park and Splash World
Deleware River Waterfront
The Funplex
Sister Cities Park
Big Kahuna's
Ernie's Waterworks

 

Spend the Day at a Museum

  Benjamin Franklin Museum
Center for Architecture 
Eastern State Penitentiary
Glencairn Museum
Independence Seaport Museum
Penn Museum
Please Touch Museum
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Brandywine River Museum of Art
American Helicopter Museum

 

Explore These Cities

  Tom's River, Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Atlantic City, New Jersey
New York City, New York
Baltimore, Maryland
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Washington, District of Columbia

 

All Aboard Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Boats!)

  Patriot Harbor Lines
Spirit of Philadelphia
Ben Franklin Yacht
The Cannibal Queen BiPlane Ride
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
Stratsburg Railroad
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

 

Grow Some Fun at the Farm

  Linvilla Orchards
Shady Brook Farm
Solebury Orchard
Solly Farm
Sugartown Strawberries
Frecon Farms
Hellerick's Family Farm

 

Play Ball!

  Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Phillies

 

Treat Yo' Self

  The Franklin Fountain
Weckerly's Ice Cream
Big Gay Ice Cream
C & C Creamery
Bassetts Ice Cream
Fairmount Flavors
Shane Confectionery
Lore's Chocolates
Sweet As Fudge Candy Shoppe
Zipf's Candies
Rocket Fizz
Muellers Chocolate

 

Connect with Nature

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Awbury Arboretum
Morris Arboretum
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
Longwood Gardens
Hawk Mountain
Green Lane Park

 

Amuse Yourself at These Amusement Parks

  Sesame Place
Diggerland
Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari
Storybook Land
Dorney Park
Dutch Wonderland
Hersheypark
The Land of Make Believe
Knoebels Amusement Park

 

Talk to the Animals

  Philadelphia Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo
Adventure Aquarium

 

Explore the Globe Close to Home

  African American Museum
American Swedish Historical Museum
National Museum of American Jewish History

 

Let's Go Chasing Waterfalls

  Hawk Falls
Ringing Rocks County Park
The Devil's Hole
Slateford Creek Falls
Nockamixon State Park
Hawk Falls, Hickory Run State Park

 

Get Active Indoors

  Altitude Feasterville
Kids at Play
Legoland Discovery Center
The Little Pod
The Little Gym

 

Challenge Yourself

Neighborhood Potters
Penelope Fox Art Studio
Engage Art Studio

 

Shop Your Heart Out

  The Shops at Liberty Plaza
Progress Plaza Shopping Center
The Market and Shops at Comcast Center
Roosevelt Mall

 

Limiting our list to 101 ideas meant some great destinations may have been left off the list - if there is something you’d like to see added, share it with us on Facebook!


Most of these destinations are within an hour from downtown Philly. For those that are a bit farther away:

             = Less than 1 hour away

          = 1 to 2 hours away

       = 2 to 3 hours away

   = Just over 3 hours away