48 Hours in Philly with Family

A quick trip to Philadelphia is highly manageable—there’s plenty to see and do. It’s a major East Coast city, but without being too overwhelming. We recently visited on a multi-generational getaway to escape the D.C. area for a long January weekend. When we made our plans, we didn’t account for the NFL playoff schedule. An Eagles home game was happening that same weekend, leaving the city packed with fans. (My son was subtle in his Washington Commanders gear as we explored.) To make the trip more interesting, we also got a heavy, but quick, snowfall. While there’s much more to experience in Philly than the conditions allowed, here’s our 48-hour itinerary in the city. It also includes one destination from a previous visit.

The Practical Takeaways

Philadelphia is highly walkable, with many museums and attractions located close to one another. The Museum of the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin Museum, and Independence Hall are all within a five-block radius, making it easy to explore them in a single day without straying too far.
While spring, summer, and fall offer great outdoor activities in the city’s parks, Philadelphia also boasts a wealth of indoor museums and attractions, making it a fantastic destination year-round.
Philadelphia’s heavy sports culture is undeniable. If you’re looking to avoid crowds, consider visiting on a weekend when the local teams are playing away games (or just prepare yourself for avid Philly fans!).

Things to Do

Museum of the American Revolution: Our visit to this museum was timely for many reasons, one of which was that my 6th grader gained insights for a Boston Tea Party project she’d been working on at school.

Both kids enjoyed exploring the daily lives of children from that era, especially through the personal interactions at the “Living History Demonstration Cart” and the engaging, kid-friendly discovery center on the lower level. We were also impressed to see George Washington’s actual tent, displayed after watching a fascinating film about its history.

Franklin Institute: Set aside hours to spend in this interactive science and technology museum. From the sports and movement room to the brain exhibit, our kids were actively engaged in experiential learning.

We also enjoyed the planetarium, although younger kids may have a hard time sitting still during the shows. Most notable is the giant heart that you can walk through – I distinctly remember visiting it when I was a kid as the experience helped me understand heart disease in my family a few years later.

Benjamin Franklin Museum: Tucked away in a hidden courtyard, this small museum offers a glimpse into the life of Benjamin Franklin, showcasing his many interests, discoveries, and professions. The exhibits are interactive, featuring a wealth of artifacts along with engaging touch screens and games he enjoyed. Our favorite part was the print shop, located in an adjacent building, where we watched live demonstrations of Franklin’s printing process and learned about the mechanics of his trade. As a side note, I recommend listening to the podcast Young Ben Franklin with kids – it prepared us for our visit and gave the kids background on the printing press.

Independence Hall and Liberty Bell: Sadly, there is not a lot I can write about here. These popular destinations were closed because of inclement weather. We managed to see the Liberty Bell through the windows without going inside (this is not the recommended way to see it!).

We also were able to quickly go to the Independence Hall Visitor Center – though to be honest, there isn’t a whole lot to see in the Visitor Center except a small exhibit, information desk, and gift shop. Clearly we need to go back to fully experience where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed.

Morris Arboretum & Gardens: We visited Morris Arboretum during the height of the COVID pandemic, when we were eager to find spacious outdoor destinations to meet family halfway between DC and New York. What we discovered was far beyond our expectations. The arboretum is not only beautiful to walk through, but it also boasts a treetop canopy walk with playful features, as well as willow branch tunnels and sculptures that are a hit with kids. Though it’s 30 minutes northwest of downtown Philly, the trip is well worth it, and it’s conveniently close to the charming Chestnut Hill neighborhood, packed with shops, cafes, and the Market at Fareway.

Where to Eat

Reading Terminal Market: I had difficulty deciding if this belonged in the “things to do” or “where to eat” category because, really, it’s both. Visiting Reading Terminal is a must, offering everything from cheesesteaks to baked goods, fresh produce to seafood and meats. I’d recommend going for breakfast or at an off-hour to avoid crowds (we did not do this – it was slammed at lunchtime and we had difficulty finding a table).

El Rey: This lively Mexican restaurant near Rittenhouse Square has a fun ambiance and great food. I recommend the guacamole sampler and the Prickly Pear Pisco Punch to start. Also, it’s part of the Steven Starr Restaurant Group, any of which are good options when visiting Philly.
Wilder: Located near Rittenhouse Square, Wilder is an upscale restaurant that delivers decadent, unique flavors in a cozy, inviting atmosphere. We visited during a heavy snowfall, which meant the restaurant was quieter than usual, allowing the staff to give us extra attention. They treated us to an array of appetizers and hot drinks to help us stay warm. Highlights included the pull-apart rolls and a fig-and-burrata dish. For dinner, I opted for the brisket lasagna with chestnut puree—an unexpected yet delicious combination. Despite its upscale vibe, Wilder was incredibly accommodating to our children, who enjoyed sharing bucatini and drinking hot apple cider. Reservations are highly recommended, unless, of course, it’s snowing heavily!

Helpful Hints

For this most recent trip we stayed at the Kimpton Palomar. The location was great and there was a nice social hour in the small lobby in the late afternoon. It was extremely full when we stayed there because of Eagles fans attending the playoff game, which led to very slow and crowded elevators. I would recommend the hotel because of the location near Rittenhouse Square and lots of shopping, but there are also plenty of other options in the vicinity.
If your kids are younger, they will enjoy the Please Touch Museum. We went when our daughter was 18 months old, and it was a great age to visit.
If we had more time and it wasn’t snowing we would have explored the Philly Magic Gardens and National Constitution Center. This list also doesn’t include any of the incredible art museums that Philly has to offer, such as the Barnes Foundation or Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Looking for some other East Coast cities to visit? Check out my posts on New York City and Washington, DC.