FAQs: Philadelphia Region

What are the top five activities for your teen near/in Philadelphia?

It was hard to narrow our faves to just five activities, but this list has a mix of some of the places unique to the city. If you’re just visiting, make time to learn a little about the city’s rich history by checking out the Constitution Center or Independence Hall and wandering along the original alleys of Old City and Society Hill. 

1. Spruce Street Harbor Park: Located on the Delaware River waterfront, the Spruce Street Harbor Park is a seasonal urban oasis offering a blend of relaxation, food and entertainment. Swing in a hammock under the trees in The Grove, try axe throwing or listen to live music.
2. Museum of Illusions: Have a mind-bending experience at the Museum of Illusions. This interactive museum features a collection of optical illusions, holograms, and immersive experiences that trick the eye and challenge perception.
3. Franklin Square: One of the city’s original five squares, Franklin Square offers a blend of history and attractions like the Parx  Liberty Carousel, street curling, and a one-of-a-kind mini golf course. Home to the renowned SquareBurger, this space also hosts many festivals throughout the year, including the Chinese Lantern Festival.
4. The Lab Comedy Theater: This indy venue showcases performances from stand-up to improve, providing a platform for established and emerging comedians to share their work. The Lab Comedy Theater also offers classes and workshops for kids and adults.
5. Philadelphia’s Haunted History & Ghost Nighttime Tour: Wind through dimly lit streets and historical sites while learning about eerie legends, ghosts, and documented accounts of supernatural encounters. Guides share stories about restless spirits, unsolved mysteries, and the darker side of Philadelphia’s history.

What are the top cultural activities for teens in Philadelphia?

In a world increasingly dominated by screens and fleeting trends, experiencing culture offers a vital connection to something deeper: a chance to expand our horizons, ignite our imaginations, and understand the diverse tapestry of human expression. These activities made our list because they’re inclusive and sensory-friendly.

1. Philadelphia Orchestra: The Philadelphia Orchestra delivers performances of classical and contemporary music. It offers Saturday morning sensory-friendly performances in the Academy of Music ballroom — a more relaxed atmosphere for families.
2. Academy of Natural Sciences: One of the oldest natural science institutions in the Americas, the Academy of Natural Sciences features exhibits on dinosaurs, animals, and the natural world. It also offers special “Access to Science: Opening the Doors to Autism” events designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum and their families.
3. Adventure Aquarium: Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ, features diverse aquatic life, including an impressive shark collection, the only hippos in the U.S., and a cool underwater tunnel. Its F.I.S.H. (Family Inclusive Special Hours) nights offer reduced crowds and adjusted sound and lighting to create a more sensory-friendly environment.
4. Brandywine River Museum: Chadds Ford’s Brandywine River Museum showcases American art, especially the work of the Wyeth family, in a converted gristmill overlooking the Brandywine River. It also offers “Sensory-Friendly Saturdays,” designed for families with children on the autism spectrum or those with sensory sensitivities.
5. Museum of the American Revolution: The Museum of the American Revolution tells the story of this historical period through its collection of artifacts, immersive exhibits, and narratives. It brings to life the key events and diverse perspectives of this pivotal moment in U.S. history. It also offers Relaxed Experience Mornings, which provide a calmer, less stimulating environment with softer sound effects and brighter lighting.
6. Kimmel Center for Performing Arts: The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is a world-class venue that hosts many performances, including classical music, Broadway shows, and dance. Throughout the season, they offer select performances designated as sensory-friendly.
7. Philadelphia Museum of Art: This landmark building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway houses a vast collection spanning centuries and cultures, from Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary art. It also features rotating exhibitions and educational programs. 

What are the best Philadelphia outdoor activities for teens?

The city has over 60 parks and more than 160 miles of trails for outdoor fun. You may even see people riding horses in Fairmount, Pennypack, or Iroquois parks! FDR Park has a great skatepark, too.

1. Independence Blue Cross RiverRink: The Independence Blue Cross RiverRink offers year-round entertainment, dining, and scenic waterfront vistas. In the summer, the RiverRink transforms into Summerfest, featuring activities like roller skating, a carousel, a Ferris wheel, and mini golf. In winter, the venue shifts to Winterfest, converting the space into an ice skating rink—the city’s only regulation-sized outdoor rink.
2. TopGolf Philadelphia: Topgolf’s state-of-the-art technology enhances your experience. Relax in a comfortable, climate-controlled bay, enjoy a game, and order food and drinks at your leisure.
3. Treetop Quest Philly: Teens can experience the thrill of ziplining and navigating treetop obstacles at Treetop Quest Philly in Fairmount Park. Open seasonally from spring to fall, this adventure park offers 60 challenges and ziplines across five difficulty levels.
4. Tyler Arboretum: Tyler Arboretum, one of the region’s oldest and largest public gardens, has 17 miles of trails. Visitors can explore the seven-ringed Meadow Maze labyrinth, engage with nature at Discovery Stations, and discover historical landmarks listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
5. Schuylkill River Trail: Stretching 30 miles from Center City Philadelphia to Parker Ford, PA, the Schuylkill River Trail offers a scenic and popular recreational route for cyclists, families, runners, and walkers. Winding through Valley Forge National Historical Park and Montgomery County, it attracts over 20,000 people annually.
   

What are the best Philadelphia indoor activities for teens?

While they didn’t make our list, the city has some great escape rooms and arcades worth checking out, too. 

1. Puttshack: This technologically advanced miniature golf course provides a unique entertainment experience. Puttshack features nine holes, live performances, and a complete food and beverage menu.
2. Queen & Rook: Queen & Rook Game Cafe in Philadelphia’s Queen Village has a library of 1,200+ games and puzzles. It has a dedicated analog game room, restaurant, and retail game shop, and it hosts various events and youth programs. It’s expanding to add wood-fired pizza and a retro video game arcade.
3. Loomen Labs: Loomen Labs provides a modern and sustainable approach to candle making. Offering sessions that incorporate planter, candle, and perfume creation, you can design your own signature scent in our unique eau de parfum creation workshop or get a candle-making kit to take home.
4. SPIN Philadelphia: SPIN Philadelphia offers a unique social experience centered around ping-pong. With its graffiti-adorned walls, live DJs, themed cocktails, and a distinctive bathtub filled with plastic balls (perfect for photos), this venue provides a lively atmosphere.
5. Arden Theatre Company: The Arden Theatre Company provides a special opportunity for teens aged 13-18 to experience live theater through their Teen Nights program. Attendees can enjoy a mainstage production and participate in a post-show discussion with the actors, gaining unique insights into the performance.

What are the best Philadelphia restaurants for teens?

Philly is a culinary adventureland for foodies. These restaurants are just a small sampling of what the city offers. Check out Chinatown and the Italian market, too, for other ideas.

1. Reading Terminal Market: RTM is a huge, bustling indoor market with food stands featuring local and international food. This fun, lively atmosphere is the heart of Philadelphia’s food scene in one of the country’s oldest and largest public markets operating since 1893.
2. Nifty Fifty’s: Nifty Fifty’s offers a fun, retro dining experience inspired by the classic diners of the 1950s. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of diner favorites, including burgers, fries, an impressive array of shakes, and an expansive soda fountain menu featuring 100 handcrafted flavors.
3. Barcade: Barcade offers a nostalgic trip back in time with its extensive collection of vintage games from the 80s and 90s, as well as some newer favorites. Barcade also offers a menu of delicious food, making it the perfect spot for a family outing or a fun afternoon of gaming and good eats.
4. Kura: Kura Sushi offers a fun and interactive dining experience with a revolving sushi bar where plates of sushi whiz by on a conveyor belt, allowing everyone to hand-pick what they want. You can order other dishes and drinks from tablets at their table, with deliveries often made by robot servers!
5. Max Brenner: Max Brenner is a chocolate lover’s dream come true. It’s a full-fledged restaurant with a menu that features chocolate in just about everything, including the savory dishes! The restaurant’s modern and trendy atmosphere, with its quirky décor and interactive elements, makes it a cool spot.
   

What are the best Philadelphia museums for families?

Our FAQ primarily focuses on families with teenagers, but Philadelphia boasts so many excellent museums that we couldn’t leave out these five. While the Mütter Museum may be more appropriate for visitors over 10, and the Please Touch Museum caters to younger children, these institutions are worth exploring, especially for families with kids of varying ages.

1. Philadelphia Zoo: America’s very first zoo blends history and wildlife, with nearly 1,300 animals representing a diverse range of species. Get close to lions, tigers, and bears in the Big Cat Falls exhibit, explore the interactive KidZooU, and watch primates in the PECO Primate Reserve. The zoo’s innovative Zoo360 system allows some animals to roam above and across visitor pathways.
2. Morris Arboretum: Morris Arboretum & Gardens offers engaging experiences, like the Whimsical Woods and Fairy Garden. Climb 50 feet into the forest canopy on the Tree Canopy Walk. Or try the Squirrel Scramble, a large, hammock-like net suspended high above the ground.
3. Mütter Museum: Founded in 1863, the unique Mütter Museum displays a collection of anatomical specimens, models, and medical instruments in a historic setting, helping visitors understand the human body and the history of medicine.
4. The Franklin Institute: The Franklin Institute is a fantastic place to explore the wonders of science and technology. It’s full of interactive exhibits like a giant heart you can walk through. Explore the mysteries of space in the planetarium and test your skills in the SportsZone or watch a live science demonstration or show.
5. Please Touch Museum: The Please Touch Museum is designed for hands-on learning and play. This children’s museum features interactive exhibits like a mini-supermarket, a life-size bus, and a whimsical “Alice in Wonderland” area. 

For even more ideas and inspiration, check out the U.S. News Philadelphia Travel Guide.