HISTORY AT ITS MOST VIVID
"They're coming! They're coming!" the kids shouted. Cannons boomed and rifles crackled as British Redcoats descended upon us. We were smack-dab in the middle of the American Revolution, eavesdropping on the Continental Congress, cheering Washington and Jefferson, declaring freedom!
Not surprisingly, history vividly comes to life in Philly, but we discovered there's quite a bit more to this energetic, feel-good City of Brotherly Love. We peeked at the giant river otters at the famous Philadelphia Zoo, crawled around Maurice Sendak's oversize creatures at the Please Touch Museum and met the jelly-bean kids at the National Liberty Museum (life-size statues of children made entirely of multicolored jelly beans; different on the outside, the same on the inside). When it was time to leave, still sporting a few patriotic goose bumps, kids fast asleep with their arms wrapped around Ben Franklin dolls, we vowed to return.
WHO KNEW? The 16-foot-high statue of Ben Franklin was made out of 80,000 copper pennies, in honor of one of Franklin's sayings: "A penny saved is a penny earned." Look for it on Arch Street, east of 4th.
DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT... your curiosity. Take it to the Franklin Institute Science Museum, where you can spin a magnet to make electricity, play a glass "armonica" (yet another Ben Franklin invention) and walk through a giant human heart. Admission, $13.75 for adults, $11 for kids ages 4 to 11; call 215-448-1200. Also, check out the kaleidoscopic-colored tropical butterflies and giant dinos at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Admission, $9 for adults, $8 for kids 3 to 12; call 215-299-1000.
DON'T LEAVE TOWN WITHOUT... hanging around Independence National Historical Park (free; call 215-597-8974). Best bets for kids: a horse-drawn carriage ride ('76 Carriage Co., 215-923-8516; a 20-minute tour costs $25 for a group of four) and hands-on history activities (free; Franklin Court Courtyard, weekends only).
CLEAN-PLATE CLUB Gotta try Philly steaks and pretzels, natch. We like Jim's Steaks' sliced-meat torpedoes topped with Cheez Whiz, $6; call 215-928-1911. Don't miss the clamorous Reading Terminal Market, with more than 80 merchants and everything to eat from sushi to subs, call 215-922-2317.
LOCAL DIGS Chocolate chip cookies, a central location and an indoor pool make the Doubletree Hotel in Center City a winner for families. Rooms range from $119 to $199; call 215-893-1600.
HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN The Lights of Liberty nighttime show is a virtual-reality extravaganza. Earphones provide a moving sound track (the kids' version is narrated by Whoopi Goldberg), while 50-foot images and special effects light up historic buildings on this walking tour of Independence National Historic Park. Admission, $17.76 for adults, $12 for kids ages 12 and under; call 877-GO-2-1776 or click here.
BEST LOCAL COLOR Stroll easy-to-navigate streets (curb cutouts make stroller travel a snap). You'll find street vendors on most corners, fountains spouting, colorful sculptures and leafy parks. Local favorite: pretty Rittenhouse Square for people watching.
BEST SOUVENIR Early-American mementos like a replica of the Declaration of Independence with quill pen, paper money from the 13 original states, tiny Liberty Bell or Ben Franklin doll found at the Independence National Historical Park visitors' center gift shop.
F.Y.I. Call 888-GO-PHILA or click here.
Travel writers Diane Bair and Pamela Wright are regular contributors to FAMILYFUN and the authors of 18 guidebooks and numerous magazine articles.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated July 2005.
