VISITING Philadelphia · City of Brotherly Love

Visiting Philadelphia with toddlers and little kids: the plan.

Stay in Center City. The Franklin Institute is on the Parkway, Franklin Square is in Old City, and the zoo and Smith Playground are a short drive into Fairmount Park. Here’s a plan with nap time built in.

Top 2 can’t-miss spots

#1Fairmount Park, 3400 W. Girard Ave.
Philadelphia Zoo
Open daily 9:30am–5pm; last entry 4pm.
See it in the guide
#2Logan Square, 222 N. 20th St.
The Franklin Institute
Open daily 9:30am–5pm.
Kids $23Adults $292 and underIndoor
See it in the guide
Nap breaks built in

One day or two in Philadelphia

A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.

If you have one day
MORNINGPhiladelphia ZooOpens at 9:30am · Fairmount Park, 3400 W. Girard Ave.
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPSmith Memorial Playground & PlayhouseFree; open until 5pm in fall and winter; closed Mondays · East Fairmount Park, 3500 Reservoir Drive · Free
If you have two days

Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:

MORNINGThe Franklin InstituteOpens at 9:30am; afternoons are calmer on weekdays · Logan Square, 222 N. 20th St. · $23 kids, $29 adultsLUNCHReading Terminal MarketOpen daily 8am–6pm · Center City
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPFranklin SquareCarousel and playgrounds · Old City, 200 N. 6th St.
Where to stay

Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions

Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.

CENTER CITYLogan Square to Old CityThe Franklin Institute, Reading Terminal Market and Franklin Square are all in Center City.Near The Franklin Institute and Franklin Square
FOR THE ZOOUniversity CityThe zoo is a short drive north, and Center City is across the river.Near Philadelphia Zoo
NORTHWEST SUBURBSNorristown and King of PrussiaClose to Elmwood Park Zoo and the Chester County libraries.Near Elmwood Park Zoo and Chester County Library System
Eat

Easy restaurants near the big stops

Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.

Food market · Center CityReading Terminal MarketNear The Franklin Institute and Franklin SquareIce cream · Old CityThe Franklin FountainNear Franklin Square
Before you go

Practical tips

Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.

Mondays
Smith Memorial Playground is closed Mondays.
Zoo tickets
Philadelphia Zoo tickets are sold online, and prices change by date.
Elmwood tickets
Elmwood Park Zoo tickets are $1 less online than at the gate.
Longwood Tuesdays
Longwood Gardens is closed most Tuesdays.
Visiting in November or December?

Santa and Christmas lights in Philadelphia

If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.

Santa in PhiladelphiaBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 pricesChristmas lights in PhiladelphiaDrive-thru and walk-through displays, start times and 2026 prices
This week

Happening while you’re here

This week’s top events in Philadelphia. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.

#19:30am–5pm
Boo at the Zoo: Final Weekend at the Philadelphia Zoo
The last two days of the zoo’s Halloween weekends. Bring a bag for treat stations around the zoo, including the Trick-or-Tree House. Costume contests run on Impala Lawn at 11:30am and 2:30pm, and the animals get pumpkins at set times through the day. Costumes with toy weapons and adult masks aren’t allowed.
Philadelphia Zoo · Philadelphia
Included with zoo admission
Hours, food & parking
#210:30am–3:30pm
Boo at the Zoo at Elmwood Park Zoo
The whole zoo turns into a trick-or-treat trail, with treat stations, a straw maze, games and live music. The zoo’s Día de los Muertos displays run both days, and Norristown Borough residents get in free on the last weekend of the month.
Elmwood Park Zoo · Norristown
Included with zoo admission
Hours, food & parking
#3Fri 5:30–8:30pm
Trick-or-Treat Night at Elmwood Park Zoo
An after-hours trick-or-treat night with animal ambassadors, Swoop and the Eagles cheerleaders. Many animals will be asleep. Community passes aren’t accepted.
Elmwood Park Zoo · Norristown
Kids $30
Hours, food & parking
#4Thu–Sun 10am–5pm
Spooky Mini Golf in Franklin Square
Philly Mini Golf dressed up for Halloween. Book a daytime tee time for little kids: there’s no fog, strobe or spooky music before 5pm. The last day is Sunday.
Franklin Square · Philadelphia
Adults $15
Hours, food & parking
#5Fri 4:30–5:30pm
Swarthmore Halloween Tots Parade
Meet at Thatcher Park for a costume parade that trick-or-treats at local businesses and ends at the library with songs, a story and a dance party. For ages 0 to 6. Free.
Swarthmore Public Library · Swarthmore
Free
Hours, food & parking
See everything this week →
Good questions

Visiting Philadelphia with toddlers: the FAQ

Is Philadelphia kid-friendly?

For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Philadelphia guide lists 14 places we checked for little kids, plus 4 free places and 8 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 2 easy restaurants near the big stops and free storytimes at 3 library systems. This week’s list has 50 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Philadelphia and this weekend’s list.

Where should we stay with a toddler?

Center City keeps the Franklin Institute, Franklin Square and Reading Terminal Market close, and the zoo is a short drive.

What if it rains?

The Franklin Institute is indoors, and Smith Playground’s playhouse has three floors of indoor play.

Is Longwood Gardens worth a day trip with little kids?

Yes, with a stroller. It’s about 50 minutes from Center City and kids 4 and under get in free. A Longwood Christmas runs Nov 20 to Jan 10.

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