Looking for family things to do? Look no further. Here are some of the best family things to do in Philadelphia, this fall.
It’s that time of year again; the mornings are cold and the leaves are changing. This colder weather might make you want to hibernate inside, but we have some activities that will get you and the family outside.
Corn Maze
If you want to unplug from social media and spend some quality time outdoors, check out your area for corn mazes. Corn mazes are a great way to spend quality time with friends and family. We might have found one of the largest corn mazes in the Philadelphia area. If you haven’t already, check out Merrymead farm in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. There’s no better way to celebrate fall than getting lost in a corn maze with your favorite people. This activity could take the whole day if you wanted. Along with the 5-acre cornfield maze, Merrymade farms offers a variety of fall activities, including hayrides, a corn tunnel, and more! For more info visit https://www.merrymead.com/
Family Zoo Day
Fall is the perfect weather for visiting a zoo. It’s not too hot nor too cold. The Philadelphia Zoo is America’s first zoo. You will catch some unique animals here, such as the Southern White Rhinoceros, that were once thought to be extinct in the wild, now listed as Near Threatened. Some of my personal favorites include the African Lion and the Amur Tiger. You can spend a lot of time here, as the Philadelphia Zoo is one of the larger zoos and home to nearly 1,700 animals, many rare and endangered. If you’re interested in seeing what animals are in the zoo, visit: https://www.philadelphiazoo.org/ . The Philadelphia zoo has something for everyone in the family.
Historical Landmarks
History is important. Here are a few must-visit historical sites in Philadelphia that you should add to your bucket list. First is the Independence Hall which is located on Chestnut Street, in between 5th and 6th Streets. You will find the entrance to Independence Hall after going through a security screening area on Chestnut Street (“Visiting Independence Hall,” 2022). After the security area, people line up behind Independence Hall for a tour. The address for the GPS is 520 Chestnut Street (“Independence Hall”). The Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence here in 1776. Eleven years later, in the same room, delegates to the Constitutional Convention created and signed an enduring framework of government – the United States Constitution (Lisa Hunt). Although known today as Independence Hall, the building was constructed to be the Pennsylvania State House. It once housed all three branches of Pennsylvania’s colonial government.
In the same park as Independence Hall, you’ll find the Liberty Bell. This iconic symbol of liberty contains a lot of history and significance to America. Whether it’s your first time visiting or your 20th time, the Liberty Bell is a must when visiting Philadelphia.
Talk a walk back in time by visiting the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street. Elfreth’s Alley was named after the property owner Jeremiah Elfreth, a blacksmith. Elfreth’s alley housed many eighteenth-century artisans and tradespeople who were fundamental to Colonial Philadelphia. This tiny cobblestone alley is a National Historic Landmark that has 32 houses. Two of the houses were built in 1755 and are now a museum and gift shop. You can explore this alley on your own or do a 45-minute guided tour (“Elfreth’s Alley”).
Fairmount Park
Whether planning a family picnic or playing a game of catch, Fairmount Park is a neat place to go. Located along the Schuylkill River, Fairmount park has over 2,000 acres of trails, hills, historic landmarks, and shaded lounging areas. There are miles of trails perfect for riding bikes, hiking, running, and strolling. You’ll also find historic properties, structures, and works of art in the Fairmount Park. Many of the houses of the people who initially formed the park are open to the public for viewing, showing historical collections and art. Also, in the park, you can see greenhouses, an orchard, many playgrounds, and facilities for baseball, soccer, and basketball. The landscape ranges from forested areas, grass meadows, paved walkways, and trails. Some picture-worthy landmarks you need to see are the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, the historic Strawberry Mansion, and the Fairmount Water Works. There are plans for improvements and new features for the park (“Fairmount Park,” 2019). Areas of the park are open from sunrise to sunset.
Baseball game
The last family activity to do this fall is to watch a baseball game. Head over to Citizens Bank Park to watch the Phillies game. Cheer on the Phillies and enjoy a baseball snack while watching the crowd go wild. The Phillies are known to have the best fans. They’re doing amazing this year, so cheer them on when you’re in Philadelphia.
Sources:
- “Discover America’s First Zoo.” Philadelphia Zoo, 11 Oct. 2022, https://www.philadelphiazoo.org/.
- “Elfreth’s Alley.” Visit Philadelphia, https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/elfreths-alley/.
- “Fairmount Park.” Visit Philadelphia, 30 Oct. 2019, https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/fairmount-park/.
- “Independence Hall.” 1998-2022 Visit Philadelphia, https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/independence-hall/.
- Lisa Hunt. Liberty Village Reception Draws In National Representatives – United We Pledge. 24 Oct. 2022, https://unitedwepledge.org/liberty-village-reception-draws-in-state-representatives/.
- “Visiting Independence Hall – Independence National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service).” Independence National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service), https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/independencehall.htm.
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