Tis the season for holiday cheer!  For many of us, that means seeking out family friendly spots to enjoy festive fun.   These are some of our family’s favorite places to get into the Christmas spirit and all are easy to get to from most places throughout New Jersey and the Philadelphia area.

Photo Courtesy Storybookland

Storybook Land is one of our favorite theme parks all year round but at Christmastime it takes on a magical appearance when they feature Christmas Fantasy with Lights.  Every night at 5pm Santa climbs out of his chimney and turns on over a million holiday lights throughout the park.  He has even managed to make it snow!   You can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus in their home as well to tell them how good you’ve been all year long.  All the rides of the theme park are open too!

A visit to Koziar’s Christmas Village  is like stepping into Christmas Land.  Walk along the path and take in the beauty of displays featuring Christmas in the jungle, beneath the sea, and around the globe lit by over a half million lights.  The reflective view from the pond is a breathtaking sight!  When you get chilly be sure to stop for some hot chocolate or a visit with Santa himself.

The Nutcracker is one of my favorite holiday shows.  My mom used to take me every year and I couldn’t wait to take my daughter for the first time.  During her first show she sat rapt with attention at the edge of her seat.  To find a show be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for where to see The Nutracker in Philadelpia  and New Jersey.

Photo Courtesy New Hope Ivyland Railroad

Taking a train ride with Santa has always been at the top of my children’s lists, even before they ever saw the movie Polar Express. This holiday tradition has become more popular than ever with kids all around the country dressing in their pajamas and taking a magical Christmas ride. While some stations started the tradition after 2004 movie, others like the Pine Creek Railroad in New Jersey, have been taking families on rides with Santa Claus for over 30 years!  See where to board a train ride with Santa in New Jersey and Philly areas.

Another family favorite of ours is piling in the car in our jammies, bringing along some hot chocolate and turning on some Christmas music while driving around the neighborhoods in our area to enjoy the lights. Some of the people in our town really go all out! However, if you want to make more of an adventure out of it, how about heading to Center City Philadelphia to see the Macy’s Holiday Light Show . While  at Macy’s, be sure to visit the third floor where you will find a 6,000 foot recreation of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Over 100 animated figures help bring this Christmas classic to life. You might even be able to get some Christmas shopping done!

Photo Courtesy Visit Philly

While I have never been to Christmas Village located in Love Park in Center City, Philadelphia, it looks to have some real charm. This traditional German Christmas Market features over 50 vendors selling arts and crafts, jewelry, ornaments and all sorts of other goodies you can purchase as a treat for yourself or as a holiday gift. You can also sample European food and drink while browsing about. If you happen to visit the market on December 7th,  your family can even attend the tree lighting!

Longwood Gardens is another one of those year round gems that transforms at Christmas time. Walk through the gardens and see how they have been transformed into a gingerbread fantasy with over 40 miles of lights and displays. During the season there will be performances in the evenings by local choral groups and vignettes from the Nutcracker.

May you all have a happy and healthy holiday season filled with many wonderful memories!

Looking for more holiday-fun activities?  Check out your neighborhood below.

California:  San Diego | Orange County | LA & Environs | Bay Area |  Lake Tahoe | Sacramento

Other US cities:  Dallas | NYC/NJ | Philadelphia | Salt Lake City |  Seattle

Don’t see your city??  Make a list of fun activities in your neck of the woods to share with Trekaroo users.

Beth Keklak is Trekaroo’s Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware Destination Guroo

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Today’s guest post on Philadelphia was written by Debi Bouffard. She is a homeschooling mother of nine (yes, you read that right) children living in Pennsylvania. Debi and the kids frequently travel all over the East Coast and are about to embark on a cross country road trip to Utah. We are hoping that if she returns with a shred of her sanity, she will come back and tell Trekaroo all about it. You can follow Debi and her adventures with all nine kids  on her blog, Who Says 8 is Enough?

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved to travel.  It’s probably because growing up with eleven siblings, vacations were the one thing my parents always managed to save up for.  When we did have the opportunity to hit the road,  it was always a HUGE deal for our family.  I have passed that same desire of traveling on to my children, although with a twist. I homeschool my nine kids, so we do a bit more traveling these days than my family did when I was young. However, the one thing I have kept constant is that I am certain to make every trip we take into an educational experience, just like my parents did when I was little.  There is no better place to start on an educational trip than in the city of Philadelphia, which is so rich in history.  We have been fortunate to have lived within an hour of Philadelphia for my childrens’ entire lives, so we have been able to completely appreciate and absorb the City of Brotherly Love.  If you are not fortunate enough to live near Philly and only have a day or two to really see the city for yourself, you might want to map out some fascinating places of interest.  I asked my kids to give you their top 5 favorite places to visit, and in no particular order, here they are:

1. The Philadelphia Zoo

Checking out the animals at the Philadelphia Zoo

While The Philadelphia Zoo is not the largest in the country, it does hold the distinction of being the oldest. Nestled on 42 (hard to find in a city) acres, the zoo houses over 1300 different animals.  While my favorite part of a zoo has always been where the babies are (go figure), my kids’ favorite part is the Children’s Zoo, where they get to pet and sometimes feed the animals.  Of course, they are also thrilled to watch the lions and tigers up close, or spend hours with their faces pressed up to glass, looking at giant snakes {shudder}.

2. The Franklin Institute

Giant Heart (photo courtesy of the Franklin Institute)

Ok, so if I could be truly honest, this would be my first choice of places to visit in Philly.  I simply love the idea of history meeting science (we’re talking about Ben Franklin here!)!  This place is just full of inventions, both old and new,  and they are always hosting interesting events and exhibits (and sleep-overs for boy scouts & girl scouts!!!).  I can remember walking through the Giant Human heart as a little girl and being absolutely amazed. The day I watched my own kids walk through and saw the same looks on their faces that I am sure mine once reflected, was priceless.  The Franklin Institute is FULL of wonderful learning experiences just waiting to be explored  in some of  the most fun and imaginitive ways possible.

3. Fairmount Park

Boathouse Row

This is not just your average park. In fact, there is nothing run-of-the-mill here.  Fairmount Park is gorgeous and I can’t even beging to tell you how much it thrills me to see that my kids love it as much as I do. While there are no big bells and whistles, there is simply stunning landscape as far as the eye can see.  The kids and I love to walk the trails and take in the scenery. It is especially beautiful during the spring when the flowers are in bloom, or in the fall when the foliage is changing colors. Of course, if you’re feeling fancy, you can take a trolley ride around the park and enjoy the views of Boathouse Row, The Philadelphia Museum of Art (you know, the one where Rocky famously ran up the stairs…), or watch the crew teams practice rowing which is our personal favorite. My boys like to chant “row, row, row” as the teams go by. I am sure the crew just loves that!

4. & 5. Liberty Bell & Independence Hall

Indpendence Hall

Of course, you can not, and should not, go to Philadelphia without seeing the true history of the city and our country.  Independence Hall houses the Liberty Bell, the Declaration of Independence & the Constitution.  Just walking through the doors you get a sense and a feeling of history, and for myself and my children who are all major US history buffs, there is no place where that feeling is more powerful.  The photos on the walls and surroundings which are depicted give us a sense of what it was to be a Founding Father back in 1776.  Just seeing the Liberty Bell up close and reading the words “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof”  is enough to take my breath away.
 
Philadelphia truly is a city that should be explored.
For it’s beauty.
For it’s attractions.
And, most definitely for it’s rich history.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC  | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Near Museum Row

All three of these hotels are located in the Museum Row area on the Ben Franklin Parkway and a stone’s throw from all the major family attractions like The Franklin Institute, the Museum of Natural Science and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rodin. Depending on your budget and travel style, these are the best 3 hotels near Museum Row for visiting families.

For Luxury & Kid Perks: The Four Seasons Philadelphia

From the moment you walk-in, your kid’s will be greeted with gifts and special treatment at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia. They’ve got diapers, age-appropriate toys, cookies and milk with turndown and more to help you and your family feel more at home. The service is 5-star, the hotel is impeccable, and the food is scrumptious. Wait there’s more – they’ve got an indoor heated pool, a collection of kid-friendly videos and a concierge that knows what to recommend to families. Average rate: $315/night for a moderate room on Fri/Sat, $515/night for suites. However, don’t miss their Family Values Package where you can book one room and get an adjoining room for 50% off plus a $100 credit to spend.

Read the full reviews from families on the Four Seasons Philadelphia | Check for Deals and Availability

For Suite Living & Breakfast: Embassy Suites – Philadelphia

The Embassy Suites in downtown Philadelphia provides suite living in this cylindrical hotel of all two room suites. Each of the rooms are spacious, clean and newly upgraded!  After snoozing in these comfortable new digs, your family can chow down on a complimentary buffet breakfast at T.G.I. Friday’s in-house before heading off to the events of the day. Omelets made to order are a great way to start off any vacation day. The in-room kitchenette is great for storing and preparing left-overs for a quick meal. Rooms start at $129/night.

Read the full reviews from families on Embassy Suites – Philadelphia | Check for Availability

For Suite Living & a Roofdeck Pool: Windsor Suites

The Windsor Suites owned by Marriott is getting rave reviews from Trekaroo families after their million dollar renovations. Similar to the Embassy Suites, the rooms are spacious and the extra living room space is perfect for families. If you like to cook, whip up an entire meal for the family in their kitchen complete with a full-sized fridge, stove, and dishwasher for easy clean-up. The roofdeck pool is also great for dealing with the summer heat. No free breakfast though. Average rate: $104/night for a one-bedroom suite.

Read the full reviews on Windsor Suites | Check Availability

For more kid-friendly hotels near the Franklin Institute at Museum Row.

Near Independence Hall

Want to be close to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center and more? These are the best hotels to stay at if you’re planning on spending a lot of time exploring the birth of our nation.

For Luxury: The Omni Independence Park (editor’s pick)

Just one block away from the Liberty Bell, the Omni Independence Park Hotel has been welcoming families in this area for years. The Omni Sensational Kids program will be sure to treat your kids like V.I.P.  Young VIP perks include suitcases filled with games and books, a backpack upon check-in and menu choices prepared especially for young travelers. Rates start at $244/night. To check availability at the Omni.

For Historic Boutique Living: The Morris House Hotel (editor’s pick)

The Morris House Hotel is a historic landmark that’s close to everywhere you’ll want to go. Better for families with older kids, this hotel is like staying at an upscale fancy bed and breakfast.  Families love the free continental breakfast and afternoon tea with homemade cookies.

Rooms start at $169/night. To check availability at the Morris House Hotel.

For the Budget Conscious: Holiday Inn Philadelphia – Historic District (editor’s pick)

The rooms at the Holiday Inn Philadelphia in the Historic District are standard issue . Simple, but clean rooms with no frills. There is an outdoor heated pool on the rooftop which is great for the kids to jump into after a long day of sightseeing. Rooms start at $100/night. To check availability at the Holiday Inn Philadelphia – Historic District.

For more kid-friendly hotels near Independence Hall.

Which Activities came up at the top?

Best Activities for Kids in Philadelphia – voted by parents

Other Resources for Philadelphia:

• 135 Activities for Kids Around Philadelphia
• Kid-friendly Hotels in Philadelphia

• Off the Beaten Path Kid Activities in Philadelphia – motherofalltrips
• Teen-friendly Activities in Philadelphia – ForLoveOrFunny
• Things to Do in Philly with Young Kids -  Girlymama
• Historic Philadelphia by foot with Kids – Minnemom
• Phildelphia: 5 Kids-friendly Activities – CiaoBambino
• Best Attractions for Kids Who Love Trains in Pennsylvania – BryantFamily

Esther Lee is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | FL | HI | MA | NY | PA | TX | VA and now IL and WA

Beep Beep! KidsMobile is rollin’ into:

Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia is one special city.

• It’s home to the Liberty Bell & Ben Franklin.
• It’s where America’s independence was declared and where the American Constitution was written.
• It pioneered the first hospital, library, fire company, medical school, and university.
• It was the setting for the films Rocky and Twelve Monkeys.
• It is where all three founders of Trekaroo first met.
• It’s where Brennan and LiLing had their first date, got married, set up their first home and took their first jobs.

Needless to say, Philadelphia holds a very special place in our hearts.

Experiencing Philly with kids is pretty different from living there as a college student. So, we’ve gathered the recommendations of Trekaroo families who have the inside scoop on where to go with kids in this city steeped in American history.

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Trekaroo families have voted and this is where the cards fell for 2009:

Top Activities for Kids in Philadelphia – voted by parents

Best Kid-friendly Hotels in Philadelphia – voted by parents

Some of our star Philadelphia families are some fun-loving mom bloggers and they’ve assembled their list of recommendations that no visiting or local families should miss.

Mara brings you her list of Off the Beaten Path Kid Activities in Philadelphia.  This mom got bit by the travel bug early in life and has not stopped traveling even after having two boys, now 4 and 7.  In fact, when their eldest was just one, they visited 6 states, 3 countries and 2 continents.  Read about their family’s adventures and admire her wonderful photos on  Mother of all Trips

Lynn, a Philly mom of a tween and a teen, knows exactly where to head to keep them engaged and excited.  Here’s her family’s list of favorite Teen-friendly Activities in Philadelphia.  Lynn is the mom behind For Love Or Funny where she keeps a light-hearted view of life as a parent.  Amidst her humor are some gems of wisdom.

Heading to Philly with young kids?  Melissa is your go to mom with her list of Top 10 Things to Do in Philly with Young Kids.  Melissa is the voice behind Girlymama where she brings us the inside scoop about products that young moms would be interested in.  From shoes to food to places to visit, Girlymama will tell you what she thinks and give you opportunities to win some trendy fashion and gear.

Linda has a wonderful guide for visiting Historic Philadelphia by foot with Kids.  This is a mom extraordinaire who has traveled through big and small towns all the country with her 4 kids.  If you need advice about how to have a lifestyle of travel with a large family, she’s your go-to gal.  Follow her adventures on her fantastic blog:  Travels With Children

Amie O’Shaughnessy of Ciao Bambino brings us some Phildelphia: 5 Kids-friendly Activities. Ciao Bambino is a one of Trekaroo’s favorite partners because we share a common passion – inspiring families to travel.  Ciao Bambino provides vetted reviews of the best accommodations when traveling with children of all ages around the world.

Other Philadelphia Resources:

• 135 Activities for Kids Around Philadelphia
• Kid-friendly Hotels in Philadelphia

• Best Attractions for Kids Who Love Trains in Pennsylvania

Next stop, the city where the First Family resides -  Washington DC.

The Trekaroo KidsMobile is a blog carnival with a twist.  It’s designed to provide a unique opportunity for mom and dad bloggers to be featured on Trekaroo while

1) expressing their unique point of view

2) getting a web of link exchanges.

Join us for one of our next stopovers.

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LiLing Pang is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | FL | HI | MA | NY | PA | TX | VA and now IL and WA

Philadelphia most famous for being the centerpiece of American History.  While Philadelphia offers many opportunities to bring history alive for kids in a fun way, there’s so much more for them to explore.  Philly is filled to the brim with activities that will engage your children whether they’re 2 or 22. Here are our parent’s top picks:

Best Museum for Kids under 5 – Please Touch Museum (#1 place to take kids in Philadelphia)

Roadside Attractions at the Please Touch Museum

If you’ve got kids under the age of 5, be sure to add the Please Touch Museum to your list. Take the location of the first World’s Fair in the US… fill it with hands-on activity centers for kids and voila…  you’ve got one of the best children’s museum in this country. Favorites include shopping at the grocery store or collecting and dumping at the construction site in City Capers, building rockets and launching them in Flight Fantasy, and changing the tires at Roadside Attractions.

The Giant Heart

Best Museum for Kids over 5 – Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute is the place to take kids in Philadelphia. The science center has more than enough to keep your kids busy for the whole day. From learning about the physics of air and flying to walking through the human heart, we were bummed when my 2 year old had to knock off to take a nap. For Love or Funny summed it up perfectly, “There are so many hands on activities, it’s hard to know where to start.”

Best Museum for Tweens and Teens – Mutter Museum

Your tweens and teens will be wide-eyed as they check out all the strange medical oddities spread throughout the Mutter Museum. “For kids who like a bit of gore, this museum is really fascinating. They’ll find jars filled with strange tumors, odd shaped skulls, and strange horns growing out of a person’s head.” (TravelPangs)

Grossest Museum in Philadelphia – Insectarium

If you’ve got kids who like to be grossed out, take them to the Insectarium. They won’t forget about all the creepy critters they see at Cockroach Kitchen and ,” the “glow-in-the-dark” scorpion, the live termite tunnel, or the tarantulas. It’s located in the Northeast section of the city, so a bit off-the-beaten path, but worth a visit if your kids like that kind of stuff.

Credit: Philly Duck Tours

Best Tour in Town – Ride the Ducks

The Ride the Ducks will make a trip through Philadelphia’s historical section a quacking good time with a nice 20 minute cruise around the Delaware River at the end. A fun way to enjoy Philadelphia without having to do a lot of walking.

Best Free Playspace – Smith Memorial Playground

Nestled in Fairmont Park, the Smith Memorial Playground is great for kids looking for some free outdoor fun. Here you’ll find a  “40-foot-long giant slide, huge playground, and a giant 24,000 square foot playhouse! The basement has been turned into a small town – complete with stop light and parking meters, where kids can ride trikes. The playhouse is for ages 5 and under. Fun fun fun and free!!” (from girlymama)

Dutch Eating Place

Top Eatery for Families – Reading Terminal Market

With over 80 stands to choose from, this place is filled with food for any eater. It’s a great place for your kids to try some authentic Pennsylvania Dutch food from scrapple to whoopie pies. It can get crowded on the weekends, so be sure to hang on to your kids. Our favorite is savoring a plate of blueberry pancakes with a side of scrapple at the Dutch Eating Place for breakfast. YUM.

Must-see Historical Site to visit – Liberty Bell Center

Kids from preschoolers to high schoolers learn about the Liberty Bell. As Linda Kramer (aka minnemom) puts it, “This place has no interactive exhibits, but the fact that you’re seeing the actual Liberty Bell is impressive. Even if you’re 3.  So take the kids, snap some photos by the Liberty Bell with Independence Hall in the background, and someday explain the rest of the history lesson to them.  They’ll think it’s cool that they got to go there once upon a time.”

Which Hotels came up at the top?

Best Kid-friendly Hotels In Philadelphia – voted by parents

Other Resources for Philadelphia:

• 135 Activities for Kids Around Philadelphia
• Kid-friendly Hotels in Philadelphia

• Off the Beaten Path Kid Activities in Philadelphia – motherofalltrips
• Teen-friendly Activities in Philadelphia – ForLoveOrFunny
• Things to Do in Philly with Young Kids -  Girlymama
• Historic Philadelphia by foot with Kids – Minnemom
• Phildelphia: 5 Kids-friendly Activities – CiaoBambino
• Best Attractions for Kids Who Love Trains in Pennsylvania – BryantFamily

Esther Lee is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | FL | HI | MA | NY | PA | TX | VA and now IL and WA