the talking trekaroo » philly

Best Kid-friendly Hotels in Philadelphia

thelees3 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:11:22 +0000

With so much to see in Philadelphia with the kids, what are the best hotels for families in this city? The two best locations according to Trekaroo families are near the two main tourist areas: Museum Row and Independence Hall. They each maximize play time and minimize driving. Here are the winners:

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:

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

Kids Love Philly – voted by parents

thelees3 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:00:38 +0000

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