Philadelphia Historical Sites & Tours for Families

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Daniel Boone was a frontiersman, explorer and politician who helped settle land during his travels to Kentucky and beyond. But before that, he was born just an hour outside of Philadelphia as a rough and tumble boy. The Daniel Boone Homestead is a historic site that highlights Boone's life and other 18th century settlers. The Homestead offers tours, living history demonstrations, recreation such as hiking trails, fishing and picnicking, hands-on activities and more. Special events are featured throughout the year.

Cost: $7/adults, $4/kids ages 5-15 and free/kids under 5

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Pennypacker Mills takes you back in time to life in the early 1900s. This historic mansion contains antiques and artifacts collected by PA Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker and reflective of the Civil and Revolutionary Wars, Native Americans and German and Dutch settlers. The restored servant area allows guests to see the kitchen, laundry, work room and bedroom to see how life has changed over the past 100 years.

The venue features events, exhibits, nature walks and workshops throughout the year. Free guided tours are available.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The site of the winter encampment during the Revolutionary War is home to Washington's headquarters, a beautiful memorial chapel, soldiers' huts and much more. It's easy to spend a day enjoying miles of trails, ranger-led tours, living history experiences and a renovated Visitor Center. If you're short on time, a drive along the tour loop can be done in as little as 20 minutes.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The Belmont Mansion provides the history of Fairmount Park from the mid-1700s through present day. Many notables have stayed at the mansion including George Washington. The house promoted agriculture during the Centennial Expo in 1876.

The Underground Railroad Museum portion shares the story of the people who fought against slavery by helping those escape the South through the Underground Railroad. There are history displays history and artifacts. Guests can take a self-guided tour with audio presentations.

Admission is $7/adults and $5/children ages 5 and up.

Shila:  Fort Mifflin is one of the only intact Revolutionary War battlefields in Philadelphia. This National Historic Landmark has plenty for kids who love US History including living history events throughout the year that feature period-attired reenactments, and musket and cannon artillery demonstrations. Events are suitable for all ages of students. If making it a day trip, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the riverfront!

Admission ranges. Special event pricing starts around $6 for children 6-12 years. Under 5 years are free. 

Tim Ponisciak:  Strawberry Mansion is the largest of the mansions available to tour in Fairmount Park. Kids will love touring the Mansion to see what life was like for some of Philadelphia's well-known families of the 18th and 19th centuries. The house has been refurbished to its old glory and includes many artifacts and collectibles!

Cost: Admission is $8 for adults and free for children under 12.

Tim Ponisciak:  The Woodford Mansion is one of the many beautiful houses built along the Schuylkill River in the 1700s. The Mansion was built by a friend of Benjamin Franklin's, and is now a historic landmark.

Cost: $8 for adults, free for children under 12.

Tim Ponisciak:  The Rosenbach houses a number of rare books, manuscripts and art that your older kids may really enjoy reading and learning about. This is a great, smaller museum for kids who are showing an interest in writing, manuscripts or stenography. The museum features original letters and writings from Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Joseph Conrad and Charles Dickens. Perhaps the museum's best known collection is from Bram Stoker and features many of his notes from when he was writing Dracula.

Cost: Adults - $10, Children - $5, Children under 5 - free.

Until the '80s, City Hall was the tallest building in Philadelphia as there was a handshake agreement that no one would construct a building taller than the hat on Billy Penn's head, who is on the top of the tower. You can now take a tour of the tower and see what the city looks like from Billy Penn's point of view!

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The Philadelphia History Museum offers the present and past history and culture of Philadelphia through exhibits, artifacts, photographs and more. There is a special African American Collection and exhibits that feature news worthy topics, businesses, events and more from the City of Brotherly Love. Special events and programs are featured throughout the year.

Click here for visitor information. Admission is $10/adults, $6/students ages 13-18 and free for children 12 and under.

Hear the story of the famous Liberty Bell from park rangers and check out a variety of self-guided exhibits. Admission is always free, and no tickets are required for entry.

Learn about the life and literary works of Edgar Allan Poe at the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site. Located in Old City, take a tour of his historic home, listen to his work narrated by famous actors, discover how his work influenced writers including Stephen King, and more. Kids activities include trying on 19th-century clothing, solving puzzles and finding hidden clues throughout the home.

A chapter in nearly every school-aged child's history book, here you can view the actual assembly room where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed. Independence Hall admission is by tour only, and timed entry tickets are required for most of the year. Admission is free, though there is a $1 administrative fee per ticket.

The National Constitution Center offers visitors of all ages an in-depth museum to explore the history & relevance of the Constitution & embrace their role in the story of "We the People." The museum proudly displays 1 of the 12 surviving copies of the Bill of Rights, among other national artifacts. The Center features a range of daily programs, live performances & exhibits like "Signers’ Hall," where you sign the Constitution alongside 42 life-size, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers.

Tim Ponisciak:  This tour is a great way to get an overview of the many different historic sites throughout the city. Stops include Christ Church, the First Bank of the United States, Congress Hall, Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House.  Tours last about 75 minutes. Make sure to have a stroller with you for younger ones!

Cost: $19 for adults, $12.50 for kids age 3-12, free for kids under 3.