01. Things to See/Do During the Day 

If you've never explored the city with your family, start at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets. Here you can get up-to-the-minute information on what's open, what's closed and what's new. There are plenty of experts on hand to help you with maps and literature to lots of exciting places in the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey area.

High up on everyone's list will be the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center - all in Independence National Park; the Adventure Aquarium and Battleship New Jersey on the Camden Waterfront; and the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Academy of Natural Sciences - all on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

02. Things to See/Do at Night

Lights of Liberty is a nighttime sound and light show reliving the American Revolution as it happened, where it happened.

Wearing lightweight headsets, visitors follow a costumed guide through cobblestone streets, where hand-painted images are projected onto Independence Hall, Carpenter’s Hall and other historic buildings.

There’s a special version of the tour for children narrated by Whoopi Goldberg. Shows begin at dusk and run through October.

Take Part in an Interactive Movie

Try 1776, the Interactive Movie-Musical. In Philadelphia, this classic film is turned into an interactive movie-going experience complete with sing-alongs and props. The movie runs on Fridays from May 25 - August 31, 2007 at the Independence Living History Center, 3rd & Chestnut Streets.

Take Your Family Out to a Baseball Game

The Philadelphia Phillies are in contention to win the National League Eastern Division and a visit to beautiful Citizens Bank Park is a great way to spend an evening.

(Alternatively, if you are 21+ hit Olde City or South Street. These places are lined with Outdoor Cafes, Restaurants and clubs)

03. Off the Beaten Path

Take a three-hour tour deep into one of Philadelphia’s diverse and undiscovered neighborhoods. Themes of the highly regarded, interactive Philadelphia Neighborhood Tours include Chinatown, the Underground Railroad, civil rights, urban farms, public markets, manufacturing history - even haunted Philadelphia. Tours run on Saturdays, May 6 - October 28.

Visit Sesame Place

This year Sesame Place®, the nation's only theme park based on the award-winning television show Sesame Street®, opens Elmo's World, an all-new land with three new rides. Ride a flyin', fish. Wiggle through a garden of giggles. And blast into space. It's Elmo's World, we just play in it.

Hang out with your furry friends, and enjoy all the rides, shows, play areas and dining that make this the only place where Sesame Street® comes to life!

Sesame Place is located just 30 minutes north of Philadelphia in Langhorne, PA.

Take a Great Adventure

A dramatically different adventure awaits families this spring and summer at the world’s largest regional theme park, Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari.

In 2007 the park celebrates 46 years of great family fun with the addition of exciting rides, shows, animals and new, comprehensive guest service features.

The park is conveniently located off I-195 in Jackson, NJ between NYC and Philadelphia.

04. More of a Nature Lover

Valley Forge National Historical Park consists of numerous farmsteads north and south of the Schuylkill River that served as the 1777-1778 winter encampment for General Washington's troops.

A visit to the park should begin at the Visitor Center where you can pick up a park map, decide if you wish to set out on your own and drive the ten miles of park roads, purchase an audio tour cassette or CD, take a guided tour, or merely hike or ride your bicycle along the many paths throughout the park.

The park is located in Montgomery County about 30 minutes northwest of Philadelphia off of I-76, the Schuylkill Expressway.

Wander Through Beautiful Longwood Gardens

Located in the heart of the Brandywine Valley near Kennett Square, PA, Longwood Gardens is the nation's foremost horticultural garden.

Longwood Gardens today consists of 1,050 acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows; 20 outdoor gardens, 20 indoor gardens, numerous fountains including the Main Fountain Garden near the Conservatory.

Longwood maintains numerous educational programs and is well known for producing some of the best trained experts in horticulture in the world. Throughout the year, numerous arts and entertainment events are held in the Gardens.

05. Best way to Cool Off?

Center City’s Capogiro Gelato Artisans makes classic Italian and locally exotic sorbets and gelatos that keep the masses coming back for more. Pineapple-mint sorbet, classic nocciola, off-the-wall honey cumin gelato and other ever-changing flavors are served at their location at 119 S. 13th Street, in dozens of Philly restaurants and at several local groceries.

Rittenhouse Square’s Scoop DeVille™ at 1734 Chestnut Street continues to offer create-your-own ice cream concoctions in a new, very parlour-esque location.

In Old City, the tradition-minded Berley Brothers sling splits and concoct old-fashioned fruit phosphates, peach melba parfaits and root beer floats at The Franklin Fountain, a self-proclaimed "ice cream saloon" at 116 Market Street, (215) 627-1899.