This museum is perfect for a rainy Saturday--when your beach plans have been dashed. We only did a half day here but I will plan for you a full day. I saw this on Jon & Kate plus 8 and just had to check it out! It's brand new and much bigger/better than any children's museum (NY/NJ) I've been to around here.
GPS: 4231 Avenue of the Republic; Philadelphia, PA.
**our TomTom could not find this street address. So, using point of interest, we got directed to the old location in downtown Philly. If your GPS also cannot find this street, try Fairmount Park under point of interest/parks & recreation area.
Food: You CAN bring outside food into the museum and they have tables as soon as you enter the building.
Admission: $15 all adults and children above 1 year old. Parking $5 in lot (there is ample street parking right in front, though). There is a 4 person family membership for only $150 good for 1 year. I plan to buy this because we are in Philly a lot.
Hours: M-Sat 9-5pm; Sun 11-5pm
Map of Museum: this site has a great map of the interior
We first hit River Adventures which is to the right as soon as you enter the museum. This area is well thought out--they have little waterproof smocks for your little ones to wear and hand dryers for when they are done. My son loves to play with water so he was here for awhile! He did get wet so I would suggest an extra pair of clothes for your little ones. I loved the clouds that poured down rain and the little duckies. Also, the section in the middle for the smaller hands so they can reach more easily. Near this area is a toddler play area and a piano like the one in the movie Big. Also in this wing is a "games" section with a rock climbing wall and some other obstacle course stuff (more for older kids, 5+) and the carousel.
I would wait on that and first go downstairs (can't miss it because of the huge tree in the middle) to the Alice in Wonderland exhibit. (Note: you might want to read your kids the book before visiting to acquaint them with the story). It's built like a little maze and you truly feel like you are in the scenes from the book. The little toddler area is fenced in so you don't have to fret about losing your tyke. There are optical illusions and wonderful details everywhere (like the smell of roses piped into the area where kids can "paint" the roses). We spent at least an hour here.
Also downstairs is the theater which has frequent shows. I thought my son could relax in a quiet room since it was his naptime but it isn't that kind of scene. The City Capers exhibit is amazing. We mainly stayed in the Shoprite supermarket section which was a lot of fun for the kids. They also have a shoe store, dump truck, medical center--everything you'd find in a city!
Directly upstairs from City Capers is Roadside Attractions. This would be great fun for boys who love transportation of all kinds. You can look under a car to fix stuff, fill up your tank at a gas station, ride a SEPTA bus, etc.
We didn't get to see the Flight Fantasy or the Centennial Exploration exhibits but they look awesome as well.
gameplan:
-Leave at 8am, arrive at 10 am.
-Do the River Adventures and Wonderland exhibits.
-grab lunch (picnic outside or get someone to fetch a philly cheesesteak in town) you can eat at the cafeteria too. They had some nutritious offerings.
-Finish off downstairs after lunch: City Capers; theater show; and do Roadside Attractions and the Carousel if you still have energy.
-grab dinner in Philly (need ideas?...that's another post!)
Don't forget: extra clothes; juice/water; and to read Alice and Wonderland to your kids.
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