Kids are like sponges. So, take them someplace where they can really soak up the fun. In Philadelphia, history meets innovation, and the arts meet iconic attractions. The city is guaranteed to keep students’ attention.
Philadelphia’s central location on the East Coast makes it a top pick for educators. Explore the nation’s most historic square mile at Independence National Historical Park, home to the Liberty Bell, where students learn how the bell became a symbol of liberty. Groups can also stroll Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in America. Philadelphia is home to iconic locations and artifacts that tell the story of America’s founding in a way no other place can match.
Marvel at Philadelphia’s unparalleled collection of public art, including more than 4,000 colorful murals. View groundbreaking museum exhibitions and enjoy waterfront vistas, community parks, and miles of trails in one of the nation’s largest city-owned urban park systems.
Steeped in history, Philadelphia continues to grow, adding new museums, restaurants, and attractions. From the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s newly unveiled 90,000-square-foot, Frank Gehry-designed exhibition space to new exhibits at The Franklin Institute, one of America’s premier science museums, there is something for everyone.
Everything is just steps away in Philadelphia, one of America’s most walkable cities. With the addition of six new hotels and the recently renovated Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia’s extensive portfolio of hotel options offers unique settings for student groups to base their stay while also providing convenient access to the city. And when it’s time for lunch, don’t forget to explore the updated and expanded Reading Terminal, voted the best public market in the nation in 2022 by USA Today 10Best.
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, 215-636-3405, discoverphl.com/group-tour
Adventure Aquarium
Adventure Aquarium is home to more than 15,000 aquatic animals exhibited throughout two million gallons of water, offering groups and visitors of all ages unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like up-close animal encounters, the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast, and the longest shark bridge in the world. Some of the Aquarium’s most unique residents include a great hammerhead shark, two species of penguin, and the only hippos in the world to be exhibited at an aquarium. Enhance your group’s visit by booking a classroom program, 3D film, or lunchroom space—plan your visit today at AdventureAquarium.com!
610-999-7145, adventureaquarium.com
Faith and Liberty Discovery Center
Discover the inspiration behind key changemakers in America from the founding through today as you explore the relationship between faith and liberty in our nation right on historic Independence Mall. You’ll see history in a whole new light as you immerse yourself in this award-winning museum with interactive elements and a 360º theater where you will build colonial Philadelphia based on William Penn’s vision of religious freedom. Monday-Saturday 10-5.
215-309-0316, faithandliberty.org