Mullen Joseph V DC

Set aside some time to visit the oldest surviving botanical garden in the United States. Bartram’s Garden covers 46 acres in Fairmount Park, and is open to the public for free admission. Try taking a tour inside the historic garden area (the original 8-acre garden begun in 1728), the historic stone house, through the elaborate grove and the largest variety of North American plants in the world.

While you may not sail the great blue seas, you can explore the history they played in Philadelphia’s development at the Independence Seaport Museum. A museum dedicated to the maritime history of Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley and Pennsylvania, the Independence Seaport Museum is suitably located along Penn’s Landing, the historic site where William Penn first docked when he arrived in America.

Take a walk along the waterfront at Penn’s Landing and you may find some of the best shows and entertainment in the city, from Screening Under the Stars to the Olympic-sized RiverRink. This landmark site provides a perfect music and festival venue that hosts several concerts and performances throughout the year.

Tired of all the "no touching" signs at traditional museums? The Please Touch Museum is built around the opposite philosophy: it encourages children to touch, play and explore in its six interactive exhibit zones. Let them unleash their imaginations as they learn about the world through the attractions in this creative environment. Perfect for children age seven and under!