Looking for a new family-friendly activity this summer? Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs offer so many opportunities to get out of the house and have some fun! While the Philadelphia Zoo and Art Museum are city staples, there are some other, lesser-known attractions in the area just waiting to be explored. So pack up the family, and get ready to have some fun!
Shadybrook Farm
Looking to incorporate more fruit into your family’s diet? What better way than going and picking it fresh off the vine! Located in Yardley, PA, Shadybrook Farm is family-owned and operated, and is one of the last working farms in Bucks County. The vast property hosts pick your own fields, a market, nursery, garden center, and so much more. Every year from the end of May to the end of August, you can go and pick your own crops! Starting off with strawberry picking in the late spring to apple and pumpkin picking in the fall, this farm grows a wide variety of crops for you to pick and enjoy with the whole family. Tip: book your picking tickets in advance online and save $1 per ticket! Click here to book your tickets!
Morris Arboretum
Located on the cusp of Flourtown in Chestnut Hill sits the lush green acreage of the University of Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum. This family-friendly attraction features multiple gardens including its very own Fairy Woods! Visitors of the Arboretum can assist the fairies in creating shelter from the elements by picking up natural materials at the Gnome Depot to create these fairy-friendly structures. The Morris Arboretum hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, so be sure to check out their website to learn more!
Linvilla Orchards
While best known for their pumpkin festivities in the fall, Linvilla Orchards offers year-round fun for the whole family! From March to November, go fishing at Orchard Lake, stocked with trout and striped bass, or take a tractor ride through the pick-your-own fields for seasonal fruit and vegetables. Visit the friendly sheep, goats, and horses at the Barnyard, or create your own adventure on the Playland Playground. In the colder months, enjoy indoor mini-golf at the interactive museum exhibit created by the Academy of Natural Sciences, which pairs important environmental issues with mini-golf! Click here to learn more.
Sesame Place
If you are looking to entertain your little one’s this summer, Sesame Place is THE place to go! With a wide variety of attractions, shows, and parades, this theme park is unlike any other. Sesame Place is the first theme park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC). Their Ride Accessibility Program is unlike any other, and matches the individual abilities of their guests to the requirements of each ride, making this theme park truly inclusive for children of all abilities. From Elmo’s Cloud Chaser to Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Roller Coaster, there is a ride for visitors of all ages. Click here to book your tickets!
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
Open seven days a week from May to September, the Blue Cross RiverWalk Summerfest is a season-long event with a wide variety of activities along the Delaware River and the Ben Franklin Bridge. Lace up your skates and hop on the roller rink, score a hole-in-one at the mini-golf course, or win a prize at one of the many boardwalk games. The RiverWalk Summerfest has something for everyone and some of the best fair food in Philadelphia including the famous Chickie’s & Pete’s crabfries. The best part? In the winter months, the skating rink transforms into a winter wonderland ice rink! Click here to book your tickets!
