 So many things to do - it’s a tough decision to have to make when you visit Philadelphia. I’ve written several posts about Philly, but every time I go, I discover something new to share. Visitors to the city are overwhelmed just trying to cover some of the popular sites like Independence Hall and Reading Terminal Market. Summer brings plenty of outdoor activities like street festivals, outdoor music and movies, and more, in addition to all the amazing tourist attractions. But once you knock off the top 3 or 4 things on your list, consider one of these 5 unique attractions which you definitely won’t find anywhere else.
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 One thing I love about the US is that you can find unique cities from coast to coast. Each has its own charm, ranging from history, museums and local foods, to unique parks and playgrounds. Our family road trips have always included spending time in cities big and small combined with visiting attractions and National Parks. It’s an awesome opportunity to explore activities that you might not find in your home town. For this post, I reached out to family travel bloggers near and far to come up with a list of their top 3 things to do in cities around the United States. From coast to coast you’ll find many family friendly ideas, each linked to a more detailed post. Hope your favorite city is on the list!
*This post was updated May, 2021.  Everyone loves to start the New Year with a resolution, so this year I decided mine would be to work harder to keep in touch with extended family. When I saw that the weather was looking perfect the first weekend in January, my daughter and I decided to make a quick road trip to visit my 94 year old aunt, who lives outside of Philadelphia. It was also a great excuse to continue our search for the best cheesesteak in Philly!
*This post was updated October, 2021  As I put the finishing touches on this blog post, I hear the weatherman say that is going to be close to 70 degrees this weekend! All the more reason you should consider visiting DC during the colder months. Most tourists, as well as locals, tend to visit between March and October. But December and January are often wonderful times to see some of the more popular attractions like the National Archives Museum and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum because the crowds are much smaller (excluding the week between Christmas and New Year’s). With that said, the weather is never predictable, with 70 degrees temperatures one week and snow the next, so be prepared. You should always check before you go for any closings or late openings due to weather. Besides staying warm in all the free museums, here are five fantastic reasons to head to DC during the colder months.
 *This post was updated April, 2023
Visiting the Nation’s Capital is a wonderful opportunity to see history come to life, spend time in amazing free museums, and enjoy the view of the monuments that make the city so special. There is so much to see and do, but Washington, DC can often be overwhelming for the first time visitor. This post focuses on tips and tricks to help make the most of a visit to DC. You can read my Guide to Visiting Washington DC page for overall recommendations and information on favorite museums, walking tours, food, and other must-see attractions . And be sure to let me know if you have any other helpful tips to add to the list. 
When people think of visiting Philadelphia, places like Independence Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art come to mind. But did you know that one of Tripadvisor’s top attractions in Philadelphia is a prison? Not just any prison, but the historic, fortress-like Eastern State Penitentiary. Located in the Fairmount neighborhood, it’s just a short 5 or 6 blocks from the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art. My daughter and I decided to visit Eastern State during our recent road trip to Philadelphia. Please note, it’s not recommended for kids under the age of 7. Admission includes a free audio tour, best for ages 12 and up. Here's 3 reasons why you should consider taking a tour, and why I included it in Unique Philadelphia - 5 Places to Add to Your List. Plus it's definitely a fun thing to do with teens in Philadelphia.
*This post was updated December, 2021  This summer was the year of mini-vacations for my family, and everywhere we went there was no shortage of hometown food favorites. I enjoyed my first visit to historic markets in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, along with discovering an amazing summer outdoor food venue in New York City. Of course, since we were in New York, we also had to make a stop at our favorite candy shop, Dylan’s Candy Bar. Read on to find out more about these popular destinations for food lovers and the local specialties that make them great.
 Amidst the dozens of museums in DC, you’ll find the National Geographic Museum quietly tucked away on 17th and M Street, NW. The museum hosts a wide array of traveling exhibits and live events, and when I heard an advertisement on the radio for Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology, I knew I had to take my family and go. I was excited to see how National Geographic would bring to life the popular movie series, so we headed into DC one recent afternoon. For all you Hollywood fans, explorers and adventurers, here are several reasons to check out this unique exhibit, and unleash your inner Indiana Jones.
 I recently took my teenage daughter on a short mother/daughter road trip, stopping in Philadelphia and New York City. Since I hadn’t been a tourist in Philadelphia for many years, I thought it would be fun to take a group tour of this historic city. I was searching for something that would give us an up close look at all the wonderful sites Philadelphia has offer, while keeping a teenager engaged. After doing some quick research on the internet, I was able to book a “History in HD” tour with Urban Adventures. Here are 5 reasons you should consider an Urban Adventure tour on your next trip to Philly.
This post was updated May, 2017
Now that summer is almost here, most families are ready to forget about school and homework and head off on vacation. But wouldn’t it be cool to not only learn about George Washington in school, but to visit Mount Vernon where he lived and walk through his garden? Or step back to colonial times in historic Williamsburg and experience life as it was back in the 1700’s? Here are 5 fun ways to make history come alive on your next family vacation. Depending on where you live, these places would be fun for a long weekend or a 3 or 4 day mini vacation. |
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