How to Plan a Family-Friendly Weekend in Philadelphia

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, there’s no better time to explore the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed. After a recent visit, Indagare’s Rose Taylor reports on how to make the most of a weekend in the City of Brotherly Love, family-style.

My husband and I wanted to get away with our 14-month-old son, Bobby, but with busy lives and another baby on the way, we didn’t want the trip to be too much work. This is where the idea of a long weekend at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center came into play.

Philadelphia is approximately a two-hour drive from where we live in Brooklyn, and the ability to drive ourselves to and from the destination liberated us from traffic-plagued Ubers to the airport, security, lugging carefully packed carry-on suitcases, squirmy toddler flights and more. We threw what we needed in the trunk of our car (my exhaustive baby packing list is coming to the Indagare website, soon) and timed our departure around Bobby’s morning nap. For a long weekend trip, the mid-morning weekday drive and Sunday morning return drive were both smooth sailing—almost too good to be true.

It was key that we have a really comfortable and family-friendly spot to spend the early mornings as well as downtime during Bobby’s naps. The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia makes up the 45th to 60th floors of the Comcast Center, and as you might expect of a new high-rise hotel, it is sleek and cosmopolitan (it opened in 2019). But despite the property’s grown-up vibes, it still manages to strike the perfect blend of being luxurious and pampering for adults (including a gorgeous spa) and staying equally kid-friendly for families.

Guests arrive at the ground-level loop and are welcomed by the well-dressed and professional Four Seasons valet team, who take care of your car and luggage and direct you to the elevator bank inside. Upon arrival at the 60th-floor lobby, you are greeted by a sky-high, colorful seasonal display by celebrity florist Jeff Leathem; the mirrored ceiling amplifies the wow-effect.

I highly recommend booking accommodations on the Sky Garden floor, which is truly exceptional. The curated design places an emphasis on art, but what really stands out are the residential-style suites, which make all the difference for families. These suites have a separate living room with a high-end kitchenette—complete with sink, fridge, microwave and washer-dryer, which is super convenient for families (think storing and preparing milk and food, washing bottles, etc.). This layout is also a must-book for those wanting more privacy. The Sky Garden floor is also home to both the Penthouse Suite and Sky Terrace Suite, the only two suites with dedicated outdoor spaces.

The entire hotel staff was really welcoming, allowing Bobby to choose a toy from the treasure chest at the front desk upon arrival. The room was set up with a full-size, high-quality wooden crib, and the true black-out curtains were a bonus. Children are welcome anywhere in the hotel, and the infinity pool family hours are generous (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.).

The Please Touch Museum is a must-visit for kids ages two and up. My 14-month-old son was a little young for some of it, but it was fun to let him explore, and there are three toddler areas specifically for those two and under. Highlights include the kid-sized pretend grocery store, water play area, Alice in Wonderland maze, foam block-building area, old-fashioned (indoor) horse carousel and more. For slightly older children, The Franklin Institute is a science museum with immersive exhibits—including the longstanding “Giant Heart” that spans two stories and allows visitors to walk through it—as well as a planetarium and sports zone.

For the adults in the group, Philadelphia has no lack of incredible cultural institutions, so it’s easy to balance out kid-centric stops (as long as you’re willing to bring them along). I loved the Barnes Foundation, a can’t-miss art collection only open to the public from Thursday to Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It isn’t the most family-friendly, so bring the stroller and snacks. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, known for its famous “Rocky Steps,” is more kid-friendly, with “Art Kids” programming, interactive tours and popular galleries like the arms and armor section.

With just a few days in town and a toddler in tow (who still naps sometimes twice a day), we did have to pick and choose how we spent our time, and it felt like we barely scratched the surface of all that Philadelphia has to offer. There is a rich city history to dive into, including the Museum of the American Revolution (especially relevant for the celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary this July), as well as a vibrant sports culture—and so much more.

Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, an Italian restaurant in Fishtown serving pasta, pizza and more from their wood-fired oven, was delicious and offered plentiful outdoor seating perfect for families in the warmer months. Fishtown is a lively neighborhood that provides a nice contrast to downtown Philadelphia, so baking in some time to walk around before or after dinner here is ideal.

Parc, a Philadelphia institution, was the perfect fun brunch, and they showered our son with love and attention, bringing his food out right away and sending us home with a loaf of fresh bread. It’s just across from Rittenhouse Square, which made for the perfect spot for him to run around after being confined to his high chair.

If you need your Philly cheesesteak fix, local friends recommended Angelo's Pizzeria in South Philadelphia. Only open from Wednesday to Sunday, it’s a casual, cash-only counter where you place your order and provide your phone number for updates. While you’re waiting, take the kids to Palumbo Turtle Playground across the street and around the corner. There are benches throughout the playground for a meal on the go.