Summer Family Fun in Philadelphia

Museums & Cultural Attractions

At the African American Museum in Philadelphia kids will especially like seeing how the stars of the Negro Baseball League compared with those in the "white" majors. An important history lesson for both young and old is the Supreme Court’s Brown versus the Board of Education ruling, a decision aimed at ending segregation in public schools. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this historic ruling, the museum is hosting Brown V. Board of Education: 50 Years of Integration, 1954-2004, an exhibit that looks at early civil rights efforts in Philadelphia and beyond. Through December 30, 2004. 701 Arch Street, (215) 574-0380, http://www.aampmuseum.org/

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A tasty experience for the whole family is Chocolate: The Exhibition, on display at The Academy of Natural Sciences from June 12, 2004 through September 6, 2004. The exhibit explores the plant, products, history and culture of chocolate through the lenses of botany, ecology, anthropology, economics, conservation and popular culture. The display takes visitors on a tour from chocolate's rainforest origins to its many uses by the Maya, to its arrival in Europe and the chocolate market today. 19th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 299-1000, http://www.acnatsci.org/

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The Philadelphia Water Department’s Fairmount WaterWorks Interpretive Center, housed within a Neoclassical riverside structure that supplied all of Philadelphia with water from 1815 to 1909, promises to be one of the area’s greatest new attractions. Visitors can take a simulated helicopter trip from local tidal bays to river headwaters, view a model showing how rain that falls on watersheds leads to pollution, discover interactive sculpture and work in a water lab. 640 WaterWorks Drive, (215) 685-0723, http://www.fairmountwaterworks.org/

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A traveling exhibit consisting of more than 300 original artifacts from the Titanic will be on display at The Franklin Institute Science Museum beginning July 10, 2004. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is an experiential journey that takes visitors from the first-class stateroom to the third-class quarters. Not only will visitors meet the Titanic’s passengers and crew through a compelling audio tour, they’ll also touch the iceberg, feel how cold the ocean was and witness a recreation of the night sky. Through January 2, 2005. 222 N. 20th Street, (215) 448-1200, http://www.franklininstitute.org/

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Kids can have just as much fun as their parents exploring the Mercer Museum's vast collection of early American tools, folk art and furnishings. In the Animals on the Loose exhibit, children ages three- to eight-years-old team up with Rollo, Henry Mercer’s favorite dog, on a hands-on adventure to track down animal artifacts from the museum. 84 S. Pine Street, Doylestown, (215) 345-0210, http://www.mercermuseum.org/

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For seven years now, children have been enchanted with Morris Arboretum’s Garden Railway display, a miniature world set in the splendor of a summer garden. Debuting each year on Father’s Day weekend, the exhibit features seven G-scale model train lines running through a wonderland of historic Philadelphia buildings created entirely of natural materials. In keeping with this year's theme: Great American Lighthouses, the city is interspersed with replicas of 16 majestic lighthouses from around the nation. Through October 11, 2004. 100 Northwestern Avenue, (215) 247-5777, www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum

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The National Constitution Center teaches kids and parents about the voting process with artifacts such as a copy of the 15th Amendment, granting all male citizens, regardless of race, the right to vote. From start to finish, the super-interactive Center is loaded with fun displays and high-tech gadgets for learning about the nation’s most important four-page document. Kids can preside over a Supreme Court hearing, take the Presidential Oath of Office and vote for their favorite president of all time. 525 Arch Street, (866) 917-1787, http://www.constitutioncenter.org/

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At Giggleberry Fair, found within Bucks County’s historic Peddler’s Village, families can experience Giggleberry’s magnificent Grand Carousel and Giggleberry Mountain. The indoor, three-story obstacle course and maze is complete with thousands of foam berries, powerful berry blasters and side-by-side racing slides. In Discovery Land, imagination and creativity rule. Here, kids can pretend to be a farmer on a full-size wooden pick-up truck, go fishing in a multilevel waterway and shop for produce at the fruit stand. Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska, (215) 794-8960, http://www.peddlersvillage.com/

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The Philadelphia Zoo unveils three new exhibits this summer. The bravest of the family bunch will enjoy Cobras!, an intimate exhibit featuring the largest collection of venomous snakes ever at the Zoo. Not only can visitors get up close and personal with the serpents, they can also "be the reptile" by standing at the helm of a customized super-soaker that simulates a spitting cobra. Through September 2004. The Children's Zoo has reopened with a whimsical new look, a miniature bunny village and a life-size farming tractor. Families can discover how to survive in a real jungle with the PECO Jungle Trek. 3400 W. Girard Avenue, (215) 243-1100, http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/

Outdoor Attractions

Watching the Philadelphia Phillies play in their new 43,500-seat Citizens Bank Park is only one of many ways for fans to pass the time at the new ballpark. Along Ashburn Alley, the outfield entertainment area named after Phillies’ great Richie Ashburn, fans can learn about Phillies history, while taking a shot at being a baseball great themselves through several interactive experiences. Created especially for kids, the Phanatic Phun Zone gives children ages eight and under the opportunity to climb, explore, play and have the slide of their lives as they venture through the largest Softplay area in Major League Baseball. One Citizens Bank Way, (215) 463-5000, http://www.phillies.com/

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Festivals at Penn’s Landing are a Philly summertime tradition like no other. Each year, the warm-weather season unofficially kicks off with Jam on the River, Memorial Day’s biggest party. The summer swings into high gear for kids with multicultural festivals from June 6-September 12, 2004; and Children’s Special Sundays, every Sunday in July and August. In addition to learning about their ethnic heritage, kids can enjoy games, food, activities and fun along the scenic Delaware River. (215) 922-2FUN, http://www.pennslandingcorp.com/

Tours

Made famous in London town, Big Bus Tours continue service on the streets of Philadelphia with multiple stops at city sights and hotels, plus new covered bus service and complimentary hotel shuttle service. Big Bus Tours are a great way to see the city’s most popular sites, but they’re also a fun way to learn some Philly fun facts. The two-floor coaches depart from 6th & Market Streets. (866) 3BIG-BUS, http://www.bigbustours.com/

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In Philadelphia, the walls of buildings, community centers and recreational facilities are literally an artist’s canvas - thanks to the Mural Arts Program, responsible for creating more than 2,300 works of art for the city. Mural Arts Tours make seeing the many inspirational works a fun task for families. The trolley ride takes visitors on a behind-the-scenes look at these artistic expressions, as much a part of the cityscape as Independence Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 6th & Market Streets, (215) 685-0754, http://www.muralarts.org/

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The Neighborhood Tourism Network hosts popular ride-and-walk adventures through some of the city’s most vibrant ethnic neighborhoods, making this a great way for the whole family to learn and explore together. Philadelphia Neighborhood Tours for 2004 include Philadelphia's Civil Rights Struggle with a stop at Girard College, where families can enjoy a special educational exhibit to commemorate the anniversary of Brown versus the Board of Education ruling. Tours are recommended for ages eight and above. (215) 599-2295, http://www.gophila.com/

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Ride the Ducks, World War II-era amphibious Army vehicles converted into fun sightseeing vessels, offer some of the most popular tickets in town - especially for families. The Ducks have added two more vehicles to their fleet and continue to quack, play music and ride on land - through Old City and South Street - and water - along the Delaware River at Penn’s Landing. The luckiest "duck" in the family may even get to navigate the boat on the river. Tours depart from 6th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 227-DUCK, http://www.phillyducks.com/