Philadelphia trips can be genuinely affordable or add up fast depending on which activities you pick. Here's the real breakdown — what you'll actually spend at the places families visit most, not sanitized "prices vary" non-answers.
Free Stops (Spend $0 on Admission)
Start your trip here. Philadelphia has real free options that aren't just "walk around and look at stuff."
Von Colln Playground is one of the best-located free stops in the city — right next to the Art Museum with a 5.0 rating and an athletic field for bigger kids. Total cost: $0. The Art Museum lots often have free parking on weekends.
Wagner Free Institute of Science is free admission, full stop. It's a Victorian natural history museum with real specimens and a 4.8 rating. Budget for parking and lunch nearby; the museum itself costs nothing.
Free arboretums add up quickly if you do them right: Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens, and Awbury Arboretum are all $0 admission — pack a picnic and you've covered lunch too.
Sister Cities Park in Center City is free entry with a splash pad in summer. The adjacent cafe is optional; skip it and bring your own snacks.
East Fairmount Park, Children's Playground at FDR Park, Fitzpatrick Playground, and Smith Playground are all free. Smith has an indoor playhouse that's especially good in bad weather.
Free day total for a family of 4: $0–25 (just food you bring yourself)
Budget Range: $30–70
These spots give real bang for a limited budget.
Reading Science Center: $30–50 for the family. 4.9 rating. No food on site — eat before or after.
Little City Activity Center: $30–50 for two adults and two young children. Check the website for current session pricing; it varies.
Pottstown Children's Discovery Center: $30–50 for the family — community pricing, lower than big-city museums. One of the most affordable children's museums in the region.
DreamLand Adventure: $50–70 for the family, 4.8 stars. Check the website for sibling discounts.
Kids Kastle: $40–60 for two adults and two kids. Adults are often free or reduced.
Kids Castle Central Park: Free. One of those playgrounds that's too good to actually cost nothing.
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens: $50–60 for the family. Admission runs $10–12/adult, $5/child. Check the website for free community days.
Budget day total for a family of 4: $30–70 + food
Mid-Range: $70–120
This is where most Philly family days land.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University: $70–90 for the family (adults $18–20, kids $13–15). Cafe on site. Philly residents sometimes get discounted rates — ask.
Museum of Life and Science (Durham, NC): $70–100. Adults ~$20, kids ~$15. Parking included, cafe on site. ASTC reciprocal admission may apply.
Morris Arboretum & Gardens: $50–65. Adults $10–15, children under 3 free. No on-site restaurant — pack lunch.
Jumpers Family Fun Zone: $55–80 for the family. Snacks and drinks cost extra — bring your own to keep it trimmer.
The Mütter Museum: $65–90. Adults $22, teens $17. No food on site.
Delaware Children's Museum: $55–75. Per-person rate runs $13–15. Light food available on site.
Independence Seaport Museum: $65–85. Adults $18, kids $13. Light food on site, Delaware Ave parking.
Altitude Trampoline Park: $75–110. Jump passes $18–22/person plus socks. Bring your own socks after the first visit.
Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park: $80–120. Admission $20–25/person for all attractions. Socks required.
Kids Empire Cheltenham: $60–100. Pricing varies; typically $15–25/child.
Mid-range day total for a family of 4: $70–120 + food
Splurge Range: $120+
These are the big-ticket days that deliver big-ticket experiences.
Adventure Aquarium: $100–140. Adults $30–35, kids $22–26. Buy online in advance — walk-up pricing is higher.
Treetop Quest Philly Adventure Park and Ziplines: $120–160 for two adults and two kids. Book online for best pricing.
Philadelphia Zoo (including Big Cat Falls, Reptile House, KidZooU, McNeil Avian Center): $90–120 for a family of four. This covers all in-park attractions. Parking extra.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park: $90–140. Ultimate package $22–28/person gets access to all attractions.
The Oasis Family Fun Center: $80–110 for a family doing a few activities. Go activity bundles rather than individual token loads to reduce cost.
Splurge day total for a family of 4: $120–200 including food and parking
Tiered Budget Summary
| Day Type | Admission | Food Estimate | Total Range | |----------|-----------|---------------|-------------| | Budget Day | Free parks + Wagner Institute | Pack your own | $0–25 | | Mid Budget Day | Academy of Natural Sciences or Kids Kastle | Quick lunch $25–40 | $95–130 | | Splurge Day | Adventure Aquarium + Treetop Quest | Sit-down dinner $60–80 | $220–290 |
Top Tips to Save
- Buy online. Adventure Aquarium, Treetop Quest, and most paid venues charge less online than at the door.
- Check ACM/ASTC reciprocal memberships. If you have a home science museum or children's museum membership, it may get you free or discounted entry at multiple Philadelphia venues.
- Pack food. Most outdoor parks have zero food on site. Brown bag it and you save $30–50 on every outdoor day.
- Free playgrounds are legitimately great. Von Colln, Kids Castle Central Park, Sister Cities Park, and FDR Park are not consolation prizes — they're excellent.
Mid-Range Continued: More Options at $60–120
The Bucks County Children's Museum: $50–70 for the family ($12–15/person). 4.6 stars, 1.5–2.5 hours. Book tickets online in advance — they can sell out on weekends. No food on site; parking is free.
Ship To Fun: $60–80 for the family ($12–15/child; adults often free or reduced). 4.5 stars, 1.5–2.5 hours. Light snacks available on site.
Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den: $50–70 for the family ($12–15/person). 4.5 stars, 1.5–2.5 hours. The Steamtown Mall area has food options nearby.
Kids at Play: $50–70 for the family ($10–15/child). 4.4 stars, 1.5–2 hours. Snacks extra.
Museum of Illusions Philadelphia: $60–80 for two adults and two kids ($18–22/person). 4.5 stars, 1–1.5 hours. Check for online discounts before buying at the door.
Launch Family Entertainment Deptford: $75–110 for the family (session passes $18–22/person; grip socks extra). 4.4 stars, 1.5–2.5 hours.
Funzilla Fairless Hills: $80–130 for the family (activity bundles + food). 4.4 stars, 2–3 hours. Go-karts are the popular add-on.
Funzilla Delran: $75–120 for the family (activity bundle + food). 4.3 stars, 2–3 hours.
Philly Play Pact: $60–100 for the family (skate rental + admission + snacks). 4.2 stars, 1.5–3 hours.
FDR Park: $20–50 total. Park entry is free; paddle boats or bike rentals run $10–20/hour. Food from vendors or bring your own. 4.5 stars, 1–3 hours — a free-to-enter park that you can scale up with rentals.
Franklin Square: $30–60 total depending on activities (playground is free; mini golf $10–12/person; carousel a few dollars per ride). 4.6 stars, 1.5–2.5 hours. You control exactly how much you spend here.
The Philadelphia Zoo: What You Actually Pay
The zoo admission covers four major exhibits that are worth calling out individually. Full family admission runs $90–120 for a family of four ($25–30/adult, $20–25/child).
That one ticket covers: - Big Cat Falls: Lions, tigers, leopards at close range. 4.6 stars. - McNeil Avian Center: Free-flight bird habitat. 4.6 stars. - Reptile and Amphibian House: 4.7 stars. - KidZooU: Interactive kids' zone. 4.5 stars. - Bear Country: 4.4 stars. - Animal Rides: $2–5 per ride, extra.
A full zoo day is easily 3–4 hours and the best value proposition in the $90–120 range — you're paying $22–30/person for a full half-day experience that covers seven distinct animal zones.