PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY TRAVEL GUIDE

NEW OR UPDATED in Pennsylvania!

SW- BICYCLE HEAVEN, Pittsburgh. World’s Largest Bike Museum, Sales Shop and Repairs center!  http://www.bicycleheaven.org/

SE – MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, Philadelphia. 101 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106. https://www.amrevmuseum.org/ Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Museum is closed on Election Days, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.  Admission: $21.00 adult, $13.00 student (age 6-17). Small senior, teacher, military discount. FREEBIES: https://www.amrevmuseum.org/learn-and-explore/for-kids-and-families/at-home-crafts-activities. SCAVENGER HUNT: https://www.amrevmuseum.org/at-the-museum/kids-and-families-at-the-museum. EDUCATORS: https://www.amrevmuseum.org/learn-and-explore/for-students-and-educators/resources-opportunities-for-educators/mini-lesson-plans

Follow George Washington’s remarkable journey and sit in the presence of his original Revolutionary War headquarters tent. It is eerie, yet awe inspiring when you’re in this signature room, imagining the intel and decisions shared within that tent!  Stand beneath the branches and lanterns of a life-size reproduction of the Boston Liberty Tree. Read the list of grievances leveled the against the King from authentic printings of the Declaration of Independence. Stand among life-size replicas of members of the Oneida Indian Nation and listen to the intense debate that led to their decision to break with the Iroquois Confederacy and join the American cause. Experience the fear and frenzy of the front lines as you are confronted by an all-out British infantry charge at the Battle of Brandywine. Climb aboard a replica privateer ship to experience the war at sea. Learn about the wartime reality that faced many freed and enslaved African Americans and explore the contradictions between the fight for American liberty and the persistence of American slavery.

The best part for kids: the many interactives among stellar exhibits (like the walk on Privateer Ship) and especially, The Revolution Place. The Museum’s family discovery center, Revolution Place, brings to life the Museum’s lively, diverse Old City neighborhood during the late 1770s and invites visitors to learn through hands-on exploration of a soldiers’ encampment, a tavern, a parlor, a house of worship, and even a privy! A variety of replica objects, dress-up clothes, and digital interactives await visitors young and old.

SE – PRESIDENT’S HOUSE COMMEMORATIVE. Philadelphia. The Independence National Historical Park site will be open around the clock so that visitors can see the exposed underground remains of the home where Presidents Washington and Adams lived during their terms. Through interpretive panels, videos, etc. the site recognizes nine enslaved people who served the first president as he led the young country in its pursuit of freedom and equality. It reveals the contradiction of slavery in the new nation. 6th & Market Streets, www.phila.gov/presidentshouse

SE – ARCH STREET FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE. Philadelphia. 320 Arch Street, 19106 (at the corner of 4th Street in Old City). http://www.HistoricASMH.org/ (215) 413-1804. Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm. Donations encouraged.

Arch Street Meeting House was built in 1804 on a burial ground originally deeded by William Penn in 1701. Step inside this active Quaker meetinghouse to learn more about the stories of the people, the building, and the grounds of Arch Street. Despite criticism and persecution, Quakers throughout history have acted against injustices and led humanitarian efforts that align with their faith. The museum shows you simple displays of examples of their efforts, highlighting Women’s Right to Vote. Notable members of the Religious Society of Friends who worshiped at this meetinghouse include abolitionists and woman rights advocates Sarah and Angelina Grimke. Many other notable early colonists are buried here, just 200 feet from Ben Franklin’s gravesite. Kids, why touring the meeting house, note the large soundboard in the main room. Try your hand at speaking to the crowd under it. Does it make your voice louder? My ancestor, John Calvert of Stanmills, is buried here. They were Quakers who came over with William Penn to establish Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in the late 1600s.

CLOSED

CW – BWP BATS FACTORY TOUR, Brookville

NC – WILLIAMSPORT TROLLEYS, Williamsport

SE – ROADSIDE AMERICA, Shartlesville

SE – NEW HOPE BOAT RIDES, New Hope

SE – DECLARATION HOUSE, Philadelphia

SE – CITY TAVERN. Philadelphia.

SE – JONES RESTAURANT. Philadelphia

SW – DISALVOS STATION RESTAURANT, Latrobe

SW – JUST DUCKY TOURS, Pittsburgh

Order books: https://kidslovetravel.com/travel-books/

(search KIDS LOVE PENNSYLVANIA, 6th Edition)