When you only have 36 hours to explore a city with a family of six, you learn quickly how to maximize every minute. On a recent weekend, we packed up the kids and headed to Philadelphia—a city full of history, art, science, and plenty of family-friendly fun.
With our home base at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, we managed to squeeze in an unforgettable whirlwind adventure.
Staying at the Loews Philadelphia
The Loews Philadelphia Hotel was the perfect choice for our family trip. Set right in the middle of Center City, the hotel offered sweeping views of the skyscrapers that lit up beautifully at night.
The kids loved standing by the big windows, pointing out buildings, while we soaked in the feeling of being right in the heart of Philly.
What really made our stay special was the Loews Loves Families package.
Not only did it include kid-friendly amenities to make traveling smoother, but it also came with tickets to the Please Touch Museum, one of Philly’s top family attractions. Having that already built into our stay saved us time and money—and guaranteed we’d check off one of the kids’ favorite stops.
Add in spacious rooms that gave all six of us room to spread out, and it truly felt like a home base designed with families in mind. They even included a little teepee and toys that the kids had a ball pretending to roast s’mores at their campfire!
And let’s not forget breakfast—our crew started Day 2 with a room service feast delivered right to our door. French toast, eggs, fresh fruit, and coffee (lots of it!) were the perfect way to fuel up without the hassle of getting everyone out the door early.
Multigenerational Travel at Loews
The Loews Philadelphia Hotel goes beyond just family-friendly—it’s truly built for multi-generational travel. Whether you’re traveling with toddlers, grandparents, or even pets, the Loews brand has made it effortless to bring everyone together under one roof.
“Loews Philadelphia Hotel invites guests of all ages to experience the joy of traveling together with effortless, elevated stays designed for every generation,” said Sarah Murov, Senior Vice President, Brand and Communications. “Multigenerational guests aren’t just accommodated; they’re welcomed with intention. From connecting rooms to kids’ programming, we’re building experiences that every generation can enjoy, together.”
With brand-forward programs like Loews Little Legends and Connecting Comfort, plus immersive Local by Loewsactivations and thoughtful, destination-specific perks, the hotel makes family travel feel less like a logistical puzzle and more like a celebration.
Highlights include:
- Loews Little Legends: A family-friendly program designed to spark imagination and exploration for young guests. Kids can enjoy age-appropriate scavenger hunts, cozy kid tents, and even receive three tickets to the Please Touch Museum as part of the package. From kid-approved menus and complimentary Hello Bello baby kits to partnerships with Little Spoon (offering organic baby and toddler meals), Loews makes traveling with little ones easier than ever.
- Connecting Comfort: This program guarantees connecting rooms at the time of booking—perfect for families traveling with grandparents or teens who need a bit more space. It also includes a $30 daily food and beverage credit per room and starts at $229/night++.
- Local by Loews: A curated program that connects guests with authentic local experiences. In Philadelphia, the hotel partners with Morton Contemporary Gallery, hosting select Thursday evening events in the Lobby Lounge where local artists showcase their work.
- Loews Loves Pets: Even furry family members are welcomed with thoughtful amenities, like in-room pet dining menus and “Pet-in-Room” door signs.
Whether it’s the wonder of a child’s first trip, the comfort of a grandparent’s visit, or the shared laughter of cousins reconnecting, Loews Philadelphia Hotel is designed for the moments that matter most—making multi-generational travel not just possible, but truly enjoyable.
Day 1: Exploring Science, History, and Nighttime Magic
Wagner Free Institute of Science
We kicked things off with the Wagner Free Institute of Science, one of those hidden gems that makes a trip extra special. With its old-school wooden cases filled with fossils, minerals, and taxidermy, it felt like stepping back in time.
The kids were fascinated (and maybe a little creeped out) by some of the specimens, but it was a perfect stop for our curious bunch.
Independence Hall & Liberty Bell
No trip to Philly is complete without a stop at Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed. The kids were wide-eyed learning about the history here.
Just steps away, we also visited the Liberty Bell—a quick but iconic stop that added another layer to our historic afternoon.
Penn’s Landing & Liberty Point Lunch
By midday, we made our way to Penn’s Landing for some waterfront fun and grabbed lunch at Liberty Point. This open-air restaurant offered incredible views of the Delaware River, and it was the perfect break in our busy day.
Sitting outside with the river breeze and a plate of food gave everyone a second wind.
Museum of Illusions
Next, we headed to the Museum of Illusions, where nothing is quite as it seems. The kids laughed their way through tilted rooms, optical tricks, and mind-bending puzzles—it was as fun for the adults as it was for them.
Independence Beer Garden Dinner
For dinner, we circled back near the historic district and enjoyed a relaxed evening at the Independence Beer Garden. With twinkling lights, picnic-style seating, and plenty of space for the kids to stretch out, it was the perfect mix of casual and fun.
The grown-ups got to enjoy a local beer while the kids snacked happily—win-win!
Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square
Our final stop of the night was the Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square, which was pure magic. The glowing lanterns lit up the night, with giant dragons, flowers, and whimsical characters around every corner.
It was mesmerizing for both kids and adults and the perfect way to end Day 1.
Day 2: Art, Play, and Philly Favorites
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
After fueling up, our first stop was Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens—an immersive mosaic wonderland designed by Isaiah Zagar.
The kids loved weaving through the colorful passageways, spotting hidden designs, and snapping pictures in what felt like a storybook brought to life.
Please Touch Museum
From there, it was off to the Please Touch Museum, and honestly, it was one of the highlights of the whole trip. This place is truly designed with kids in mind—two sprawling floors filled with interactive exhibits that encourage learning through play.
The kids raced toy boats down water tables, pretended to shop in a pint-sized grocery store, and climbed through the massive indoor play structures. The hands-on science exhibits kept our older ones engaged, while the storybook-themed play spaces were perfect for our younger kids. Even the carousel was a hit and gave us all a chance to take a breather.
It’s rare to find a museum where all four of our kids—ranging from toddler to big kid—were equally entertained, but the Please Touch Museum pulled it off. Thanks to the Loews package, our tickets were covered, making it an easy and stress-free stop.
Geno’s Steaks Lunch
No visit to Philly would be complete without a cheesesteak, so we made our way to Geno’s Steaks for lunch. The sizzling sandwiches piled high with cheese and onions did not disappoint. The kids split a few and declared it their favorite meal of the trip.
Love Park
Before heading home, we squeezed in a quick visit to Love Park, home to the iconic LOVE sculpture. It’s touristy but classic, and now we have the family picture to prove we were there.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with four kids can be chaotic, but Philadelphia made it easy. The mix of history, hands-on museums, outdoor art, and nighttime magic kept everyone engaged.
that with a family-friendly hotel like the Loews Philadelphia, with its city views, room service perks, and thoughtful family package, and we left feeling like we had truly experienced the city—even in such a short window.
If you’re looking for a quick getaway with kids, 36 hours in Philadelphia is more than enough to create lifelong memories.
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
