Here’s the thing about Pennsylvania: most families drive right through it on the way to somewhere else, and that’s a mistake.
There are so many great things to do in Pennsylvania with kids that you could honestly fill two weeks without repeating yourself. Free amusement parks, real steam train rides through Amish farmland, world-class science museums, waterfalls you can hike to in under an hour, and beaches on Lake Erie that most people don’t even know exist.
We’ve put together this guide based on what actually holds up when you show up with children in tow, not just what looks good in a brochure. There’s a mix of big-name attractions and a few that don’t get enough attention.
Skip to the packing section at the bottom if you’re already planning your trip and just need to know what to bring.
Table of Contents
Best Things to Do in Pennsylvania with Kids
1. Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster)
If your kids are under 12, Dutch Wonderland is probably the best amusement park for them in the entire state. It’s built specifically for younger children, which sounds like damning with faint praise but it’s actually a real advantage.
You won’t spend half the day watching your kid stand next to height requirement signs and cry. There are 35 rides, Duke’s Lagoon water area, and live shows throughout the day.
It’s worth looking at season passes if you live within driving distance of Lancaster. Check their site for current pricing before you go.
2. Hersheypark (Hershey)
Hersheypark is the one Pennsylvania destination most families already know about, and the reputation is earned. Over 75 rides, 13 coasters, a full water park, and Hershey’s Chocolate World next door.
The Chocolate World ride is free, takes about 15 minutes, and kids love it. Budget a full day for the park, two days if you want to do both properly.
One honest piece of advice: go early. The park gets packed in July and August by mid-morning, so hitting the biggest rides first makes a real difference.
3. Please Touch Museum (Philadelphia)
The Please Touch Museum is specifically designed for kids under 9, and it shows in the best way. The exhibits are hands-on in a real sense, not just “press this button and watch something happen.”
The 1924 Dentzel Carousel inside the building is worth the visit on its own. It’s one of the few surviving carousels of its type in the country and kids can actually ride it.
The building is inside Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, a 19th century exhibition hall with high ceilings and natural light. After you’re done, the park is right outside if your kids still have energy to burn.
4. Franklin Institute (Philadelphia)
The Franklin Institute is where you go when your kids are old enough to actually engage with science exhibits. The walk-through Giant Heart is one of those experiences that sticks with kids for years.
The planetarium shows are well-produced and not too long. Plan 3 to 4 hours and you won’t run out of things to do.
For a two-day Philadelphia itinerary, pair the Franklin Institute and Philadelphia Zoo on day one. Add Please Touch Museum and Reading Terminal Market on day two.
5. Philadelphia Zoo
America’s oldest zoo opened in 1874 and it’s still one of the better ones in the country. The Zoo360 trail system lets certain animals move through clear mesh tunnels above the walkways, so you might look up and see a big cat walking overhead.
It’s not a gimmick. Kids who’ve been to a dozen zoos still find it surprising.
Zoo parking is expensive and the surrounding streets are frustrating on weekends. Rideshare or SEPTA from your hotel will save you a headache.
6. Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg)
Knoebels is the best-kept secret on this entire list of things to do in Pennsylvania with kids. Free admission, free parking, and you only pay per ride or buy a wristband.
The Phoenix wooden coaster consistently ranks in the top 10 wooden coasters in the world. There’s also a huge pool, a classic haunted house, and enough variety to keep different ages happy all day.
The tradeoff is location. Knoebels is in the middle of central Pennsylvania and takes some driving to reach, but they have on-site camping if you want to make a full weekend out of it.
7. Adventure Aquarium (Camden, NJ)
Technically this is in New Jersey, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. It’s a 10-minute drive from Center City and absolutely worth adding to a Philadelphia trip.
The shark tank is one of the largest in the northeastern US and kids can touch sharks and stingrays in the touch pools. There are also hippos, penguins, and a solid kids’ zone.
Buy tickets online ahead of time. Walk-up prices are higher and the weekend line at the door is slow.
8. Strasburg Rail Road (Lancaster County)
The Strasburg Rail Road has been running since 1832, with real steam locomotives pulling old passenger cars through Lancaster County farmland. The ride is 45 minutes round trip and the scenery is beautiful, especially in fall.
Right across the street is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, which has over 100 locomotives and rail cars you can walk around and in some cases climb on.
Together they make a solid half-day that doesn’t cost much and holds up better than most paid attractions.
9. Pocono Mountains
The Poconos are the closest mountains to New York City, which means summer weekends can get crowded. Go on a weekday or in September and it’s a completely different experience.
Hiking, kayaking, lake swimming, and waterfall chasing are the main draws in warm weather. In winter there are seven ski areas, most of them good for beginners and families.
Kalahari Resorts in Pocono Manor has the largest indoor water park in the country. It costs more than a typical day trip, but it’s a reliable fallback regardless of weather.
10. Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
Pittsburgh’s zoo doesn’t get talked about as much as the Philadelphia Zoo but it’s worth knowing about. It’s on 77 acres in Highland Park and the aquarium section is solid.
The Wild Encounters program lets you pay for a behind-the-scenes experience with specific animals. It’s worth looking into if you have a kid who is obsessed with a particular species.
Pittsburgh itself is underrated for families. The Carnegie Science Center, the Children’s Museum, and the Duquesne Incline all make for a full two-day visit.
11. Carnegie Science Center (Pittsburgh)
Four floors of hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, an IMAX dome, and a real Cold War submarine moored on the Ohio River outside. The submarine is called the USS Requin and it’s the thing your kids will remember most.
It’s cramped and real, not a cleaned-up replica. You walk through it and get a sense of what it was actually like to serve on a submarine in the 1950s.
It’s included with admission and worth at least an hour of your time.
12. Bushkill Falls (Pocono Mountains)
Eight waterfalls connected by hiking trails in the Pocono Mountains. The easy trail takes about 30 minutes and gets you to the main falls, which are around 100 feet high.
The longer trails run 1 to 2 hours and cover all eight. Younger kids can handle the easy trail without any problem since there are stairs and boardwalks most of the way.
It’s not a strenuous hike. More of an elevated walk with a big payoff at the end.
13. Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom (Allentown)
Dorney Park is worth considering if you’re staying in the eastern part of the state and Hersheypark feels too far. It’s a solid regional park with over 100 rides and a full water park included with admission.
It’s less crowded than Hersheypark and a bit cheaper. A practical choice for families based in Philadelphia or the Lehigh Valley area.
14. Amish Country (Lancaster County)
Lancaster County is worth a full day even if you’ve already done Dutch Wonderland and the Strasburg Railroad. Buggy rides through working farms, the Cherry Crest Adventure Farm corn maze, fresh food at the Lancaster Central Market on a Friday or Saturday morning.
It’s a slower-paced day and that’s exactly what makes it work as a break between theme park visits. Kids who’ve only ever seen food in grocery stores find the farm experience eye-opening.
Adults usually do too.
15. Presque Isle State Park (Erie)
Most people don’t realize Pennsylvania has a beach. Presque Isle is a 3,200-acre sandy peninsula on Lake Erie in the northwest corner of the state.
Beaches, kayaking, fishing, cycling trails, and a 19th century lighthouse. It’s essentially a beach park without beach town prices.
It works best as part of a western Pennsylvania road trip that includes Pittsburgh, since Erie is about 2 hours north and easy to add to a longer trip.
Planning Tips for Things to Do in Pennsylvania with Kids
Distances are real. Philadelphia to Pittsburgh is about 5 hours by car. Pick a region, stay there, and do it properly rather than trying to cover the whole state.
Late spring and early fall are the right call. May, June, and September give you better weather and smaller crowds. Summer peak at Hersheypark and the Poconos is a noticeably worse experience.
Philadelphia CityPASS saves real money. If you’re planning to visit the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Zoo, and Adventure Aquarium, the pass pays for itself. Do the math before buying individual tickets.
Stay close to where you’re going. Pennsylvania traffic near Philadelphia on summer weekends is bad. Driving 45 minutes each way with tired kids in the car takes the fun out of everything.
What to Pack for a Pennsylvania Family Trip
Whether you’re flying in or doing a full road trip, the right gear makes a noticeable difference with kids.
An underseat bag that actually fits. If you’re flying into Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, an underseat bag keeps your essentials accessible without checked bag fees. Our underseat luggage size guide covers the exact dimensions each major US airline allows.
Packing cubes. Give each kid their own cube and hotel room unpacking goes from 20 minutes of chaos to about 2 minutes. Our packing cubes guide has size recommendations based on how much each person is packing.
A lightweight day backpack. Theme park days require somewhere to put sunscreen, snacks, water bottles, and a rain jacket. Keep it under 20 liters so it doesn’t slow you down.
A portable charger. Between navigation, photos, and kids watching videos on long drives, phones die fast. A 20,000mAh battery bank handles a full family’s devices for the day.
Snacks for the car. Drives between different parts of Pennsylvania can run 2 to 3 hours. A small soft cooler cuts way down on fast food stops and keeps everyone in better shape.