Note: Distances listed are from Center City and do not account for traffic delays.

Summer Day Trips in PA 

1. Langhorne, PA 
Distance from Philadelphia: 45 minutes

Preschoolers are sure to love a sunny day visit to Sesame Place. Filled with all the familiar characters found in the beloved children's television show, this amusement park leaves kids squealing with delight. The park features multiple amusement rides, theater shows, special character dining, and parades. If visiting in warm weather, don't forget to pack a bathing suit to enjoy the water park offerings. Sesame Place is known as the world's first theme park to be named a Certified Autism Center, so its low-sensory fun and trained staff can help kids make the most of the day.

2. Lehigh Valley, PA
Distance from Philadelphia: 1 hour

A short drive north from Center City, the Lehigh Valley offers families plenty of fun. Kids can participate in hands-on scientific exploration at Da Vinci Science Museum, see the animals at the Lehigh Valley Zoo, take in a minor league baseball game with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (oink, oink), or see how crayons are made at Crayola Experience.

3. Lancaster County, PA
Distance from Philadelphia: About 90 minutes

Drive about 90 minutes from Center City and start watching for horses and buggies in Amish Country. Families can take an Amish farmhouse and village tour that includes a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and farm at The Amish Village. Stop by Lancaster Central Market for delicious eats. After refueling, visit Strasburg Rail Road and see the trains, visit the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania to learn about locomotive history, and consider extending the stay with an overnight at the Red Caboose Motel. Take a ride in an Amish buggy, or engage in outdoor fun and meet some friendly animals at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. You can also tour the factories where some of your favorite foods are made, like Turkey Hill ice cream or Utz potato chips.

4. Jim Thorpe, PA
Distance from Philadelphia: About 90 minutes

While it may seem like a small and unassuming town, Jim Thorpe offers oodles of family fun: from trains, to historical and cultural sites, to shopping and outdoor adventure. Travel inside a former mine and learn about the history of the coal industry at the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum. Nature lovers will enjoy the Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary, where visitors can hand-feed butterflies and meet turtles, exotic frogs, and lizards. Adventuresome families can check out whitewater rafting, bicycling, paintball and more. Or buy a ticket for a train tour with the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.

Indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy rides for every age at Hersheypark. Photo courtesy of the park

5. Harrisburg, PA
Distance from Philadelphia: 2 hours

Visiting the State Capitol is always a great, educational experience for elementary-age children through young adults. The National Civil War Museum and The State Museum of Pennsylvania are some of the learning opportunities in Harrisburg. You can also take a riverboat ride on the Pride of the Susquehanna, explore STEM at the Whitaker Center for Science and Arts, learn about firefighting at the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, or see how chocolate is made at Hersheypark, the sweetest place on Earth.

6. Columbia County, PA
Distance from Philadelphia: 2 hours, 30 minutes

For families who love the outdoors, it's worth making the trip to Ricketts Glen State Park. There, you can hike the Falls Trail System, viewing beautiful waterfalls along the way. Take a swim at the beach on Lake Jean, or extend your stay by booking a campsite. Alternatively, spend the day at America's largest free-admission park, Knoebels Amusement Resort, a family-run amusement park, picnic grove, and campground. Either purchase an all-day pass to ride all of the classic rides and the much-lauded wooden roller-coaster, The Phoenix, or purchase tickets and pay for just the rides you want. 

7. Gettysburg, PA
Distance from Philadelphia: 2 hours, 40 minutes

History buffs are sure to enjoy a visit to Gettysburg. Start at the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center to see the cyclorama film that gives guests an overview of the 1863 battle. Families can then take a guided tour with a park ranger or chose to do a self-guided tour. Be sure to visit the National Cemetery to see where Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. Head into town, and you might be lucky enough to see Abraham Lincoln going for a stroll.

RELATED: Great Things to Do in the Poconos with Philly Kids


Travel back to the earliest days of American at the Betsy Ross House Photo courtesy of Visit Philly

8. Philadelphia, PA

For city dwellers, this may not fall in the day trip category. However, for suburbanites, the City of Brotherly Love is a wonderful excursion. Filled with amazing museums, a phenomenal zoo, and unique gardens, the city offers plenty of options for even the pickiest cherub. And, of course, Philadelphia is a town brimming with history so be sure to check out the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Betsy Ross House. If you're looking to have fun on a budget, be sure and check out some of our favorite Philly finds that are free.

Summer Day Trips in NJ

9. Camden, NJ
Distance from Philadelphia: 15 minutes

Cross over the bridge for some fun in the Garden State. Camden's Adventure Aquarium is the perfect place for children to see sharks, penguins, eels, terrapins, stingrays, and frogs. Then get lost in nature with a visit to Cooper River Park, which has playgrounds, a sculpture garden, and picnic areas. Afterward, those interested in history can explore the battleship New Jersey and its museum. Extend the fun by participating in an overnight onboard the vessel. NOTE: As of late April 2024, the battleship New Jersey is in dry dock in Philadelphia, but it's set to reopen in late May or early June.

RELATED: Alpaca Farms in Philly for Furry Family Fun

It's always summer at Sahara Sam's Oasis. Photo courtesy of Sahara Sam's

10. West Berlin, NJ
Distance from Philadelphia: 45 minutes

Does your kid know the difference between an excavator and a backhoe? Then, Diggerland should be a must-do for your little builder. Just a few minutes past Camden, families can find an amusement park unlike any other. Family-run and operated, Diggerland offers rides such as Argo Off Road, Mini-Diggers: Treasure, Operation Battle Trucks, and Elevation Station. There are special-abilities nights offered throughout the year, as well. If you'd like to cool off after digging in the dirt, stop at Big Kahuna's, which boasts both an indoor and outdoor water park, as well as an arcade.

Step into your favorite nursery rhymes and fairy tales at Storybook Land. Photo courtesy of the park

11. Jersey Shore
Distance from Philadelphia to Atlantic City: 75 minutes

Once you've cleaned the dirt from Diggerland out of the car, get ready for sand at the Jersey Shore. Of course, playing in the waves and building sand castles is always fun, but consider visiting Lucy the Elephant on the Atlantic City boardwalk and seeing the animals at the Atlantic City Aquarium or Popcorn Park Animal Refuge. Kids under 10 are sure to love a trip to Storybook Land, filled with fairy tale characters, rides, food, and special events.

12. Wildwoods, NJ
Distance from Philadelphia: 1 hour, 30 minutes

A little further down the coast, Wildwoods is a five-mile island that offers white sand beaches, a 38-block boardwalk, dining, treats, and more. Check out Morey's Piers and Water Parks, with a wide selection of water slides, activity pools, rides, and shopping.

13. South Jersey
Distance from Philadelphia: 45 minutes to an hour

The Southern tip of New Jersey abounds with natural areas that make it a perfect site for camping. Hike at Whitesbog Historic Village and Farm, where the historic village provides opportunities to learn and have hands-on fun. Indulge in the arts at the WheatonArts and Cultural Center, an arts community that includes the Museum of American Glass, daily demonstrations in glass, pottery and flameworking, and an opportunity to learn about other cultures in the Folklife Center.

More Summer Day Trips from Philly

14. Wilmington, DE
Distance from Philadelphia: 45 minutes

A short ride south takes Philly families to the first state in the country, Delaware. In the city of Wilmington, visitors can find lots of entertainment. Younger children can explore the hands-on Delaware Children's Museum or see a kid-friendly show at the Delaware Children's Theatre. Sports lovers can watch a Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball game at Frawley Stadium, play a round of mini-golf on the riverfront, or try bump-and-play soccer. Budding artists can get inspired at the Delaware Art Museum or the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts. You can view the mansion and grounds of the Dupont estate Nemours, or retreat to the Enchanted Woods at Winterthur.

15. Baltimore, MD
Distance from Philadelphia: 2 hours

You can be in Baltimore in about two hours, giving you the whole day to explore Charm City. Stick to tourist favorites and hit up the Inner Harbor to visit the Baltimore Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, and grab a bite to eat at the Rusty Scupper for classic Maryland crab cakes. If you prefer the beaten path, check out Remington for fine art either at the Baltimore Art Museum or in the public art popping up around the neighborhood. Stay for some of the best eats in town, including the original Ace of Cakes, where kids can take cake-decorating classes from the pros. Then head to Druid Hill to check out the zoo and conservatory. 

16. Washington, DC
Distance from Philadelphia: 2 hours

In about two hours, Philly families can find themselves in our nation's capital. This city is filled with history, museums, and culture. Kids are sure to love exploring the Smithsonian Museums such as the National Air and Space Museum and National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visiting the animals at Smithsonian's National Zoo is a do-not-miss attraction. An extra bonus is that they are FREE. Other noteworthy spots to visit include the International Spy Museum and Ford's Theatre. Don't forget to take in the views of the Potomac while on The Capital Wheel at the National Harbor. 

17. New York City
Distance from Philadelphia: 2 hours

Getting out of Philly and into the Big Apple is easy; the hard part is choosing where to go once you arrive. To make the most of your day trip, pick a neighborhood that is easy to get to from the highway, like Brooklyn, where you could spend a day playground hopping in Prospect Park. Or go for a classic experience at Coney Island if you are up for a slightly longer drive. The museums in New York are some of the best in the country, so if you are looking for a cultural experience, we love the kid-friendly American Museum of Natural History, or select from dozens of kid-friendly plays for the Broadway experience.

This post is updated annually. Writer Alyce Wilson contributed to the 2024 update.