The Franklin Institute holds a special place in the hearts of many Philadelphians. This kid-friendly museum has fun and interactive exhibits, like the giant heart that invites little ones to crawl inside to explore its physiology from the inside out. At the electricity exhibit, you can use your own body to complete an electrical circuit! Kids will enjoy trying their hands at traditional papermaking methods and using levers and pulleys to hoist themselves up in Sir Isaac's Loft.

Of course, no trip to the Franklin Institute is complete without a stop at the Fels Planetarium to experience the magic of the night sky in cutting-edge astronomical shows. There's so much to do at the Franklin Institute that it's easy to spend an entire day wandering from room to room and exploring all the interactive exhibits!

The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 448-1200
www.fi.edu
www.yelp.com/biz/the-franklin-institute-science-museum-philadelphia

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/fdecomite

The Schuylkill River Park is a true urban gem, stretching along the bank of the Schuylkill River as it passes through Philadelphia’s Center City. The creation and maintenance of this park represent a true community effort, and while the park is a favorite destination for everyone in the neighborhood, it is particularly popular with dog owners, as it has two separate dog park areas: one for larger dogs and another for smaller pets.

Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the tennis and basketball courts, and kids will enjoy the modern, colorful playground equipment. Everyone will like the shady tree-lined paths and benches that are perfect for relaxing in the sun and reading a book or chatting with friends. The riverside path for biking and running gives access to the Fairmount network of riverside paths, too. Vegetables and flowers bloom throughout the summer in the park's community garden, while festivals and other special events regularly enliven the park's open plaza spaces.

Schuylkill River Park
2500 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.fsrp.org
www.yelp.com/biz/schuylkill-river-park-philadelphia

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Rachel Kramer

We hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day!