Grandparent and Grandchild Travel to Philly

The crowd was getting increasingly unruly. Someone called out, "Burn down their house!" Another British supporter shouted, “Traitors!” Then, the shadowy figure of Ben Franklin's wife, Deborah, appeared — gun in hand. The crowd roared, and I turned down the sound on my earphones.

Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Philadelphia’s sound and light show, Lights of Liberty, is a rousing one-hour, evening walk through the illuminated sites and recreated sounds of Independence National Historic Park. A special audio channel is geared for children ages 6-12. It's just one of the many ways Philadelphia makes history come alive for kids and grandparents.

A visit to Philadelphia's dusty historic district was once considered as amusing as an outing with your old high school history teacher. Now, a trip allows you to mix history with fun for all ages. Recently, I took my 4-year-old grandson, Aiden Sottile, on a kids' tour of the Old City neighborhood and its National Park Service historic sites.

Photo courtesy of Once Upon a Nation

We started with a Once Upon a Nation stroller-friendly tour through that exciting time in July, 1776, when revolution was in the air. A printer's apprentice clad in breeches and a tricorn hat took us on a quest for his master's dog, Freedom. Colonial reenactors helped us search for the pooch that had run off with a just-printed copy of the Declaration of Independence.

"I loved it when we called, 'Freedom!'" said my grandson.

Aiden might not have understood the need to find a lost document, but he relished running around the boxwood gardens and cobblestone pathways. Once Upon a Nation’s “Colonial Kids’ Quest" runs about an hour and is best for kids up to age 10. "Turmoil and Treason," for older kids, lasts an hour-and-a-half and includes a visit to Independence Hall.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Once Upon a Nation has set up professional storytellers throughout the historic district. The 13 storytelling benches are free, have nearby rain locations, and are highly entertaining and educational.

Elfreth's Alley

Take your own tour through Elfreth’s Alley, the nation's oldest residential street. Look up to see the "busybody" mirrors that allowed residents to see who was knocking at their doors. Then, turn into Bladen's Court to see a building with a balcony. Here colonial women set up their spinning wheels to catch the afternoon sun.

Long Lines for the Liberty Bell

Tight security and long lines are modern-day realities at the Liberty Bell. Fortunately, exhibits along the way entertain waiting kids. The Park Service guide gives a moving talk; you usually see glistening eyes in the audience.

"I felt proud to be there," said Jackson Betz of Downingtown, Penn., who was visiting with his grandparents, Joe and Toni Betz of Villanova, Penn. "The crack in the bell was interesting, and there was a cool video of the bell." Ten-year-old Jackson's sharp eyes noted something else: On the bell, Pennsylvania is spelled with two "n’s" instead of three.

Grandmother Toni recalled her mother took her to Independence Hall when she was young – the start of her interest in American history. The eighth-grade teacher said she hoped visiting Philadelphia’s historic sites would kindle a similar enthusiasm in her grandchildren.

Apparently, it has. When they took granddaughters, Madeleine and Chelsea Coutts, to Old City, the girls talked about the trip for days after. The Wyncote, Penn. girls especially liked their visit to the Betsy Ross House.

"We saw the secret room where she sewed the flag," said 9-year-old Chelsea. "It was so cool. They had her needle and sewing things in there, behind a little door in the corner." Madeleine, 7, remembered a play outside in the courtyard. "They were doing tricks and there was a sword fight. It was a fun time."

A few blocks from Betsy Ross House is the National Constitution Center, which opened in 2003. Its mission — to make the ideals embodied by the Constitution come alive. It’s full of interactive exhibits and a multimedia show. Kids can take the Presidential Oath of Office and wander among life-sized, bronze sculptures of the signers of the Constitution.

Franklin Square, Franklin’s Tomb

Kitty-corner from the National Constitution Center, revitalized Franklin Square sits at the edge of the historic district. The park used to be pretty unsavory. It was the last place you would expect to hear the sweet sound of a calliope, the shouts of kids in a modernistic playground, or the cheers of miniature golfers hitting a ball through the crack in a replica Liberty Bell. Now, my grandson couldn't wait to climb on his favorite carousel ride — a fantastical dragon. Another plus: restrooms.

Out-of-town visitors can find lodgings right in the historic district. Kids 17 and under stay free with adults at the Best Western Independence Park Hotel, a Victorian building on the National Register of Historic Places. Or, catch a spectacular skyline view from the rooftop pool at the Holiday Inn Hotel Philadelphia Historic District.

When hunger strikes, Jones, at Chestnut and Seventh, is an upscale diner famous for its meatloaf and mashed potatoes. My grandson loved the tomato soup/grilled cheese combo. The Independence Hall Visitors Center has a food court, and you can always munch on a Philly soft pretzel from a street vendor.

Finally, I took Aiden to the flat tombstone of Philly's favorite son, Benjamin Franklin. His tomb in the Christ Church Burial Ground is visible through an iron gate at the southeast corner of Fifth and Arch Streets. Aiden carefully tossed pennies onto the tomb, a local tradition for good luck, as we honored the patriot printer who coined the phrase, "A penny saved is a penny earned."