Zoos are a great place for families to visit any time of year and offer an unforgettable learning experience about our world’s amazing wildlife. Listed alphabetically, the following 10 zoos are among the best on the East Coast of the USA. Visit one of these for a memorable encounter that will inspire future generations with wonder and respect for the natural world.

Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo in New York is the biggest urban zoo in the world

At 265 acres, the Bronx Zoo in New York is the biggest urban zoo in the world. Their naturalistic habitats are home to over 600 species of creatures in fantastic exhibits including Tiger Mountain, JungleWorld, the Congo Gorilla Forest, African Plains, Madagascar! and the Baboon Reserve. Their award-winning Children’s Zoo boasts three acres of hands-on activities that help children learn all about animals and their habitats and includes a petting zoo. The zoo also features a Bug Carousel, camel rides, a Zoo Shuttle with unlimited rides per ticket, a 4-D Theater, and the Wild Asia Monorail that takes visitors on a guided tour where elephants, rhinos, tigers and other wildlife frolic in the forests, riverbanks and pastures of their habitats. Daily animal feedings and training demonstrations offer unforgettable encounters as well. The Bronx Zoo is located at Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Road in Bronx, New York 10470. For more information visit www.bronxzoo.com

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Safari tours at Disney's Animal Kingdom are a wonderful way to view many of the animals at the park, like this elephant

As part of the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Disney’s Animal Kingdom encompasses 500 lush acres and over 1,700 animals from 250 species. There are seven themed areas surrounding the park’s Tree of Life - a 14-story sculpted thematic park centerpiece –  with exhibits, expeditions and safaris that offer close encounters with the animals. Pulsating entertainment includes musical stage performances, parades, and fantastic shows like Flights of Wonder that features 20 bird species including macaws, hawks and eagles. Several rides whirl guests through themed adventures like the Kali River Rapids rafts, the Expedition Everest coaster, the TriceraTop Spin, the Wildlife Express Train and more. A shaded petting zoo lets children learn more about a variety of animals including llamas, sheep, goats and chickens. Kids can also run, climb, slide or dig for fossils at the playground with a shaded dig site called The Boneyard. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is located at 2901 Osceola Parkway in Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830. For more information visit www.disneyworld.disney.go.com (under “Parks” tab at top)

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Train rides are one of the delights featured at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

With over 1,800 exotic animals and 1,000 diverse plants, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida offers families an exciting wildlife adventure. Some of the many naturalistic exhibits are the Great Apes, the Plains of East Africa, the River Valley Aviary, the Giraffe Overlook, Wild Florida, and the Range of the Jaguar that is home to one of the nation’s largest collections of these gorgeous cats. Its botanical gardens are a passionate testament to nature’s beauty, and a sanctuary for strolling. The zoo offers behind-the-scenes tours, lush garden tours, keeper talks, bird watching, train rides, and a delightful wildlife carousel. A play park with splash ground lets children run, jump, climb and play through mazes and a variety of nature-themed apparatus. They can also pet animals such as pygmy goats in the animal care contact yard, explore several tree houses, do arts and crafts and other activities in the Discovery Building, and much more. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is located at 370 Zoo Parkway in Jacksonville, Florida 32218. For more information visit www.jacksonvillezoo.org

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Guests can feed the giraffes for a nominal fee at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

With its opening in 1876, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Maryland is the third oldest zoo in the nation, and is home to over 2,000 animals. African Journey is the zoo’s largest area with numerous exhibits where animals indigenous to Africa can be seen. Watch cheetahs, gazelle, warthogs, elephants, rhinos, zebras, lions and more in naturalistic habitats. Go on camel rides or feed giraffes at the feeding station for a nominal fee. In Polar Bear Watch, guests can explore the tundra setting with arctic foxes, snowy owls, ravens and polar bears with a large underwater viewing area to see the bears swim. The Maryland Wilderness featuring The Children’s Zoo boasts many interactive exhibits that inspire children to crawl, climb and jump like the animals displayed – all native to Maryland – and includes a walk-through aviary, cave, petting area with farmyard critters, and much more. The zoo also has a few carnival-style rides, a train, a carousel, a variety of tours, animal encounters and educational keeper talks. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is located at 1876 Mansion House Drive in Baltimore, Maryland 21217. For more information visit www.marylandzoo.org

Philadelphia Zoo

State-of-the-art exhibits at the Philadelphia Zoo let visitors see many animals like this very regal lion up close through tall windows

The Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the nation’s first and oldest zoo, having opened after the American Civil War. Over 1,300 animals – many of them rare and endangered – live on the 42-acres in habitats that allow visitors to see and experience the animals up close.  Get face-to-face with big cats from around the world including tigers, lions, leopards and jaguars through tall glass windows rather than across deep moats. Watch gorillas as they meander through stunning lush gardens. There are bears, birds, bugs, reptiles, aquatic animals and so much more. Children will love the variety of rides and activities such as the Amazon Rainforest Carousel, camel and pony rides, swan boats, train rides, hand-feeding lorikeets, and the Channel 6 Zooballoon that offers panoramic views at a soaring 400 feet. The Children’s Zoo allows kids to pet and feed familiar furry and feathered farm friends, and get a closer look at creepy crawlies at Backyard Bugs, while they learn about the many creatures that share our planet. The Philadelphia Zoo is located at 3400 West Girard Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104. For more information visit www.philadelphiazoo.org

Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

These sea lions and over 4,000 animals live at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

With its fantastic combination of zoo and aquarium, the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania features 77 acres with over 4,000 animals.  Guests can see lions, elephants, zebras and ostriches roam among the plains and animals of the African Savanna exhibits. There are over 90 primates in the indoor/outdoor Tropical Forest complex. The Asian Forest is home to snow leopards, tigers, a Komodo dragon and other fascinating creatures. Visitors can get a close look at polar bears, sea otters and sand tiger sharks in the Water’s Edge exhibit with its two underwater tunnels. The PPG Aquarium boasts over 4,000 exotic fish, an open ocean tank, coral reef, stingray tunnel and more. Children will love exploring the Kid’s Kingdom with its petting zoo, animal encounters, playful sea lion shows, reptile house, playground and many interactive exhibits where they can learn all about the animals. Train and carousel rides (Memorial Day through Labor day – weather permitting) top off an exciting visit here. The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is located at 1 Wild Place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206. For more information visit www.pittsburghzoo.org

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Pretty penguins frolicking at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Over 2,000 animals live at Columbia, South Carolina’s 170-acre Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, while its lush exotic and native plants – including perennials, vines, fragrant flowers and more – are all enchantingly displayed among waterfalls, scenic river views and tranquil pathways that inspire a wonder for nature. Some of the animal exhibits include the African Plains with giraffes, zebras and ostriches; Large Mammals with lions, tigers, bears and baboons; Australian Animals with koalas, a walk-through lorikeet aviary, kangaroos and wallabies; and the Ndoki Forest with elephants, monkeys, gorillas and meerkats. The award-winning Aquarium Reptile Complex features fish, amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles along with daily diving presentations. The popular Riverbanks Farm lets children get a closer look at farm animals while learning about farm life. This wonderful zoo also offers pony rides, an Endangered Species Carousel, and a 3-D Adventure Theater with exciting shows. They are located at 500 Wildlife Parkway in Columbia, South Carolina 29210. For more information visit www.riverbanks.org

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Graceful cheetahs lounging at the National Zoo

Founded in 1889, the National Zoological Park in Washington, DC is one of the oldest zoos in the USA. There are about 2,000 animals from 400 species including its popular giant pandas (one of only four such centers housing giant pandas in the USA), Asian elephants, great apes, big cats, birds, small mammals, aquatic animals, amphibians, reptiles, insects and a host of endangered species which comprise about a quarter of the animals there. Exciting daily programs include feeding demonstrations, animal training, and keeper presentations where visitors can learn more about the fascinating animals, what they eat, and how they behave. The Kids’ Farm engages children with hands-on activities and a petting barn where they can learn about a variety of animals including goats, hogs, cows, alpacas and donkeys. There is also a playground area and Pizza Garden where they can discover the origins of ingredients that make a pizza. The National Zoo offers free admission and is located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW in Washington, DC 20008. For more information visit www.nationalzoo.si.edu

Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta is one of only four zoos in the nation with giant pandas

Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia is home to more than 1,300 animals representative of over 220 species residing in about 40 lush acres of realistic wildlife habitats. Like the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, it too was founded in 1889 and is Atlanta’s oldest cultural venue. Some of the exhibit highlights include the Asian Forest and the Ford African Rain Forest with the nation’s biggest zoological collection of orangutans and gorillas, a giant panda conservation, and the African Plains and Mzima Springs where black rhinos, giraffe, lions, zebras, meerkats, ostriches and other animals roam a five-acre savanna like the African plains. Children will be delighted with KIDZone where they can explore the children’s zoo with spacious petting zoo and outback station, ride the Endangered Species Carousel, scale the Rock Climber wall, embark on educational train rides, and romp around in the outdoor and indoor play areas. The zoo also features live shows, presentations and feedings, including friendly parakeet feedings by guests. Zoo Atlanta is located at 800 Cherokee Avenue SE in Atlanta, Georgia 30315. For more information visit www.zooatlanta.org

Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami has camel rides among its many enticements

The Zoo Miami in Miami, Florida is the only tropical zoo in the continental United States, and one of the country’s largest zoos with over 300 developed acres. It has more than 100 exhibits with over 2,000 animals living in spacious naturalistic habitats among lush tropical landscaping. The exhibits feature animals native to Africa, Asia, the Amazon and Australia with everything from tigers and tortoises to lions and leopards, to anacondas, anteaters and much more. The large amphitheater features exciting wildlife shows, while keeper talks and feedings can be seen throughout the park. The air-conditioned Zoofari Monorail provides guests with great views and narrated tours about the animals. The Children’s Zoo offers up-close and personal interaction with many smaller animals. Familiar barnyard animals like goats, sheep and horses await children at the Wacky Barn. Kids can also take camel rides or enjoy the Wildlife Carousel with its assortment of endangered animals. Zoo Miami is located at 1 Zoo Boulevard in Miami, Florida 33177. For more information visit www.miamimetrozoo.com

City Hall Philadelphia

Once you’ve experienced the history of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, there are still plenty of other Philadelphia historical landmarks to enjoy. One land mark we just loved was the iconic City Hall. Less tourist-centric than the revolutionary era artifacts, this nineteenth century building is impressive in its own right. It stands five hundred and forty eight feet in the center of the city, with beautiful bronze figure of state namesake William Penn, on top. The Penn statue is just the icing on a well sculpted cake, there are a total of  250 statues created by renowned artist Alexander Milne Calder both inside and out of the building. There’s a great observation deck on the top with a nominal entrance fee – on a clear day you can see thirty five miles of city, river, and outlying regions.

Our Dining Choices

We were almost able to spy our dining destination, Chifa on Chesnut Street. The restaurant is Chinese and Peruvian in cuisine, but shhh don’t tell the kids and they’ll love it. I had objections all the way to the restaurant, of “that sounds weird,” or “what kind of food is that, anyway?” but once they started to experience it, they were hooked. We all loved a bowl of bread balls served first, with guava butter for dipping. While you can almost fill up on that, there are plenty of other, small, tapa-like dishes including seafood chowder, perfect vegetable samplers for our vegan, and fragrant, cinnamon rich desserts. A fun, friendly spot for lunch or dinner.

Another eclectic food choice is Zahav, a Middle Eastern spot ensconced in tony Society Hill. This trip we focused on lots of restaurants with ‘little’ plates, which satisfied the diverse diets and food cravings in our family. The tasting menu here is called the ta’yim, and we were able to enjoy  hummus, fresh baked pita, grape leaves, and couscous.

One of the amazing murals in Philadelphia's Magic Gardens - a must-see off the beaten track stop.

Philadelphia Magic Gardens

Veering a long way from the typical tourist sightseeing of the historic district, our next stop was the equally unique Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens on South Street. The kids will love this attraction, and you will too – children under 12 pay only two dollars for a great deal of fun, and under six years, admission is free. Here you get to tour galleries filled with mosaics, and best of all a labyrinth sculpture garden. We spent a surprisingly long time in this fascinating space, studying the tiles and sculptures and reading some of the strange and cool writing semi-hidden on the walls. There are on-site “Garden Guide interpreters” able to introduce the works, but we stayed on our own, exploring the outdoor maze made up of cements and tiles, trinkets and tires. Everything more or less but the kitchen sink. Artist Isaiah Zager wasn’t present when we were, but is reputedly known for wandering through his own creation. This amazing folk art museum/garden is something you don’t see every day, part folk art, part gallery, and all nonprofit. You haven’t seen authentic Philly without it.

The interior of North Bowl is awesome, and the vibe is pure fun.

Pizza and Bowling

Locals told us that something else you shouldn’t leave without experiencing is a slice of pizza from the small corner eatery Lorenzo’s Pizza, reputedly serving one of the city’s most renowned offerings of cheese, dough and tomato. It’s reasonable too, at $1.50 per slice of plain cheese, always our favorite selection.

Now my son loves bowling, and pizza and bowling just go together, don’t they? We were advised by another local friend to check out North Bowl, also off the beaten tourist track. This is a converted garage filled with modern art and the glow in the dark bowling style beloved by extreme bowling fans nationwide. It looks like the 1950′s crossed with Andy Warhol’s rec room, and kids are allowed in until 9 pm. It’s a pretty fabulous spot, and a wonderful contrast to walking around the Parisian influenced fountains near the Art Museum or strolling through Independence Hall.

Flowers and gardens - the classic combination - just add children to enjoy them.

Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens may be the most famous and certainly one of the largest, but it’s also one of the busiest in the summer months and boasts a fairly steep price tag of $16 admission.  Longwood Gardens is located at: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348. On this trip we were budgeting closely and didn’t include Longwood.

Bartram’s Gardens

Opened to the public in 1728, Bartram’s Garden is described as the oldest Botanical Garden in the United States (54th St. and Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143).  Founder John Bartram traversed the eastern seaboard to find plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs for this garden, which leads from his home, built in the seventeen hundreds down to the Schuylkill River banks. An easy, pleasant trail meanders down to the waters edge, although the peaceful scene is slightly marred by industrial buildings and high rises on the skyline. Ignore them if you can and enjoy the well laid out gardens with orange and ash trees, wild ginger and cypress. Closest to the house are the most floral offerings from iris to geraniums. Shady and child friendly, we spent an hour enjoying these gardens. Both George Washington and Philadelphia’s most lauded historic figure, Ben Franklin, visited here.

Bartram's Gardens in Philadelphia are both charming and historic.

Highlands Mansion and Gardens

About a half hour north of Philadelphia, you’ll find the Highlands (7001 Sheaff Lane, Fort Washington, PA 19034). This is primarily a mansion tour stop, and if your children are interested in such things, the home is quite beautiful, an example of a an eighteenth century home in Georgian style. There is a small two acre garden near the home, designed, I am told (I’m not a garden expert, just a garden enjoyer), in the Country Place style, that respects the land on which it is planted. Regardless of the historic style, the kids loved the vine covered walks and finding, in the late afternoon sun, an ethereal looking classical statue at the far end of the garden.

We also loved the tactile sensations of small garden of culinary, scented, and medicinal plants in four neat sections. What small child won’t enjoy sniffing golden lemon thyme or fresh mint, fennel, or chives? And of course my personal favorite, lavender.

Jenkins Arboretum  & Gardens

We left Philadelphia proper for Devon, and the Jenkins Arboretum (631 Berwyn Baptist Road, Devon, PA 19333). We’d missed the peak bloom of azaleas and rhododendrons but there were still many blossoms in bloom. The trees grow tall and thick here, and we were mostly alone on the paved trail that winds around forty six acres of flowers and trees. Here we found ferns, mountain laurels, and oaks, and a flower I hadn’t seen since my grandmother’s Pennsylvania garden years and years ago, phlox. The children were most drawn to low to the ground blossoms unusual to California natives such as violets and jack in the pulpit.

We had a picnic here, and the spacious, well-thought out grounds kept us busy for several hours. The paved trails are wide enough – just – to accommodate a stroller.

Chanticleer Garden

Older children will love the Chanticleer Garden in Wayne (786 Church Road, Wayne, PA 19087-4713). A large, grassy hill is perfect for rolling down, running down, and just lying down on and taking in the late afternoon sunshine. My kids loved the water garden with its splashing fountains, and the Asian woodland section. We found two brilliantly green Adirondack chairs in the water garden, a very pleasant spot to relax and watch the water lillies and irises.

I found myself lost in nostalgia for my grandmother’s garden again with the selection of rich purple grape hyacinths here.

Strolling a shady garden path is a wonderful family treat.

Scott Arboretum – Swarthmore College

Our last stop was the next day, on the way out of the state I took a detour to Swarthmore College (500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081). The campus itself is a garden with over three thousand plants and flowers. Here too, azaleas are most prominent in the spring, but were still blooming our summer afternoon. Roses were in full throttle, and the kids enjoyed exploring several intimate gardens set up in a court-yard style.

Near Swarthmore, we found a truly lovely Japanese restaurant, Azie. From the friendly service to the peaceful decor, it was a great place to dine. Kids were treated to special fish- patterned plates to hold their veggie sushi; adults will love the contrast of tastes and textures in the rock shrimp tempura and spicy aioli. Usually I tend to stick to certain fairly bland sushi choices, this was suggested to me by our server, and I was glad to enjoy this experience – herbs in the aioli were so fresh, they could’ve come from one of the gardens we visited.

Yes, those are the same steps Rocky Balboa ran up - The Philadelphia Museum of Art

The museum has a wonderful collection which kids of all ages will enjoy, and those steps — they’re a lot of fun for kids to run up. You’ll want to avoid that front entrance if you’ve got a stroller in tow, however!

The museum has over two hundred galleries, featuring two hundred thousand art objects: a vast collection of sculptures, impressionist paintings, modern art, and antique furniture, glass work, and even armor. Your children will love feeling completely transported – and so will you – by huge installations of European churches, a Japanese tea house, a medieval cloister dating from the tenth century, and an Indian temple featuring brass sculptures from the Chola Dynasty. We felt as if we were actually in these locations, rather than just seeing exhibits. The spaciousness of the galleries is one of the most impressive things about this fine museum collection; and children of all ages will enjoy roaming the vast space. The complete period rooms offer a round-the-world look at diverse cultures and the art each culture created. Our kids were particularly taken by the recreations of medieval church alters – followed by a stroll through modern art galleries with neon and mobile sculptures. What a contrast.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the third largest museum in the nation, and its holdings range from the Renaissance to Philadelphia-born artist Thomas Eakins and works by self-taught and naive artists. There are eighty some period rooms to browse. Walk from an English drawing room to a monastery and be prepared for your jaw to drop. At age three, my daughter dropped down on her knees to offer up a prayer – she thought she’d entered a church in the monastery room. I think that’s what makes this art museum so special, the combination of fine art and display rooms so vivid that one feels truly a part of another place and time upon entering them. Adults will be captivated, children of all ages will be completely absorbed.

Are we in another century, in France, or are we still in Philly? One of the museum's classic art installation rooms.

My children have always loved this type of installation art, and there’s a special gift in the displays here, both in regard to variety and the space allowed for the settings. Outside of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City – where crowds and sheer size can be daunting for small children and families – there are few institutions that allot the space and serenity to these period rooms and installations. That alone is a reason to seek out this museum.

And about that modern art – small children will enjoy the color, contrasts, and the open minded sprinkling of three dimensional, ultra contemporary pieces alongside more traditional works; adults will appreciate the wonderful mix of  Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Cy Twombly, and Jasper Johns, to name a few. The curatorial staff has done a fine job of displaying the varied work; it would be hard for a small child, a teen, or a seasoned adult art buff to get bored here.

When its time to take a breather outside, the view is also grand, as the museum is perched on a rise at the far end of Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This part of Philadelphia was designed to mirror the Champs Elysees in Paris, and it does an estimable job with elegant fountains and green space stretching toward a view of city center skyscrapers.

The museum itself was built with an eye to grandeur: during an 1876 centennial, it housed decorative arts. When its collection outgrew its space in what was then Memorial Hall, the current Greek-temple design was created by the University of Pennsylvania’s first African American architecture graduate, a design inspired by Grecian temples he’d visited. It opened in 1928 . Who knows what the splendors of “Rocky’s Museum” will inspire in your children.

And speaking of Rocky – no visit to this art institution would be complete without a chance to pose beneath the triumphant arms of the Rocky statue in its green alcove. Even the Travelocity gnome has stopped by.

Lunch stop: from browsing fine art to grazing fine food. Children love small plates, and tapas are an excellent example of this type of dining experience. Amada Restaurant, located in 217-219 Chestnut Street in the heart of the oldest core of Philadelphia, is a large restaurant filled with young professionals and, yes, families. The small plates and their rich flavors are so appealing that small children won’t ask exactly what they’re eating when they try thinly sliced Manchego cheese topped with honey, flavorful fava beans, green plantain empanadas, and seafood paella.  All presented at prices reasonable to the pocketbook, in artful style, offering tiny tastes is almost as transporting as all that art.

All of these concerns are very contemporary of course. Even ten years ago, families didn’t consider the cleaning products, recycling policies, or earth sustainability in hotel or resort choices. Renting hybrid vehicles instead of gas-guzzling mini-vans wasn’t really part of the vacation planning process. But now such considerations are there. Parental awareness of safety hazards for their children simply have to include cleaning chemicals and potentially toxic furnishings. And, as a parent, speaking personally, I know that the environment I leave behind will belong to my children and their children. So whenever possible, we try to support environmentally conscious hotels, when our budget and travel locations allow.

There’s a sea of green-certification policies out there, indicating just how safe and earth friendly hotels, restaurants, and destinations actually are. It can be confusing, daunting, and expensive to negotiate these policies. So we always look at basic sustainable design and with chain hotels, policy commitments to the environment.

We love staying in boutique properties like this Ojai, CA hotel - and appreciate chemical free cleaning and organic food sourcing.

Eco Friendly Kimpton Hotels

On our recent summer East Coast trip, we discovered some wonderful in-roads have been made in a variety of chains and locations. We were particularly delighted with the Kimpton Hotels properties we visited in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., both of which utilized the kind of general green-guidelines we like our family to follow, and which will keep you and your little ones safe, healthy, and happy when traveling.  Read about our stay at the Kimpton helix in Washington D.C.

One thing we always look for that these properties made possible is a wealth of natural light. We dislike old-style chain hotels with enclosed court yards and no access to sunlight and fresh air, or very limited access through one small back window. Kimpton’s feature a direct sight-line to the outdoors through large, light-giving windows, and make a pledge that ninety percent of the spaces on their properties have this light access. Offering this really brightens a room and your child’s day; it also means that fifteen percent of lighting power has been easily reduced – and the chain stresses that it utilizes high efficiency flourescent lighting to reduce electricity waste still further. This also means less of those high-heat bulbs that can burn curious toddler fingers. Best of all, for us, Kimpton has used paint, sealants and furniture coatings that are designed to meet volatile organic compound standards – meaning no residual toxic odors in their decorating. For us, using eco-friendly non-toxic housekeeping chemicals was a key bonus as well. It’s nice to know that the hotel dresser your child is running his or her tiny hands over has not been just hosed down with a toxic chemical compound. We also liked the chain’s decision to support organic food growers and whenever possible, locally sourced food items.

Recycling bin at the Kimpton Hotel in Philly.

Eco Friendly Sheraton Hotels

Like Kimpton, Sheraton Hotels offers recycling bins in the rooms, stresses linen and towel re-use during a stay, and has made a concerted effort to switch to Energy Star energy saving appliances in its hotels. On our recent trip to Raleigh North Carolina, we stayed at the Raleigh Sheraton in downtown which fully used green housekeeping methods and had big, bright windows letting in natural light and air.  Room service breakfast included organic, stone-ground oatmeal and local free-range eggs. Sheraton Tampa Westshore did not feature impressive natural lighting however, and we could not find that particular property’s policy on housekeeping products or food sourcing, which at least at their breakfast buffet did not have a farm-fresh feel to the offerings. You may want to check with individual properties yourself, if a hotel chain does not have complete or inclusive policy statements on its website.

Boutique Properties

Aside from chain hotels, you’ll want to contact individual hotels to find out their specific policies on the independent accommodation scene. The boutique hotel The Lennox, in Boston, featured in-room recycling and provided information on the environmentally and child friendly cleaning products used in plain sight; they were clearly working hard to live up to current green standards. The older boutique property of the Roger Smith Hotel in New York did not offer any indication as to cleaning products, energy saving, or recyling; we had to ask and found out that they are working to provide energy-reducing lighting, and do actively practice water saving techniques. There was no information about cleaning chemicals available, however.  You can read more about our stay at this hotel and our off the beaten track family visit in New York City. Many bed and breakfast options now feature information about their belief in local sourced, organic foods and organic cleaning products; older properties will not be likely to have updated wall paint or carpeting however, so bear that in mind if this is important to you.

In short: read websites, call ahead, and stay green and clean in your family travels. And when you are about to offer your child a bite of one of those shiny apples so many hotel desks offer at check-in? Consider asking if that apple is organic, and a healthy choice – if not, you might want to peel the skin before offering that tasty bite.

We enjoyed the fountains and sunshine around the Love sculpture in the heart of Philadelphia.

Small children and big kids alike will find there’s plenty to love about the City of Brotherly Love, including the iconic Love Statue located in the heart of the city’s business district. With a pretty park, fountains, and often food trucks to snack from, this picture stop can make an enjoyable place to linger. But if you’re looking for truly excellent snack food – or a real meal – head on down the street to Reading Terminal, former bus depot and current purveyor of food stalls of all kinds. We found fresh fish, fruits and vegetables along with great pizza, and Philly’s own variation of pizza – the tomato pie. Not familiar with that? It’s basically pizza crust with spicy tomato sauce, cheap and tasty. We also found plenty of examples of the famous Philly Cheese Steak – tender thin sliced beef, onions and cheese. But if you’re not a meat eater, as many in my family are not, there’s even a vegan Philly Cheese steak, with finely sliced seitan as the meat substitute. Just as greasy and delicious as the original, available in the market at the Basic Four Vegetarian Snack Bar. We’re not quite sure what the basic four is, but if it included the bun, onions, peppers etc. on the sandwich, they were good.

We proceeded on to the historical tourist heart of Philadelphia and walked off our lunch. We made a stop at the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center. We recommend starting at the Visitor’s Center, because you can score timed tickets to Independence Hall there. We started in the middle, unaware of the ticketing needs until a wait for our ticket time was necessary. We began our visit at the Liberty Bell, waiting in line – apparently there is always a line, so be patient for the security screening which isn’t anywhere near as invasive as TSA offers up. The bell is beautiful, and you can see it up close, without any glass shielding it. At the National Constitution Center, the centerpiece is a sit down multi-media experience called The Story of We the People, which combines a live performance with slides and film clips. We enjoyed a lot of the interactive displays too. The performance may make the smallest travelers restive, but is great for ages six and up. In Signers Hall you’ll find sculptures large enough to walk among depicting the signing of the Constitution. We also enjoyed traversing the hall containing the American Experience, filled with  interactive family-friendly exhibits designed to explain the role the Constitution plays in American life. The kids will enjoy voting for favorite president, taking an Oath of Office, and sitting in the same seat as a Supreme Court Justice. Cartoon oriented exhibits explained the balance of governmental power, making it easy for children to understand the workings of the government. While great for ages six and up, under six may need a quicker trip through this part of the exhibit hall.

Another Philadelphia icon - the Liberty Bell

It was a hot day and we had to force ourselves out of the air conditioning and away from the cool interactive exhibits. We made our way across a broad green space to the Quaker Meeting Hall where a costumed congregant explained the Quaker philosophy and the meeting hall’s function. Adjoining it is the Christ Church Burial Ground that inters Ben Franklin’s remains among other historical figures. A further walk took us to the Betsy Ross House. Small but fascinating, this museum allows families a trip through Betsy’s living area and shop. Betsy was an early feminist – working as an upholsterer in a time when that was a man’s job. While this expert seamstress is most famous for sewing the American flag, her struggles to support her family are fascinating reading. Kids will enjoy the recreations of colonial life – and climbing the narrow stairs. If you’ve brought small children in strollers you will want to park them outside the residence and carry your tots.

Not too far away you’ll find Elfrith Alley, the oldest residential street in America. Its shady cobble stones and side courtyards are fascinating to explore and small children will enjoy being able to cut loose for a bit in the courtyards along this traffic-less byway. Elfreth’s Alley was created in the early eighteenth century, when the city had grown into a thriving business center. The street is essentially a recreation of what colonists remembered from their homes in the U.K., and has a decidedly old England feel. It’s a living street, with for-rent signs in the windows and mail boxes by the front doors. Thirty-two houses, all built from 1728 and 1836, run along the street, forming a rare intact early American street scene.

Kimpton Palomar Hotel.

We were staying at the thoroughly modern Kimpton Palomar Hotel near Rittenhouse square, and while we walked comfortably from the hotel to Elfrith, it was time to partake of the comforts of a taxi for our return. The Palomar Hotel is family friendly yet hip, and we were happy to walk into happy hour, with free lemonade for the kids.  Read more about our stay at this wonderful hotel and more of our experiences in my article: Philadelphia – Ben Franklin’s Town.

If a nap isn’t quite in order, the hotel’s location is near the very pretty Rittenhouse Square park, which makes for a great stop for kids to let off some steam running around the green space.

Hotel staff recommended and we thoroughly enjoyed the sushi at trendy, but surprisingly peaceful Zuma Japanese Restaurant in Rittenhouse Square. Kids will enjoy the large wooden fish hanging from the ceiling; waitstaff is efficient, booths are comfortable, the avocado rolls are awesome, and it’s a short walk to the Palomar.

Philadelphia Sky line.

You might think Frank Sinatra – and his Big Apple song – when you think of New York. You might think of the current President, or George Washington, perhaps in Washington, D.C. In Boston, it’s pretty much Paul Revere that comes to mind, historically speaking. But Ben Franklin is the go-to-guy for Philadelphia. You’ll find his picture in taxi cabs, exhorting you to behave in a civilized manner. You’ll find his bust, in a rainbow of colors as modern art inside the sleek Philadelphia Kimpton Palomar Hotel. You’ll find his grave – and his doppelganger impersonator standing over it. You’ll find breakfast available with another permutation of Ben at the National Constitution Visitor Center. He’s more of a mascot to Philadelphia than the shaggy green Phillies fanatic doll my daughter was given by her great uncle when she was a baby – although you’ll see images of this Muppet-like critter around, too. And of course, there’s the Ben Franklin Institute, the science museum named for the man.

Our first look at the Ben-efits of a stop in Philadelphia were in the back of the taxi that took us from train station to hotel, with his visage telling me to turn off my cell phone in the cab and other politeness tips. We were amused.

A rainbow of Ben Franklin busts, Philadelphia’s Kimpton Palomar.

We were charmed by the multi-colored Ben busts by the check in desk at the Kimpton Palomar. We were also charmed by the fact that the hotel offered a special, free in room pay per view movie for families with kids – a promotion that runs in the summer months. The hotel itself is sophisticated in feel without being over the top, fresh fruit water and delicious, fresh hot pretzels were available in the lobby for mid-afternoon snacking which is a great treat for all ages. For adults, there is a wine reception around a cozy fireplace; lemonade is offered for the kids and a little-too-salty-for-us truffle oil popcorn. Dark wood, candle light, fun op art takes on portraits of our country’s founding father’s – including Franklin – make up the lobby space decor. The rooms are serene, almost zen like in feel, with awesomely comfortable beds and a cool, grey-brown- beige modern vibe.

Fun treats for the kids at Philadelphia’s Kimpton Palomar.

Kids programs? Yes, indeed. A lovely gift at check in, loaner books – including Goodnight Moon. Best of all were tot sized fake leopard robes. And the ability to order cookies and milk to the room by utilizing the clever “cookie currency.” The hotel is also ecologically minded offering recycling bins, high efficiency lighting, and toxic-free cleaning chemicals. The staff was very helpful with restaurant recommendations, and assisted us willingly with storing our bags when we had hours to spare past check out and we wanted to explore the city a little bit more before our train. Best of all,  when kids’ pajamas were left behind, the pj’s were courteously returned to us at no charge. Bathroom and bedroom were both spacious and well appointed. The kids enjoyed that many of the public hallways were lit by soy candles – another green, energy saving device that led a pleasantly off-beat air to the property. In the morning, there were free Cannolis, coffee and tea in the lobby – a pleasant way to start the day.

Kimpton Palomar at night.

But back to Ben. Perhaps your day will start with Mr. Franklin. After all, we thought that kids of all ages would enjoy the tourist kitsch of Breakfast with Ben. Geared to school age kids and ready to accept small tots, this big breakfast feast — including oatmeal, which pleased our vegan – includes the chance to ask questions of Ben, and the perfectly in character actor portraying him, of course. Running from 9 to 10:30am every Saturday morning (Summer months), this is a fun and educational start to a day in Philadelphia.

Inside the main exhibit hall of the National Constitution Visitor Center you will meet Ben again., cast in bronze, in a moving recreation of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in which you can “interact” with the bronze replicas of the signers ostensibly as they would’ve been positioned in Independence Hall. Yes, you can also see Independence Hall itself. You’ll need to secure tickets at the Visitor Center, as crowds are limited through hourly admittance. Or come after 5, when no tickets are required.

Local custom - pennies for luck tossed on Ben Franklin's grave.

At Ben Franklin’s grave site, the kids can toss pennies – later collected for charity – for good luck on his grave. Or they can sit and chat with Ben awhile, on a shady bench near by. Here the actor willingly riffed on any subject presented. My daughter’s music tour – well, Ben invented something not dissimilar to an organ. The burial grounds themselves make a fascinating stop on a tour of Philadelphia.

And of course, there’s the wonderful science museum known as the Franklin Institute. Walk inside the iconic Giant Heart, first opened in 1954, and updated in 2004 as a part of an inclusive exhibit called The Giant Heart: A Healthy Interactive Experience. I’d loved this exhibit as a kid, and now it’s even better, with state of the art interactive displays for kids of all ages. Tots will just enjoy the heart itself – and probably remember it as long as I have. And they’ll also enjoy the large scale crawl through arteries, while older kids and adults can study the giant EKG that runs through the middle of the exhibit hall. If you’re not squeamish, settle in for a look at open heart surgery in a surgical theater recreation.

The museum also houses Ben Franklin himself. The Ben Franklin memorial offers the biggest look at Ben in town: located in the rotunda of the museum you’ll find a 20-foot high statue of Mr. Franklin, carved from white marble. The rotunda itself is modeled after Rome’s Pantheon. From breakfast with Ben to closing time at Ben’s museum, you’ll find a trip to Philadelphia ben-eficial.