Family fall 2016
Adventure Aquarium
Ongoing: This New Jersey aquarium features touch exhibits, a fun playground, hippos, shark tunnel, free live shows, and much more. New this year you’ll find Sea Turtle Cove, Shark Bridge, and Little Blue Beach, home to blue penguins. Admission. 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ. 865-365-3300; www.adventureaquarium.com.
Bucks County Children’s Museum
Ongoing: A fun, interactive, and educational environment for children, parents, and schools, with exhibits that reflect Bucks County’s history and culture. Exhibits include Town Square, Factory Works, Artifact Dig, Covered Bridges, Tree House, and Hot Air Balloon Ride. Activities are planned year round. 500 Union Square, New Hope, PA. 215-693-1290; www.buckskids.org.
The Crayola Experience
Ongoing: This fun and colorful children’s attraction features interactive Crayola exhibits. 30 Centre Square, Easton, PA. 610-515-8000; www.crayolaexperience.com.
Da Vinci Science Center
Ongoing: This Lehigh Valley science center promotes creativity, curiosity, and imagination with exhibits designed to encourage science and math learning. 3145 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA. 484-664-1002; www.davincisciencecenter.org.
Giggleberry Fair
Ongoing: Climb Giggleberry Mountain, learn at Giggles Discovers, visit The Game Room, and take a ride on the antique Grand Carousel at Giggleberry Fair. Peddler’s Village, Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, PA. 215-794-4000; www.peddlersvillage.com.
New Hope & Ivyland Railroad
Ongoing: Hourly Excursions
32 West Bridge Street, New Hope, PA. 215-862-2332; www.newhoperailroad.com.
Northlandz
Ongoing: Visit the home of the Great American Railway, doll museum, and art gallery. Up to 100 trains travel over 8 miles of track, 40-foot bridges span huge canyons, and cities and villages feature thousands of buildings. Admission. 495 U.S. 202, Flemington, NJ. 908-782-4022; www.northlandz.com.
Philadelphia Zoo
Ongoing: Visit the nation’s first zoo, complete with over 1,000 animals, many of them endangered or rare. 3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. 215-243-5254;
Please Touch Museum
Ongoing: Visit the Children’s Museum of Philadelphia, where the key word is play. Families can enjoy over a dozen themed exhibits, theater, art, music, special programs, the carousel, and storytime and character appearances. Admission. 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA. 215-581-3181; www.pleasetouchmuseum.org.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Through January 16: Dinosaurs Unearthed
Through 2016: Drawn to Dinosaurs
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA. 215-299-1000; www.ansp.org.
Shady Brook Farm
Through November: This Bucks County farm has lots in store this coming fall. They will be having festivals honoring different crops, including apples and pumpkins. Late November brings Santa and the Holiday Light Show. 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, PA. 215-968-1670; www.shadybrookfarm.com.
Snipes Farm and Education Center
Through Early November: Fall Harvest Weekends
890 West Bridge Street, Morrisville, PA. 215-295-1138, ext. 102; www.snipesfarm.org.
Linvilla Orchards
November 21-December 23: Cut Your Own Trees
137 West Knowlton Road, Media, PA. 610-876-7116; www.linvilla.com.
Sesame Place
November 19-December 31: A Very Furry Christmas
100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA. 866-GO-4-ELMO; www.sesameplace.com.
Lehigh Valley Zoo
November 11-January 1: Winter Light Spectacular
5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA. 610-799-4171; www.lvzoo.org.
The Franklin Institute
Through April 2: Robot Revolution
222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA. 215-448-1200; www2.fi.edu.
Strasburg Railroad
November 18-20: Day Out With Thomas
November 25-December 18: Santa’s Paradise Express
November 25-December 16: The Night Before Christmas Train
December 3: Christmas Tree Train
301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA. 866-725-9666; www.strasburgrailroad.com.
Black River & Western Railroad
November 19-December 23: Christmas Trains
Liberty Village, Flemington, NJ. 908-782-6622; www.blackriverrailroad.com.