Childrens museum
Adventure Aquarium
Ongoing: This New Jersey aquarium features touch exhibits, a fun playground, hippos, shark tunnel, free live shows, and much more. 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
November 27-January 3: North Pole Express
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 Franklin Institute
Through January 3: Genghis Khan
222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA. 215-448-1200; www2.fi.edu.
The Delaware River Railroad Excursions
November 28-December 20: Polar Express 2015
162 South Main Street, Phillipsburg, NJ. 908-454-4433; www.nyswths.org.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
November 27-29: Dinosaur Days
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA. 215-299-1000; www.ansp.org.
Strasburg Railroad
Through September 20; November 20-22: Day Out with Thomas
November 27-December 18: The Night Before Christmas Train
November 27-December 19: Santa’s Paradise Express
December 5: Christmas Tree Train
301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA. 866-725-9666; www.strasburgrailroad.com
Linvilla Orchards
November 21-December 23: Cut Your Own Trees
137 West Knowlton Road, Media, PA. 610-876-7116; www.linvilla.com.
Shady Brook Farm
November 21-Early January: Holiday Light Show
931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, PA. 215-968-1670; www.shadybrookfarm.com.
Snipes Farm and Education Center
September 20-November 2: Fall Harvest Weekends
890 West Bridge Street, Morrisville, PA. 215-295-1139; www.snipesfarm.org.
Lehigh Valley Zoo
September 25: Movie Night at the Zoo
October 17: Ottertoberfest
October 24-25: Boo at the Zoo
November 15-January 3: Winter Light Spectacular
5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA. 610-799-4171; www.lvzoo.org.
Sesame Place
November 21-December 31: A Very Furry Christmas
100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA. 866-GO-4-ELMO; www.sesameplace.com.
Black River & Western Railroad
November 21-December 20: The Candy Cane Limited
November 21-December 20: North Pole Express
December 4: Victorian Christmas Special
John Ringo Road, Ringoes, NJ. 908-782-6622; www.blackriver.com