Philadelphia Zoo 34th St. & Girard Ave. Phila 215.243.1100 www.philadelphiazoo.org - try the new Zoo Balloon ride - in the tethered helium balloon - rises 400 ft. (adults $15.95, $12.95 ages 2-11)

Elmwood Park Zoo 1661 Harding Blvd. Norristown 610.277.3825 www.elmwoodparkzoo.com - Children's Music Concerts / Sat's @ 1pm thru 8/31; North American Wildlife, aviary, bayou, and petting zoo (adults $6.50, children 2-12 $4.50, under 2 Free)

Please Touch Museum 210 N. 21st St. Phila 215.963.0667 www.pleasetouchmuseum.org Supermarket, Reading Nook w/ gazebo & small-fry furniture, more. (ages 1 and up $8.95 open 9-5 daily) 

Sesame Place Off Oxford Valley Rd. Langhorne 215.752.7070 www.sesameplace.com Oscar's big game show, Breakfast w/ Big Bird & Friends, 50 play activities, 15 water attractions, live shows (seniors $33.45, 2 & up $36.95, under 2 Free open 10-8 daily)

Dutch Wonderland  2249 Rt 30 E Lancaster www.dutchwonderland.com Frog Hopper, Off-road rally, Dragon's Lair Mountain, VR Voyager flight simulator, monorail, gondola rides, roller coasters, live shows (seniors $17.95, 7-59 $24.95, 3-6 $19.95, under 3 Free, open 10-closing varies)

Fort Mifflin Ft Mifflin Rd off Island Ave behind Phila Intnt'l Airport Phila 215.685.4167, the "only" Fort in Philly!!   www.fieldtrip.com/pa/54923395.htm Used as a Civil War prison  (seniors $3, adults $6, under 14 & active duty military personnel in uniform or w/ ID Free, tours 10-4 daily)

Hershey Park & ZooAmerica Hershey Park Dr Hershey (PA TO Ex. 266, to 72 N, to 322 W) 717.534.3090 www.hersheypa.com Roller Soaker interactive water coaster, ZooAmerica walk-thru safari, amusements (seniors $15.95,  adults $34.95, 3-8 $19.95, under 3 Free, open 10-closing varies)

Academy of Natural Sciences 19th & The Parkway Phila 215.299.1000 www.acnatsci.org  Dinosaur Hall, Living Downstream, live butterfly specimens from Costa Rica and Malaysia (seniors $8.25, adults $9, ages 3-12 $8, under 3 Free) 

Franklin Institute 20th & The Parkway Phila 215.448.1200 www.fi.edu Train factory (permanent exhibit) w/ Baldwin 60000 steam locomotive as centerpiece, sports science arena, aviation, mechanics, bioscience w/ giant walk-thru human heart (seniors and ages 4-11 $9, all other $8 open 9:30-5 daily) 

UofP Museum of Archeology & Anthropology 33rd & Spruce St. Phila 215.898.4000 www.upenn.edu/museum Children's programs, Canaan & ancient Israel, ancient Greece, universe of the Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, & Apache. Egyptian mummies, Alaska natives (seniors, students $2.50, 6 & up $5, under 6 Free open 10-4:30 Tue-Sat)

New Jersey State Aquarium 1 Riverside Dr. Camden 856.365.3300 www.njaquarium.org Animals, exhibits, sharks, seals, penguins, sting rays, sea turtles, birds, and more! (seniors $11.95, adults $13.95, children 3-11 $10.95, 2 & under Free,  hours vary - see link above)

Phila Athletics Historical  Society Museum 6 N. York Rd. Hatboro 215.323.9901 www.philadelphiaathletics.org 1901-1954 American League team, city's most successful pro sports franchise, Connie Mack memorabilia, seat from Shibe Park, photos, caps, uniforms, equipment 

Crystal Cave 963 Crystal Cave Rd. Kutztown 610.683.6765 www.crystalcavepa.com Discovered in 1871, 45 minute interpretive tour w/ 8 minute video, marvels of stone sculpture include the Cathedral Chamber, the Prairie Dog's, the Giant's Tooth, the Ear of Corn & Tobacco Leaves, and more. Temp is a constant comfortable 54 degree's. Miniature Golf - seasonal (adults $8.50, children 4-11 $5, under 4 Free)