The forecast ruined your outdoor plans. It happens in Philly — the city gets about 44 inches of rain a year, so if you're visiting more than a few days, you'll probably hit a wet one. The good news: Philadelphia has more than enough indoor options to fill a full day (or two). Here's exactly where to go.
Museums That Actually Absorb Hours
Star Park Indoor Playground – Franklin Mall earns a 4.9 Google rating — nearly perfect — because it delivers exactly what parents want on a rainy day: modern multi-level play structures, clean, well-staffed, and inside a mall so food and bathrooms are handled. Budget $40–60 for two adults and two kids, plan 1.5–2.5 hours. Franklin Mills Mall takes care of the whole rainy morning in one stop.
Reading Science Center is the smaller, more affordable science museum play — also a 4.9 rating, $30–50 for the family, 1.5–2.5 hours of hands-on exhibits. It's the right scale for younger kids who get overwhelmed at big institutions.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is the anchor museum choice for a serious rainy day. Dinosaur hall, live butterfly garden, hands-on nature exhibits. $70–90 for the family, 2–3 hours. It's been doing this since 1812 — they know how to build a museum.
Delaware Children's Museum on the Wilmington Riverfront runs $55–75 for a family of four, 2–3 hours. A solid option if you're willing to make the short drive down 95.
Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown is worth the drive on a full rainy day — 2–3 hours of quality STEM exhibits at $60–80, a cafe, and real commitment to hands-on learning.
Indoor Entertainment That Burns Energy
Candyland Adventure is a 4.7-rated themed indoor play experience — $70–90 for the family, 2–3 hours. It runs candy-themed adventures that land well for kids 4–10.
Kids Kastle is a dedicated indoor play space at $40–60 for two adults and two kids, 1.5–2 hours. The 4.8 rating reflects consistent delivery.
Jumpers Family Fun Zone covers the jump/bounce category well — $55–80 for the family, 1.5–2.5 hours. A step above standard trampoline parks.
The Oasis Family Fun Center in Glen Mills packs go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, and an arcade into one stop at $80–110 for the family. Plan 2–3 hours. This is the move when the group has mixed ages and mixed energy levels.
Funzilla Fairless Hills and Funzilla Delran are both solid multi-activity entertainment centers — $75–130 depending on activities chosen. The go-karts are the crowd pleaser at both.
Trampoline and Active Parks
Four solid options here, depending on where you're staying:
- Altitude Trampoline Park - Feasterville: $75–110 for the family, 1–2 hours, 4.5 stars
- Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park: $80–120, 1.5–2.5 hours, more variety than a standard trampoline park
- Launch Family Entertainment Deptford: $75–110, 1.5–2.5 hours, good for teens
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park: $80–120, 1–2 hours
Grip socks are required at all of them — buy once on your first visit and bring them back on subsequent days.
Unusual Indoor Picks
The Mütter Museum is the right call if your kids are 10+ and can handle genuinely unusual medical history. Adults $22, teens $17, 1.5–2 hours. It earns a 4.6 rating because it's legitimately unlike anything else in Philly.
Museum of Illusions Philadelphia is a reliable hit for the 7–12 crowd — optical illusions, upside-down rooms, photo moments that are actually funny. $60–80 for the family, 1–1.5 hours.
Adventure Aquarium is fully indoor and genuinely impressive — shark tank, touch pools, hippo exhibit, stingray bay. $100–140 for the family, 2.5–4 hours. This is the big-ticket rainy day splurge that earns it. Buy tickets online to skip the box office line.
Wagner Free Institute of Science is completely free and deeply underrated — a Victorian natural history museum that's barely changed in 150 years. Kids who are into fossils and specimens find it fascinating. Budget for parking and lunch nearby; admission is $0.
Smith Playground has a free indoor playhouse with structured play sessions — donations accepted. Good for toddlers and young kids when you need a free indoor option in the city.
Independence Seaport Museum is mostly covered even in rain — the historic ships are dockside and the main exhibits are fully indoor. $65–85 for the family, 2–3 hours.
Free or Low-Cost Indoor Options
- Wagner Free Institute of Science: Free admission, 1–1.5 hours
- Smith Playground: Free, indoor playhouse, great for under-5s
- Sister Cities Park: Covered areas, free entry, adjacent cafe
- University Family Fun Center: $30–60 for the family, 1–2 hours of arcade and game play
Quick Picks by Age Group
Toddlers (under 5): Kids Kastle ($40–60), Smith Playground (free), Little City Activity Center ($30–50)
Big kids (6–12): Academy of Natural Sciences ($70–90), Adventure Aquarium ($100–140), Oasis Family Fun Center ($80–110)
Teens: Thrillz ($80–120), Launch Family Entertainment ($75–110), Museum of Illusions ($60–80)
All ages together: Candyland Adventure ($70–90), Franklin Mills area (Star Park + mall food court)
Bottom Line
A rainy day in Philly is genuinely salvageable — more so than most cities. The Academy of Natural Sciences, Adventure Aquarium, or a big entertainment center like the Oasis can eat up a full day without anyone checking their phone for weather updates. Book admission online where you can to skip door lines, and don't overthink it: pick one anchor activity and let it run.