Fun Philadelphia Day Trips To Take Before The Summer Ends

You know summer is ending and back-to-school is quickly approaching when all the stores have school supplies stockpiled high. That time again is right around the corner but don't fret, there are still plenty of days left of summer to have some family fun that's just a day trip away! I created a guide to help you find the best and fun Philadelphia day trips to take before the summer ends! All of these places are about 2 hours or less away from Philly, but provide an unforgettable day of adventure! This is your guide for the best options of beating the heat, having a day of thrills, or relax a bit and take in some sights.

Many people do not know that the Cape May Zoo is always FREE! There is so much to see and do with the hundreds of animals and their Tree-to-Tree Adventure Park with zip-lines and tree courses! They even host free concerts in the zoo as well throughout the summer. It is only about an hour and a half drive from Philly and perfect for an animal filled trip with the family.

Ready to take on the sweetness of Hershey Park? While you need a ticket to access the park, admission into Chocolate World is free! Make sure you ride the free Chocolate World Ride where there might just be a little surprise for you at the end. Hershey Park also has their own water park if you need to cool off from the heat! This is just over a 2 hour drive from the city but, provides a day filled with sweets and thrills!

Meant more for the little ones, Storybook Land provides a magical day of fantasy, stories, creativity, and adventure. Only a little bit over an hour drive from the city and located in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, this adorable amusement park will have your kids knocked out on the drive home! I remember coming here as a kid and feeling like I was in my own little fantasy world the whole time!

Ever wanted to milk a cow or make your own ice cream? Well at the Turkey Hill Experience you can do just that! Exactly 2 hours from Philly, you can learn all the history of Turkey Hill Ice Cream at this unique spot. Become an ice cream master and cool off while you sample all of what Turkey Hill has to offer.

What can't you do here? The Funplex offers everything from both indoor and outdoor rides and games and even a water park! You can go-kart, ride on a rollercoaster, bowl, play arcade games, eat and spend all day running around like a kid again. With this being a quick 30 minute drive from Philly, you could literally spend all day here. The fun definitely never ends!

Another amusement park to check off your thrill-list for this summer! Only an hour and a half from the city, they are having Summer Nights, which happens every weekend once the sun goes down! Perfect for people of all ages, there is live music, Caribbean and Latin American cuisine and family fun for everyone! Dorney also just unveiled a new ride in their park, Iron Menace, which is open now! Trying to beat the heat? Make sure to stop at Wildwater Kingdom for all your water fun!

Longwood Gardens is a must for any nature loving family. Just about an hour outside the city, this is a music visit place especially in the summer. Take in the amazing views that the flower garden has to offer and make sure to check out the amazing greenhouse with lots of interactive spots for the little ones. There is even a fountain light show once the sun goes down.

Beat the heat and spend the day at the American Dream Mall! Is it a mall? Is it an amusement park? We're not quite sure... but what we do know is that you will never be bored! Who knew you could visit a waterpark, aquarium, ski slope, theme park, mall, and arcade all in one day?! This is definitely a multi-visit trip as there is so much to see and do to fit in all in one day. It's just under 2 hours from Philly and perfect to come and get out of the sun!

Another place meant for the younger kids, Sesame Place will transport your kids into IRL Sesame Street! Hang out with characters, go on rides or even splash and play with their Sesame Summer Splash! There are parades and theme events happening all summer long. Some nights even have fireworks! Check their calendar to see what events are happening when.

In Jackson, NJ and a little over an hour away from Philly, Six Flags is home to the tallest rollercoaster around, a drive through Safari and a waterpark! Six Flags is the ultimate day of fun where you can feel like a superhero or supervillain as you soar through the skies on their massive coasters. This past year they unveiled the new Vertical Flash ride and a whole Safari Resort and Spa! Defiently a must if you are a fan of fast and crazy unique rides!

The Cape May Zoo is the ultimate family destination down the shore. It is free fun for all.

The Cape May County Zoo was created in 1978 within the Cape May County Park.

At the opening of the zoo, the animals consisted of an African lion, primates (spider monkeys), various barnyard animals, and New Jersey wildlife animals.

In the early 1980s, the zoo gradually incorporated into its displays more exotic animals, such as black bears, bison, antelope, primates, and birds.

Beginning in 1986, a Cape May Zoo renaissance began. Donations were solicited and there was a major reconstruction. Some of the projects that were completed consisted of a complete perimeter fence, a new lion exhibit, a Bengal tiger exhibit, a cougar exhibit, a giraffe and camel exhibit, a reptile house, and the construction of a medical building and diet preparation building.

Throughout the 1990s, renovations and new exhibits continued, with the construction of an African Savannah, which consisted of 57 acres that display giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and ostriches. Reconstruction of a reptile house replaced the original reptile house that was destroyed by fire in 1998, and a "World of Birds" walk-through Aviary was constructed.

From the zoo's beginning in 1978, the animal population was around 70 animals and today the zoo consists of 550 animals representing 250 species.

Planning on visiting the Zoo? This information will help you plan your trip.

Admission
The Zoo is FREE.
Donations help to keep them FREE!

Parking
Parking for cars is FREE.
Full-size buses are $80.
Short school buses are $40.

Zoo Hours
The current Zoo hours are:
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
7 days a week - They are open every day!
(Except for Christmas)

A wallaby is more than just a small kangaroo! Both kangaroos and wallabies are marsupials, meaning they carry their young around in a pouch and are similar enough that scientists have placed them in the same order, family, and subfamily. Wallabies are much smaller, though. The wallabies are back in their yard at the zoo! After enlarging their yard, installing a new fence, adding dirt and grass seed, and putting in a new hut (complete with a front porch), the wallaby mob has returned from their temporary yard next door.

This loveable species is the world's largest rodent! Endemic to South America, they inhabit forested and savanna areas near fresh water. They are semi-aquatic and have webbed feet to help them get around!  At the Zoo you'll find Budette, Marigold, Buttercup, Capychino, and Goomba. They are all on exhibit daily, so stop by to say hello.

At the Cape May Zoo you can find Fred and his crew, the Galapagos Tortoises! Fred is 500+ lbs. Galapagos tortoises are the largest living species of tortoise and can weigh up to 919 lb. They have lifespans in the wild of over 100 years. Captive Galapagos tortoises can live up to 177 years!

Reticulated Giraffes call the Cape May County Zoo home. The boys rule at the Zoo. Kifeda was born there on November 11, 2017. They also have Jambazi and Beau who buzz around the yard like lively brothers when the weather's nice.

Their African Lions came to the zoo in November of 2014 from Jacksonville NJ. Our Male Lex and female Bella are siblings born in 2011. Their main keeper enjoys working with them and compares them to big dogs. try sticking around to hear them roar!