How to Find Family Activities in Montgomery County Pennsylvania
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, is located northwest of Philadelphia and is the third most populous suburban county in Pennsylvania. The county was created in 1784, out of land that was originally part of Philadelphia County. Although historians are uncertain of its origin, it is believed to have been either named in honor of Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general killed in 1775, or for the Welsh county of Montgomeryshire--an area of Pennsylvania settled by Quakers from Wales. With numerous state and county parks within the region, Montgomery County is a perfect location for hiking, biking and walking. It's also a county rich with cultural activities for children.
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The Montgomery County Department of Parks and Heritage Services oversees the 52 miles of is regional county trails that connect greenways, waterways and heritage corridors. See the Resources section below for a link to their website. A few of the largest parks that include family activities, historical re-enactments, nature hikes and miles and miles of trails, include Valley Forge National Park; King of Prussia; Ft. Washington State Park; and Central Perkiomen Valley Park.
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Visit the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown. Encompassing 16 acres, Elmwood offers lots of events for families, including birthday parties, workshops, arts classes, special summer programs for kids and an adopt-an-animal program. Take advantage of the large playground and if you live nearby, and encourage older children to volunteer.
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Sesame Place in Langhorne is THE park for children in Pennsylvania. Join Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird for water rides and water activities, live shows and parades. Twilight admission, starting after 4:00 p.m., means you'll spend less on tickets. Two-day, senior and AAA discounts are also available. You can schedule breakfast with some of the characters. Check the website (see Resources below) for schedule of character dining.
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There are lots of cultural venues and activities for families, as well, such as Abington Art Center; The Barnes Foundation, Lower Merion; Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham; Enchantment Theater Co., Glenside; Keswick Theater, Glenside; Main Line Youth Chamber Orchestra Academy, Wayne; Storybook Musical Theater, Abington; and Montgomery County Cultural Center, Norristown (see Resources below).
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If you are lucky enough to live in Abington Township, you have exclusive entry into Alvethorpe Park (you have to prove residency) which offers 9-hole and mini golf, several playgrounds, tennis courts, camping, bike trails, kiddie pools and year-round activities. If you know someone who lives in Abington, ask them to drop you off. Treat them to Rita's Ice after as a reward.
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Tips & Warnings
The Friday Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper has a terrific weekend section that lists family and children's events by county.
Before heading out to any of the parks, check websites or call to be sure there's no construction going on or that a favorite attraction is temporarily closed.
