April 3, 2007
If you’re like me, the long winter was torture. You sat around counting down the days until you could once again hang out outside enjoying a picnic with friends. Well, now that the springtime weather is here, let me make an indoor/pseudo-outdoor suggestion: the rooftop garden at the Kimmel Center.
The Dorrance H. Hamilton Garden is located atop the Pearlman Auditorium, ensconced in glass under the dome of the Kimmel Center. The park-like atmosphere, with its stunning views of Philadelphia, is a great place to spend an afternoon. And if you feel like it’s just not the park without the goat statue from Rittenhouse Square (if you’ve been there, you know it) maybe you can organize a paper mache goat making party up there to make it feel more like home (it’s just a suggestion).
As possibly the nicest indoor public space in the city, the Garden is a great resource available to Philadelphians and their families. (They’ll even allow tourists there if they ask nicely.)
The Kimmel Center also offers guided tours of the complex Tuesday through Sunday at 1 p.m.
Kimmel Center
260 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia PA 19102
(215) 790-5800
January 10, 2007
OK, so it only lasted about 30 seconds, but today’s snow storm (hey it’s a storm compared to what we’ve been getting– take that Denver!) served to remind us that January really is winter. And just like bears, we tend to hibernate indoors at the first sign of cold.
If the prospect of two long months cooped up inside with your little one with nothing but the Teletubbies for entertainment is enough to make you break out in hives, then we have a solution for you: The Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse.
The Playhouse, which if you grew up in Philadelphia may have entertained you as a child, and maybe even your parents before you, is a beautiful house built in 1899 as a playhouse for the children of Philadelphia. The Playhouse offers three floors of fun, including “Smithville,” a mini town through which the kids can ride, and a foam block room where jumping and tumbling are not only allowed, but also encouraged. But wait, that’s not even the best part, the best part is . . . nope, not that it’s indoors (but that’s good too) . . . nope, not that it’s a great place to meet other parents . . . nope, the best part is that it’s free! Of course, donations are always appreciated.
The Playhouse, located in East Fairmont Park, is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to kids 5 and younger. The Playground, which reopens in April 1, is open to kids 10 and younger.
Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
East Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA 19121
215-765-4325
*** Uwishunu is thrilled to introduce Cheryl Provorny of Dancing Meatballs, a site and newsletter dedicated to Philly parents. Cheryl and her Meatballs partner Janelle Tsai will be regularly contributing tips on family friendly locations and events. Welcome!
