Vacation Days: Three Great Local Destinations for You and Your Kids

School vacation is here and there are loads of great things to do locally. Check out these three "staycation" destinations, all in the Philadelphia area. All these destinations are free or cost less than $10 per person—a great way to keep cool, entertained and stick to your budget.

1. Go prehistoric at Haddonfield’s Dinosaur Discovery Park

If you’ve ever strolled Haddonfield’s Kings Highway, you have seen the Hadrosaurus fountain. But the real spot to visit is Dinosaur Discovery Park, a tiny little gem hidden at the end of Maple Avenue, just off Grove Street. In 1858, William Parker Foulke discovered the first full dinosaur skeleton in a ravine here, sparking the world’s fascination with dinosaurs. Now, the Hadrosaurus is on display at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, but you can see where it all began. There is a spot to picnic or grab lunch in Cherry Hill or downtown Haddonfield.

Tip: Bring along a toy dinosaur to leave at the site, in honor of the fabulous Hadrosaurus.
For more details: hadrosaurus.com
Time: One hour, more if you picnic
Admission Cost: None
Food: Picnic or check out eateries nearby (many have "Kids Eat Free" deals!)
Mileage (from Gloucester Township Municipal Building): 7.8 miles

2. Day in the park at Franklin Square

Franklin Square, located at the base of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge on 6th Street, is one of the best parks in Philadelphia. Besides a totally awesome (and enclosed!) playground, there is the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel. Rides are just $2.50 per person (under 2 is free!). Spin a few times and then try your hand at Philly Mini Golf, an 18-hole Philadelphia-themed course (the 18th hole has you putting through a crack in the Liberty Bell!). A round of golf is $8 per person ($6 for kids 3 to 12 years old). Make a wish in the Franklin Square fountain before grabbing a burger at Starr Restaurant’s SquareBurger, located right in the park.

Tip: Take Patco to the city for extra adventure. Round trip from Lindenwold to 8th and Market is $5.40 per adult (going up to $6 on July 1); kids under 5 ride free.
For more details: historicphiladelphia.org/day/franklin-square/
Time: Two hours or more
Admission Cost: Park is free. Carousel is $2.50 per person. Mini golf is $8 per adult, $6 per child.
Food: Picnic or SquareBurger, where burgers start at $5.
Mileage: 13 miles

3. Play like a kid at the SMITH

If you haven’t ever been to the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse in East Fairmount Park, you are totally missing out. Smith is free and fabulous! Inside the playhouse, there are 24,000 square feet of play space, including Smithville—a city of tricycles and bikes, with a working spotlight. Outside features an enormous tot lot and playground. But the most fabulous feature is the giant wooden slide—perfect for kids and adults.

And the Smith is Free!

Tip: The playhouse is not air-conditioned, so go in the morning and play inside first. Some afternoons the staff sets up sprinklers on the lawn, so bring bathing suits and a change of clothes
For more details (and directions!): smithkidsplayplace.org
Time: A lot or a little
Admission Cost: Free
Food: Pack your own (although there is water for purchase) and pack out your trash.
Mileage: 19 miles