- “We the people……” It’s a very nice entrance and a very nice reminder.
Today I had the pleasure of visiting the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. It’s been open for a few years and it’s been on my mental list of things to do, I just never seemed to get there. A bunch of the Philly Social Media Moms met there this morning, invited personally by the NCC! It was a gorgeous day today–bright and sunny, low humidity, just perfect. We deserved it though–we really took a beating last week.
The National Constitution Center is very accessible from I-95. As I’ve said before, I’m not afraid to drive in the city, it’s just out of my comfort zone. But it’s just a couple of turns off of the highway and you’re there. We were to meet at 9:30 and they served us a very nice continental breakfast. My 2-year-old thinks muffins are cupcakes, and that’s fine with me. He thinks he had a cupcake for a morning snack. My 4-year-old sat on his muffin about five minutes after we got there. Great way to start the day-stained pants and I didn’t bring him a change of clothes.
Yes, my two year old is crying because he was afraid of them.
We received a very nice introduction about the NCC and the different programs they have going on right now. We also were greeted by the two NCC mascots–a donkey and an elephant of course.
He loved the elephant, I kept telling him that's not how we roll.
My 2-year-old went back & forth about being afraid of them, my 4-year old loved the elephant.
The NCC has some really good offers and programs going on right now. The special exhibit going on now through September 5 is George Washington. They also have a special offer that kids are free with an adult, and each adult can bring up to four children with them. I think it’s up to age 12. I also will include a $3 printable coupon at the end of this post, so you can save on the adult admissions too.
First, we visited the kids activities in the lobby. They had three crafts lined up–candle making, a faux stained glass window and I forget the third one. We did the stained glass window one with tissue paper. After we did that, we walked through the George Washington exhibit. I really enjoyed it, but my 2-year-old was intermittently acting up. He enjoyed seeing the dioramas, enjoyed the cannon, the horse and a few other things. They have iPods for you to borrow if you want to narrate your tour but I knew better than to let my kids near an iPod I didn’t own. The life-sized re-created models of George Washington are amazing, they are definitely a must see. They even have some of his teeth there. Did you know, he never had wooden teeth?
Brian looking out the windows-you can see Independence Hall which is down the mall.
After the George Washington exhibit, we went upstairs. It’s very bright and spacious, my little guys enjoyed running around. We saw some of the exhibits up there, including an antique print of the Constitution. You can see all the way down the Mall to Independence Hall. See that grassy area out there? That’s where we ate lunch. It was gorgeous out there and my little guys enjoyed it. Our trip ended earlier than I would have liked, my older son had an appointment. Before we left, we walked the gift shop. Out of all the cute & educational things they had, they chose bubbles.
If the National Constitution Center is on your list of things to do, you need to move it up the list! First, the George Washington exhibit is only there until September 5. That also is the day that the Kids-Free offer ends, and the same day that this printable coupon ends. Print it and you’ll save $3 on admission. Pack lunches and snacks to save money, though the food there is not outrageously priced. Save some money for the gift shop. Take advantage of Philadelphia and all that it has to offer.
There are so many wonderful things within walking distance of the NCC-Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell (it’s free!), the Mall, the park, ChristChurch and so much more. We did a quick walk around the mall and then headed home. Here are some more pictures. If you go and would like to share your experience–please post your photos on the Facebook wall.
Brian looking at the Mt. Vernon diorama.
View from Independence Hall, back down to NCC. Liberty Bell on left.
Independence Hall
The very nice, very patient staff person took about 20 pix, and this was the best one.
If you have a child with special needs, and would like to know what I thought of the National Constitution Center from a special-needs-parent perspective, please check out my Special Needs Parenting Blog.
