Top Santa Visits
If you're looking for a visit with Santa that is a little more unique than heading to your local mall, check out one of these great memorable opportunities for your little ones to visit with Santa this holiday season!
Surprise your kiddos with the most unique entrance by Santa they'll ever have seen at the American Helicopter Museum on Saturday December 17th at 11am as Santa arrives via a whirly bird! Bring your cameras for a unique Santa photo and enjoy holiday refreshments and activities. Family helicopter rides available for an additional fee.
Head to Philly's historic Franklin Square on weekends this holiday season for some historic holiday fun and of course a visit with Santa. Santa visits are offered 2-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays in December. Plus enjoy holiday music, a wintery ride on the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, some Philly-themed putt-putt and even candy cane shakes and other holiday themed treats from Square Burger. Open weekends and select days through January 2nd.
Saturdays and Sundays in December Linvilla Orchards in Media, PA provides a country winter wonderland setting for your little ones' visits with Santa this holiday season. The Farm is beautifully decorated in its holiday best and even the animals have on their Christmas coats! And take the family for Christmas Caroling hayrides (runs weekends in Dec. through the 17th) at 5 and 6:30pm. And if you haven't gotten your tree yet, there is always "Cut Your Own Tree" where you can take a hayride out to select your tree. Entrance to Linvilla is free. Hayrides and other attractions are ticketed.
Running through Christmas Eve, Philly's Love Park is home to its own Christkindl style market complete with crafts, food and fun for the whole family. Children can visit Santa's house to have a seat on his lap and tell the big guy their Christmas wishes. Runs from 11am-8pm daily from through Christmas Eve. Free.
Children will cherish this 90 minute journey on the heated Santa Express decorated train through the Chester Creek Valley accompanied by Santa and Mrs Claus who join passengers at the Market Street Station and travel along until the Glen Mills stop. Enjoy unique photo opportunities aboard the train with Santa and a special treat upon returning to West Chester. Runs weekends in December through the 18th. Adults $20. Children ages 2-12 $12.50 and toddlers 9 months to 23 months $5.00.
Take the whole family out to The Highlands Mansion and Gardens on December 28th from 12:30 2:30pm for a unique visit with Santa featuring a meet and greet with The Night Before Christmas illustrator, Charles Santore and purchase a copy of the famous tales which features The Highlands. Plus, of course visit with Santa and take photos (bring your own camera) and enjoy an informal lunch and a reading of The Night Before Christmas as well. Kids will also enjoy make and take holiday crafts with the chldren's librarians from the William Jeanes Memorial Library. Reservations required. Seating is limited. $12 per person includes lunch, book reading and craft materials. $19 to buy the book, too.
Want a truly memorable visit with Santa this holiday season? Then hop aborad the Spirit of Philadelphia for a Lunch with Santa crusie and photo opportunity for your little ones. Enjoy the adult and kid-friendly buffet, special holiday music and entertainment and of course a visit with Santa himself. Runs Saturday December 10th (boarding at 11am) and Sunday December 11th (boarding at 11:30am). Tickets $41.90 per adult, $24.95 per child age 3-12.
Bring even the littlest car lovers out to the Simeone Foundation Museum on Saturday December 10th from 11am – 2pm for a chance to have a photo with Santa in his bright red 1916 Stutz Sleigh. Bring your own cameras. Plus enjoy holiday food and drink available for purchase.
Jennifer Oxenford is a mother of two and the founder of phillyfun4kids www.phillyfun4kids.com your place to find free and mostly free things to do with your kids in and around this great city of motherly love. You can also follow phillyfun4kids on twitter at twitter/phillyfun4kids.
