koenandtessa: Checking back in from Philly

So yesterday was a blast! We maximized the Philadelphia Pass already! Yesterday's activities included rushing down to Chestnut and 6th to catch the 10am Duck Tour. We were briefly sweating it out as the Black Lives Matters protesters gathered at Philly City Hall and caused a bit of a traffic jam. Thankfully our driver knew all the backroad short cuts and we made it in plenty of time. Our tour guide on the duck tour was hilarious and fantastic so if you ever take a Duck Tour in Philly ask for Andrew - See pic below.
From there we had a relaxed lunch at the Independence Beer Garden. I know, everyone is laughing cause I don't drink, and I was with 3 underage kids. BUT, the location was perfect and it was surrounded with greenery, great tables, and they had Jenga games on all the tables which Koen, Tessa, and Bridget played while we waited.

After lunch we boarded the Big Bus right on Arch Street near the Independence Visitor Center. We were on the top level and it was a super sunny nice day so we really got an amazing very of the city from the top of the bus. I included a few pix below..

The kids were dying to go over to the Adventure Aquarium after the Bus Tour which stopped in front of our hotel, so we drove over to Camden to check it out. We all enjoyed the exhibits which included hippos, sharks, touch tanks, and lots of exotic fish.

As if that wasn't enough for the day, we ended our day over at the Spruce Street Harbor Park which also has lots of games for kids (life size checkers, chess, connect four) and most importantly, many hammocks to relax in. Koen was determined to stay as long as possible and relax in the hammocks.

Today was back to reality for me as I had to attend my work meetings, but thankfully Bridget took the kids to see the Academy of Natural Science which had a big dinosaur exhibit with interactive segments which the kids loved. They also made it over to the Reading Terminal Market which is similar to Quincy Market in Boston but much bigger. I was so impressed they made it over there in a cab. The also ventured out to see Betsy Ross' house but it was already closed for the day. We will head back there tomorrow...